We are Signed. Sealed. Delivered!

We made it! NCYC 2013 is over but the memories will last a lifetime.

I apologize for not blogging as often as I promised, but 25,000 people using their phones makes for not so great cell phone reception. And with the WiFi turned off at the hotel I was unable to use my iPad.

So many great talks, lots of rockin' music, trade items galore, seas of people, service opportunities and awesome prayer experiences are just a few of the highlights from our journey.

The 105 students who travelled with WCYM were amazing! Always on time, always checking in with chaperones and I witnessed every single student say please and thank you to service people, hall monitors, hotel staff and bus drivers. Thank you students!

We also had some of the best parent chaperones in the story of the world. They all jumped right in and were committed to making sure this trip ran smoothly. They also went above and beyond to make sure all the students felt loved and supported.  So make sure you thank the following people for making this trip a success: Barb Hart, William Brandle, Bill Ludwig, Chris Harms, Jolene Kneeland, Jim Koch, Nathaniel Gee, Kimberlynn Strever, Jim O'Connor, Andrea Moeller, Ellen Voegele, Julie Hayes, James Larsen, Jill Leibold, Deacon Ray Larsen, Dianne Layton, Bob Pranger and the newly hired high school youth minister John Knight. These people are truly good and faithful servants.

It is hard to put into words the NCYC experience. Here are a few things I saw our kids post on social media sights.

"So thankful for this experience of NCYC for the second time! Thank you to everyone who made it so amazing for me."
"This is literally so amazing and unbelievable. I can't even explain."
"I'm still really tired and glad to be home, but I would go back and do it all over if given the chance. #NCYC #lifechanging"
"Sad to say goodbye to NCYC, but I made great memories here that I will never forget. #GodisGood"
"Truly one of the best weekends of,cry life. Glad I could spend it with friends/family"
"Can we go back to Thursday?"

This is just a small sampling of what the kids are feeling. Please take some time and talk with them about this journey.

I am blessed. I am happy. I am emotional. I am proud. I am Catholic.
I am...
WE are...
SIGNED. SEALED. DELIVERED!

We are coming down from the mountain top.  The real work begins tomorrow....

God is Good!
~Annie

Pictures!!

Too much to write! Entering stadium for closing mass!
Here are some pictures from the day.

A Very Full and AWESOME Day!!

Day 2 and we are filled with the spirit!!

The day began with some warm-up music by Popple (I love those guys!) followed by an amazing talk from Bob Perron (who used to live in Iowa).
Bob talked about his family, which includes 2 adopted children. He explained that we are all "adopted" by God when we are baptized. It was a great talk and many of the kids mentioned this talk when we did some small group discussions this evening.
We also got to see WCYM's good friend John Angotti!

Then it was off to the convention center for 3 rounds of workshops.  The kids went to a variety of workshops that included Mike Patin, Steve Angrisano and Jason and Crystalina Evert.

Tonight's closing session featured Jackie Francois. Jackie reminded us that our sins bind us. To be children of God we need to free ourselves from a life of sin.

The small groups had some pretty great discussions when we got to the hotel. The Holy Spirit is definitely working in our group!

We will be up bright and early to enjoy our final day!

Peace!
~Annie

Indy or bust!!

We are on the road! After a few quiet hours on the buses this morning, things are picking up!

Bus 10 prayed the rosary, led by Bob Pranger and a few students who stepped up to help. Thank you Emma Roe, Ben Franke and Lauren Thome! The power of the Holy Spirit is already working within our group!

We stopped for lunch and everyone was very impressed with how polite and well behaved our group was....they are awesome! (And were back on the buses right on time).

We are watching movies, Remember the Titans and Elf, and students are addressing and stamping postcards for trade items!

When arrive in Indy, the archdiocese is hosting a mini-rally for us with entertainment by APEX. I have seen them many times and they are great. They juggle! After that we head to our hotel to freshen up, then over to Lucas Oil Stadium for the opening session. Don't forget to log on and watch the live stream coverage! 8pm Eastern Time.

We ask for your continued prayers as we begin the NCYC experience!

Peace!
~Annie

Go Time!

2 days 'til NCYC 2013!

Just a few reminders.

When packing, remember we only want you to bring one bag for under the bus. You can bring a bag for the bus and a pillow or blanket if you'd like.

You will get your shirts and trade items once we get to the hotel in Indy.


Our WCYM shirts for Saturday!
Nice job CHS art students!

You will also get your name tags (credentials). DO NOT LOSE THEM!! You will need to wear those at all times once you get them. No credentials, no admittance to Lucas Oil Stadium or the convention center. We will check you each morning when you get on the bus. Don't even take the name tag off when you are out for meals!


You will also get a program when you get to the hotel that has all the conference details.  Read that over Thursday night to make a game plan about what workshops you would like to attend.


We will work on addressing and stamping our postcard trade items on the bus.  Remember to bring some postcard stamps!

Pizza money will be collected on the bus. $3 per person who plans on eating a piece each night.

Bring snacks and a water bottle!

Comfy shoes.....flip flops are a NO.

But the most important part of this journey is HAVE FUN! Be present at NCYC. I know we live in a digital age, I will be blogging! But take the time to put the phones down and listen and watch all that is offered.  From adoration to reconciliation, daily mass and prayer walks, concerts, comedy clubs and giant jumpy castles, NCYC has something for everyone at every point in their personal faith journey.

I did receive word that Archbishop Jackals will be the presider and give the homily at the daily liturgy on Friday at 5:30pm.  I think our group should plan to attend the mass. How awesome for our new Archbishop to see young people from the diocese in matching shirts in the congregation.  I know this will conflict with dinner, but we will talk more about some options when we arrive in Indianapolis.

Looking forward to boarding the buses bright and early on Thursday.

Please arrive at St. Ed's no later than 6am! We want to hit the road at 6:30.

 

Peace!

~ Annie



Signed. Sealed. Delivered.

The countdown to Indy is on!

Welcome to the WCYM blog for NCYC 2013.  Final preparations are in full swing. Trade items, t-shirts and hats have all been bagged up and ready to hand out to students.  Banners have been sewn and will be painted in the morning. Room assignments and bus lists have been e-mailed.  All that is left to do is pack and pray!

I will try to update the blog a few times each day with pictures and stories from the students about their experiences.  Don't forget to log on to ncyc.nfcym.org to watch live stream coverage of events throughout the day!

Please pray for us as we make the journey to Indianapolis.  I cannot wait to watch our kids experience the joy of NCYC as they grow in their faith with 25,000 teens from across the country!

God is Good!

~ Annie