You Are Loved

It doesn't take a mailbox full of Valentine's Day cards to know that you are loved. Still, not getting as many cards as a friend can make us feel disappointed or even unlovable. Take it from Charlie Brown, being left out is tough. In this issue of The Hopper we have some amazing things to share about the kind of love that never fades or disappears. Plus, you'll find fun stuff here, too, like how to make a non-spit spitball-type target thingy, funny jokes to tell your love-crazy older sister or brother, and the latest scoop about summer at SpringHill. Now that's something to love!

What's Happening at SpringHill 

The Flying Squirrel, aqua mountain, the zipline, campfires, horses, the gusher, friends and counselors you'll never want to leave - have you registered for the greatest summer of your life? Get all the details on our website or call us at 231-734-2616 and we'll send you a SpringHill Summer 2006 registration packet.

Have you signed up to have a blast? We're talking about a Blast in a Box! Talk to your parents about hosting an awesome SpringHill party. Sign up today and we'll send you great stuff, like all the ingredients for s'mores, balloons, streamers, wristbands and more, to help introduce your friends to SpringHill and have a blast! (In the box, you'll also find details on how you and your friends can enter to win a free iPod. Don't miss it!)

Want to try out the SpringHill experience before summer and have some fun with your mom or dad? Tell them about our Parent/Child Retreat in Michigan this spring. You'll get a chance to see what camp is like and spend some special time with one of your parents. Plus, you may get your mom or dad down our zipline. Now, that's something to see!

Do-It-Yourself SpringHill Adventures -- More Target Sports

Grab a couple of basic household items -- a drinking straw and a Q-tip -- and you're ready for some indoor target practice. Here's what to do:

1. Put a Q-tip in a drinking straw.   

2. With a full breath (being careful not to suck the Q-tip into your mouth), blow through the straw, propelling the Q-tip forward.

3. Set up some paper cups or other lightweight, unbreakable objects on a ledge or shelf and practice your aim. Although there's not much damage a Q-tip can do, we discourage shooting them at your little sister.  

Do you have an idea for a Do-It-Yourself SpringHill Adventure? Send it to us!

Can I Ever Be Unloveable?

"This is love: not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the way to take away our sins." - 1 John 4:10

You can probably name a number of people who love you. People like your parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, maybe even friends. It's an awesome thing to be loved by others and to love them back. And it makes God really pleased to see us live this way.

But are there ever times when the people closest to you don't treat you very lovingly? Do you ever wonder if you could do something so bad that you would be unlovable? Guess what? The Bible tells us that could never happen with God. God's love for us has no limits and no requirements.

In fact, God loves you so much, He can't bear to live without you. He knows that there are times when you will turn and walk away from Him, but He has provided a way back. The Bible tells us that Jesus, God's only Son, took our sins away so we would never be separated from God. Because of this, we know that we will never be without God's love.

Share some questions and answers with your parents: When are some times that you feel unloveable? Do you ever doubt your family's love for you? Do you ever doubt God's love for you? How has God shown His love for us? How can we know that God will always love us?

Sevenglory Talks About Love

Sevenglory is a bands you may get to know (and love!) when you graduate to New Frontiers or InPursuit or when you attend a retreat at SpringHill. Besides being great musicians, they are awesome guys who know what God's love is all about. Sevenglory's drummer Gabe Johannes told us all about it.

Gracie: Hi Gabe. I know Sevenglory is a favorite band at SpringHill. Can you tell us why you guys like it here so much?
Gabe: SpringHill is a highlight for us. There is something almost indescribable about the place. We've made many good friends over the years, so going to SpringHill is like playing at home. We see many of the same campers and staff every time we go. The community is strong and exciting.
Gracie: Popular bands like Sevenglory travel a lot, so it's probably nice to be around people who know your names and are glad to see you.
Gabe: Definitely. One of the biggest challenges for us as a band is staying grounded. SpringHill helps us do that. So does church. Going to church and reading God's Word help us focus and grow spiritually as a group. There's a lot out there that can rip apart those important commitments.
Gracie: Being involved in the music industry, you probably wrestle with what God wants for you and what the world wants. Would that be fair to say?
Gabe: Definitely.
Gracie: With that in mind, what ways does the band see God's love at work as opposed to the love the world offers?
Gabe: I suppose the best way to explain it would be this: even if a concert goes incredibly well and we are well received as a band, even if we sell a lot of records or meet famous people, later on we find ourselves thinking, "That's it?" The excitement of being successful as a band eventually fades in view of what we can have when we put our focus on Jesus. God's love surpasses the world's: it is deep and constant and unconditional.
Gracie: Very well said, Gabe. Thanks for talking with us. Good luck with the band. We'll look forward to seeing you again at SpringHill sometime.
Gabe: Thank you, Gracie. Rock on.

I Wish God Would Tell Me

Dear Gracie,
     Someone at school says he hates me. I know I'm supposed to love others, but God can't expect me to love this kid, can He?
          From, Not Believing It

Dear Not Believing It,
     It probably seems impossible to love someone who doesn't treat you nicely or who even says awful things to you. Unkind words hurt. But, the truth is, God asks us to love like he does. And, yes, that includes our enemies. God doesn't want you to accept disrespect or not be angry and hurt about unkindness. In fact, when you are hurt by someone, God is hurt, too. But God does want you to be bigger than revenge. He is just as hurt when we throw the mean words and unkind thoughts back. If the trouble continues, talk to your parents or a teacher about it. Talk to God, too. He'll help you find the love you don't think you have.
          Love, Gracie

Is there something you wish God would tell you? Ask Gracie.

What You Said

94% of you believe that God has a good plan for your life.

The areas of your life where you need the most hope: thoughts about the future 31%; relationship with friends 25%; in your families 25%.

44% of you say you feel genuinely loved most of the time and 31% say all the time.

Knowing that Jesus is love makes you feel secure (75%) and excited (19%).

Joke Answers

1. I just want to hold your hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand.
2. Cauli-flowers.
3. Because it couldn't get a date.