A day in the life of...Mark Williams

What's happening with me

For starters...

The Labor Day holiday was great.  We wound up eating at friends' homes for both lunch and dinner.  That was great.  The downside...it threw my "rest of the week" routine for a loop.  I've been off all week.  That's ok though.  I can handle being out of the routine in return for a day off.  We are supposed to break out of the Cage of Routine anyway.

on being a soccer coach....I'm trying to get 8 boys that are 8 and 9 years old to kick a ball into a net.  I'm also trying to get them to keep the other team from doing the same.  You think this would be easy.  It is not.  It is a love/hate thing.  I actually think I'm a half-decent coach.  The other half of me thinks I stink at it and believes someone else could definitely do a better job than me.  We're gonna have to have fun with this.  Otherwise, my hair is going to turn more gray than it already is. 

...on being a Miss. State fan.  I pray that this past weekend wasn't a game just to get our hopes up.  We play a real team Saturday in Auburn.  I'm not naive enough to believe that we'll have a winning season this year.  If we do, GREAT!!  But I know better than to expect that with a new coach this year. 

...on Wild Goose Chase.  I'm enjoying the weekly time I have teaching and leading a group through this study.  I believe that, if applied to our lives, it can literally change the course of what people do with their time on this earth.  I think it can be that life-transforming. 

...on being a daddy.  My kids are great.  But this week, they've been driving me (and Melanie) crazy.  I'm not sure if its the moon and stars, or what.  I've been ready to "take a belt" to em though. 

...on being a husband.  I love my wife.  She's planted the fire out of some plants this week.  I helped last weekend with it.  But this week, she planted 50 something without me.  God bless her.  And she's an amazing mommy too!! 

...on being a son-in-law.  Melanie's parents are on a cruise....in the Mediterranean.  Yep...Turkey, Greece, Italy.  I'm one jealous son-in-law. 

...on being a camp director.  We opened up registration for M4 Camps last week.  So far, we have over 300 ALREADY preregistered for 2010 summer camps.  Wow!!  I can hardly wait!!

Home from camp

It's August 1st, 2009.  Camp is officially over for 2009.  Just a few numbers for ya.
900. # of campers this summer (including adult chaperones)

12.  Number of official staff we had this year.  If you count speakers and worship leaders.  Probably around 20.

4.  Number of grandparents that helped watch our kids while we were at camp.  Our brothers and their families helped out too!!  Also, Melanie's grandmother.

1000+  .  Number of sno-cones made at camp this year.

16.  Number of nights we spent at camp.  Number of nights we missed our beds.

3.  # of pair of shorts that got ruined making sno-cones.

2.  # of locations we had this year.  Waukaway and Twin Lakes

2.  # of blow-up earths that got punctured this year.

136.  # of band-aids used.  (Well....probably).

2.  # of cell phones ruined.

1.  # of alternators replaced.

2.  # of tires changed for flats or precautionary reasons.

800+ .  # of miles driven to our locations. 

3.  # of late night trips to Walmart with Byron at Twin Lakes.

These are just a few of the things that we can remember.  I can't even begin to tell you how awesome, amazing, exhilerating, and just totally off the chart this summer of camps with M4 was.  We have an AMAZING staff that worked SO HARD.  We did it through the power of God.  We are so thankful that he put us in a position where we can "make camp happen".  There are countless "Thank You's" that go out.  People let us use their trucks, trailers, time, energy, gifts, and everything they had to offer.  We had hundreds of people praying that God would move this summer at camp.  And did He ever!!  Salvation happened throughout each camp.  We are still hearing stories of how God moved in the lives of kids AND adults!! 

It's my prayer that God allows us to continue what we do for years to come!!  It is our passion to see lives changed through the ministry of M4 Camps.  Pray for us!!  Lift us up to the Father!! 

One more thing.  Spread the word!!  We do everything by "word of mouth".  So if you know someone who may be interested in Kids' Camp, send them our way.

www.m4camps.com

 

Update 7-14-09

Well....M4 camps 1, 2, and 3 are over.  We finished up this past Sunday.  We saw almost 400 campers during the first 3 camps.  It was an AMAZING week.  There are so many moments and memories to talk and laugh about for years to come.  More importantly, so many lives were impacted by Jesus and the Word of God.  Gary Permenter was our speaker for the first 3 camps.  Gary has an amazing way of communicating on the level of the crowd.  His style is unique and very engaging.  Chris Layton was our worship leader for camp #1.  He was great.  Curt Hale was our worship leader for camps #2 and #3.  Curt is one of my best friends, and always brings energy to the sessions. 

There were countless numbers of kids launched from the blob.  We had tons of laughs and good times.  I gotta tell you...the M4 staff did an OUTSTANDING job these first three camps.  We are soooo ready to go back for a few more camps!!

Final checks

    Here I am.  It's Saturday night before we leave for M4 Camps 2009 tomorrow.  The trailer is packed.  My personal clothes are packed.  We have just a few things to pack tomorrow, besides our luggage.  I am excited and nervous all at the same time.  It's now or never.     
    The cool thing about the next 3 weeks is that we will have the opportunity to impact over 900 lives.  900.  I am constantly amazed that God would allow us to be a part of this.  I've gotta tell ya though, I love being part of a movement.  It's a movement within the children's ministry subculture in Mississippi.  Why do I say that?  Well, 4 summers ago, no one one coming to M4 Camps.  Why?  It didn't exist.  The camp that I did with Agricola Baptist did exist.  It has since 2004.  But M4 Camps as we know it didn't.  It was just a dream.  A vision to see a kids' camp done well in Mississippi.  In 2007, we had 450 campers.  In, 2008, over 700 came to M4 Camps.  And this summer, 2009, we have 900 campers coming to spend a few days with us.  I'd say that classifies as a movement.  I'm so thankful to be a part of it.
    So...here I am less than 40 hours away from seeing the first campers of 2009.  We have an excellent staff of 11 this year, not counting our speakers and worship leaders. The cool thing about our M4 staff is that they are people from our church who we minister alongside every day.  That may change some over time.  However, it is a HUGE advantage because we have a level of trust, confidence, and faith in each other. 
    I ask that you pray for us.  I'm not sure how the blogging will be over the next few weeks.  I'll probably update my facebook more than I'll post long posts.  But I will try to keep everyone updated on how things are going. 

Getting closer

All the pieces are falling into place.  We are just a few short days away from M4 Camps 2009.  Every little detail is being examined.  Timing, logistics, worship leaders, speakers, audio, video, computers, games, meals, Bible studies, supplies, staff, you name it.  I am excited and nervous all at the same time.  It is a monumental task to pull of 7 camps in about a 3 week time period.  It is a huge task to give 900 campers a great experience that they will remember for a lifetime.  More than anything, though, we want them to meet and experience Jesus while at camp.  Above everything else, that is our desire and passion.  As time closes in on camp, my prayers are for those who are coming.  There are kids from broken homes, in-tact homes, and every other situation you could imagine.  They all have different dynamics and backgrounds.  I ask that you pray for them.  Pray that their week at camp will be AMAZING!!  Pray for our staff...that we will be full of energy and the Holy Spirit.  Pray for our worship leaders and speakers...that God will use them to lead people to Him.  Pray for me and Melanie.  Pray that as we direct and lead M4 Camps, that we will be full of wisdom and knowledge.  Pray that we create an experience that is unforgettable.   

CPR certified

Last night, the entire M4 camp staff was certified in CPR and First Aid.  I/we spent 4 1/2 hours taking the course, testing out, and making sure we are ready for summer camp.  Having this certification will be a great addition to the skills of our staff. 

I've gotta tell you....it's really good for anyone to take this certification.  It can absolutely be a life or death thing for someone.  I know this....I would want someone around me who is trained in this if I was unconscious. 

The certification is for 2 years.  So, we're good to go for the next 2 summers.  We may add some additional training in the future as we continue to grow our staff.

Moving to the Launch Pad

    I enjoy watching the space shuttle take off.  The sheer amount of thrust and power that it takes to lift that massive spacecraft off the ground is amazing.  And straight up at that.  It is also amazing to me that people in Mississippi are the ones doing a lot of that work!!  Great job for them!! 
    But before the space shuttle takes off, and all the excitement begins...something else has to happen.  Everything has to be prepared away from the launch pad.  System tests, inspections, instrument readings must be perfect or within a certain % of some "number" they are looking for.  There are countless numbers of protocol operations that HAVE to happen in order for the crew of 7-10 astronauts to experience going into space.  We don't see those things happening.  We don't see all of the people working SO hard behind the scenes with meticulous numbers and data to ensure that the mission is a success. 
    However, those people and their jobs are VITAL to the mission.  This is how it is when we are working on a big project, event, or experience.  Right now, I have two of those.  One is getting our new S.S. year kicked off with all people in place.  It's important that our mission of discipling others is as good as we can make it.  We look at dynamics of classes, sizes, teacher personalities and how that will fit with certain classes.  We analyze our space and see where we can be more efficient, and reach more people.  We are constantly evaluating what we are doing, if there is a problem, and what needs to be done about it.  That's how we are moving to the "Launch Pad" for our new S.S. year. 

    Another "mission" that I am leading with my wife is M4 Camps 2009.  We are a week and a half from launch.  It is crunch time.  It's the time where we are checking everything.  Practices have been going on.  Logistics for rooms, meals, worship, worship elements, worship leaders, speakers, staff, churches, and the list goes on.  I've got to tell you that the anticipation for the "launch" is high.  At the same time, we are excited, nervous, and a little on edge.  We want everything to be perfect for liftoff. 
    The launch and mission is the exciting part.  But there is so much more that goes into the actual journey.  It's just nice to know that when you are on that journey, someone was taking the time to make sure everything was "All Systems Go"!!

M4 Camp T-Shirts 2009

Below are the shirts that are for sale this summer.  They are $10 each + shipping (outside of Agricola!)  If you would like to get one, let me know when you see me or send me an email to mark@m4camps.com  . 

M4 Camp Rocks--Red

M4 Camps Swirl--Gray

M4 Classic shirt.  Purple with Yellow print.  The shirt is a darker purple than it appears in the pic.

Classic M4 inverted.  Maroon.

Camp update

M4 Camps starts in 13 days.  2 weeks from yesterday.  There is a lot going on at our home right now with camp preparations.  We are excited, thrilled, and...well, nervous.  It's the good kind of nervous though.  It's the kind where we go....ok....we have a God-sized task in front of us, but He has called us to this amazing ministry.  Camp days are long and hard.  They are fun, but lots of work goes into each minute of every day. 

Camp is a great time for our family.  We thrive on the intensity and passion of creating a camp experience that is unique and authentic.  This year, our theme is "Shake Your World".  We have a great staff, excellent leaders, and 2 wonderful locations.  M4 Camps will be hosting over 900 people this summer....our largest summer yet!! 

Getting back to the "busy" side of camp.  My wife, Melanie, is really bringing the details together.  We each have our roles and things that each of us take care of.  But she is the one you talk to on the phone most of the time.  Her creativity also brings a great deal to the table for M4 Camps.  We have many late nights where we just sit and brainstorm about camp.  All of this work will be coming to a pinnacle point in 2 weeks.  We are excited and ecstatic about what God has in store this summer!!

Good summer times

It's soooo hot!!  We''ve been flirting with 100 degrees each day.  The heat index has been hovering between 108 and 111 also. 

After work, because of the heat, we went outside with the kids and set up Malaree's pool and Micah's slip-n-slide skimboard.  It felt so good to get in the water.  We stayed out for awhile.  I finally just laid down in the kiddie pool.  It felt SOOOO good!! 

Melanie cooked a GREAT supper of Chicken alfredo, rolls, (and nasty english peas...not for me, but for her and the kids). 

This afternoon, we had some friends bring by some sweet corn and a 5 gallon bucket of squash.  We all shucked the corn on the back porch.  It reminded me of growing up some.  I don't so much remember shucking corn as I do shelling peas.  It was fun to see the kids shuckin' corn.

Tonight, we had a friend come over and just chill and talk with us for a little bit.  We hadn't done that in awhile. 

Tomorrow, we're headed to the beach for the day.  We initially were going to stay a few days, but decided to save the money and just go for the day.  It actually turned out great, though.  We now have a good crew going to Gulf Shores for the day.  I'm looking forward to it.

On a short camp note...we had over 900 shirts arrive today via UPS.  13 boxes of shirts!!  Needless to say, I'm sure the UPS man didn't appreciate my large order.  Anyway, they are all of ONE style.  It was actually the shirt we give to everyone at camp.  We'll count and sort through them all this weekend.  I kept thinking that is was more than just those.  But it wasn't.  We still have that many shirts coming in the next week for giveaways and to sell. 

On the church front, we had a pretty good week.  Tuesday night's VBS follow-up turnout was great.  Wed. night was a little low, but that's about normal for summer.  In the office, I felt like I got a lot accomplished.  I got started on some more video editing that hasn't been done. 

That's it right now.  I'll post about Father's Day this weekend also.