Middle School Retreat 2005 was awesome. I'm sorting through all the pictures and video right now and am constantly being reminded how awesome our Middle School students are. I also asked some of you what you thought and here's what you had to say:

"My favorite part was dodgeball - I'm pretty much the best dodgeball player ever" - Jonathan

"I'm just glad we didn't see the bears." - Tori

"It still hurts to walk." - Dalton

We hope you guys had a great time; but more than that, we hope this retreat was a time for you to experience Jesus - because he's what it's all about.

We're working on the video right now and we plan on airing it at November's Gathering (Wed Nov 2). Be sure to join us that night and bring your friends so they can see you on camera. Also, beginning with MS Retreat, you'll now be able to purchase a copy of the retreat video on DVD for just $5.

Leave us a comment and tell us what your favorite memory from the retreat and we'll share it with the group on Nov 2, when we watch the video.

I think we've all agreed around the office that our favorite memory from this retreat is definitely Zach "Wedgie" Berry - or scaring Tori with the bears. So hard to decide.

ML3K just began his nationwide "It's pronouned 3 THOUSAND" tour across North America. He recently debuted this critically acclaimed tour at Salem's ROCK House this previous Sunday & Wednesday nights. Chief Editor for Rolling Stone Magazine, Dean Krazansky, was at Sunday's tour kick-off and commented: "ML3K rocks the house. We've seen groups like The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Eric Clapton and Dave Matthews put on shows that can't even compare to the hype experienced at one of ML3K's concerts. His fan-base is growing faster than any group around and I believe he'll be the next big time Hip Hop star. Be ready, because ML3K will be a name you're gonna hear for a long time."

ML3K began pursuing a career in the Hip Hop arena almost 10 years ago; beginning as a competitive dancer in school league competitions. From there, ML3K went on to be a backup dancer for several popular artists before breaking out on the solo scene as a vocalist. Winning his first Grammy at age 18 for "Best New Artist - Hip Hop", ML3K's debut cd, "Rhyme Tyme" maintained a Top 10 status on Billboard's Top 100 Chart.

After taking some time off, ML3K went back into the studio last July to begin work on his fourth cd "chILLIN", due to hit stores nationwide November 10, 2005. His newest work features guest appearances by NJOY, Syo Narra, and Dyno-mite and features the hit radio single "3Kizzle".

MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT finally has a home! For those of you who didn't already know, the camp that we were booked to stay at for MS Retreat is now housing evacuees from Louisiana and has cancelled all fall bookings. Because we didn't have a place, we didn't know what the cost would be or all the details we needed for registration brochures. When we found out about this, we immediately began calling other local camps; however, everyone was completely booked for October.

We're excited to announce that we finalized a contract for Camp Kaleo; who was on standby for evacuees but has now been cleared and had available space to accomodate us. With that underway, registration brochures will be available beginning Sunday, Sept 18.

MS Retreat is going to be an awesome weekend. Marc and I are talking about it right now, as I write. We're currently in St. Simon's having a little R & R...but still working, of course.

Be sure to pick up a brochure Sunday morning to register for MS Retreat 2005, "XLR8".

I almost forgot, the new Switchfoot cd is in stores now. Save your allowance money this week and pick it up. It's awesome. Hit this link, Switchfoot, and scroll down the page a little to browse some audio clips of Switchfoot's "Nothing Is Sound." And...be on the lookout for David Crowder's new cd, "A Collision", coming out September 27. There's a link to Crowder's website on the left side of this blog.

We're off to see the Sea Turtles............

We're famous! I knew that this day would come....mama always said it would. As if you didn't know already, we love to make videos. Now, we've hit the public market. Check out Youth Group Videos and see one of our first ever videos. This is the promotional trailer for Baywatch: Hero, filmed on location at Ft. Walton Beach in 2004. See the video that made Seth McKay the David Hasselhoff of 2005 and won 3 Oscars, including "Best Actor - Drama ", "Best Director", and "Best Cinematography".

I know most of you have worried yourselves into states of panic as I have not posted another gripping tale in several days. It is not good to worry like that. Worry causes ulcers...and ulcers hurt real bad - especially if you have one and you drink milk. So, do not worry because I do not want you to get an ulcer...and if you already have an ulcer because of intense worry, then do not drink milk because it will anger your ulcer.

Revenge was taken upon me for my previous mockery of Marc's fright. Close your eyes as I repaint the scene. Wait...do not close your eyes - you need to be able to read this. How about having someone else read this out loud while you close your eyes and try to imagine the scene. I'll give you a second to yell for your brother/sister to come help you....................................................

Here we go. It was Wednesday night after The Gathering for Middle School. Most all had vacated the premises except for some adults practicing music in the choir room and a few people meeting in the Conference Room. Stillness seems a fitting word - as the only audible sound carried from the choir room.

I sat in my office chair gathering my belongings for the ride home. While I let my computer shut down I had turned to grab a book from the bookshelf. I sat with my back to the door (mistake!) thumbing through a book while my computer synchronized and all the other stuff it has to do before going to sleep for the night. As I sat with my back to the door I heard the sound of footsteps entering the office.

Believing someone was going to attempt a "scare", I immediately turn around to backfire their evil plan. As I turn to my head to look over my left shoulder, all I see in front of me is Joe Alexander holding a 3-foot snake only inches from my face. Immediately, my chest tightened and my breathing became constricted. I pushed off in the chair to move away from said death-causing agent and as I pushed away my chair refused to roll over the carpet. The chair flips over - Gabe hits the ground.

Was I hurt, you ask? Only emotionally, as I heard the laughter of Pastoral Associate Josh McClendon on the ground in the hallway laughing hysterically and the snickers of my attacker, Joe A., as he strutted out the office with his head held high after his victory.

As we know, all stories have morals; applicable truths for each of us to find. What, you ask, is the moral of this tale? I shall tell you the moral; and it is this.

Never mess with Gabe, because he will get you back. The other day I let all the air out of Joe's tires....who's laughing now? I know I am. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Today I bring you a gripping tale of suspense and murder.

It was early morning in the land of Garc (the new name for the offices of Gabe & Marc). I (Gabe) was sitting at my computer, completely overwhelmed with paperwork (as I am most all of the days) when, lo and behold I heard a girlish scream echo from behind me. As I turned backwards ready to defend myself from whatever attacker awaited me, I noticed young Marcus hovering seemingly several feet in the air.

Confusion set it as I looked for possible girlish-scream-causing agents, yet saw none before me. Until..............until there on Marc's top drawer, the ghastly figure took shape before my eyes. Staring at us with eyes of fire that seemed to burn through our souls. The beast itself. The incarnation of all that is evil.......a cockroach.

Suddenly, the beast made a quick dash across the desk and a sly manuever under a nearby chair seeking shelter from the now furious, yet ever embarassed, Marc. Grabbing the nearest weapon, an almost-empty paper towel roll, and planning his strategic attack, Marc began to move in.

As he walked by, I suddenly screamed "It's on your leg!!!" (knowing full well that the beast was nowhere near Marc's leg). Again, the girlish scream that only moments ago had filled the office resounded through the air.

In an act of unparalleled courage, our knight moved in armed and ready for a battle against this infamous beast. With a sudden pull of the chair and a quick swing of his sword, the beast was brought down to his perilous demise and young Marcus stood victorious.

As I said in the beginning, this is a rather gripping tale; yet, hidden within these words is an amazing truth for each of us to seek: if you are a man and you scream like a girl, then you will be made fun of.

Until next time, children..............

Hey Guys! So, what do you think about salemstudents.com. As you sort through all the tabs, you'll find a ton of links to pages we love to visit - so check them out for great music, books, resources...pretty much anything you need.

This new school year is off to a great start. The new schedule for ROCK seems to be working well. Moving HS ROCK to Sunday nights was a difficult choice at first; we weren't quite sure how the change would affect you guys - but, the past few weeks has been awesome and we believe this is going to be a great year for both Middle School and High School ROCK.

Check back here at our blog often; we'll be updating you with things happening around here. And remember, all this stuff is still in the works...so check us out periodically and you'll notice some changes everytime.

Let us know what you think.