Friday, April 25, 2008
We made it to Memphis!
Things have been kind of hectic lately. It has been a couple of weeks since I have been able to post. A lot of things have sparked my attention and have struck a cord that I will share, but not tonight. Tonight I want to dance and shout because we are finally in Memphis. I have been looking forward to this for weeks. I love it here and it gets me pumped up for our trip back in July.
I will say that I am not quite so pumped about the actual process of getting here. From Greenville to Memphis is about 9 hours if you don't stop at all. Of course we can't drive for 9 hours with no stops. I hate riding in the car for more than an hour or so. We didn't get started until 8pm last night. We made it to Knoxville and spent the night and arrived in Memphis around 4pm Central time today. It is a LONG and desolate drive. There is NOTHING between Nashville and Memphis and very little between Knoxville and Nashville. We went downtown tonight for dinner and took a carriage ride. I love the fact that there are dogs on the carriages. We picked one with two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and they were very cute.
Tomorrow morning we are off to Brinkley Heights for a meeting. (It is so exciting to be there. They are the most incredible and inspirational people.) We will start heading back toward Greenville when we get out of the meeting at lunch time. I am not looking forward to that part! Oh well, at least I can enjoy the 18 hours we will be in Memphis.
It is crazy to think that we drove 20 hours to spend 18 hours here. Next time we should seriously consider flying!
I will say that I am not quite so pumped about the actual process of getting here. From Greenville to Memphis is about 9 hours if you don't stop at all. Of course we can't drive for 9 hours with no stops. I hate riding in the car for more than an hour or so. We didn't get started until 8pm last night. We made it to Knoxville and spent the night and arrived in Memphis around 4pm Central time today. It is a LONG and desolate drive. There is NOTHING between Nashville and Memphis and very little between Knoxville and Nashville. We went downtown tonight for dinner and took a carriage ride. I love the fact that there are dogs on the carriages. We picked one with two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and they were very cute.
Tomorrow morning we are off to Brinkley Heights for a meeting. (It is so exciting to be there. They are the most incredible and inspirational people.) We will start heading back toward Greenville when we get out of the meeting at lunch time. I am not looking forward to that part! Oh well, at least I can enjoy the 18 hours we will be in Memphis.
It is crazy to think that we drove 20 hours to spend 18 hours here. Next time we should seriously consider flying!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Thoughts on working with teens
Today I picked up a magazine in Bryan's office and started reading. It was the current issue of Group magazine. (This is a great resource for youth leaders!) There were several articles that caught my attention and I haven't finished all of them yet. One article in particular really made me think. It was talking about having effective youth leaders and what that looks like. In our ministry, that is something that we are always striving for (effectiveness) and we are always up for suggestions. I hope that this is something that all youth ministries are striving for, but unfortunately, I know it is not.
Two things that jumped out at me are that kids aren't looking for a witness but, with-ness. I can't tell you how many times I have seen this played out with our kids. We can talk about our faith and be good examples all day long, but they don't care. They don't want to know what we know. They don't want to know where we have been.
What they do want is us. They want to know that we want to be with them. When they are lying in a hospital bed, crying over a lost loved one, or dealing with a broken relationship they want us by their side. We don't have to know what to say or do they just want us to be there.
The second thing that jumped out at me is that we need to move from a chaperone mentality to a Shepard mentality. We aren't there simply to supervise. We are there to take care of them, love them, feed them, protect them, and guide them. A chaperone tells them when they have done something wrong, guards the door at night, and keeps them from jumping off balconies. Anyone can do that. You don't have to love them or even care about them to do that, you simply have to be able to see, breathe, and move. To Shepard them, you have to truly love them and care for their best interest.
I will probably comment about this more at another time, but that is just a little something to spark some more thought or discussion.
Two things that jumped out at me are that kids aren't looking for a witness but, with-ness. I can't tell you how many times I have seen this played out with our kids. We can talk about our faith and be good examples all day long, but they don't care. They don't want to know what we know. They don't want to know where we have been.
What they do want is us. They want to know that we want to be with them. When they are lying in a hospital bed, crying over a lost loved one, or dealing with a broken relationship they want us by their side. We don't have to know what to say or do they just want us to be there.
The second thing that jumped out at me is that we need to move from a chaperone mentality to a Shepard mentality. We aren't there simply to supervise. We are there to take care of them, love them, feed them, protect them, and guide them. A chaperone tells them when they have done something wrong, guards the door at night, and keeps them from jumping off balconies. Anyone can do that. You don't have to love them or even care about them to do that, you simply have to be able to see, breathe, and move. To Shepard them, you have to truly love them and care for their best interest.
I will probably comment about this more at another time, but that is just a little something to spark some more thought or discussion.
Excitement
One of our dear friends is about to achieve a life long dream. Chasen's album is being released this Tuesday. Chase, Evan, and Aaron have gotten rave reviews and both of the singles they have released have gotten major air play and moved up the charts. Last week I pre-ordered my copy on Amazon. I just went on Google to see what I could find and it had hundreds of links to the album and the great reviews. I am so excited for these guys! They are great guys and they have worked hard to get where they are.
Yesterday I talked to Erin, Evan's most wonderful girlfriend, and we were discussing how people look at these guys as super Christians since they are in the public eye. Now more than ever it is important that we pray for them. Because people will look at them this way, Satan is going to work overtime to attack them. Though they are very committed to their walk with Christ, like anybody, they too have their struggles. Please lift them up as God is blessing this incredible ministry. Particularly, pray for Chase as he and Casey are expecting their first child, Emerson, in May. Balancing his work and home life will be a challenge I am sure.
You have to check out this album. It will be well worth your $10 and you are supporting a great band. They are having an album release party this Saturday night. I have discounted ($10) tickets if anyone is interested.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Blogging, kids, & idols
Nearly 7 years ago I married my best friend. When we met in 1998, I was volunteering in the hospitality ministry at my church (Downtown Community Fellowship). That summer (1999) I took my first paid ministry position. Bryan had done the same thing three years later. Bryan has served in paid youth positions ever since. In that time so many things have happened in our ministries. Many incredible things and many incredibly difficult & frustrating things. It has been my prayer to have some sort of support system.
As staff member, or spouse of a staff member, there are a lot of things that you know that you can't share. There are so many times that you need to talk about or process something, but you can't because all the people around you are church members. I have longed for some sort of support system; for someone who can understand and help me through these things. Unfortunately, to this point I have had no luck with that. Yesterday, I found a new blog that may be just the thing that I have been looking for. Married To A Youth Pastor is worth checking out if you ever feel like you live a life that no one could possibly understand.
On another note,
yesterday and today I helped with the rehearsal for the spring recital at Calhoun. I love it there! The kids are so incredible. It is always a fun day when I get to spend time with them and today was no exception. I spent lunch with 4th grade, more specifically I was with my twin cousins, Catherine & Caroline. Catherine is a little camera shy, but Caroline is always up for some self portrait fun. I also spent some time with my favorite kindergartner who you may remember from a previous blog about foster kids.
Yet, one more unrelated and random note... I have mixed emotions about American Idol. I am hit and miss on watching it usually, but this season I am pretty interested in it. (I thought it was cool that they did Shout to the Lord.) My picks are David Archuleta, Brooke White, and Jason Castro. It was sad for me when Chikezie went home. Bryan had heard a rumor that Jason Castro was a worship leader, so of course, I went on the research path. It is my conclusion that this myth is busted! According to one source, Castro had only sang publicly 5 times prior to Idol. While researching, I decided to check out my other picks as well. Brooke and David are both Mormon. Though I don't agree with their doctrines, I am pleased to know that we don't have to worry about them being poor role models.
Ok, so that is my randomness today. I have some other things to share, but I will share those serious things later in the week when I have more time to focus.
As staff member, or spouse of a staff member, there are a lot of things that you know that you can't share. There are so many times that you need to talk about or process something, but you can't because all the people around you are church members. I have longed for some sort of support system; for someone who can understand and help me through these things. Unfortunately, to this point I have had no luck with that. Yesterday, I found a new blog that may be just the thing that I have been looking for. Married To A Youth Pastor is worth checking out if you ever feel like you live a life that no one could possibly understand.
On another note,
yesterday and today I helped with the rehearsal for the spring recital at Calhoun. I love it there! The kids are so incredible. It is always a fun day when I get to spend time with them and today was no exception. I spent lunch with 4th grade, more specifically I was with my twin cousins, Catherine & Caroline. Catherine is a little camera shy, but Caroline is always up for some self portrait fun. I also spent some time with my favorite kindergartner who you may remember from a previous blog about foster kids.Yet, one more unrelated and random note... I have mixed emotions about American Idol. I am hit and miss on watching it usually, but this season I am pretty interested in it. (I thought it was cool that they did Shout to the Lord.) My picks are David Archuleta, Brooke White, and Jason Castro. It was sad for me when Chikezie went home. Bryan had heard a rumor that Jason Castro was a worship leader, so of course, I went on the research path. It is my conclusion that this myth is busted! According to one source, Castro had only sang publicly 5 times prior to Idol. While researching, I decided to check out my other picks as well. Brooke and David are both Mormon. Though I don't agree with their doctrines, I am pleased to know that we don't have to worry about them being poor role models.
Ok, so that is my randomness today. I have some other things to share, but I will share those serious things later in the week when I have more time to focus.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
D Now has come and gone
This week is proving to be about as hectic as last week. D Now has come and gone, and sadly, our scavenger hunt was rained out. This students seemed to really enjoy it and we got good feedback from our leaders. The most exciting part for me is seeing the great friends that my niece Jordan has made. When she left for college, our biggest concern was that she would have a hard time finding Godly friends in Charleston. Without her help our last two D Now's would not have happened. She and her AWESOME friends have stepped up and made the haul to Greenville to lead our small groups. It is such a blessing to see how she is maturing and the great people that she surrounds herself with.
I am working some extra hours this week at the Greenville center and I am helping with the Spring Recital rehearsals at Calhoun on Wed. and Thurs. I look forward to seeing the kids. It should be fun!
Well, as promised, I am going to share some of the photos that I took downtown. Due to the fact that we may use the scavenger hunt at some point in the future, I am not going to disclose the location of the photos. Enjoy! This was the most random of my findings. The funniest part is that it was chained to a small tree. I don't think you have to worry about it going anywhere!
I am working some extra hours this week at the Greenville center and I am helping with the Spring Recital rehearsals at Calhoun on Wed. and Thurs. I look forward to seeing the kids. It should be fun!
Well, as promised, I am going to share some of the photos that I took downtown. Due to the fact that we may use the scavenger hunt at some point in the future, I am not going to disclose the location of the photos. Enjoy! This was the most random of my findings. The funniest part is that it was chained to a small tree. I don't think you have to worry about it going anywhere!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Crazy Stuff
In the last 24 hours I have learned some pretty crazy stuff:
1. YO! MTV Raps is back (old school mixed with the new) and my husband loves it.
Short white boys from Piedmont don't make very good rappers!
2. New Kids on the Block are back.
They appeared on the Today show this morning and they are releasing a new album in May.
30 & 40 something years old don't make a very good boy band. Though I must admit,
I thought they were awesome in their teens and 20's. No, a better way to describe that
is to say that I was obsessed and stalkerish.
I guess it is true that everything old is made new again. Let's see how it all turns out.
1. YO! MTV Raps is back (old school mixed with the new) and my husband loves it.
Short white boys from Piedmont don't make very good rappers!
2. New Kids on the Block are back.
They appeared on the Today show this morning and they are releasing a new album in May.
30 & 40 something years old don't make a very good boy band. Though I must admit,
I thought they were awesome in their teens and 20's. No, a better way to describe that
is to say that I was obsessed and stalkerish.
I guess it is true that everything old is made new again. Let's see how it all turns out.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Hecticness
Ok, so that probably isn't a real word. It sounds good though and I am straying from my perfectionist ways. Things have been really hectic for me this week, so I have not had much time to blog. Sorry Bub (you are the only one who even looks at this)! Never fear though, I have some cool stuff that I will share over the weekend or next week.
You may find yourself wondering what exactly my hecticness has consisted of. Well, if you must know I don't remember what happened on Monday. Tuesday morning, Bryan and I had an appointment first thing in the morning. After that, I went downtown and snapped some photos for our Disciple Now retreat this weekend. (You will be seeing some of those in the future. They must remain a secret until Saturday afternoon.) I got hot, sweaty, and freaked out in the process. Not a good idea to hike through Falls park in a sweater and wool coat when it is humid and in the high 60's. Yesterday I had to get an early start. The plumber came back to our house at 8:30 to fix the leaky shower. (It works right, YEAH!) Then I headed to the church to do some stuff for D Now. After work, it was back to church for AMP'd and then finally home about 10:30. Today, I helped with picture day at Calhoun. It was so good to see my little friends again, I have really missed them. I also got to see my sweet girls, Catherine and Caroline. Tonight we have a staff meeting at 7 and then I must make a Target run. Tomorrow I am working some extra hours to cover for Tiffany and then it will be off to D Now!
I am excited about D Now and I can't wait to see what God is going to do! However, I am not as excited about that as I am about the mission trip. Memphis here we come!!! Only 15 weeks and 3 days.
You may find yourself wondering what exactly my hecticness has consisted of. Well, if you must know I don't remember what happened on Monday. Tuesday morning, Bryan and I had an appointment first thing in the morning. After that, I went downtown and snapped some photos for our Disciple Now retreat this weekend. (You will be seeing some of those in the future. They must remain a secret until Saturday afternoon.) I got hot, sweaty, and freaked out in the process. Not a good idea to hike through Falls park in a sweater and wool coat when it is humid and in the high 60's. Yesterday I had to get an early start. The plumber came back to our house at 8:30 to fix the leaky shower. (It works right, YEAH!) Then I headed to the church to do some stuff for D Now. After work, it was back to church for AMP'd and then finally home about 10:30. Today, I helped with picture day at Calhoun. It was so good to see my little friends again, I have really missed them. I also got to see my sweet girls, Catherine and Caroline. Tonight we have a staff meeting at 7 and then I must make a Target run. Tomorrow I am working some extra hours to cover for Tiffany and then it will be off to D Now!
I am excited about D Now and I can't wait to see what God is going to do! However, I am not as excited about that as I am about the mission trip. Memphis here we come!!! Only 15 weeks and 3 days.
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