WEEK 4

Part 2:

Talk about an eventful week! I feel like so much has happened, and yet I've accomplished nothing. Wednesday night was a great and interesting night. First of all, I can only count one hour of sermon preparation time for it because that was all I was able to put in. Granted, I put more than that into preparing for the entire service, but I felt so shameful going to the church knowing that I had a skimpy outline that I'd put little time into. I prayed on the way there, "God, you know that I had to choose between sleep and more study, and I had to choose sleep this time. Please allow Your grace to make the difference." He did! :) Go figure! We serve such a faithful God! Literally, one of my volunteers told me after the service that it was probably the best message he'd ever heard me give. I love how God reminds me over and over again that while He expects from me everything I have to give, what I have to give really has nothing to do with what He chooses to do through me. It was a good service, but not without its interesting aspects.

I had two rebellious teenage girls come for the second time this week. I had suspected they had sneaked out to smoke between the meal and the service last week, so I kept my eyes open this week. Sure enough, I caught them with coats and headed out the door. God gave me the wisdom to handle the situation fairly well, but apparently they thought I was a lot more ignorant than I really am. They went in the bathroom to smoke. I'll have the joy of dealing with that one next week. (My suspicions weren't confirmed until after service.) When I finally got them in the sanctuary, they tried to refuse to sit in the designated area. During the service, I had an opening activity planned. These two girls refused to actively participate, and the little participation they did contribute involved a panicked junior higher running up to me in shock at an inappropriate comment one of them had made. Despite the stress, I watched the hungry look in their eyes just become deeper and stronger during the message. I am so excited that they are coming! I really think they are seeking, but they are so afraid that I'll realize it. :) They've been on my mind a lot since the service, and I really am hoping and praying that God will reach them through our church. Otherwise, they're both headed down a really rough road.

This morning I was at the church for an hour and a half to practice a song and help out with some stuff for worship in the morning. Then I ran to the bank to deposit some money in the youth account. Tonight, I went to a surprise birthday party for one of my boys--He turned 15 today and has only been a Christian for a few months. I have a lot of new converts right now, actually, and it looks as though I may be baptizing some soon. I'm a little nervous about that one! I haven't had Church Rituals yet! This may require a practice session at the pool with a trusting friend and a religion prof to instruct me. :)

As to hours this week... 2 hours Sunday School prep, 1 hour Sunday School, 1 hour counseling, 5 hours Superbowl party, 2 hours youth group prep, 2 hours youth group, 1.5 hours party, plus paperwork, meetings, errands, etc. It has been a long week. On that note, I feel like it would be ridiculous not to include in this week's blog the fact that I am totally behind in my schoolwork. I am so consumed with things going on at the church. The hours logged don't even begin to show how my mind is spoken for. It is difficult to concentrate on my studies when I have so much else on my mind. The balance is so hard to find sometimes. I have this Sunday night's message, Wed. night's message, and next Sun. morning's message to prepare, plus Sunday School. That's enough to keep me busy all week, yet I have to keep up on Greek and I am very behind in Lennox's Wisdom Literature class. I just need His grace--and lots of it!

Part 1:
Yes, this week's blog will be in two parts, because I feel like I have enough to write about from these first couple days of the week that I should not put it off until Saturday. Sunday morning was one of the most difficult times at church I've ever experienced. I had some extra responsibilities in the morning before service, so I got there a half hour early. Upon arriving, I found out that I was supposed to be singing in a trio, but there had been a communication issue. Thus, because I had not realized what was going on, the special didn't happen. Sunday School was good but different. I had the teens read in parts as a skit the actual text taken from John concerning Christ's arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death. Then after some discussion, we took communion.

The actual morning service was pretty tense. Our speaker was good, but it was just so strange to not have our old pastor and family there. There were people crying through the whole service. After the service, I again faced weeping teens. When I say weeping, I mean WEEPING. One of my leaders and I just sat with them, cried with them, and prayed with them. It was rough.

Sunday night, however, was AMAZING! We had a Superbowl party at one of my parent's homes. About 25 people showed up!!! God blessed us so much in that we were able to smile--to laugh--to goof off and just have a good time together! :) Not to mention the fact that we demolished six X-large pizzas! It was just a perfect night--no drama, no tears, no behavioral issues. God knows what we need when we need it. Here are some pics from the party.

There's a nice group of people in the kitchen getting some snacks during halftime.

Check out that leadership team!!! (I know... :) we look a lot like teens ourselves)

So, there's a story here. Kristen did my hair... and it was interesting to say the least. The first pic is of my initial shock, the second after I got over it. :)

Below is Sus, a leader, with three of our grads from last year, Kim, Colette, and Colleen.

Look at those happy faces! To the right is Jacob, one of my boys who was in a hilarious mood Sunday night! :) On the pic below from left to right is Kutabitha, Kendra, Kahla, Kutabitha's little sister, and Sierra.

There's a pic of Tim and Daniel, another youth leader. It was just an all-around great night! Praise Jesus!