Old

Today I am feeling so old! My old freshmen from San Antonio are graduating college today! That means that all of my original purple peeps are college grads! Can you believe it? and the rest are in college.

Of my old students:

numerous have gotten married and started families, the oldest having a 7 year old now.

a few have joined the military and gone to war for us.

Many have graduated college

One is now an ordained pastor

Many are teachers

I believe that one is a vet

as of today, 3 are pregnant (that I know of)

It seems like half are married

Some are living overseas

and I am so proud of them all!

It's crazy being a part of their lives, it really seems like for such a short time! I can't believe how quickly time goes, and how far they've come!

But man, today I feel old!

Reflection

Today is one of those days, where I look back, and think about how much I love what I do! This has been one of those days where I am reminded of why I am in youth ministry. I love seeing people change, being a part of lives, and bringing God into what could otherwise be a hopeless situation. I love praying for my kids, and seeing how God answers prayers. Even as I type this, there's another text message, and the reminder of how God is at work.

Sometimes I wonder, is it worth is? Today is one of those days that I use to be reminded...YES!!! It is worth it! God is in control!

I'm very blessed, honored, and lucky to be doing what I'm doing. I'm so grateful that God uses me in this way. And I pray that God continues to use me, and to guide me, and to work in the lives of these youth! God is bigger...God is able...God is good!

Whew!

Today is one of those days where, as I ride home exhausted, I realize that I have worked 24 hours in the last 2 days, for a total of 48 hours in 4 days. It doesn't seem so bad as I write it out, but I will tell you...I'm exhausted! I'm hoping to make it to the gym in the morning, but we'll see! I've been doing so good lately, but this week has been a fail. I guess tomorrow starts a new week, eating right and back to the gym. I thought I was joking when I said I was going to take this week off, but sure enough, I did!

Although it's been a crazy, busy week, it has been a wonderful week too! I love seeing the college kids home for the summer! It's so much fun to hear about their freshman year! Especially since today is youth Sunday, and marks the one year moment from when they were saying goodbye! What a year it's been! Time flies so fast!

Well, there's something I need to do, but I can't remember what it is, because my brain is too full or too tired. So, I am going to sign off so that I can think about what I should be doing!

The Problem

This is the problem with having free wi-fi in the church. We are in the youth team meeting right now, and instead of listening, I'm dinkin' around on the internet, and now blogging. This is me. Not paying attention. Not doing a very good job. But, I'm not really involved with this conversation, or the next one. However, the one after that is for me! I better be paying attention by then!

Signing off so I can start a side conversation!

I'm such a good example!

Storm's a brewin'

I have had enough storms in my life lately. Now I really want a real storm...that is, a THUNDER storm! I'm feeling hopeful!

Disappointment-the story of my life right now

I hate when something gets back to you, and it is so twisted and turned around, that it really has nothing to do with what actually happened, the conversation, or what was said. I'm so frustrated/hurt/saddened right now, because something is being said about me that I "said" or "did" that holds no truth in it. Luckily, I found out about this because I was asked why I would have done this thing. But I didn't do it. The worst part is, that if people believe I did this or said this, it goes against everything I stand for, everything I preach, everything I believe in. And it makes me a hypocrite. But it's not true.

If you want the truth, just ask me. I will be honest. I try to always be honest.

Why are we so quick to believe what we hear, and go against what we know truth to be?

I'm guilty of this too.

I'm sorry that I made you believe this is what was said. It's not what was meant, and I'm pretty sure it was not what was said at all. This is why conversations should stay between two people. The game of telephone is a dangerous game.

Man, where does it end?

I went through the day dreading a few meetings. All meetings ended out well. Unfortunately, the meetings I did not dread, did not end as well. Miscommunication galore, that could cost the life of our youth program. I still hold strong to what I did was right. I know in my heart that I made the right decision for our youth program, but what about when it hurts a youth, they drop youth group/church events all together, and the family holds you to blame? I just don't even know how to handle this. I, clearly, can't write about the events here, but some may know, others may not. I feel that it is important for youth leaders to live a life of example. What do you think? How about student leaders, do they differ? Do adults differ?

I just don't know what to think anymore. But I believe in my heart that I did what was needed to be done. I try to make grace clearly known, but I just don't know. From what I hear back, it's not grace, it's judgement. This is hard for me too. I lose someone that I love and adore. I see so much in them, so much for their future. I'm so sad that this other stuff gets in the way.

So please pray for me. Pray for this situation. And if you have any suggestions, send them my way. Thanks!