Happy Birthday Brother
Happy Birthday Little Brother.
Ok, so you aren’t so little anymore. In fact, i think you are taller than me. And somewhere between the time you graduated from high school and now, you have grown up, a lot. I think this past year has done this.
I remember the day you were born. I remember seeing you in hospital. I remember knowing that I had to help take care of you. Wait, I still do that. When we were little, I remember playing in the woods, picking rocks, playing on the hill at the end of the road. It seems like we were constantly making forts, and talking you into imagining with us. I remember you throwing rocks, you always being a little bit of a risk taker, I remember fights on Wednesday nights and all of us making up before dad got in from the barn, and mom got home from ceramics.
You are so funny. You always make me laugh, and I love spending time with you. we should do it more often, really. I admire your work ethic, and your independent spirit. You are so stinkin insightful to our family, your friends, and what is happening in people’s lives. You read hearts well.
You have had a tough year. The stupid Lupus knocked you for a loop. It knocked all of us for a loop. I know you probably hate that we talk about it. You have to remember, you are mainly surrounded by women, and women who verbally process things. I admire you for the strength with which you took this all on. I would have probably been a mess. You just kept going.
I know you will have a better year this year. It has already started out better.
Brother, thanks for being my friend. Sorry for all of those times I was bossy and annoying. Thanks for being someone to laugh with and talk to.
I love you, and happy 21st birthday. We need to go to dinner sometime soon. Don’t drink too much tonight, and don’t drive!
Love you!
Mission Trips vs. Adventure Trips
I had an interesting discussion this week with a collegue. It is her view that churches should only do mission trips, or trips with strong service components, instead of Adventure trips. Her thought is why do we have to make service exciting for kids?
So, here are my thoughts. First, why do we have to make service exciting for kids. I think part of it is culture. These kids are constantly entertained, normally by one or two mediums at the same time. Also, i think part of it is devleopmental, espcially for younger teens. If you haven’t noticed, teenagers can be self-absorbed. Though we want to teach them to look outward, developmentally, they also want to know what is in it for them. Even if it is the act of making the service fun. Maybe you come up with a silly song, action, etc.
Now, mission trips are great. In fact, i am taking my kids on them this summer. And they are excited, and are looking forward to serving others, learning more, etc.
I want to defend Adventure trips though too. I think there are kids in my youth group who aren’t ready to give a week of thier summer to serve others. I think an adventure trip can provide opportunites for teamwork, encountering God in new and different ways, and also has some downtime for some real connection with God, and great discussions.
So, there is my defense of Adventure trips. I think both can be valuable learning tools for youth.
Agree or disagree?
Peace!
On a scale of 1-10, how crazy am I?
So, this weekend. Whew!!! First, I feel like a bad Youth Director because I cancelled or postponed both of the events i had scheduled this weekend. one, due to lack of students, the other due to the fact that it is freaking cold and we were going skiing! yeah, not gonna happen.
So, friday night I went out to dinner with GI Jane and some of her pals from the guard. Then we went to the VFW…the band was awesome. Then we went to someone’s house. I got home at 4 am. Yeah, insane. Even more insane was that the boyfriend got up at his house 6 hours away one hour later for work.
Saturday, I went home to hang with some friends from HS. I was going to drive back that day,b ut i was too tired and slept at my moms. So, here is where i need you to give me a how crazy I am number:
My HS friends and I were at the local jewler. (do you see where this is going yet?) My friend was showing me what she refers to as “the ferrari of enagement rings.” It is the one she has on her wish list at the store if her bf of 8 years ever decides to propose. He has told her to look at rings and pick some out, yet hasn’t proposed or bought one yet. So, a ring catches my eye. actually, 2 rings. a wedding band and engagement ring. (now i bet you see where this is going) really pretty, with a carved band in a metal in between white gold and platinum. So pretty. yeah, i tried it on. didn’t fit my finger, because I have fat fingers. and the sales lady talked me into putting it on a wish list at the store. So, i did, got my finger sized and everything. So, the crazy part of this story is that the boyfriend would flip if he knew. I mean, we are looking at a while before we get engaged if we do. You know, it would be nice to live in the same town! So, how crazy am I? And lets all take a moment to thank God the boyfriend doesn’t read this.
I only worked like 3 hours yesterday. I was restless and I should have worked more. Oh well, i went home and cleaned. Lots of laundry!!!
I gotta go get some grub for lunch.
Peace!
De-lurking week
I found this out at Sarah’s Site, and wanted to share it with you. It is national de-lurking week. So, If you are there, and reading, give me a holla!
Peace!
whoa, 3 entries in one day….simma down now!
Breathin’ Easier
So, we decided last night not to go to the girls-only event we were planning on, since one of the girls was unable to go. It didn’t make sense to just take one. So, I actually get to be home Friday and Saturday!!! I am happy. GI jane and I are going to have girls date night on Friday, and invite the bride too. that reminds me, I need to call her. Or maybe I can swing by her work.
Church council meeting tonight. An update on the discussion of my questionable character for all ya’all: The council pres called me yesterday and said they were going to continue the discussion some at council, and wondered if it would be ok if i left early, so that people could speak more freely. I said that would be fine, and by that time too I was in full confirmation mode anyway. As I thought about it more, I realized he hadn’t heard my side of the story. So, I sent him the following email. Please tell me what you think:
Hi (council president)
I realized after I got off the phone last night that I should have talked to about this, but I was so in confirmation mode by that time everything else just flew right out of my mind. I would have liked to talk to you about this personally, but I didn’t want to bother you at work. If you want to call me later today, please do.
I am not sure what all was said about me in the last meeting. I want you to know how I have taken things that have been said to me. This isn’t anything you need to share with the entire council tonight, but I felt that is was important for you as President to know. I will admit to using the computer for personal usage at work. I apologized for this, and trust me, it is no longer happening. I feel like I need to clear my name a bit though, as I think I have been accused of visiting inappropriate sites. I can guarantee you that none of the sites that I looked at are sites that I wouldn’t look at at the public library. They may also have been sites that i discovered through our youth’s web pages that I was checking out. I am sorry for using the computer for personal use, and it will not happen again.
I understand and accept the council’s choice to extend my probation. I have no problem with attending counseling, as long as there is not an expectation that what I have discussed in counseling will be shared with anyone. I have been assured that the only expectation is that I attend, and that the church can confirm that I have attended. I think a faith mentor of some type is a great idea, actually, I think all church staff should have one.
Basically, I wanted you to know that I accept the precautionary measures the council has decided to take. I am doing the best I can to do my job well, and to live my life in such a way that I can talk to our youth about all aspects of my life. I hope that shines through more than this indiscretion. Thank you for your time, and if you have any questions for me, please feel free to call me. See you tonight.
I didn’t mention that I have had family members advising me to get a lawyer, because i think that was mainly advice from the other privacy invasions the staff has done. So, we shall see how it all shakes out! Pray for me please.
Ok, I need to go grab lunch, run by the hospice office (I am starting to volunteer there) and go visit one of my youth who is in the hospital. This kid had surgery on both of his hips in late November and has been in a wheelchair until he heals, and now had his appendix taken out. he is a 7th grader! he is sick of the hospital and i can’t blame him!
Peace!
Overheard in Subway…
(scene, 3 guys, sitting at a table. I hate to sterotype, but they looked a little nerdy)
Guy one: Lets try carbs
Guy Two: Carbs: 23 (while looking at his bag o chips)
Guy Three: 25! Yes! I win!
oh the little things that make you giggle
Seriously. Clean. My. House.
Ok, i am asking for help here. My apartment is a mess. and what did i do with all my free time last night? sat on my tookus. and I am not going to be home again at night for another week. So, I am going home now to do laundry and dishes. at least start them, because seriously, there is a funky odor some where.
Help Please!
Peace!
Disappointment
So, no one showed up to my young adult event last night. I have to say, I am pretty disappointed. I am still trying to figure out what the trick is! I would have been happy if there was just a few, but there was none. what a bummer!
Today is actually a normal day for me. I get to go home at a normal time. I am going to attempt to do my laundry and dishes tonight. I am out of clean socks! So, if you are bored and looking for something to do, come over and clean with me. it will be fun, i promise.
Had a great visit with my friend the bride yesterday. She and her new hubby have bought all kinds of new furniture to go into their new home. So, she told me i can have first dibs on any of the old stuff. sweet! I definately need some more storage! bookshelves!
Happy tuesday everyone, my stomach is grumbling, so it is time to get some food!
Peace!
14 hours
Yes, that is the amount of time I worked yesterday. straight. in the church for 14 hours. I was ready to drop over dead.
Fundraiser was fun. I have great volunteers. everytime I tried to do something they did it for me, so I ended up visiting with a lot of people which was good. we did not make as much money as i had hoped, but that is ok.
the concert was amazing. I love captive free. they always do a great job, and they were seeking out my youth left and right to talk to them. it was great.
I am tired. I did go into work an hour late today, but now i am freaking out about getting everything done for tonight, which is our first young adult event.
Hopefully i can get my house clean sometime this week. Maybe tomorrow night? only night this week that I don’t have a meeting, so there is a good chance.
Pray for my exhaustion!
Peace!
I’m Baaaack!
Yeah, thats right, drumroll please, CBQ has returned! it has been a long 6 weeks almost since i have blogged. let me give you the best update I can.
Work: It has been interesting to say the least. More and more i realize how much i love the community I live in, and I love the youth that I work with. I have incredible support from the congregation, parents, and youth. and that makes me very happy. However, if i could get rid of my coworkers that would be great. They have accused me of using my work computer to look at porn and gambling websites. for those of you who know me in real life, not me! The sites they mentioned were blogs I read for enjoyment. but, they don’t understand that, because they don’t really get the internet thing. So, they have gone to the church council and have told them that I have questionable character issues that should be figured out. The council has decided that I need to attend counseling, which the church will pay for. I think it is great! I love counseling, and I don’t have to pay for it! i am trying my best to see as much humor in the situation as possible. I know that God knows the person I am at heart, and I rest on that. Our pastor is starting to annouce this week that he is leaving after being with the congregation for nearly 18 years. It is probably terrible, but i am pretty happy about it. Like i explained to a friend of mine. If he was just my pastor, I would probably love him. But as a co worker, I just can’t take it. So now, i will still have to deal with my other co worker, but i won’t feel like i am going to get double-teamed all the time. So I have a feeling this next year will be full of transitions and new expirences in the work arena.
Family- good good, like always. We had a great Christmas. Especially Christmas eve. My brother, sister, mom and me. and my grandma was there for awhile too. we drank way too much, played this game called apples to apples for hours, and laughed so hard my stomach still hurt the next day. it was great. Christmas day I played with my cousins all day, and it was a total hoot!
Life- I have friends! it is great. The Bride got married last weekend, and her wedding was so much fun. there ended up being a huge snowstorm so the wedding dance had to be cancelled, which was a major bummer. I was there to do whatever they told me too, though a few of the bridesmaids really wanted me to be part of their crew. I just moved to town too late to meet the Bride and be in the wedding, according to the maid of honor! it was a blast.
The boyfriend-oy. I feel like we have been fighting a lot, though he doesn’t really agree. Due to a lot of situations coming together all at once, he wasn’t able to come see me over Christmas break. So we are just frusterated with a 6 hour apart life. But it looks like it is going to be this way for at least another year. yuck.
I promise, I am going to be blogging more. Life just kind of hit me like a Mack truck. Ok, I have got to catch up on my blog reading. it has been a long time since i have done that too!
Peace!
