Girls Fun Night

This Saturday night we had a Girls Fun Night - the counterpart to Boys Night Out. The girls did not disappoint - we had about 10 high school girls show up for a night of games, nachos and watching my Daren Streblow DVD.

This night, more than anything, was another in a long line of learning experiences for me. First of all, girls do not interact with each other like boys do. Second, girls do everything together. I forgot this. I have spent so much time on my own, that I forgot about the natural tendency girls have to do things together - as one large group. At Boys Night Out - there were only 3 boys and only 2 times during the course of the evening were they all doing the same activity at the same time - when we ate and when we watched the Tim Hawkins video. With the girls - only 2 points in the evening did they not do something all together - and they were very brief. I am not saying this is a bad thing - just wasn't expecting it.

I am thankful for the wonderful young women here in Milbank. In some ways it is a little more difficult for me to interact with the girls because it reminds me so much more of when I was in high school - I see myself in these girls. It is a good kind of challenge, though.

On Sunday morning, I brought muffins to Sunday School. I was a little tired, but nothing compared to the students who showed up. It was like talking about miracles to a bunch of zombies. I should have been running for the door fearing for my life...except these zombies didn't really move. They didn't really talk. They didn't really react to anything...except the muffins.

Sunday evening we had youth and it was good, but strange. I had a lot of kids that have never come before and a few that I know to be members of other churches. I had a pretty good feeling they were there to play the game we were going to play after the lesson. The dynamics were a lot different last night and without any other adult support - I was a little nervous as to how the night would go. I think it went well - don't know how much they cared about my awesome lesson on Advent - but we were creating memories.

I keep reminding myself that it is not my job to make them commit to being a Christian. My job is to keep pointing to Christ and trusting that God will use what I do for his glory - even my many many mistakes.

this brightened my day...

I was having a rough morning dealing with things way out of my comfort zone - but this video made it better. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Top 10

Tonight I made my students write a Top Ten List of experiences they are thankful for.

Numbers 1-3 are experiences where they were really happy.

Numbers 4-6 were everyday moments.

Numbers 7-9 were challenging times.

Number 10 was whatever they chose.

Here is my list:

1. My last day at Immanuel Church. Seems strange to be on my really happy list - but I was so overcome by the love of that church that day.

2. Graduating from USF - I worked really hard during college and that day meant so much to me.

3. Waking up in Paris on my 21st birthday with my two best friends. Once in a lifetime opportunity.

4. Playing ring around the rosy with my youngest niece - Lizzy. She always falls down before you sing "all fall down" and it makes me laugh every time.

5. Baking my first pie this summer - I was so happy to be home and in a kitchen again.

6. Sleeping in and waking up without my alarm going off - I would do that everyday if I could.

7. My Grandpa Rowen's funeral - the moment where Steve, Terri and Bridgett walked in and I lost it. It gave me the strength and encouragement I needed to face that day.

8. The last time I saw my Grandma Rowen - I had to change my entire schedule that week and get an earlier flight from MA - and even when I got there I didn't know what to say.

9. Being in the hospital room when Grandpa Henry died - I was not prepared for that - but was surrounded by family.

10. My extra experience was the Milbank Homecoming football game. It was the first time someone invited me to sit with them - so I really enjoyed myself. Also - it was the beginning of Milbank's winning streak that led them to the dome - quite a memorable experience!

I hope that this thanksgiving - you are thanking God for the experiences in your life that have shaped who you are - the great, the difficult and all the little moments in between! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Milbank - Home of the 2009 11A Football Champions!

Yesterday was a good day.

I slept in - I had time to myself as I drove to Vermillion.

I talked with a friend.

I watched the Milbank football team win their first ever state title.

I hung out with another friend.

Watched a volleyball game somewhere in northeastern Sioux Falls.

Watched an awesomely awful romantic comedy with said friend.

Sent and recieved over 100 text messages. (My mother even saw me on tv texting...oops!)

What really stands out to me though - is the sense of community I encountered. I was in contact with friends all over the country yesterday - supporting me in what I was doing and where I was going. I was also surrounded by the Milbank community as we cheered on the football team.

I wish I had something more profound to say - but ultimately - I am just grateful that I have communities to be a part of. Whether they are defined by physical residence or common interest or shared history. We are meant to live in community - and yesterday I did.

let's start at the very beginning

A very good place to start.

This week we began to tackle some of the questions that were asked last week. When I thought about where to start - it dawned on me that we need to start with the most fundamental belief in any religion - the existence of God. If we cannot overcome our hesitations on this question - no other question really matters.

After discussing a few topics relating to God and completely confusing the students with a sidetrack into philosophy - I decided we should reflect on the times we were convinced of God's presence in our lives. We broke into pairs and talked about ways in which we are assured God acts in our lives. One leader talked of the time she fell asleep and drove through an intersection with her two kids in the car - unharmed. In that moment - she knew God existed and acted. Another student brought up the first time they encountered speaking in tongues and the reassurance that the Holy Spirit is very real and present - even if they don't have that specific gift. The fact it exists was enough to show him God's existence. Another talked about all the little things that have happened this year during the football season. All the little breaks they were able to take advantage of that has allowed them to head to the dome to play the championships this year.

The whole point was to show that God is active and speaking in our lives - even without the burning bushes. We just have to pay attention. The more we recognize God's involvement in our lives - the easier it is to trust Him. The more we see him being faithful - the easier it will be for us to believe it.

Sometimes it is difficult for us to see how God is active in our lives. Our tendency is to focus on the negative or difficult moments in our lives and ask why God wasn't there. What I suggested to the students and I would suggest to anyone who reads this blog is to ask those around you if they have noticed God working in your life. You might be surprised at their answers. I am sure if I asked you to tell me an instance of where you've seen God working in the life of someone you know - you wouldn't have to think very long before finding an example. Perhaps you should tell them - encourage them.

I also learned this week that people are very good at putting on the facade of a good Christian when they are really hurting inside. God wants an honest relationship with you - imperfections - issues - struggles - doubts - all of it. The more honest you can be - the more God can use you.

May you be as blessed in what God has called you to do as I have been by these students!

I've opened the can of worms...finally

Tonight's youth group was amazing. I don't know how it happened, but something changed. We started by playing a simple game of defending stupid convictions like which football team is better, etc. Then we sang a song. Then we began to talk about the hope of a Christian and before I knew it I was being flooded with questions.

"How do I know God exists?" "Why did Moses get a burning bush and I get nothing?"
"How I can trust that the Bible is true?" "How do I know that Jesus really existed?"

"What happens to people after they die, but before the return of Christ?"

"Why did God allow humans to sin?" "Why did he let Lucifer fall?"

"What about evolution?" "Why doesn't our church talk about speaking in tongues?"
"How did you get from asking all these questions to becoming our youth pastor?"

Once they started - their heads started to spin. I knew exactly what they were going through. One question brings up another question and another and none of them are easily answered. This was what I had been waiting for. This was the moment I had been working toward these last few months - this is why I am here for them.

Youth lasted an extra hour tonight and I didn't even get to half the stuff I planned. It was wonderful - God moved in a major way.