What I learned tonight...

1. Rockband is a fun game.

2. Rockband has an accessory kit available that includes a fog machine.

3. If you use that fog machine in the church, it will set off the fire alarm.

4. The location of the key to open the fire alarm system.

5. The correct number to call when fire alarm system is triggered, but that 911 works too.

6. How to reset a fire alarm system.

7. How to air out a church building.

8. That firemen are very friendly.

9. That pastors are very forgiving.

10. That nights like these become legends in youth groups.

God is funny...

So, as you can tell by my previous post - I was a little stressed this morning. This afternoon I have calmed down considerably and then this song came on and I just started laughing because it is so true! Probably the best worship song I've heard in awhile and it's from Owl City!

Meteor Shower

stress over the unexpected

I usually focus on my relationships with the students when I talk about this job, but another side of this job is relating to the other members of the church. My primary focus there has been to develop relationships with parents because the more involved I am with the parents, the more involved the students seem to be. However, there is another group within the church that I, by nature of being a youth worker, bump into a lot - the elderly.

I have a great respect for the elderly. My church in MA was about 80% elderly and I absolutely loved it. The problem I run into is that they only come to me when they are frustrated with something connected to the youth. "Who moved that carpet ball game in the fellowship hall? It is so loud and distracting while I'm trying to drink my coffee!" "This hasn't happened with you, but sometimes the kids hide in the kitchen for their games - we would rather they didn't do that..."

They don't sound so bad, but it is this general sense that kids are disruptive and disrespectful and it is my job to just control them. I don't see it that way. Yes, the game can be disruptive, but the church is here for the kids as much as the adults and elderly. The difference - the kids are willing to share the space.

Today I just found out that I have to make some abrupt changes to a game night I have had planned for a few weeks because there is a funeral in the church the next morning. That's not a big deal - I understand that funerals are out of the blue and you have to make adjustments. What got to me was that the lady in charge of the service group didn't tell me when they were coming in and where they were going to be in the church. She didn't check the calendar. It's like the youth are an afterthought at best. It was good that I just happened to walk out of my office as she was talking to the secretary or I wouldn't have known that my praise team supper and game night were going to have to be reworked and relocated.

I think I have everything under control now - but it has been a stressful half an hour as I sent out text messages - posted announcements all in caps on Facebook and responded to disappointed students who were looking forward to inviting friends to play predator. I know that it is not the end of the world, but I wish that the youth would be seen as a valid group within this church. They have claims to the building just as the adults do. That just seems to get overlooked.

I just needed to vent a little. Thanks for reading!

The Countdown Continues...

The kids in Milbank are beginning to realize just how much I used to love and in all honesty still love the Muppets. Here is a clip from A Muppet Christmas Carol that tugs at the heartstrings. It was between this song and the song featuring Marley and Marley (the two old grumpy men muppets...) Enjoy!

Next on the Countdown...

Home Alone is my favorite Christmas movie. I know, I know. I should be saying something like It's a Wonderful Life or White Christmas or something, but that would be a lie. Every year we watch Home Alone and every year I laugh hysterically at all the pranks Harry and Marv endure trying to rob little Kevin's house. When this movie came out I was roughly the same age as Kevin, perhaps a little younger. I remember spending hours in my room making all sorts of traps to catch intruders (none of which worked...) All this to say - this movie definitely makes me think of being home at Christmas. Below is a little montage of some of Harry and Marv's suffering. Enjoy!

Countdown to Christmas

I'm having a hard time with Christmas this year. It just doesn't feel right for some reason. So, I have decided to share with you a few things that remind me of Christmas. Today is a video of Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing "O Drummer Boy" from 1977. I know this predates me, but Bing Crosby reminds me a lot of my Grandpa Henry. Enjoy!

Balloons and Pantyhose

What do balloons and pantyhose have to do with Christmas? Why - they turn middle schoolers into reindeer of course! These were too funny not to share. Merry Christmas!

Daily Wisdom Calendar

I have this "Daily Wisdom for a New Century" calendar on my desk. I inherited it with the office when I started my new job. Every day I am in the office I flip it to the correct date and read the pearl of wisdom (or in some cases the 'so-called' pearl of wisdom.) Today, however, it really hit home.

From Albert Schweitzer - a German/French theologian, missionary physician and Nobel Peace Prize recipient:

"I believe that I possess this value: to serve Jesus. I am less at peace than if my goal would be to attain a professorship and a good life, but I live. And that gives me the tremendous feeling of happiness, as if one would see a ray of light in a deep pit, as if one would hear music. One feels uprooted, because one asks, what lies ahead, what decisions should I make - but more alive, happier than those anchored in life. To drift with released anchor."

What really struck me is his example of "professorship" since that is the goal I have been striving toward until very recently. My situation here has caused me to pause and examine my goals. This quote has reminded me and convicted me that my goal is to serve Jesus. It is as simple and as difficult as that.

Locks of Love

So, tonight was Donation night for Middle School Youth Fellowship and as promised - I got my haircut. 14 inches of it were donated to Locks of Love. Here are a couple of pictures to show the change and a video of the actual event. The video is kind of long, but it also gives you a little glimpse into my life on Wednesday nights with middle school. Enjoy!

Long Hair - really really long hair.

14 inch ponytail in my hand. One of the kids said it looked like a horse's tail.

Appropriate.