Praying

A Boy!!!

I'm going to have another nephew! My sister had her appt today! Everything looks good and healthy.

My dad sure is getting his fill of boys after having 2 girls! :)

SERVE

This past missions trip marked a new 'era' in youth ministry for me. I had new perceptions and criticisms of this trip that I have not had before.

When I was at Sunshine, we planned every last detail of our own missions trip. We had a staff of 5, so we had the luxery of putting that many staff hours into 3-4 week long trips each year. Having that much control and responsibility on a trip has it's pros and cons. The Pros being that YOU get to choose where you go, what you do, what you eat, the topics that are discussed, the worship music & style, the theme, etc. The Cons are that YOU are responsibile for carrying out all of those details; speaking, preparing lessons & small group questions, lining up leaders to drive, cook, lead, plan games. You don't get a lot of down time because you're always a few steps ahead making sure everything is set and ready to go.

Coming to Plymouth is the first time I every went on a 'boxed' trip. Have you ever bought a 'bed in a bag'? It comes with a dust ruffle, sheets, shams, pillow cases & a comforter - all nicely packaged and ready to go. SERVE is like a bed in a bag. I don't mean that in a negative way, just that everything is pre-arranged and all I have to do is invite the students & then get them there.

Before I tell you my own perceptions, I want you to know that our students had a fantastic time, and that makes it all completely worth it. I had some in depth one -on-ones with several of our kids about their walk with God and how they have been growing. They were challenged, equipped, and engaged on this trip. I dare say that almost every student bonded with their small groups and walked away with new friendships and renewed faith.

Okay, now for my perception. The Redlands Site is extremely well organized and run. The host team was fantastic. The work sites were varied and you truly felt you were needed - not that they were coming up with work in order for us to feel useful. They had great pools for us to swim in, host families to take care of us, they took us to in & out burger, the beach, a hike, a concert...no complaints with any of that.

I guess my issue is that the theme and the talks seemed very, well, youth groupy. Our speaker was engaging, humorous, used some good illustrations - our kids got a lot out of it. My issue is not necessarily with her, it's more with how we do youth ministry. I guess after being in it for 7 years I'm starting to get a bit jaded. The scriptures were completely predictable. I think I've probably used the same ones in talks I've done. The videos and illustrations were funny, but I wasn't always sure they hit home the point. The theme was 'Living Inside Out' and I walked away still wondering exactly what I was supposed to get out of that. Every night we were given a challenge and had to write down something on a colored piece of paper and bring it to the cross. It seems like a cool, experiential, element, however I can barely remember the challenges and what I was supposed to do with all that. I wonder how effective and long-lasting those challenges were.

We also had a very genuine worship leader, however we sang the same 5-7 songs over and over, and they were songs where you repeat the chorus 15 times and build up the music, throw in a drum solo, then repeat the ending 7 times before moving on to the next one. Oh- and I forgot to mention that every song had motions. And if it didn't, well, we made them up so they did. I LOVE Jesus with all my heart, but I'm not huge into being a cheerleader & calling it worship. I'm sure that is worshipful to some, just not to me. Give me some thoughtful words with depth & let me sing them once so they don't lose their meaning.

Typically I come home from a trip feeling closer to God and on a little bit of that 'spiritual high'.

This year, I felt nothing. I didn't have any new insights about God or my life in Christ.

Thank goodness this trip was for the students and not for me. I can rest assured that God was present, that he was moving and working and he was glorified.

California....knows how to party....

This is Sue & Steph VanderHart. Steph was my youth pastor in high school - the one I told that I was going to have his job someday. :) These two people have had the largest influence on my faith besides my parents, and I have a deep respect and admiration for them. I'm so grateful for their role in my life!

Apparently this is where a lot of celebs eat. We didn't see any, of course.

Outside of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.

Kerri & I having fun on the giant slip & slid on Friday.

In & Out Burger. Kerri & I both got grilled cheese :)

We met the "clear eyes guy", also known as Ben Stein, at the airport about 3 minutes after we got to LA.

Our team before heading to the airport.

And I'm off...again!

Another week long trip, here we come!

It's extremely disappointing that Marc can't come - It's now been almost 4.5 years since we've been together and he has never been able to come on a trip with me. It would've been the first, but we'll have to wait for another opportunity, I suppose.

Despite leaving my husband and son at home for 8 days, I am truly excited for this trip. We have an incredible speaker and I've heard fantastic things about this SERVE site. If I get a chance, I'll update while we are there, but for now, I should finish packing.

I made everyone bring their luggage tonight at 7pm and I haven't even finished! How's that for leading by example?

P.S. check out my blog list on the side- Redlands Serve has a blog - come check up on me during the week!

A cluttered mind

1. I leave for CA in 3 days. Despite switching leaders, changing airline tickets, registering a new leader and doing it all 4 days before the trip, I think all the details are falling into place. Marc can no longer go on the trip because his old job refuses to pay his vacation time. The vacation time that he's earned and asked off probably 6 months ago. Ugh. Anyhow, Kerri has graciously agreed to step in and it all happened pretty easily! I am grateful.

2. I want Kelly's baby to arrive before I leave! I just have this feeling it'll happen when I'm in the van on the way to Detroit or sometime while I'm gone. I can't wait to meet the little one & find out who he or she is! Praying for you Kel!

3. My training for the tri kinda sucked last week. And to be honest, the beginning of this week too. I went swimming over my lunch today and I'm going running tonight. Hopefully I'll be able to get in at least 3 runs next week during SERVE. We'll see how that goes.

4. We have decided to take in 2 exchange students again next year. I was thinking that with Marc working 2nd shift again that having only 1 student would be more awkward for me than having 2. Also, both boys could be upstairs, so no one would have to sleep in the small, windowless room in the basement. We really enjoyed our experience last year, and hopefully will love these new boys just as much!

5. Chris Schoon is leaving our church soon. I'm sure their family is going through a ton of emotions as they prepare to say goodbye to family, friends, neighborhood and church. I haven't slowed down enought to truly think how much this will affect our church, and our staff. I don't want to.

6. I need to study for my Bible knowledge exam.

7. Hennie Schoon is a wise woman. We talked a few weeks ago at a staff gathering and she helped me put something into perspective. I've been struggling with the idea that a year from now, Marc & I might be moving/leaving just like the Schoons. I love where I'm at and I love what I do. It's hard to think of leaving something you love so dearly to step into the unknown. Hennie reminded me of a lesson we all learned way back in preschool: taking turns. I realized that for almost 4 years now, Marc has been allowing me to have 'my turn'. He has followed me through 2 churches and allowed me to do what I love. I need to allow him to have his turn of doing what he loves. That may mean sacrificing for me, and while I hate to think of leaving Plymouth, I'm also becoming more open to what God might have in store for Marc & our family. When I'm honest, there is a growing part of me that is longing to be home with Isaac and perhaps that's what God has in store for me. Time will tell.

8. Only a few more weeks until Emilie finds out if baby is a boy or a girl! She doesn't even look pregnant yet!

9. I feel like the fall is going to be here before I know it & that stresses me out.

10. I'm disappointed that no-one came to my first high school bible study. I understand that people are busy and that summer is busy, but I HATE the idea that because it's summer, we just don't study God's word together.

June - more pictures

Isaac is really into dogs right now. Probably because it's one of the few animal noises he can make.


Our beautiful neice, Charlotte.



Spent a Sunday afternoon at the beach. Mommy & Daddy liked it, Isaac, well, not so much. The beach isn't a great place for you when you're afraid of the sand.

Isaac's first experience on a boat.

I keep trying to upload a video we took of Isaac singing, but blogger is having technical difficulties. Hopefully I'll get it up here soon!

Hello Gilmore!!!!

Marc got the job! Once again, the LORD has provided!

Thank you for your prayers. Not only did he get the job, he will start making .50 more/hour.

God is so good.

http://www.gilmorefurnitureinc.com/