Record of Ministry Activities:
30 minutes: Coffee Ministry
1 hour: Sunday School
1.5 hours: Sunday morning service
1 hour: Evening service
Personal Reflection:
This week went by very quickly. There is a lot going on right now in the life of our church, which is very exciting, but also stressful.
Our coffee ministry went really well this week. People are beginning to expect that it is going to be there when they show up in the morning before Sunday school, which is both a good and bad thing. I am overall very pleased with the way it has been going and I hope to be able to keep it going for a very long time. It is important to me to build relationships with the people in my church in order to grow closer to God as a group.
Sunday school was not as great. It was only me and 2 other girls. It is really hard to come out of a week like Thanksgiving where so many are home for break to go right back to where we were before. I love both of these girls very much, so we were able to have good conversation and discuss the lesson for the day. With it being a smaller class, I feel as though people are more able to open up about what is going on in their lives because it is less intimidating.
Church also went really well. The pastor talked about how Jesus came, is come, and will come again. It was a very well thought out 3-point message. I really enjoyed the fellowship and the worship with my church family.
Like I said, there is much going on right now in the life of the church. I will be in the Christmas play that is next weekend, and we are no where near being ready to perform. We had practice on Sunday and did not even get through the whole thing. This only adds to my stress for the next week and a half.
After play practice, we had our annual sociaty meeting in place of our Sunday evening service. This is always a nice time to look back on the year in order to re-elect positions of office for next year. When we began to elect our CE (Christian Education) committee, the CE director stood up and said that many people were unhappy with the way the youth ministry was run this past year (this came as no surprise to me. We have dealt with the drama all year). He went on to say that if people did not like the way it was being run in the past, then to not vote for him to be re-elected because he was not going to change the way he ran the program. I thought this was very bold, and it also gives people an excuse to not complain in the future. They knew what they would be getting themselves into by re-electing this man to this position and now they must live with their choices.
The other thing that struck me as odd was when we were electing our Pastor's Cabinet. I am not sure how the pastor's cabinet is run in any other denomination or church, but ours is really the central part of the church. They make a lot of very important decisions; for instance, they were the ones who decided to let our more recent youth pastor go. As we were sitting there nominationg people, my fellow youth worker turned to me and asked if that was something I would be interested in. I shrugged it off, knowing that if he nominated me, people would only talk, saying things like, "Well of course he would nominate her. He only wants his eyes and ears on that committee." I knew this would only end in disaster. Shortly after this conversation, though, our pastor's wife nominated me. It took me so aback that it was hard to say anything. I realize that certain people in the church recognize that I am growing up, while others are still having a hard time dealing with the fact. But it was really interesting to see my pastor's wife nominate me for such an important role. Needless to say, I was elected, which also greatly surprised me. Hopefully I will be able to fulfill my duty in the next year.
Spiritual Reflection
I have been really stressed out lately, which I am sure most of us have. If it is not one thing, it is another, and I am really not sure how much more I can handle. I praise God daily for the opportunity to experience a Christmas break, because I need it so bad right now. I can finish everything that needs to be done, it is just prioritizing and finding the time to do so. I am really ready for break and the rest and renewal that it will bring.
This is my last post. Thanks to everyone who went through this semester with me. Blessings to you all and Merry Christmas!!!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Report 9
Record of Ministry Activities:
Youth Scavenger Hunt 2.5 hours
Coffee Ministry: 30 minutes
Sunday School: 1 hour
Sunday Services: 1.5 hours
Evening Service: 1 hour
Total: 6.5 hours
Personal Reflection:
So I forgot to post last week. (Oooops) But last week (11/22) my Sunday school classs started our coffee ministry. I only got one negative comment ("Are we trying to be like those people across the street now??" The church across the street has a whole cafe in their church. They sell their product). I simply responded that we were just trying to serve people and Christ through coffee. This woman did not have much to say to that, and I simply shrugged off the comment.
Everyone was really cool about the whole thing. Some people donated money (which will be used to buy more supplies) and others just took their coffee and went. This past week, people came in almost expecting it, and others did not realize it was a weekly deal. It will be interesting to see where this ministry goes in the next couple of weeks. The only problem is that my class starts late now and I have to wash the dishes afterwards. Other than this, there is no downside.
Wednesday was our annual scavenger hunt for the teenagers. The youth leaders put this together for the first time when I was in 8th grade (8 years ago). It has been tradition ever since. We send the kids all over town (with an adult leader) to find clues to lead them to one central location (which is always Pizza Hut). We then fellowship and eat and talk about the adventures we had. The worst part about it this year was that inly kids showed up. I can remember when we had to have parents drive in order to have enough seats for all the kids. Aside from this, we had a really good time. It is always noce to reconnect with the kids on a more personal level.
During church on Sunday, our most recent youth pastor came to church )he no longer works for our church, making the situation very awkward. He is also my boyfriend's cousin, thickening the plot of the whole thing. I moved over so he could sit with my friend and I, but really tried to ignore the whole situation. I honestly am not sure he feels the tension rise when he walks in the room, but everyone else feels it. I understand our church is where he feels comfortable worshipping, but it just is not a really good situation.
Other than this, church was great. The pastor did an excellent job and everyone left satisfied. That evening, we did not have our usual hanging of the greens service because there will be a wedding in our church in 2 weeks. Instead, there was a play put on by 6 women and the psator's wife directed it. It was about women who were meeting by the well and discussing what was happening to Mary and Joseph as the baby Jesus was highly anticipated. It really makes one stop and think how we would have reacted in that same situation. Would we have believed it was the coming Messiah or simply laughed it off like the women in the play? It was interesting, funny, and thought-provoking all at the same time.
Spiritual Reflection:
This week (even though it was Thanksgiving) I felt like I was running on empty. I had a really great time with my friends and family, but did not take any time for myself. Sunday's have become more hectic with my coffee ministry and my own Christmas play practice for 2 hours every week. I feel like I have no time for myself and God, but I know it will get better after the semester is over. I loved that we got devotional books today in chapel. I am going to be sure to keep up with them in order to get back where I need to be. It is also nice to think that so many people in such close proximity are going to be having the same devotions every day. It will be amazing to see God move on this campus! I am ready for what He has in store for my life!
Have a great week!
Youth Scavenger Hunt 2.5 hours
Coffee Ministry: 30 minutes
Sunday School: 1 hour
Sunday Services: 1.5 hours
Evening Service: 1 hour
Total: 6.5 hours
Personal Reflection:
So I forgot to post last week. (Oooops) But last week (11/22) my Sunday school classs started our coffee ministry. I only got one negative comment ("Are we trying to be like those people across the street now??" The church across the street has a whole cafe in their church. They sell their product). I simply responded that we were just trying to serve people and Christ through coffee. This woman did not have much to say to that, and I simply shrugged off the comment.
Everyone was really cool about the whole thing. Some people donated money (which will be used to buy more supplies) and others just took their coffee and went. This past week, people came in almost expecting it, and others did not realize it was a weekly deal. It will be interesting to see where this ministry goes in the next couple of weeks. The only problem is that my class starts late now and I have to wash the dishes afterwards. Other than this, there is no downside.
Wednesday was our annual scavenger hunt for the teenagers. The youth leaders put this together for the first time when I was in 8th grade (8 years ago). It has been tradition ever since. We send the kids all over town (with an adult leader) to find clues to lead them to one central location (which is always Pizza Hut). We then fellowship and eat and talk about the adventures we had. The worst part about it this year was that inly kids showed up. I can remember when we had to have parents drive in order to have enough seats for all the kids. Aside from this, we had a really good time. It is always noce to reconnect with the kids on a more personal level.
During church on Sunday, our most recent youth pastor came to church )he no longer works for our church, making the situation very awkward. He is also my boyfriend's cousin, thickening the plot of the whole thing. I moved over so he could sit with my friend and I, but really tried to ignore the whole situation. I honestly am not sure he feels the tension rise when he walks in the room, but everyone else feels it. I understand our church is where he feels comfortable worshipping, but it just is not a really good situation.
Other than this, church was great. The pastor did an excellent job and everyone left satisfied. That evening, we did not have our usual hanging of the greens service because there will be a wedding in our church in 2 weeks. Instead, there was a play put on by 6 women and the psator's wife directed it. It was about women who were meeting by the well and discussing what was happening to Mary and Joseph as the baby Jesus was highly anticipated. It really makes one stop and think how we would have reacted in that same situation. Would we have believed it was the coming Messiah or simply laughed it off like the women in the play? It was interesting, funny, and thought-provoking all at the same time.
Spiritual Reflection:
This week (even though it was Thanksgiving) I felt like I was running on empty. I had a really great time with my friends and family, but did not take any time for myself. Sunday's have become more hectic with my coffee ministry and my own Christmas play practice for 2 hours every week. I feel like I have no time for myself and God, but I know it will get better after the semester is over. I loved that we got devotional books today in chapel. I am going to be sure to keep up with them in order to get back where I need to be. It is also nice to think that so many people in such close proximity are going to be having the same devotions every day. It will be amazing to see God move on this campus! I am ready for what He has in store for my life!
Have a great week!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Report 8
Record of Ministry Activities
Meeting with Pastor: 30 minutes
Sunday School: 1 hour
Church: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Youth Group: 1 hour
Personal Reflection
This past week at church was really good, well, for the most part. I met with my pastor before Sunday School and shared with him that I am planning on starting the coffee/tea ministry this next Sunday. It should be a really good time if everything works out right. Then I had Sunday school, and no one showed up. Instead of becoming frustrated, I told myself it is that time of year when people are just really busy and that Sunday school is not a top priority. So instead I went into my mom's Sunday school class (she teaches the 2-3 year olds) and I had a really good time with them. It is so nice to relax and simply be with children who are so innocent in Jesus. Next we had church and the sermon was on joy. The pastor had asked me to pray for him throughout the sermon, that he would only say what God wanted him to say. AS the sermon began, I could see why he had made this request. He told several jokes that were hilarious. None of them were out of line, but I could see why he would be nervous. He basically talked about how Christians need joy in their lives and that people assumed that Christians never had any fun. It was overall a really good sermon.
Youth group on Sunday was basically a joke, again. We were volunteered to pass out flyers, again. We went to a trailer park near our church and handed out flyers for an upcoming Thanksgiving dinner that is free to the community. It is a really good cause, but I am sick of our teenagers getting the short stick and thinking that they do not need Jesus as much as our adults. Our teens need to be in the Word just as much as our adults, but they are in the Word so much less because of things like this. I get really frustrated when our teens are not treated like a part of the church and that they can miss youth group to pass out flyers for someone else.
Spiritual Reflection
I know I kind of freaked out a little in my above reflection, but I get really upset when the teens are volunteered to do things in the church. We should help in the various ministries in the church, but being expected to do so is a completely different aspect. Personally though, I have been really good. Classes are not bogging me down too much (yet) and I am ready for the semester to be over. I am really ready for Christmas break and to spend time with my family and friends, as well as my youth group. It is sad that I almost want December to be over to get all the crap out of the way that I have to do relating to Christmas, but I am excited for Christmas all the same. I have really enjoyed the sermons that have been preached lately and am thankful for the people God has placed in my path. It is so hard to remember to be thankful for the little things in life, but I try really hard to remember to do so. I want to do the right thing for me and for the people I influence.
I know this has been a little scatter brained, but I obviously needed it ;)
Have a great week
Kristie
Meeting with Pastor: 30 minutes
Sunday School: 1 hour
Church: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Youth Group: 1 hour
Personal Reflection
This past week at church was really good, well, for the most part. I met with my pastor before Sunday School and shared with him that I am planning on starting the coffee/tea ministry this next Sunday. It should be a really good time if everything works out right. Then I had Sunday school, and no one showed up. Instead of becoming frustrated, I told myself it is that time of year when people are just really busy and that Sunday school is not a top priority. So instead I went into my mom's Sunday school class (she teaches the 2-3 year olds) and I had a really good time with them. It is so nice to relax and simply be with children who are so innocent in Jesus. Next we had church and the sermon was on joy. The pastor had asked me to pray for him throughout the sermon, that he would only say what God wanted him to say. AS the sermon began, I could see why he had made this request. He told several jokes that were hilarious. None of them were out of line, but I could see why he would be nervous. He basically talked about how Christians need joy in their lives and that people assumed that Christians never had any fun. It was overall a really good sermon.
Youth group on Sunday was basically a joke, again. We were volunteered to pass out flyers, again. We went to a trailer park near our church and handed out flyers for an upcoming Thanksgiving dinner that is free to the community. It is a really good cause, but I am sick of our teenagers getting the short stick and thinking that they do not need Jesus as much as our adults. Our teens need to be in the Word just as much as our adults, but they are in the Word so much less because of things like this. I get really frustrated when our teens are not treated like a part of the church and that they can miss youth group to pass out flyers for someone else.
Spiritual Reflection
I know I kind of freaked out a little in my above reflection, but I get really upset when the teens are volunteered to do things in the church. We should help in the various ministries in the church, but being expected to do so is a completely different aspect. Personally though, I have been really good. Classes are not bogging me down too much (yet) and I am ready for the semester to be over. I am really ready for Christmas break and to spend time with my family and friends, as well as my youth group. It is sad that I almost want December to be over to get all the crap out of the way that I have to do relating to Christmas, but I am excited for Christmas all the same. I have really enjoyed the sermons that have been preached lately and am thankful for the people God has placed in my path. It is so hard to remember to be thankful for the little things in life, but I try really hard to remember to do so. I want to do the right thing for me and for the people I influence.
I know this has been a little scatter brained, but I obviously needed it ;)
Have a great week
Kristie
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Report 7
Ministry Activities:
Meeting with Pastor: 30 minutes
Sunday School: 1 hour
Church: 1 hour 30 minutes
Youth Group: 1 hour
Total time: 4 hours
Personal Reflection:
This week was really good ministry wise. I had a meeting with my supervisor in the morning on Sunday and we basically talked about what I had been doing in my Sunday school class. During Sunday school, I only had 2 students and both are not regulars, so I was glad they showed up. I love my Sunday school class because it is so relaxed and we can honestly talk about life and still learn from God's Word. It is very encouraging in this sense.
Next was church in which I help lead the worship. I also prayed the invocation prayer which is uplifting, but I do not like to do it all the time. I really don't want church to become "The Kristie Show" and I know this is what people would say even though it is not my intent. So I only pray when no one else volunteers.
We then had youth group that night and it also went really well. Apparently attendence has been way up on Wednesday nights, but is still lagging a little on Sunday's. We had 5 kids which is about average for our group. The lesson was about trusting God, which I needed to hear SO bad. It was a good time. The person who did the lesson always make sure to have some sort of game or activity to go with it, which the kids love. I think it's amazing, just not my forte.
Spiritual Reflection:
This week has been rough. I have lost my great great Aunt Hilma. She was a wonderful woman and I loved her dearly. I also lost my doggy this past weekend and that has been really hard. My parents have been sort of quiet and no one wants to bring up the situation. It's been hard, but we are getting through.
I am still realizing that God answers prayers. It is something so simple and something that I so easily forget. When life is going along its merry way, I have no need to think about God's faithfulness. But when I need Him, He is always there, and I was reminded of this again this week. Life continues to happen, but God always stays the same.
Meeting with Pastor: 30 minutes
Sunday School: 1 hour
Church: 1 hour 30 minutes
Youth Group: 1 hour
Total time: 4 hours
Personal Reflection:
This week was really good ministry wise. I had a meeting with my supervisor in the morning on Sunday and we basically talked about what I had been doing in my Sunday school class. During Sunday school, I only had 2 students and both are not regulars, so I was glad they showed up. I love my Sunday school class because it is so relaxed and we can honestly talk about life and still learn from God's Word. It is very encouraging in this sense.
Next was church in which I help lead the worship. I also prayed the invocation prayer which is uplifting, but I do not like to do it all the time. I really don't want church to become "The Kristie Show" and I know this is what people would say even though it is not my intent. So I only pray when no one else volunteers.
We then had youth group that night and it also went really well. Apparently attendence has been way up on Wednesday nights, but is still lagging a little on Sunday's. We had 5 kids which is about average for our group. The lesson was about trusting God, which I needed to hear SO bad. It was a good time. The person who did the lesson always make sure to have some sort of game or activity to go with it, which the kids love. I think it's amazing, just not my forte.
Spiritual Reflection:
This week has been rough. I have lost my great great Aunt Hilma. She was a wonderful woman and I loved her dearly. I also lost my doggy this past weekend and that has been really hard. My parents have been sort of quiet and no one wants to bring up the situation. It's been hard, but we are getting through.
I am still realizing that God answers prayers. It is something so simple and something that I so easily forget. When life is going along its merry way, I have no need to think about God's faithfulness. But when I need Him, He is always there, and I was reminded of this again this week. Life continues to happen, but God always stays the same.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Report 6
(I realize this post is late. I forgot to post yesterday.)
Ministry Activities:
Retreat: 8 hours
Evening Church: 1 hour
Personal Reflection:
Retreat was amazing as usual. On Sunday morning, we got up, had breakfast, and had a lesson. I gave the lesson and we talked about God's nature throughout history, but mainly focused on Genesis. It was a decent lesson, but I should have taken into account that all the teens were going to be so tired that none of them would want to participate. Oh well, we live and we learn. After the lesson we packed up and cleaned up, then left for home. By this time, everyone was really cranky and really just needed sleep, but they were all too uncomfortable to sleep in the van. On the way home, we stopped at a birthday party for an older man in our church (the party was in Indy). None of the teens wanted to stop even though they all know the man pretty well. We made them stop anyways. They had cake and probably some punch. We were there less than 30 minutes, then continued on our trip home.
The biggest problem I had on retreat was the teens did not really respect my authority. I realize I am close to their age and that I am their friend, but it is frustrating when I try to put my foot down and they do not listen. It probably also makes a difference that I am such a push-over, and they know this about me. I rarely get angry with them and when I do it passes quickly. This weekend really did show me that I need to stand my ground more often if this is something I will eventually be in charge of with no one else to stick up for me. We were the group in the Creation Museum that people would walk by and say, "Stupid teenagers." We had kids playing in the water that said "Please stay out of the water" and basically touching everything in sight. I think this is a problem for boys in general becasue my Dad still does this, and he is almost 50 years old. It was hard for me to discipline teenagers who are at least a foot taller than me because I knew that I could not really enforce anything.
Spiritual Reflection:
I have been really focused on God this week. I have had little homework and have just been doing real life ministry to the people around me. I love being able to relax with my friends and hang out without having worries in the back of my mind. Jesus has been so good to me and I want to be good to Him. I realize not everyone is as lucky as I am when I hear stories from my friends of things they are going through. It is tough to live in a world such as we do today and not be influenced by the things around us. I am in earnest prayer for the situations my friends are going through and hope for the best always. It is important to rely on God, which is so easy to say when you are not the one going through it. I have put my faith in God and I have nothing else to put my trust it.
Praise God!!!
Ministry Activities:
Retreat: 8 hours
Evening Church: 1 hour
Personal Reflection:
Retreat was amazing as usual. On Sunday morning, we got up, had breakfast, and had a lesson. I gave the lesson and we talked about God's nature throughout history, but mainly focused on Genesis. It was a decent lesson, but I should have taken into account that all the teens were going to be so tired that none of them would want to participate. Oh well, we live and we learn. After the lesson we packed up and cleaned up, then left for home. By this time, everyone was really cranky and really just needed sleep, but they were all too uncomfortable to sleep in the van. On the way home, we stopped at a birthday party for an older man in our church (the party was in Indy). None of the teens wanted to stop even though they all know the man pretty well. We made them stop anyways. They had cake and probably some punch. We were there less than 30 minutes, then continued on our trip home.
The biggest problem I had on retreat was the teens did not really respect my authority. I realize I am close to their age and that I am their friend, but it is frustrating when I try to put my foot down and they do not listen. It probably also makes a difference that I am such a push-over, and they know this about me. I rarely get angry with them and when I do it passes quickly. This weekend really did show me that I need to stand my ground more often if this is something I will eventually be in charge of with no one else to stick up for me. We were the group in the Creation Museum that people would walk by and say, "Stupid teenagers." We had kids playing in the water that said "Please stay out of the water" and basically touching everything in sight. I think this is a problem for boys in general becasue my Dad still does this, and he is almost 50 years old. It was hard for me to discipline teenagers who are at least a foot taller than me because I knew that I could not really enforce anything.
Spiritual Reflection:
I have been really focused on God this week. I have had little homework and have just been doing real life ministry to the people around me. I love being able to relax with my friends and hang out without having worries in the back of my mind. Jesus has been so good to me and I want to be good to Him. I realize not everyone is as lucky as I am when I hear stories from my friends of things they are going through. It is tough to live in a world such as we do today and not be influenced by the things around us. I am in earnest prayer for the situations my friends are going through and hope for the best always. It is important to rely on God, which is so easy to say when you are not the one going through it. I have put my faith in God and I have nothing else to put my trust it.
Praise God!!!
Report 5
(I realize this post is late. I forgot to do it yesterday)
Ministry Activities: Retreat- 23 hours
Personal Reflection:
This past weekend was our annual youth group retreat. We usually go to a church campground a have several lessons and activities planned. This year, our main leader's are planning their daughters wedding, so we decided to go to the Creation Museum instead of our normal retreat. We left on Friday evening about 5 p.m. It was raining when we left and it rained the whole drive down. I had to drive and I was following the person in front of me. I can honestly say that at times I was really scared because I could not see the road or the person I was supposed to be following. Plus, I had 5 teens in my van and (being all boys) they were pretty rowdy. Several times I had to tell them to calm down because I needed to focus on what was on the road. I did get really good at blocking them out, though.
When we finally got to the campgrounds it was still raining. We unpacked, then I went with another adult leader to get milk and juice for breakfast in the morning. When we got back, we played Scattergories as one big group. It was a really good time.
The next morning we got up early and got ready to go. We ate breakfast and headed out. We had to drive about 90 more minutes to get to the Creation Museum. I was so thankful when we started seeing signs for it because we were all so restless. When we got there, we went in and got our tickets, made a bathroom stop, and began looking at all there was to see. We first watched a movie that argued for creationism. I warned the kids ahead of time that it was a little cheesy, but they ended up loving it. When the movie talked about Noah and the ark the viewers got sprayed in the face. They are still talking about that movie. Next we ate lunch, then actually went into the "creation story" part of the museum. It was really long and there is a lot of reading, which I tried to warn them about. They enjoyed it and said they learned a lot, but they would rush ahead then just sit and wait for the rest of us. I was okay with it as long as they were with someone else the whole time, and they pretty much stayed together as a group. Then we went outside to take pictures if the botanical garden and we went to the petting zoo. For teenagers, you would have thought this would have been boring, but they had so much fun! They fed the animals and pet them and asked questions to the keepers. I think they had a really good time.
That night we were all really tired, so we watched 2 movies and played some games, then went to bed early.
Spiritual Reflection: Since retreat, I have really been admiring God's creation. We so often forget to appreciate the little things, like the birds singing, or a blue sky, or the full moon. I have really been enjoying God's creation as I walk to class each day. Retreat is always really tiring but really fun and interesting. So I have been busy catching up on sleep and trying to stay focused on what we learned. I know we can all get cranky when we are on retreat because of the lack of sleep and the amount of time spent with people we are not used to, but it turned out really well.
Also, one of my friend's from high school had cancer in her thyroid while we were in high school. Last Thursday, she called me to tell me the doctors thought the cancer had come back and that it was in her lymph node. Needless to say, I was freaking out. I had several people praying for her and was so worried at the same time. I trusted that God had a plan, but my friend is not a believer and I knew that having cancer again would completely turn her away from God. On Tuesday she had a biopsy, and there is no cancer. All week I have been praising God for answers to prayer. I was so relieved when I heard the good news. My only prayer is that she will recall this time later in life and realize there is a God who loves her.
Praise God!!!
Ministry Activities: Retreat- 23 hours
Personal Reflection:
This past weekend was our annual youth group retreat. We usually go to a church campground a have several lessons and activities planned. This year, our main leader's are planning their daughters wedding, so we decided to go to the Creation Museum instead of our normal retreat. We left on Friday evening about 5 p.m. It was raining when we left and it rained the whole drive down. I had to drive and I was following the person in front of me. I can honestly say that at times I was really scared because I could not see the road or the person I was supposed to be following. Plus, I had 5 teens in my van and (being all boys) they were pretty rowdy. Several times I had to tell them to calm down because I needed to focus on what was on the road. I did get really good at blocking them out, though.
When we finally got to the campgrounds it was still raining. We unpacked, then I went with another adult leader to get milk and juice for breakfast in the morning. When we got back, we played Scattergories as one big group. It was a really good time.
The next morning we got up early and got ready to go. We ate breakfast and headed out. We had to drive about 90 more minutes to get to the Creation Museum. I was so thankful when we started seeing signs for it because we were all so restless. When we got there, we went in and got our tickets, made a bathroom stop, and began looking at all there was to see. We first watched a movie that argued for creationism. I warned the kids ahead of time that it was a little cheesy, but they ended up loving it. When the movie talked about Noah and the ark the viewers got sprayed in the face. They are still talking about that movie. Next we ate lunch, then actually went into the "creation story" part of the museum. It was really long and there is a lot of reading, which I tried to warn them about. They enjoyed it and said they learned a lot, but they would rush ahead then just sit and wait for the rest of us. I was okay with it as long as they were with someone else the whole time, and they pretty much stayed together as a group. Then we went outside to take pictures if the botanical garden and we went to the petting zoo. For teenagers, you would have thought this would have been boring, but they had so much fun! They fed the animals and pet them and asked questions to the keepers. I think they had a really good time.
That night we were all really tired, so we watched 2 movies and played some games, then went to bed early.
Spiritual Reflection: Since retreat, I have really been admiring God's creation. We so often forget to appreciate the little things, like the birds singing, or a blue sky, or the full moon. I have really been enjoying God's creation as I walk to class each day. Retreat is always really tiring but really fun and interesting. So I have been busy catching up on sleep and trying to stay focused on what we learned. I know we can all get cranky when we are on retreat because of the lack of sleep and the amount of time spent with people we are not used to, but it turned out really well.
Also, one of my friend's from high school had cancer in her thyroid while we were in high school. Last Thursday, she called me to tell me the doctors thought the cancer had come back and that it was in her lymph node. Needless to say, I was freaking out. I had several people praying for her and was so worried at the same time. I trusted that God had a plan, but my friend is not a believer and I knew that having cancer again would completely turn her away from God. On Tuesday she had a biopsy, and there is no cancer. All week I have been praising God for answers to prayer. I was so relieved when I heard the good news. My only prayer is that she will recall this time later in life and realize there is a God who loves her.
Praise God!!!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Report 4
Record of Ministry activities
Meeting with Pastor: 30 minutes
Sunday School: 1 hour
Church/Children's church: 1hour 30 minutes
Youth group: 1 hour
Personal Reflection
This weekend was a very hectic one. I realize it was Fall break and we are supposed to relax, but my life is just too busy to relax! I worked on Friday and Saturday night as well as Sunday afternoon. Sunday was just ridiculously crazy. I got to the church about 9 a.m. and left at about noon, then ate lunch, went to work for 3 hours, then went back to church. Needless to say, I was very tired. The good thing, though, is that it was a good day and good time at church. My Sunday school class is a group of students who are really hit and miss. We had four this Sunday, though, including me. 4 is about our average, but if everyone showed up on the same day, we would have about 10. I proposed an idea to my pastor a couple of weeks ago and he thought it was a good idea. This week, I took it to my Sunday school class, and they seemed on board. The basic idea is to serve coffee, tea, and hot chocolate as people enter the church building for Sunday school. My class would run it, and we would close up about 10 minutes into class; this way we can still have class and can serve others.
We then had church, but I helped with toddler church. We only had 2 this week because so many are sick or are trying to avoid getting sick, but it was a really good time. The two we had are very talkative and opinionated, so it was nice to be able to actually listen to what they had to say. The woman I helped did the lesson, so I was basically just the second adult in the room. I still had a really good time, though!
Youth group on Sunday night was interesting. We are going on retreat this coming weekend. Usually everything is planned out at least a month in advance. This year, though, our main leaders are planning a wedding for their daughter in December. This has taken up most of their extra time. So on Sunday, we were still discussing details about retreat, when the money is due, and where we are staying. We will be going to the Creation Museum, which I am very excited about. I am the only one in our group who has been before, so I am excited to be able to share the experience with my teens. I am doing the lesson on Sunday morning and am a little unsure what to teach on. Of course I would like to talk about creation, I just do not want it to be too much of the same thing. But I am sure I will work something out.
Spiritual reflection
RAM camp was 2 weeks ago, and I am still on a pretty good high from that. Retreat is coming up this weekend and I am super pumped. My biggest struggle right now is working a retail job and still fitting in church. My manager does not attend church and does not understand the importance of me going to church and helping with my youth group. I like working where I work (and it's nice to have a little extra cash) but it is difficult to work with my manager. I realize the secular world is not always going to be glamorous, but it is frustrating to have to explain over and over that I want and need to be at church. Other than this, though, my spiritual life is great. I am excited about the upcoming weekend and ready to spend some quality time with God and my friends.
Meeting with Pastor: 30 minutes
Sunday School: 1 hour
Church/Children's church: 1hour 30 minutes
Youth group: 1 hour
Personal Reflection
This weekend was a very hectic one. I realize it was Fall break and we are supposed to relax, but my life is just too busy to relax! I worked on Friday and Saturday night as well as Sunday afternoon. Sunday was just ridiculously crazy. I got to the church about 9 a.m. and left at about noon, then ate lunch, went to work for 3 hours, then went back to church. Needless to say, I was very tired. The good thing, though, is that it was a good day and good time at church. My Sunday school class is a group of students who are really hit and miss. We had four this Sunday, though, including me. 4 is about our average, but if everyone showed up on the same day, we would have about 10. I proposed an idea to my pastor a couple of weeks ago and he thought it was a good idea. This week, I took it to my Sunday school class, and they seemed on board. The basic idea is to serve coffee, tea, and hot chocolate as people enter the church building for Sunday school. My class would run it, and we would close up about 10 minutes into class; this way we can still have class and can serve others.
We then had church, but I helped with toddler church. We only had 2 this week because so many are sick or are trying to avoid getting sick, but it was a really good time. The two we had are very talkative and opinionated, so it was nice to be able to actually listen to what they had to say. The woman I helped did the lesson, so I was basically just the second adult in the room. I still had a really good time, though!
Youth group on Sunday night was interesting. We are going on retreat this coming weekend. Usually everything is planned out at least a month in advance. This year, though, our main leaders are planning a wedding for their daughter in December. This has taken up most of their extra time. So on Sunday, we were still discussing details about retreat, when the money is due, and where we are staying. We will be going to the Creation Museum, which I am very excited about. I am the only one in our group who has been before, so I am excited to be able to share the experience with my teens. I am doing the lesson on Sunday morning and am a little unsure what to teach on. Of course I would like to talk about creation, I just do not want it to be too much of the same thing. But I am sure I will work something out.
Spiritual reflection
RAM camp was 2 weeks ago, and I am still on a pretty good high from that. Retreat is coming up this weekend and I am super pumped. My biggest struggle right now is working a retail job and still fitting in church. My manager does not attend church and does not understand the importance of me going to church and helping with my youth group. I like working where I work (and it's nice to have a little extra cash) but it is difficult to work with my manager. I realize the secular world is not always going to be glamorous, but it is frustrating to have to explain over and over that I want and need to be at church. Other than this, though, my spiritual life is great. I am excited about the upcoming weekend and ready to spend some quality time with God and my friends.
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