They grow up so fast...

It is still hard for me to believe but my nephew is 12! 12 I tell you! I still remember him being 3 and doing things like eating dental floss (a story for another time). And not he is in middle school. 6th grade! eeek. If he lived here in town with me he would be in my youth group. That is a scary thought. Probably better that he does not live here because this way he can an experience without his Auntie Meg at youth group with him.

Unlike my brother who has always had his sis at youth group with him. He two has gotten older on me. 17 going on 18 and graduating. Ugh all of this also means that I am getting older. Guess that is part of life. The crazy thing is my brother is graduating from the same HS I did only 12 years later. Who would have thought that to happen? Not I that is for certain. But I love him and am proud of him.

There will be many graduating from youth group this year. I will miss them all but at the same time wish them all the blessings God has to offer them as the move forward in life.

Messy games are fun!

When I was a youth one thing that we did every now and then were messy games. Usually they ended up being pretty funny as well as messy. Now it is my turn to make messes with the youth and laugh at the silly things they do. Like shaving cream hair that you have to stick fruit loops to. Or cracking an egg from the balcony. I have to admit though that I am nicer than the previous youth leaders. They would have someone lay down and then someone try to crack an egg from above and have it land on their face. And this was a raw egg too. For me while the evil youth leader side of me is half tempted to do it I chose to have them crack it and try to make it land in a container. It is just a little bit more sanitary. And still funny to watch them try. Plus the youth love being able to say such things and I put shaving cream on someone and cracked eggs from the balcony. Oh how I love having a gym to play such games in. Who knows what I will do the next time. : )

The Joys of Being the Leader

There are times when I really love being the leader. Tonight was one of those nights. Part of the joys of my job is getting to plan wacky games that others have to play while I watch. The first activity required them to take pictures of themselves doing various activities. It was a picture scavenger hunt. One group managed to take all of their pictures in the girls bathroom.

The next game required people to run through the church, someone to walk around blindfolded, and someone to have to drink sugar water colored with food coloring. The kicker was the person who had to drink the sugar water was fed the water by someone else. They could not use their hands. It was hilarious.

What was even better is when I had them write down questions they wanted answered and as a group they discussed what they thought the answer was. I just got to sit back (although I did add my two cents here and there) and listen to them discuss such matters as how do we know Christianity is the right religion vs other religions. It is so cool to watch them grow and learn with each other. Life is such a wonderful blessing sometimes. So is being the leader : )

Tennis Shoes vs Flip Flops

Top Five Reasons to wear Tennis shoes vs Flip Flops to Youth Group:
5. It is easier to run when playing games
4. If you have not clipped your toe nails in a while no one will know
3. No one has to smell your feet unless you take off your shoes
2. It is not as easy for anyone to try to take your shoes
And the Number One reason to wear Tennis Shoes vs Flip Flops to youth group is....

1. When you and are another person are both going for a Frisbee and their shoe runs into your toe you are less likely to have a black and blue, swollen, possibly broken toe!

Danger Will Robinson

Whew so much has been going on. Yesterday was the HS kick off and Wednesday is the MS kick off. And just last week we added a new youth service on Wednesdays. Plus add a parish picnic and planning a 3 day conference for the whole diocese I am feeling a little bit on overload. A good overload but overloaded none the less. Ohh wait as if I did not have enough on my plate I am now officially the head of the Youth Ministry Commission (YMC). Maybe that is why I felt the need to stick my face in a pie at our parish picnic.

At least I have people watching out for me at church. I have gotten a gold star from the front desk for my ability to sign in and out on the sign board. Someone else has taken on making sure people are not wearing high heels that are to high... Yes you read correctly the height of peoples shoes are of debate among some people. Then there was the nice parishioner that found the boxes of condoms in the kitchen that removed them before any of my youth could find them. So many nice people so little time to get out all of my thank you's. It has been a fun couple of weeks and I know it is only going to get crazier, busier, and a whole heck of a lot more fun.

Being reminded of how to be a good steward

I will say that my last few posts have been a bit more on the negative side. Or a lot more on the negative side. For many reasons that I will not get into nor would it be appropriate. What I will say is that I was not being a good steward nor a good christian for that matter with my posts. This blog should not be for me to go on rants about my church. As much as it might not seem like it I DO like my job, coworkers, and parishioners at my church. Even those that I have ranted about lately. Thank you my wonderful friend for reminding what being a good steward is about. : )

In a time of transition...

Currently my church is without a permanent Priest. Instead we have what we call a priest in charge. This means, at least in our case, acts as if they are our permanent priest but is only contracted for so much time. Meanwhile we are looking for a permanent priest. Well as permanent as they get. I have noticed that in this time of transition people are trying left and right to "get away" with things that they might not try if there was a permanent priest. Funny thing is that we still all have to be a part of one community so for me I do not understand it. If you know a priest would normally tell you no, because of the effect it would have on others in the church, why you think it would not have the same effect now that they are gone? Maybe it is the rule follower side of me but I just do not understand it. What is worse is that one of my coworkers is doing it too. The even worse part is our priest in charge is doing nothing to stop him. So maybe they have talked before staff meeting and I just do not know it but it is frustrating to have him running the show when he is just our music person. There are some things that he should run the show on and I do not mind suggestions and ideas. I think there is a difference between suggestions and ideas and just plain ol' taking over. I think we are running a thin line at my church in some areas but at the moment I am just going to pray that it will all work out for the better in the end.