After church, the youth and several adults gathered to help a friend move. She was a friend of one of the volunteers and was moving from one apartment to another. She had lived in the apartment for 21 years! That's a long time to live in a small apartment. She was moving to a much newer, more modern apartment. When we arrived at her new place with all of her things, she was just bubbling over. She took us on a tour of where everything would be when she got it all set up and she was brimming with pride. When some of the guys got her bed put together, she literally squealed with delight! It's rare that I hear a middle- aged woman squeal with delight! It was pretty cool to help make someone so happy.
Tonight at youth group, we continued our discussion about our 30 Hour famine. We're not eating for 30 hours to raise money and awareness for those who live in poverty. Whenever it comes to making decisions for the group, I struggle with letting them decide in order to help them take ownership of the project or decide myself to eliminate argument. But, tonight we discussed what to do with the money we raise. There are several options for the mission organization we are donating to. So, we read through them and discussed them. To my amazement, both the middle schoolers and high schoolers read through them at different times and both groups commented on the same one! So, I didn't even have to decide whether to let them decide because their comments and the impact the mission had on them made it an obvious choice. In the end, we are donating 15% to the Salvation Army in our city, 15% to the Lend a Hand ministry at our church, and 70% to a mission in Liberia that helps children who had been forced to be soldiers re assimilate back into society after being saved from basically being slaves forced to kill. I believe this mission reminded us all of the blessings we have living in the United States.
After talking about the famine, I talked to my older group about plans for their future. I have a few college youth who aren't sure where their place is in the church. So, they still gravitate towards youth group. At first, I figured they would come awhile and then wean themselves. But, I am realizing they feel they don't have anywhere to go. So, I talked to them about a 4th Saturday event every month. I'm planning on starting it in February and asked for their ideas. One of my volunteers has offered to take them to a hockey game and white water rafting. I'm thinking fun events/ outings to get them interested. So, imagine my surprise when one of my seniors says, "Can we color?!" I ask her to repeat it, as I'm in disbelief only to hear another say, "and Veggie Tales! and Play dough!" So, I ask for an explanation. They share with me about the stresses of college life and how they would love to just spend some time doing the things they did in kindergarten. I can't remember seeing them so animated! So, what else could I do? On the 4th Saturday in May, we are having an end of school celebration complete with coloring, veggie tales, play dough, Lego's, cars, and all things kindergarten. In fact, they'll be dressing up in their favorite kindergarten outfits... tutu's and cowboy boots, etc! This will be an event to remember!
So, today, I'm blessed by the simple things God has brought to my life to make my life a better place for me to be in. And, in all of these stories, God was there. As I'm writing this, I'm remembering the sermon this morning. The pastor mentioned God's (Jesus') sense of humor. Today, I could see him laughing.
Proverbs 30:8 New Living Translation (NLT)
8 First, help me never to tell a lie.
Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!
Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
Blessings,Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!
Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
Jennifer
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