one

A youth attended the famine reluctantly.   She wasn't overly anxious to be there.  In fact, she had cancelled her RSVP for the soring break week.  I was really disappointed because she has a lot of potential but she sometimes chooses to make the wrong decisions.   After connecting with others during the famine and having some great experiences, she decided to come next week.
After I got home, she posted on my facebook about how I helped bring her closer to God. She shared that it's people like me who have made a difference and helped her.  I didn't do much. I just showed her unconditional love and kindness.  She didn't understand it and for a long time she drove me crazy. I'm pretty sure she was testing me to see if I would continue to love her.  Tonight she was finally able to voice her feelings about God and about how she feels a change in herself.
There were about 40 people doing the famine but if during the famine I could reach just 1 youth, I consider it a successful weekend.
So where was God today? I'm pretty sure tonight He was rejoicing with me.
Blessings,
Jennifer

famine day 2

To do His work.
Blessings,
JenniferI ate 4 hours ago.  It was the first time in 30 hours. After a first half of the famine that was focused on good Friday,  this morning it was time to transition into serving others. I showed a video talking about the impossibility of repaying God but encouraging them to respond instead.   By giving them ways to act as God wants them to, they are responding.   So, we spent the day talking about we can use our spiritual gifts to help others, we did acts of kindness,  we served at a soup kitchen, and we supported each other.  I spent most of the day watching my youth complete these activities with joy and excitement.   Of course, being hungry and tired there were a few grumpy moments,  but for the most part, I heard them enjoying the moment.   Several youth gave flowers to some people they thought needed cheering up, one youth shared his prayer square, a handknitted "mini prayer shawl" that he had just gotten during his prayer station,  with a homeless woman.  One youth stated she planned to continue doing some of the community service things she did during the famine.   I loved consistently having youth and adults come up to me so they could share about their awesome experiences helping others.
So, where was God today? He was in my group of youth and adults who were doing what they could to do His work.
Blessings,
Jennifer

Friday

Day 1 of the famine proved to be a typical famine schedule.   After hours and hours spent planning,  the schedule changed several times.  Several things took longer than usual and so I had to skip several things.
Last year was pretty packed and pretty intense.  A little too intense for some of them they said.  So, this year I put a little more downtime and some more creative things-like prayer art.  I was hoping that would be a good time for the creative ones to praise God in their ownway.  Later on, I asked them to go outside in the dark and pray alone. I expected them to have a hard time with that and to be half asleep shortly after we got out there.  ! I was wrong!  instead,  they really spent that time connecting with God and each other.  What I had intended to be the opening to a talk on the garden of gethsemene became a time that changed the mood and direction for most of my youth. It was then that I realized they didn'twant the wwatered down famine, they wanted it to be a time of  challenge and intensity.
Luckily,  I have a whole week ahead of me to give them just that.
They ended the evening with candle time and their were several hurting.  They were able to take their hurt to God.
Some did the prayer stations and I could tell they took it seriously.   It surprised me what they wrote at each station-that they were able to express themselves.
There was a girl who came up to me towards the end of the night and stated that she knew why God wanted her there.  Another found out while there that her grandpa is very sick. She clung to others in the group while she wept
Tonight, connections were formed, strengthened,  and God became a bigger part of them.
So where was God today? He was there to help me see that my youth want to be challenged and grow.
Blessings,
Jennifer

preparation

It's Thursday night.  Tomorrow is the big day!  The 30 hour famine starts at 11.  The plans are all in place, the supplies are mainly where they need to be unless they were in the way and I had to wait, and my youth are sending me messages and posting on Facebook about how excited theey are.  So, I think we are well on our way.
Each year I plan a few new activities and keep a few traditional things, although I try to add a twist to the traditional activities so each year is different.   I am excited to be doing the famine during holy week and to be starting on good Friday.   It adds a new element to the whole event.
One of the best things that has started in the last couple of years is that I have quite a few adults participate in the famine.  This year, I have new families that have gotten involved with the famine in several ways.  It is a great way for the youth and adults to connect.  Eachpparticipant is "adopted" by someone who agrees to pray for them  and writes them letters of encouragement that they receive throughout the 30 hours.  Several of my youth feel close to those adults and mention to me often that a certain person wrote them letters. I love seeing this event turn into an intergenerational event rather than just a youth event.
So, where was God today?  I should be stressed knowing I will be leading an event for over 40 people. But, I know God is in charge.  And, for that I am grateful.
Blessings,
Jennifer

schedule

So many awesome things have happened since I last wrote.  I haven't forgotten to look for God daily even though my writing has been sporadic.   Lately, my spare time in the evening has been spent pouring over details for my youth events coming up next week.  It really is funny how much time I spend working on the schedule for my 30 hour famine. From the moment I start planning I am fully aware that it will change continually until the famine is over.  Tonight I was talking to one of my youth and she asked specifically if we were doing the random acts of kindness again.  This was obviously one of the most impactful things to her.  The funny thing is that was never on the schedule last year.  But, one of the few snowstors we had last year came on the 2nd day of the famine and everything I had planned went out the window.  Luckily,  my pastor had the great idea to do random acts of kindness and it became an awesome part of our weekend.
I know God has great plans for us again this year.  So, I think I am done working on my famine schedule and will just let God handle it from here.  I am pretty sure He has been handling it this far.  I am excited to be doing it during good Friday.   But I was struggling with how to tie it all in together- Good Friday,  starving, helping others, etc.  Then I looked at my schedule.  What I had put down as random activities were actually in perfect order to transition from one to the other and I even had videos I had watched a long time ago that talk about all of it.  That wasn't me-that was Him.
I had 1/2 as many signed up a week ago.  Now I have more than last year.  And, I have new adults doing the famine, too.  That means new relationships between the youth and congregation.  
Over the next 2 weeks, I will be spending time with the youth and helping them to look for God's plan for their lives.  We will be talking about where we see God each day.  So, whether I am able to write or not, I know God will be present., as He always is.
So, where was God today?  He is guiding me as I prepare to create the event He wants me to have.
Blessings,
Jennifer

questions

Tonight during our mid week youth time, I decided to talk to my youth about Methodism.  Ina couple of weeks, we are having a week long event focused on mission and what it means to be mMethodist.   So, I realized late this afternoon that I really should find out what they think it means.  That way, I have a starting place.  Some of the youth are almost done with confirmation so i know what they are learning.   So, we spent the evening talking about what they think being Methodist means, what they think differentiates Methodist from other denominations,  and then what questions they have.  It was a very insightful discussion and makes me even more excited about our week together!
So where was God today?  He put the thought in my head for our discussion.
Blessings,
Jennifer

Tuesday

Tonight I spent the evening with some amazing young people.  Since my friend's daughter is visiting for the week, I picked her and another girl up so they could hang out with my son.  On our way to dinner, we stopped to pick up another friend of theirs.   We finally got to the restaurant and then spent the next several hours together.  They laughed, talked, and had a great time.  And, they didn't seem to mind that I was a part of their evening.  Their conversations were clean,  we prayed before we ate, and it was evident that this group of young people have a lot going for them, including a love for God and a love for others.  I was blessed by an evening with them.
So where was God today?  He is in these young adults who are sharing is love by their words and actions.
Blessings,
Jennifer

Sunday

Tonight was our 4th week in an 8 week series.  Each week has a focus and a challenge for the week.  Tonight I decided to start the discussion by reviewing the previous weeks and seeing what they remembered and what impact the discussions have made.
After a quick hint from 3 weeks ago, both groups were able to give me detailed descriptions of our discussions and then to share what things they have been using to help them since then.  The series is 8 weeks of noticing God.   They shared where they noticed Him, and kindnesses they have done.  They each picked something to use as a reminder of God's love for them, an object, an action, or seeing a person.  They were all able to share experiences doing that since the discussion 2 weeks ago.  Last week, when I was at my conference,  the pastor led the group.  They shared the discussion and even remembered the scripture he told them.
There are days I wonder if they are listening or if what we talk about goes much beyond the time we are together.  The nights like this help me realize I should know better.  God is in control and He makes sure the words get where they need to be at the right time.
So, where was God today?  He was in the acts of kindness, in the color blue, in the cats, in the German teacher, and every other thing that the youth picked as things to remind them consistently of God's love for them.
Blessings,
Jennifer

rally

Today I rode in a van full of youth and 2 other adults as we headed to a youth rally.  We metat the church at 5:30 a.m.  if they didn't want to be there, they wouldn't have been up and ready to go by then.  But, they were-and without much complaint about the early hour.
We spent the day worshipping,  learning, and sharing with each other.  The focus was on being a light for God.   We heard from several people who are shining their lights.   One girl who is only 14 shared her story and her talents with us.  She has a passion for helping others and at the age of 10 realized she could use the gift of her voice to raise money for missions.  
For awhile now, I have been struggling with finding the right music for the youth to sing during the 30 hour famine and Methodist swag week.  Last year, they found so much from the 2 songs we sang.  When I heard this young girl sing her 1st 2 songs, I knew they were perfect!  
So, where was God today?  There were so many ways He was working in the lives of my youth and all of the people atbthe rally.  And He blessed me with the answer to my music hopes.
Blessings,
Jennifer

Relationships

Day 4 of my conference-the last day.  It's with both sadness and joy that I am in the last moments of this long weekend.   The conference was amazing!   The speakers, the workshops,  the experiences, the worship.   But, I am also ready to be home.  I love my life-my family, my job, and all of my kids who I missed.    I am also anxious to take some time and focus on the things I learned and figure out how to apply them .  I have some new ideas and tools I want to try!  And, a full night of sleep sounds like a great thing to try.  
But, what was even bigger than the ideas was the relationships that were made or strengthened during this time with other youth workers, with family, and with God.   I had the blessing of leaving every night and staying with family.  I was welcomed, encouraged, and even spoiled.  Today when the conference was over I went to visit with more family.rather than traveling when I was tired from the busyness of the conference, i got to spend time relaxing, sharing my excitement of the weekend and going to my nephews soccer game.  It was just what I needed.
So where was God today?   I realize I am blessed in so many ways by so many people.  And the beauty of those relationships can only be of God.
Blessings,
Jennifer

Sunday

Day 3 of the conference.  You may remember on day 1 I said I was surprised about the thought of skipping something during the conference.   By day 3 I am fully committed to their advice.   I got to the conference a few minutes late this morning.  I went to my technology workshop hoping to learn some new things and figure out some ways to use my new tablet.  It was a good idea-well everyone else thought so, too.  The room was packed-overflowing out into the hall.  So, that was out.  So, rather than go to more overflowing rooms that I couldn't get into, I decided that another option was probably my best choice.  I am pretty sure it wasn't my choice it was God's choice.
I entered the prayer room to find a dimly lit room with 5 prayer stations.  The other person in the room left shortly after I began my prayer stations.
I entered into a time of prayer, reflection, and discovery that I had not expected when I got up in the morning.   At several prayer stations I was overcome with thoughts that I needed to express-things that had been buried in my mind  because I didn't want them coming to the surface.   But, there in those moments with God I felt Him encouraging me to not only bring them to the  surface but to begin the conversations to mend.
In the afternoon I was unable to go to the workshop I planned on because it was full.  As I turned to leave I ran into someone I hadn't seen in a long time and  we had a great conversation.   It brought me great insight about several unrelated things.  It also brought an awareness to the person I was talking to about some things.
So where was God today?   Talking with me and walking with me.  It was pretty awesome!
Blessings, Jennifer

Fringe

Today was the 1st full day of the conference.   After yesterday I was ready for the unexpected.   As the day began I was unsure of which workshop I wanted to go to.  I finally decided on one and headed to the room.  It was supposed to meet for 2 workshop sessions.   Even though I got a lot out of the 1st session, I felt there was somewhere else I was supposed to be during the 2nd part.  So, I went to a workshop on fringe kids.  I wasn't completely sure what that meant.  But I quickly realized I was in the right place.  For those of you like me who couldn't give an exact definition, I will share my new found definition.  They are the ones who are literally on the outside of your group but more importantly they are on the outside of your connections-they are in need of love and support.  Their uninvolved because they don't feel included.
For me, I have a group that thrives from welcoming the typically excluded.   what I have been struggling with for awhile now is the ones that got away.  And this workshop helped me realize that maybe my core kids became my fringe kids because I was so busy working on the fringe kids.  There are teens I never see that I thought would always be there.  And, it breaks my heart that they have become out of my world.  Today this workshop helped me understand what might be happening so that I can start figuring out how to change it.
Of course, after yesterday's realization about prayer, I know I have a lot more praying to do.
So where was God today?   He was in the people around me sharing their stories and helping me to see some choices and changes I need to make.
Blessings,
Jennifer

Friday conference

I came to this conference all excited.   The day before I bought a new tablet  so I was armed and ready to get the most I could get out of my eexperience here.  I 've been studying the workshop lists for days.  I downloaded the conference app on my tablet so I could make sure I didn't miss anything.  I got off to a later start than I planned.  luckily I had a 3 hour drive to get over that fact.  Being the good conference goer, I registered and then headed to the 1st workshop-getting the most out of your experience.   The 1st words that stuck out tome were that I could skip something if I felt like relaxing or just hanging out with people here.  What?  That wasn't in the workshop sschedule  this wasn't the 1st thing she probably said.  But since ce my awesome new tablet continued to try and give me directios to the conference during the session I was slightly distracted trying to figures out how to close the navigation app or turn the volume off-or preferably both.  So it was then that I realized I was going to have some readjusting to do.
Later I met up with someone and we planned to have dinner.   Working on my readjustment skills, I was planning on skipping the connect groups.  I wasn't overly sure what they were and they were an option during dinner break..  and, everything was optional.  So, when the girl I was with wanted to go, I went but not overly excitedly.  But, having a group of random people to share experiences and ideas with has been awesome!   I have left each day feeling blessed by the conversations and the connection.
The evening session was about prayer.   More specifically, what I heard was prayer over programming.   This is huge for me right now.  Planning several huge events and fully admitting that excel is my friend,  it helped me realize that I need to stop and focus this planning time on prayers for what God wants to happen rather than on what I want to happen.
In just a few hours, this conference changed my life by readjusting my thought process and focus.
So where was God today?   I am so blessed that God has given me the gift of this weekend.
Blessings,
Jennifer