The heart of a youth ministry worker

These are the things that make me want to throw up my hands and quit youth ministry.

1. A jr high boy sees every rhetorical question as an opportunity to shout out something stupid that might possibly bring attention to himself. Oh jr high boys...bless their hearts.

2. A student sneaks into the ceiling at the high school, falls through the ceiling, gets sent to the hospital and therefore causes us to never be able to do church events at the high school again.

3. Someone (most likely a youth) breaks the push bar off the outside door to our new building. The suspect just leaves the push bar leaning against the wall instead of fessing up.

4. Hearing that one of your students was tested positive for drug use, or has been cutting, or got pregnant, etc.

5. Having to break up a make out session in the Senior Ladies Sunday School room.

6. Asking that student (30 minutes after bible study was over) when his ride was going to be there and him responding with, "Oh, can I borrow your phone and call my dad to come get me?" I mean seriously...do they think we live at the church and want to hang out with them until the wee hours of the morning?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

But then...there are those few moments with students that make this all worth it. Like...

1. Seeing about 8 of our students (no adult help) lead the entire congregation in worship...and do it well!

2. Getting a text that says, "I found that verse that you were telling me about."

3. Having a student come up to me and say, "I want to talk to you about what you taught tonight."

4. Leading a girl with a learning disability to Christ.

5. Seeing a young man, who 3 years ago would never be caught doing anything in front of a crowd of people, play the bass guitar in front of our church congregation.

6. A student gives up her entire "new cell phone savings" to give to World Hunger.

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve. -1 Peter 5:2

How life is going

This is how life is going in...

School: This has been one of the toughest classes I've ever had. But I am more emotional about them leaving me in one week than any class! Some of them have made HUGE progress not only academically, but even emotionally and maturity wise. Makes me want to move up to 1st grade and have them all again! I have one student that Jeff and I have really made a relationship with her family. It is a sad, sad situation that they have but they are a family that have such genuine hearts. So please be in prayer for that family and that those needs will be met!

Youth Ministry: I have really grown to love it and the students. I do not, however, have an easy time with the species of jr. high boys. Its like they lose brain cells during those few years! I love them to death, but good grief! haha. But really, its been fun having more real conversations with the students lately. And we are in our new youth room and it is AWESOME! Lots of good space to do some growing and learning and fellowshiping! I enjoy teaching them and I'm looking forward to some cool summer activities with them!

Jeff: Is crazy busy with photography stuff lately! Its a good thing, but I'm ready for it to slow down too. May is ALWAYS big for him. He does graduation pictures, tball pictures, etc. Its fun to see his products though. He just gets better and better at it every time! I love Jeff's partnership. He is so helpful. But I also love that everything we do in life...every activity, decision, etc. is done together. Love that man!

Colin: Can't believe the boy is almost 4! One more school year and then he goes to Kindergarten! He is a great kid. Very smart, very sensitive to others feelings, but sometimes too sensitive with his own! Boy does he get worked up about little things! We are going on vacation in June and I'm excited about it for him. We are going to a science museum, the aquarium and a Rangers game. All things that will be really fun to see him at! I think he will love it. We are also putting him in swim lessons this summer and he's already excited about it. He keeps asking, "Is it June yet?

Carley: Can't believe the girl is almost 1! She is just such a joy. So happy...as long as you let her be independent! She is so different from Colin. Colin has always been "up my butt" as I call it. He doesn't want to be alone, doesn't know what he should play, doesn't even really know what he wants ever! haha. But Carley knows! If she is bored, she lets you know that she wants down and she goes and gets what she wants. If she wants to be held, she holds her arms up. If she is tired, she crawls to her bed and sits in front of it! She communicates well what she wants. She is saying words like: mama, dada, bubba, "mo" (or more), up, and "paapaa" (pattycake),

I'm just loving life. I almost hesitate making posts about how good things are in life because I don't want people to think I have it all together and nothing bad ever happens to me. NOT TRUE. So if you are reading this and thinking those things...then I guess don't read my blog anymore! lol. Sure there are things that I wish were different. And sure there are days that I feel discontent. But today I choose to live with joy. I choose to count my blessings. I choose to realize that this life is not about me and what I want. I choose to believe that anything I have and anything I am is because of Christ. The days that I DONT choose that attitude are days that are miserable. Its a daily choice that I don't always remember to do. But today I do.

stuff

Feel like I need to blog, but don't really have much to say that what be that interesting to other people! But...I'll do it anyway.

1. I booked our hotel for a vacation this summer. We are actually doing a DFW vacation (which sounds weird since we both grew up there) but oh well. I didn't feel like driving far with 2 little ones and its affordable! We are going to a Ranger game, the Dallas Aquarium, and the Fort Worth Science Museum. I'm super pumped!

2. Carley is growing and I love it and hate it at the same time! Its so exciting to see how she is turning out. And even though she is only 9 months old I already feel like I can't remember much about her life already! I just work so much (not complaining though...super glad to have a job!) that when I get home I'm beat and I'm kind of a zombie. Therefore, I feel like I'm not enjoying my children as much as I should/could. But I'm sure lots of moms feel that way. Anyway, Carley has 3 teeth! She is saying a few words like "mama, dada, bubba, uh-oh, paddy cake (sounds more like "pa-ca." She smiles at everyone, loves everyone, and I LOVE HER!

3.My Colin is a year and a half away from starting Kindergarten and that makes me sad too! We basically have 3 choices for where he could go to school. Travis (my school), Crockett(the one by our house), or have him tested for the dual language program at South Marshall (our magnet school). As of right now, I think I'm putting him in Crockett. He is such a great kid! He is extremely "sports minded" so I'm excited about eventually putting him in tball or something. He will be taking swim lessons this summer too! He's excited about it.

4.Jeff is wonderful. So helpful in the mornings to get the kids ready. So good at making me laugh...even when I don't want to. He is praying about going back to school. They are starting a masters level program at ETBU in the fall. He has had about 3 professors already approach him to tell him he really needed to. He wants to, I want him to. But also, I want my husband to myself! lol. And its just so darn expensive.

Well, I CANNOT wait until school is out. This year has been a good year, but it has truly worn me out! Ready to spend lots of time with my kids, do some fun youth/church stuff, and do some sewing!

Things I Like...

So, I'm going to sort of copy my husband. He does a "Things I like" post every once in a while. But he only posts 1 thing and talks about it in detail. I will just make a list and talk about mine in semi-detail and get it all done in one shot! :) Now, I am not promising that this will even be entertaining to anyone. You might read this and think, "Now what was her point?" Well, I don't need a point, do I? So if you don't like to read stuff that has no purpose...don't read.

1. a lack of clutter in my house and classroom. It makes me feel calm. I try to train my students at school to be the same way...I usually fail at that. I always have one student every year that is my kindred spirit in organization. I hook up with that student very quickly at the beginning of the year and he/she (its usually a she) is my partner in crime in combatting the chaos that could potentially occur when you have 20 5-year-olds in the room.

2. being outside...but not in winter. It drives Jeff crazy that the first thing I do in the mornings is open the blinds. And here lately I've been putting the baby gate in the front door and leaving the front door open. It makes me wish I had a screen door! I just love sunlight, warmth and the sounds of outside. I love those sounds especially where we live. We live in a quiet neighborhood. We don't here cars much. And we back up to the woods where there is a swamp. So we hear lots of frogs, crickets, birds, etc. I hate feeling cooped up. When I taught in Arlington, I had a classroom on an inside hall with NO windows and I hated it! Now I have a classroom that has a whole wall of windows that looks out into a nicely landscaped courtyard and it makes me SO happy. Sometimes, when my kids have lost their minds, I just go stare out the window and tune them out. :)

3. Mornings. I was made for them. I really love getting up way before Jeff and the kids. I like to mentally prepare myself and get physically ready for the day before my 2 grumps (Jeff and Colin) are torn from their beds. Now, Carley will sleep and sleep and sleep if I let her. But if she is awoken...she is still happy!

4. Teaching. I think I enjoy preparing to teach more that I do actually teaching! I just learn so much in preparation whether its for school or church. So maybe its actually "learning" that I like so much.

5. Garage Sales and Flea markets! We are going to Canton this weekend with the kids and Jenni and Tim and I am SOOO excited! Its just a fun atmosphere. And I love to rummage through junk...I mean I like the cute boutiques and stuff, but I want to look at JUNK and see how I can make into something functional and/or cute.

6. Being with my family. It doesn't matter WHAT we do as long as we are together. Tonight we all went grocery shopping together. Now, normally when i grocery shop by myself...I curse in my head. I HATE grocery shopping. But it all of a sudden was the funnest thing ever...just because they were there. My kids are just so sweet and funny. And Jeff is just fun. He is way cooler than I am. I am only cool by association with my husband. :)

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Friday, February 4, 2011

Outside my window... its perfect! About 72 degrees. And since we had the time change...its not even dark yet and it is 7:30! I love that.

I am remembering... life in Arlington. I just got back from there and I always think of lots of memories when I drive around there!

I am thankful for... having a job. I hate the uncertainty that lies ahead for others. Its just not fair.

I am creating... well its more of a future creating...right now its just in the planning/thinking stage. My project this summer is to turn my laundry room into a play room. My mom found an old piece of crap play sink and stove that we are going to fix up. And now I'm on the hunt for old piece of crap table and chairs to fix up. I plan on sewing a matching apron and towels and pot holders to go with it!

I am going... to have another procedure done tomorrow. They found Chrons disease from the last colonoscopy and tomorrow is the next step to look further into it. Tomorrow I get to swallow a pill that has a light and a camera in it and it takes a bazillion pics of my small intestines! How cool is that? haha. Im really excited to know what is wrong and to start whatever kind of medication soon!

I am reading...Radical. I love it and hate it at the same time.

I am hoping... Carley's little cough goes away on its own and is not something more serious.

On my mind...my mental grocery list

From the learning rooms...psh! Its Spring Break!

Pondering these words... "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:1-2

From the kitchen...my kitchen desperately needs to be restocked.

Around the house...laundry in process, little girl sleeping, little boy eating everything in sight, and nick jr.

One of my favorite things... spending time with my mom. my creative juices + her creative juices = creative explosion!

A Picture... my sweet happy girl!

Live from Chicago!

So I am in Chicago on our last full day here. Jeff is at a media/technology workshop right now. That is all a foreign language to me so I opted to stay here and read/blog/and possibly take a nap depending on how long it takes me to write this post!

This is truly a blessing from God that we were able to come here. Jeff won the tickets to come here and our church is so supportive and awesome to help us get the rest of the way here! We have heard some great speakers, gone to some very insightful workshops/Q&As, and heard some fantastic worship bands. By the way, it is now my goal to be in the Gungor band. (not really...but I can dream right?) I mean its always been my life long dream to play the cello, now I shall add "in the Gungor band" to that "play the cello." Anyway, I have never heard such unique, intricate, and precise musical talent and it also be worship at the same time. Cool stuff!

Anyway, I just wanted to make a bullet list of a few phrases/points that have stuck out to me this past weekend. (And I might add more later since we have 2 more worship sessions)

• "Lock-ins are the worst idea in the history of youth ministry. I don't even know who came up with that. Apparently someone from hell." -Louie Giglio
• Youth ministry could potentially be the stalling of immaturity. Just because youth ministers have always been know as the "fun, light hearted, game-playing, dont know what they are talking about" people doesn't mean we cant go home and take this generation of youth to a intimately deep understanding of who God is!
• "Everything that teenagers are looking for in life...Jesus already is. Therefore, we don't have to try to make him relevant...because he already is!" -Doug Fields
  
• "Adolescence is no longer a life-stage...its a life-style." -Brian Berry
  

Also, I attended a workshop that discussed how to balance the youth ministry world without neglecting your family. There were lots of practical tips and ideas that I got from that. But more than anything, it was just SO reassuring to be around couples and other parents who understand what it is like to maintain these 2 worlds at the same time.

This has been such a relaxing and fulfilling time. BUT I am SOOOO ready to go home. I miss Colin and Carley so stinkin much. We have been skyping them every night...and seriously I think that almost makes it worse! I can see them but I can't touch them! Its such a tease. Like there was one time that Colin kept trying to grab the webcam at my parents house and I told him 3 times to stop. That mommy instinct kicked in and I actually swatted the computer screen thinking I was popping his hand! Yeah...that was embarrasing. I just tried to act like there was a fly on the screen.

But really...I cannot wait to hug and kiss my kids. Im ready to go back to the chaos. I'm even ready to go back to those 20 screaming 5 year olds. I'm ready to hear "Mrs. Stapleton!" 5 thousand times a day again. And Im definitely ready to see those teenagers again. Yes...those teenagers that apparantly speak a different language than me and think the word "poop" needs to be somehow inserted in every conversation. Someone has to love them, right? I'll try!

Busy, Busy, Busy! *Updated*

We leave for Chicago on Thursday and I am SO excited! 2 things I am not excited about: 1) its supposed to be in the upper 30's low 40's there next weekend. yuck! 2) I will MISS my kids! But we are going to get Wifi in the hotel so we can skype them.

There is SO much going on.
-Feb 27-March 2: Focus Week at church (revival)
-March 3-7: Chicago
-March 8: Parent Conference Night at my school
-March 12: Wedding for Jeff's good friend
-March 13-17: Mission Arlington

There are always times like this throughout the year(May and December are always the worst!) where there is something every night, back to back events, and driving every which direction. Its all fun and good stuff, but there is always potential for it to take focus away from 2 very important things. 1)my time with my family and 2)my time with God and in God's word.

Most of the events we are doing would be considered "service for God's kingdom." And its interesting that Satan can even use THAT to tear us apart from God and our families...even if its just temporarily.

One of my favorite quotes is by Donald Miller.

"I believe the greatest trick of the devil is not to get us into some sort of evil but rather have us wasting time. This is why the devil tries so hard to get Christians to be religious."

I believe that even includes wasting time during our busy-ness. Sure we can waste time by being lazy and not doing service for God. But even the busiest of people can waste their time by "looking busy" and doing service out of habit and without a heart that yearns for God and his will.

I pray that my busiest times in life (and yours too) are not used by Satan to waste time and to tear me apart from my most important relationships.

*Update*
After I posted this, I remembered this verse that I think is perfect for this topic. Just a reminder that God doesn't want our busy-ness. He wants our relationship. So I'll end with this verse!

"I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offereings. " Hosea 6:6