I realize it's been a week. And yes, much has happened. I'm not sure where to begin, so how about here:
Last Wednesday was my first major responsibility. That is, running the kick-off pool party for High Point this year. It went really well, as a bunch of students came, and I think they had fun. We mainly just hung out, although there was a game of Watermelon Polo in there. Naturally.
Thursday was a glorious day off, where I finished Generous Orthodoxy, and began The Shack. I also took a break to see probably the funniest movie of the year, Tropic Thunder. Granted, not a movie for the kiddos, but plenty of jokes pointed toward Hollywood's movie industry, which I greatly appreciated. And anything that makes fun of Conrad's Heart of Darkness is also okay with me (such a difficult book, that I'm not even willing to link it. hmph.).
Friday was a busy day. Breakfast with three amazing students at Steamers, then babysitting a ten year old (brother of a super cool student in my small group this year) who absolutely destroyed me in Monopoly. Hangs head in shame... Followed that up with a quick email check, shower, and drive out to hang out with another staff volunteer--Raychel Carpenter. We enjoyed some Chipotle before the first Ralston Valley football game. Now that was a blast. Not only did we get to hang out with even more students, but I was totally brought back to my days at Lewisville. I mean, sure, I only went to.. er.. 4 football games during High School? But I was faithful to the pep rallies, and the main thing I remember was all the drama going on. My absolute favorite to watch!
Saturday was website day. Hopefully that will be launched really soon, so get ready internet, for my website designing skills. Haha. Or something. I'll keep you posted on that.
Sunday I skipped church. Just kidding!! Jason led High Impact this week, and he did such a great job. Go him! And Go Gomez for his first time playing the drums in front of people! Sunday twas also the end of the Olympics, and it was awesome watching the US Men's Volleyball whoop up on Brazil. Oh, and I also got to have a nail painting party with Jordan and her cousin, Allison.
So I'm almost caught up. Monday was letter writing day, where Kendra and I (along with a few students) wrote about 100 postcards to students. What a day. I'm glad we finished it with It Happened One Night. (And I'm glad I got to talk to John after too!)
Other than volleyball this morning with some Warehouse180 people, I've just been working on the website, planning High Point, and anxiously awaiting Thursday morning!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Profound
Tonight was the first Fusion, or middle school hangout. All of the leaders (made up of the interns, volunteers, as well as Seniors devoting their year to serving the junior high students. One word. Awesome.), lined up about halfway through the night to introduce ourselves.
Mark had Jason and I stay to tell a little more about ourselves. I suppose it's because we have that fancy title and office-ish area.
The point is, I had asked the students what they wanted to know. General questions came up; you know, favorite color, why I have an eyebrow piercing, where I or Jason was from (to which I most definitely responded, "my mother's womb." hehe), etc.
One young man raised his hand. "Would you rather be attacked by bats or wake up in the middle of open heart surgery?"
Now that, is a question worth pondering.
Mark had Jason and I stay to tell a little more about ourselves. I suppose it's because we have that fancy title and office-ish area.
The point is, I had asked the students what they wanted to know. General questions came up; you know, favorite color, why I have an eyebrow piercing, where I or Jason was from (to which I most definitely responded, "my mother's womb." hehe), etc.
One young man raised his hand. "Would you rather be attacked by bats or wake up in the middle of open heart surgery?"
Now that, is a question worth pondering.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Hanging out
Also this week, I got to spend time with Kayanne, the student leader for the small group I will be co-leading with Tate. We met at a local Starbucks, which was funny in that there was another Starbucks right across the street from where we met. I might have accidentally gone to that one first...
The point is, we laughed and laughed so much that my stomach was hurting. I think it's because we're the kind of people who don't care as much about what people think of us, so we ended up sharing some pretty embarrassing stories. I also realized we have a shared interest in the arts, and talked for a bit about favorite books. I plan on sharing some Bradley Hathaway with her, since she's also into poetry.
On Friday, Tate and I also got together to share a little bit about our lives, and I realized we were both involved in Campus Crusade for Christ. Afterward, we went to Ralston Valley High School to hang out with the students who were getting done with their first week. I got to meet Jordan's best friends, as well as see a lot of the girls I hadn't seen since Glendo!
I can not wait for this next, very busy week, where I will hopefully be seeing a lot of these gals more consistently!
The point is, we laughed and laughed so much that my stomach was hurting. I think it's because we're the kind of people who don't care as much about what people think of us, so we ended up sharing some pretty embarrassing stories. I also realized we have a shared interest in the arts, and talked for a bit about favorite books. I plan on sharing some Bradley Hathaway with her, since she's also into poetry.
On Friday, Tate and I also got together to share a little bit about our lives, and I realized we were both involved in Campus Crusade for Christ. Afterward, we went to Ralston Valley High School to hang out with the students who were getting done with their first week. I got to meet Jordan's best friends, as well as see a lot of the girls I hadn't seen since Glendo!
I can not wait for this next, very busy week, where I will hopefully be seeing a lot of these gals more consistently!
Furnishing the Muscles
This week, work consisted of a little bit more manual labor. "Not the things you expected when you signed up for this job," Donni, the go-to woman of the office, said to me. I laughed, because I knew that there is a little bit of hard(er) work that comes with every job. And trust me, I did very little in comparison to the guys.
I did get to use power tools, and that was a lot of fun. I helped put together curtains for areas we won't want the youth to go into during Wednesday night meetings. And I cut pvc pipes for the temporary walls that we set up around the room. Call me Sharayah the tool woman Taylor. Or not.
The room is looking good, and as soon as we get the youth in it in a couple weeks, I'll make sure and take a picture to give you a sense of what it looks like!
I did get to use power tools, and that was a lot of fun. I helped put together curtains for areas we won't want the youth to go into during Wednesday night meetings. And I cut pvc pipes for the temporary walls that we set up around the room. Call me Sharayah the tool woman Taylor. Or not.
The room is looking good, and as soon as we get the youth in it in a couple weeks, I'll make sure and take a picture to give you a sense of what it looks like!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Staff Retreat
For the past couple of days, the interns and bosses (that would be all four of us), have been hanging out in a beautiful condo near Breckenridge. This has been an opportunity to get better acquainted with one another as well as to gain a clearer vision of the months to come.
Amanda (who also goes by Ev, see earlier post about the 537 Amandas here) is very organized, and has been able to thoroughly go through our many roles for the coming year. I will slowly be taking over the Wednesday night meetings called High Point, which is geared toward high school students. We talked a lot today about what the preparation and execution of that looks like, and I am getting really excited by the opportunity to take on this kind of leadership. Of course, I'm equally nervous--as in pee-in-my-pants-I-can't-believe-I'm-actually-doing-this nervous. However, I also believe in a powerful God. So there.
I will also be working with Amanda Tate (who goes by Tate) as well as a senior gal named Kayanne, to lead a small group this year. Add this to assistance during retreats and other large group events (Fall Retreat, two ski trips in February-ish!) as well as being in charge of the website (I have a lot of learning to do there..), and I've got myself a pretty full platter. The good news is that they highly encourage taking two days off a week, and they even factor that in during vacation time. (Speaking of, I'm going to Minnesota at the end of this month, and I've never been more excited!)
In addition to all this administrative talk, we have gotten to share our testimonies with one another, and follow that up with any other questions we may have as well as prayer. It is this type of community central atmosphere that encourages me for the coming year.
Amanda (who also goes by Ev, see earlier post about the 537 Amandas here) is very organized, and has been able to thoroughly go through our many roles for the coming year. I will slowly be taking over the Wednesday night meetings called High Point, which is geared toward high school students. We talked a lot today about what the preparation and execution of that looks like, and I am getting really excited by the opportunity to take on this kind of leadership. Of course, I'm equally nervous--as in pee-in-my-pants-I-can't-believe-I'm-actually-doing-this nervous. However, I also believe in a powerful God. So there.
I will also be working with Amanda Tate (who goes by Tate) as well as a senior gal named Kayanne, to lead a small group this year. Add this to assistance during retreats and other large group events (Fall Retreat, two ski trips in February-ish!) as well as being in charge of the website (I have a lot of learning to do there..), and I've got myself a pretty full platter. The good news is that they highly encourage taking two days off a week, and they even factor that in during vacation time. (Speaking of, I'm going to Minnesota at the end of this month, and I've never been more excited!)
In addition to all this administrative talk, we have gotten to share our testimonies with one another, and follow that up with any other questions we may have as well as prayer. It is this type of community central atmosphere that encourages me for the coming year.
"Get out of the office..
..as often as possible."
I will start by saying that this job is exactly what I was hoping for. And then, to hear these words come from the pastor's lips just verified it all the more. I have a feeling that I was not meant for the constraining cubicle. I was meant to constantly be on mission outside of the office, engaging in students lives as well as whoever else may come along my path.
So when the pastor (the interns got to share a meal with him on Tuesday) says to get out of here, it's not that he's saying I shouldn't have even stepped foot in Arvada, but it is the recognition of what ministry is all about: relationships. In fact, this wasn't the first time I've understood these words. When I worked in Richmond last summer with Third Pres, I knew it wasn't a good day if I was just hanging out with Abby and Jon in the office (be it a very cool one) from morning till evening.
This does present a challenge to me however, in that for some strange reason, I am intimidated by the telephone. Texting, I have no problem. But calling someone up, even if it's a good friend, has always intimidated me. I, to this day, do not understand why. But I must counter this with praise to God, who has helped me to make a couple phone calls this week, and I was able to set up a Wendy's and Chick Fil A date with two senior gals! (For those of you who really know me, the restaurant choices alone have got me pretty psyched.)
In addition, I have had the opportunity to better get to know a gal my age who volunteers with the students. Her name is Kendra, and I could tell from the start that we will be close friends. I am so thankful for this as well, as I am sure that I will need someone my age here to bond with, when I'm needing a breath of fresh air from the students.
I will start by saying that this job is exactly what I was hoping for. And then, to hear these words come from the pastor's lips just verified it all the more. I have a feeling that I was not meant for the constraining cubicle. I was meant to constantly be on mission outside of the office, engaging in students lives as well as whoever else may come along my path.
So when the pastor (the interns got to share a meal with him on Tuesday) says to get out of here, it's not that he's saying I shouldn't have even stepped foot in Arvada, but it is the recognition of what ministry is all about: relationships. In fact, this wasn't the first time I've understood these words. When I worked in Richmond last summer with Third Pres, I knew it wasn't a good day if I was just hanging out with Abby and Jon in the office (be it a very cool one) from morning till evening.
This does present a challenge to me however, in that for some strange reason, I am intimidated by the telephone. Texting, I have no problem. But calling someone up, even if it's a good friend, has always intimidated me. I, to this day, do not understand why. But I must counter this with praise to God, who has helped me to make a couple phone calls this week, and I was able to set up a Wendy's and Chick Fil A date with two senior gals! (For those of you who really know me, the restaurant choices alone have got me pretty psyched.)
In addition, I have had the opportunity to better get to know a gal my age who volunteers with the students. Her name is Kendra, and I could tell from the start that we will be close friends. I am so thankful for this as well, as I am sure that I will need someone my age here to bond with, when I'm needing a breath of fresh air from the students.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Glendo
Early on Thursday morning, I joined around 50 students and a few staff to just north of Cheyenne, Wyoming for a weekend of camping. The hardcore stuff: water bottles to last the weekend, tents, no showers, etc. My most luxurious item was my 2-in-1 bug repellent and sunscreen, and boy was it a life saver!
On the vanride up, I met one of the residents. The way the youth group system works is that there are the two main leaders, Amanda and Mark, the two interns, me and Jason, and then 8 residents. We interns are the full timers, while the residents are the part-timers. But like the camping experience, we're all hardcore. It comes with the territory ;). The resident I got to know on the way up was Amanda Stooke. (I quickly learned that there are about 537 Amandas at this church, therefore you should get to know some of them by their last name. I.E. Stooke) We talked almost the all the way up, with certain breaks for when we would jam to a Denver local Aaron Espe, as well as, shamelessly, Dashboard Confessional. Hey, when you got an itch to scratch, you scratch it, right?
Any who, the camp itself was pretty spectacular. We set up our tents (actually, it was pre-set up by some volunteers who drove up a few hours before us) right next to a beautiful lake, and began to enjoy that right away. It was such an excellent way to meet the students--and let me tell you I got to know quite a few. Between late night games of Hot Seat, sand castle building, water tubing, games of Mafia as well as eating Banana Boats, I was able to get to know the names of at least 30 students. And, I had some very deep conversations with a few of them! They are a very open group, and I was very encouraged by my first weekend!
On the vanride up, I met one of the residents. The way the youth group system works is that there are the two main leaders, Amanda and Mark, the two interns, me and Jason, and then 8 residents. We interns are the full timers, while the residents are the part-timers. But like the camping experience, we're all hardcore. It comes with the territory ;). The resident I got to know on the way up was Amanda Stooke. (I quickly learned that there are about 537 Amandas at this church, therefore you should get to know some of them by their last name. I.E. Stooke) We talked almost the all the way up, with certain breaks for when we would jam to a Denver local Aaron Espe, as well as, shamelessly, Dashboard Confessional. Hey, when you got an itch to scratch, you scratch it, right?
Any who, the camp itself was pretty spectacular. We set up our tents (actually, it was pre-set up by some volunteers who drove up a few hours before us) right next to a beautiful lake, and began to enjoy that right away. It was such an excellent way to meet the students--and let me tell you I got to know quite a few. Between late night games of Hot Seat, sand castle building, water tubing, games of Mafia as well as eating Banana Boats, I was able to get to know the names of at least 30 students. And, I had some very deep conversations with a few of them! They are a very open group, and I was very encouraged by my first weekend!
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