"The Call" our first International Youth Rally

The day started way too early for my liking (6 am) and with a bit of confusion, but all in all it turned out to be a fun day. The theme of the day was hearing when God calls. I led a workshop called "Death by Apple Pie" A John Piper rip off I know. I think it was in his book Hungering for God, where he talked about the fact that for many of us it is the constant inane drivel of information and mind cluttering noise, and poor management of our time that stands in our way of an intimate walk with God. It isn't so much clearly marked sin (poison) but things that in and of themselves are not bad or wrong (apple pie) yet when improperly managed can take over and can become sin in our life. I used the passage from Heb. 12 talking about laying aside every weight or hindrance AND the sins which so easily entangle us. I was distinguishing between weights which hinder and sins which entangle.
The kids were very receptive, one gal came up afterward and was telling me how true what I said was...it was really informative etc...So I said "Well thanks! So what are you going to do about it?" She says "uhhh go home and pray about it." Whatever!!!
The ride home was an eye opener to say the least. I sat at the back of the van with 4 middle schoolers in the backseat behind me. One in particular was just as loud and obnoxious as a middle school boy can be (and to the mother who reads my blog, relax it wasn't your son.) This kid seemed to have NO reservation in talking serious trash in front of me. I was a bit perplexed even caught off guard when I fist heard him say a few things. "Surely he did not just say that," I thought to myself. I pride myself in my ability to get along with the teens and fit in without seeming motherly, but this kid spoke with such reckless abandon, I thought maybe I needed to emphasize that if you are so inclined to speak this way, at least clue in not to do it in front of an adult and seriously not in front of your youth pastor! I mean once upon a time kids whispered when I walked in on a foul conversation, at least they attempted to hide their pubescent banter but not this kid! I tried to casually inform him that in general none of us were particularly impressed with his vast sexual knowledge but when general shaming didn't work I just resorted to "Dude shut up!" A very long 2 hours

How I spent my Saturday

Worshiping with kids who love to worship















A bit on the edge after 2 hour van ride with some seriously wound up middle schoolers

You can Never Really Leave

Ok so I make my big commitment to deactivate Facebook, but whatever! It is nothing more than signing out!!! All I have to do is sign in and password and it is all right there waiting for me as if I never left. OK so I just cleared my history so that FB won't quickly show up every time I punch in "F" in my address line. Man they are not going to make it easy.
Need to go pick Caleb up and head to the baseball field to watch the CAC guys team play in their big tournament ad the of to friends graduation party. Ya it is a tough life! Really enjoying the change of pace now that youth group is over for the year. Things will pick up soon enough with all my summer projects (2 African VBS's and the our One Wild Week children's program) Right now trying to get organized to work on my sermons I will preach in 2 weeks as well as start really writing my Act's Bible Study lessons that I will teach in Sept. Hoping to get ahead of the game over the summer so that I won't be overwhelmed come fall. I know what you are thinking "Amy. Ahead of the game?" Come on now work with me and believe in me! "I think I can, I think I can..."

Last night was the 15 Annual End 0f the Year Hoo Haw event with youth. But it appears that this will be the last one called Hoo Haw because evidently (according to the Urban Dictionary) over the course of the last 15 years Hoo Haw has taken on a different meaning. Man, I hate when that happens! A perfectly good word snatched and taken to the dark side, how many more terms do we need to describe female genitalia?
Anyhow, it was a good evening and the video the leaders made was hilarious, I will try and post it later.
So I am open to any suggestions on what to rename the event. Keep in mind that it will often be announced by individuals with British or European accents, Hoo Haw never quite had the right sound or energy when anyone other than a Texan said it.

A Taste of MCC

Just to give ya'll a glimpse of my world, this is from our Easter service.

Me and the man!

Blogging 3rd Attempt

Yes I know I have made such promises before about blogging but I swear I will be faithful this time. My main goal is to have an outlet to post pixs and quick updates. I am not promising deep and thoughtful insight, although it may happen on occasion, but rather I am simply trying to stay connected to my very large and loved circle of friends. So if we can all accept that this will be more like a Facebook page with pixs and brief updates then I think I can manage it without feeling overwhelmed. Deal? Good then lets move on with life!