It has been so quiet here the last couple of days. I suppose part of it is that Jerry is on vacation this week, so no church/job type things happening. And Logan has been in band camp from 8-5 every day, and then working a couple evenings. But it is eerily quiet. Like the calm before the storm.
I am assuming that calm is the routine that will begin next Wednesday when school starts. I like that routine, so I am ready for it.
This year will be bittersweet. Logan will be a Senior, and our lives will be filled with senior-y type things. I am excited about that, but hoping I can fight the tears so as not to embarrass that boy. I fought the tears on the way to registration last week. We took separate cars because I had to also register Maddie. And when he got out of his car in the high school parking lot, he asked why my nose was so red. I just avoided the question. He doesn't get it and I don't expect him to get it. But I know every Momma gets it.
Quiet. I should soak it in, bottle it up, and save it for a crazy day.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
So Very Worth It
We started hanging out with teens in January 1988.
In March 1994, Jerry took his first full-time position as Youth Pastor. That title took us to 3 different churches over 10 years.
Youth ministry is not very rewarding. It is fun, simply because teens are fun. But the rewards? They are few. It's not one of those jobs with instant results. You teach and you talk and you eat and you camp out and you play crazy games. And you hope that something, anything, is sinking in.
And so many times you watch them walk away from your ministry at the end of the night, and go right back to living for the world. No matter how fiercely you told them to live for Jesus.
And it is frustrating. It makes you want to pull your hair out sometimes. It makes you question why you are even doing what you are doing. Why waste your time when no one is listening. Why pour yourself out, only to have the kids suck you dry.
And then every great once in awhile, you find out that is was all so very worth it.
I am grateful to have kept relationships with so many of our teenagers so that I can see the impact that my husband's ministry had on them.
In March 1994, Jerry took his first full-time position as Youth Pastor. That title took us to 3 different churches over 10 years.
Youth ministry is not very rewarding. It is fun, simply because teens are fun. But the rewards? They are few. It's not one of those jobs with instant results. You teach and you talk and you eat and you camp out and you play crazy games. And you hope that something, anything, is sinking in.
And so many times you watch them walk away from your ministry at the end of the night, and go right back to living for the world. No matter how fiercely you told them to live for Jesus.
And it is frustrating. It makes you want to pull your hair out sometimes. It makes you question why you are even doing what you are doing. Why waste your time when no one is listening. Why pour yourself out, only to have the kids suck you dry.
And then every great once in awhile, you find out that is was all so very worth it.
I am grateful to have kept relationships with so many of our teenagers so that I can see the impact that my husband's ministry had on them.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
One Day At A Time
August has arrived with much anticipation.
This is the month my son will start his Senior year of high school. My daughter goes into 7th grade. It's the same building as she was in last year, but somehow 7th grade says 'junior high' to me. I think it's because of the way I grew up.
Also this month Maddie goes off for her last week of church camp.
Logan will start marching band camp soon.
My dearest friend in the world, Margo, is coming to visit from Michigan on August 21. I have not seen her for 4 years. I am so excited about her visit.
At the end of August, I will begin attending weekly meetings to prepare for the Hickory Grove Great Banquet weekends in October and November.
August 3rd marks the anniversary of my first date with Jerry. So much I could tell you about that date, but won't. Suffice it to say, I was a little surprised we had a 2nd date.
Also in August, I have a niece and a mother-in-law with birthdays.
We have a few special things going on at church, as always.
But the most important thing that August brings is our 25th wedding anniversary on the 11th. Seriously? 25 years is a long time. And you have to be old to have been married that long. What gives?
Being of the female species, as the months have drawn us closer and closer to this day, I have spent some time thinking. And in those thoughts I caught myself wondering how we made it to 25 years. Not in the way of, "this marriage is barely hanging on." But in the way of, "Wow. That time went by so quickly in some manners." And so if anyone ever asks me how we made it to 25 years, I have my answer ready. One day at a time.
And isn't that how we get to anywhere in our lives? We just do today, and then we'll do tomorrow, and then we'll do next week. And before you know it, time has crept up on us and we are celebrating a milestone!!
I can't help but think of the cheesy song, "One Day At A Time, Sweet Jesus." And now I'll be wishing that I hadn't thought of it because the song will be stuck in my head all day.
I am excited to celebrate 25 years. It is fun to remember that day. It is scary to realize how quickly it's come. And a little scary to think about what the next 25 will bring. I am 45, so if we make it to 50 years, I'll be 70. Ouch. I think I'll just take those years one day at a time, too.
This is the month my son will start his Senior year of high school. My daughter goes into 7th grade. It's the same building as she was in last year, but somehow 7th grade says 'junior high' to me. I think it's because of the way I grew up.
Also this month Maddie goes off for her last week of church camp.
Logan will start marching band camp soon.
My dearest friend in the world, Margo, is coming to visit from Michigan on August 21. I have not seen her for 4 years. I am so excited about her visit.
At the end of August, I will begin attending weekly meetings to prepare for the Hickory Grove Great Banquet weekends in October and November.
August 3rd marks the anniversary of my first date with Jerry. So much I could tell you about that date, but won't. Suffice it to say, I was a little surprised we had a 2nd date.
Also in August, I have a niece and a mother-in-law with birthdays.
We have a few special things going on at church, as always.
But the most important thing that August brings is our 25th wedding anniversary on the 11th. Seriously? 25 years is a long time. And you have to be old to have been married that long. What gives?
Being of the female species, as the months have drawn us closer and closer to this day, I have spent some time thinking. And in those thoughts I caught myself wondering how we made it to 25 years. Not in the way of, "this marriage is barely hanging on." But in the way of, "Wow. That time went by so quickly in some manners." And so if anyone ever asks me how we made it to 25 years, I have my answer ready. One day at a time.
And isn't that how we get to anywhere in our lives? We just do today, and then we'll do tomorrow, and then we'll do next week. And before you know it, time has crept up on us and we are celebrating a milestone!!
I can't help but think of the cheesy song, "One Day At A Time, Sweet Jesus." And now I'll be wishing that I hadn't thought of it because the song will be stuck in my head all day.
I am excited to celebrate 25 years. It is fun to remember that day. It is scary to realize how quickly it's come. And a little scary to think about what the next 25 will bring. I am 45, so if we make it to 50 years, I'll be 70. Ouch. I think I'll just take those years one day at a time, too.
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