Week Six

Youth Group 3 hours
Meeting with Tony 1 hour

Personal Reflection:
Tonight was a good time! It was great to see the kids again, I felt like I haven’t seen them in a long time. Before youth I started playing basket ball with a student who was shooting around (really I was just rebounding it for him and throwing it back). A personal goal of mine is to be more personal with the students, so I started asking questions to start up a conversation. It went well I asked if he was on his school basketball team, he laughed and said no I am not good enough to play for school… either way a connection happened between the two of us and I feel good about it. The challenge now is if whether or not I can sustain this connection between us.

Something that I realized that night that really bothers me is that I tend to have one thing on my mind, and everything else gets pushed aside. For instance the was a little girl in the youth that noticed my haircut, and she addressed me saying, “Were you the one with long curly hair”. (it was real cute), but because my mind was on another thing I simply said (very friendly thought) “yes I am” and that was it, I left, didn’t even get her name. But that is not the end of it, after youth when I was talking to some people she came up beside me and tapped me on the head twice with her hat and gave me a smile, and sure enough I just smiled and said “Hey” back.

The thing that bothers me is that I haven’t given this girl the time of day; I don’t even know her name. God could be putting me in her life for whatever reason and I haven’t even given her thought. In the future, whether it’s a boy or a girl, I want to notice their interest and give them interest back and show them Christ’s love.

Spiritual Reflection:
If you would have asked me how I am doing Yesterday, I would tell you tat life and school sucks, but today… only school sucks… I got rest last night and I got things done today which really puts me in a good mood. I got up early went to breakfast with a clear mind and read my bible in Baldwin. It felt so good to be up and rested. Rest alone is a spiritual discipline that I am week in because I don’t manage my time very well.

Week Five

Youth Group 3 hours

Personal Reflection:
Tonight was very exciting because I was scheduled to run the game. In the past Tony didn’t really have games; well he did here and there, and they are fun, but they didn’t involve bringing people up on stage for participation. The games were mostly done from the projector that asked questions and who ever got all the questions won some candy. Back to my game: at one of the meeting with Tony I asked if I could run a game, because in high school, I ran games at my youth group. He explained his view on games and how he doesn’t like making a mess; so I explained a game that was quick and not messy (we will get to that in a minute).

I then told Tony my view on games; in which I believe it is important to bring students up on stage every now-and-then so that others can see and learn a little bit of who they are. For instance the game I chose to do is simple: first I picked three students, who raised their hands, with out telling them what they will be doing. Then I explained to them and audience that they will be given a song that they will have to gargle (with water) into the microphone. I pumped up the audience to be hyped and participate in the guessing of what tune the contestant was gargling. I then sent the contestants to Tyler my helper to give them a song and their cup of water. Now as the first contestant came to start, I got their name, which is one of the most important reasons for games because it familiarizes them to the audience. Also, when they are up their on stage they are being their self and the audience can get to know them indirectly as well.

Spiritual Reflection:
This week has been less stressed, (know that I am writing this after Fall break has happened, but I am referring to a week before break) I have been getting my work done and I started studying for mid-terms a week early. I feel good about them and am super excited that my Church Rituals class is going to be done so my work load is less. God is good.

Week Four

Youth Group 3 hours
Meeting with Tony 1 hour

Personal Reflection:
Tonight I was not feeling well because I had a long day with a lot of work to do, so I entered youth already in a bad mood. I was feeling like “Blah”… you know what I mean? That is the only way I can describe it, I didn’t want to do anything but feel sorry for myself. So I picked up a guitar on stage and started playing with the music sheet in front of me, and then one of the students came up and started singing with me, I have to a admit it was very weird at first because I didn’t really know her, and she is very quiet. But this showed me that she likes me as a leader and is comfortable being around me… Now don’t think “oh you better watch out she might like you” or whatever, it was just a neat experience.

After our meeting, I went with Tyler and got pizza, not for me… It was a prize for whoever won the game. The night seemed to go by fast, I think it was because the band sang like six worship songs. Over all I am glad that I did go because being around the youth always makes me feel better.

Spiritual Reflection:
Over all I have been doing better, I have been talking to people and having more conversations lately. On the track team, the Pole Vaulters are like their own separate family, and I have really enjoyed hanging out with them...

Week Three

Youth Group 3hours

Personal Reflection:
Every week Tony has all the adult leaders meet and discuss the layout of the night. Tony has a little half sheet of paper with the outline of the night. I find this very helpful, because I caught myself looking at it several times wondering what is next, and when I am a youth pastor I want my leaders to know what is going on without having to ask me all the time. Tonight I was asked to pray, and I know that praying up front isn't that big of an assignment, but I felt really comfortable going up on stage, which is something new for me because I am usually a little nervous.

Tonight Terence did not show, I was pretty sad because I wanted to see him again, hopefully he will show next week... So these two sisters walked in and went to sit in the back on the stairs, which is far away from everything, and I said why not sit up here in the seat and they are really shy and said there are a lot of people. Well there was a whole row empty and I asked if they would sit with me over there and the smile and said yes. So that made me happy, because these girls really like to smile, they are just shy. I am working on getting them friends to talk to. Pray for that...

Spiritual Reflection:
Life has been real good lately; I have been smiling more than usual. This year on my floor (Hodson 2 west), things are happening as far as the spirit among the floor. In the past the floor has not had great leadership and there has not been any spiritual movement, and this year as a senior and feel that things are moving in the right direction. Our Chaplain is my suitemate, and he is really putting time into our Devos every Wednesday, which one Devo a year is better than in the past. Anyway our meeting have been very moving in my life and it is great to have the unity that is challenging me in my day to day walk.