I have five senses
I need thousands more
at least
Back in the office after a phenomenal most-of-week up in Murfreesboro (near Roanoke Rapids) helping out with our church’s annual youth retreat (if you could call it a retreat–it certainly isn’t one in the “relaxing” sense). It went incredibly well… Amazing if you consider that it was held on a small college campus with no fences or other restraints to keep the kids from wandering off, and also the fact that Isaac and I were in charge of a group of eight 7-8 grade boys, which is always challenging, and it was, especially getting them up in the mornings for breakfast and the morning meeting (“C’mon Andrew; sit up; I need to see you vertical, buddy.”) But all the challenges were worth it many, many times over. God showed up in a big way during the small group meetings before bed, when the guys were so eager to pray for one another that we had to cut it short a couple of times in the wee hours of the morning so Isaac and I could get some sleep. We worshipped for hours at a time… There’s something about seeing 400 kids jumping up and down in unison to the music to the glory of God that just blows you away… …but not as much as the incredible depth of expression and self-knowledge that the guys displayed during the small group times. They opened up; they shared what God was doing in their hearts with a maturity that would have shamed a 40-year-old. People go to therapy for years to discover the insights the guys had about themselves and each other that God was revealing to them in just a few short days. I was totally unprepared for anything like it, and was immeasurably blessed through it.
The week wasn’t without its small hangups, though. One in particular was getting the guys to check in with Isaac and me at the designated times so we could make sure everybody was still around and tracking… I think I finally figured it out on Wednesday night/Thursday morning: Appeal to what motivates them in order to provide positive reinforcement. And, being middle school guys, what motivates them are basically girls and gross bodily functions. I used that knowledge to my advantage, and it worked; everybody showed up at 8 a.m. on the dot after I promised them that I would show them this website, using one of the computers Donald had hooked up in the video room. They thought it was a greatest thing ever.
And…now…I…am…tired. Nap anyone?
i can always go for a nap!
naps are wonderful :)
Yes they are… The only reason I’m awake and alert right now is just sheer force of habit, having had to function on a pittance of sleep every day this week so far.
Hope you’re having a great day :o)
yeah, i haven’t had as much sleep as i’d like.
i would sleep 12 hours, get up, grab a bite to eat and go sleep some more…if i could! :)
i love my sleep.
having a good day so far…browsing ebay and about to start my work..