Jesus Loves the Little Children.

Probably because they make Him laugh.

I sat with the Pre-K and K kids tonight during dinner at church and now have a new favorite verse to the song "Down by the Bay." (You know, the bay.... where the watermelons grow, back to home I dare not go, for if I do my mother will say: have you ever seen a whale with a polka dotted tail/fly wearing a tie/llama eating pajamas.... yeah, that song.) Well the girls I was sitting with graced me with their rendition. During which my new favorite verse was created.

Here it is:
"Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow..... ..... ..... have you ever seen a pig..... ...... driving a JEEP?!"


hahahahahahahaha. it was too cute. This was also after 5 or 5 "correct" verses were sung and after I even suggested that the pig be wearing a wig. But no, that pig was driving a jeep. And then we had the sheep who ate a salad.

What a good night. I love my job :)

Hiatus

Sorry for such a long absence. I've been spending the last few weeks pondering on something that I ponder on quite often, which is: why did I attempt to re-start a blog? I'll be the first to admit that my blog posts never really seem to make sense, and also that my blog as a whole (at least at this time) doesn't seem to have much of a point. Then I read my friend Joanna's blog entry entitled why? in which she linked to this article which was very thought provoking indeed.

Now, of course my response to this article is no where near as wonderful as Jo's (girl, you're awesome!). In fact after reading that I almost came right back here to shut my blog down at once. However, I feel as though this blog is going to go somewhere. I don't know when or how, but it will.... eventually.

I just need to figure out a way for it to have a point, a way for it to direct glory upward and not me-ward, and to spread light and truth in a way that is fun and not too preachy. I'll probably ponder on it lots more and then be back.

As a closing thought, though, I really like what the article's author's daughter had to say about spending time - if you've got some spare time for crying out loud do NOT come here to read my blog - go do lots of wonderful, more productive things and then come by for a visit. I promise, it'll be here waiting for you whenever you come around.

I remembered!

As promised, here is the thought that I knew I had a great post for last night but forgot.

Yesterday morning I was introduced at my new church. I have been hired part time as their Christian Education Director and will be planning/helping with programs for all children and youth (4yrs-senior high). I'm quite excited albiet nervous about the whole thing. It was nice because after the service there was a carry-in (potluck) after the service and I was finally able to start meeting some of the kids and youth. I think overall it will be great fun.

Because yesterday was kind of the kick off day for everything (Sunday School started, LOGOS starts Wednesday, choir is back, etc.) we had communion. This church does communion a bit differently than I'm used to. This church is Presbyterian and I have almost always attended a United Methodist church. The differences are fairly miniscule.

Anyway, the communion that I have experienced the most has been that of intinction (spelling?) where everyone walks to the front of the sanctuary and rips off a piece of a real loaf of bread and dips their piece in the cup. My new church, however, serves it in the pews where you pass the bread and the cup and everyone stays seated. Usually when this is done churches use wafers or crackers or some other unpleasent bread option. Yesterday, however, there was real bread and you still had to tear a piece off, it was just done in your seat. That makes me hopeful that that is how this church does it, because I honestly do not enjoy the little cracker things.

The bread you ate when you recieved it and then the members of session who were serving came back around and passed around the little cups of juice. The cup we took all together.

What was most striking to me, though, is what was going on throughout the congregation as communion was being served. Whenever I've seen this done in the past whatever congregation I've been in has sat there almost silently, listening to the music, waiting for everything to get passed and it almost always seems like an eternity. Yesterday was not like that at all. When the bread and cup were being passed there was definitely a twitter around the sanctuary. Heads turned, conversations were whispered, and the pastor even went around and talked to a few people. There was music playing that we all enjoyed, and people were quiet and respectful when the pastor was speaking and when we took the cup in unison.

At first I didn't know how to react. It was completely different from any communion I had taken. I wasn't sure whether to be upset that people didn't appear to be giving it the reverence it deserved or to start a conversation with the people around me too. It was strange. But once I thought about it for more than a milisecond I realized that I really enjoyed it this way. I liked watching and listening to the fellowship that was going on around me. I like that it seemed as though everyone knew how important communion was, but that they weren't going to be awkardly silent during it.

Besides, isn't communion from the last supper, the sharing of a meal. I'm sure that if I were having dinner with Jesus we wouldn't be sitting in silence, awkardly waiting for everything to get passed and consumed before we talked. In fact I'm pretty sure that we would have a lot to talk about and that it would feel rather comfortable. Just like communion did yesterday.

I really am looking forward to serving this church and having fun with their kids and youth. I'm still nervous, and I definitely have my doubts and struggle more often than I'd like to admit with my own faith, but yesterday reminded me that it's ok. We all struggle, but that's why we have each other. And besides if God is for us, who can be against us. He'll definitely be with me as I walk into this new chapter of my life and my faith and I'm pretty exited about that.

This was going to be deep....

But honestly, I forgot what I was going to say today. There was a moment earlier today where I remember thinking "that would make the best blog post ever!" since then, however, too much has happened and I've forgotten what it was going to be about. Perhaps after a good night's rest I will remember and have something amazing to write tomorrow or in a few days.

Other than forgetting my surely awesome blog post I went to ikea today, met my roommates two very good friends from Wooster, was introduced (officially) at my new church/place of employment and attended my welcome potluck after the service. All in all it was a fantastic day with perfect weather - so perfect that I know exactly what kind of weather I want this coming Saturday for when I (hopefully) go to the Renaissance festival with my good friend Tony.

Speaking of Tony, although I have forgotten what my orginal post was going to be I've created an entirely different one including some pictures and blurbs about some of my favorite gentlemen. So enjoy.



This is Dave and Tony. (Well, Tony and Dave actually.) This pic is a few years old, but I don't think they've really changed much nor has our friendship. They both came to visit me a few weeks ago and Tony and I are planning to go to RenFest this weekend. I really don't know where I'd be without these guys, they are great.

Here's Mike and Zach. They aren't twins, so don't let the picture confuse you. They are, however, in the fam, as are Dave and Tony above. These two, however, I see less often and that greatly saddens me. Although one of them may be moving closer here in the next few months so hopefully that will more or less solve that issue ;) Altogether these 4 guys some of my favorite people of all time. I am blessed indeed to have the friends that I do.

This is Nathan. Or more rather, G.B. He was my co-counselor over the summer. He was great to work with and I miss him. Especially his ridiculous over-sensoring. He was even more intense than I was! But seriously he is fantastic and I hope he's doing well in Texas.

SCOTT SEESE!! I recieved a surprise phone call from this guy today and it made me super happy. Not just because I got to talk to one of my all-time favorite co-camp-staffers, but because it means he survived his treak along the Appalachian Trail. I missed working with him this summer an incredible amount and do sincerely hope that we can get together soon so I can here all his adventure-filled stories.

And last (for tonight at least) but certainly not least is perhaps my FAVORITE gentleman of the times - my lil bro. I love this kid. He just got a part in the Fall Play and is already rockin' his Junior year of high school. Expect amazing things from this guy.... amazing.

I think that's it for now. I'll work on remembering the other stuff. But for now, goodnight!!

Creative People

I really enjoy being around creative people. Being friends with them, working with them, observing them, learning from them.

I love when I can call a friend and say one idea and she'll run with it, planning a whole week long event in 30 seconds. I love meeting with good friends to brainstorm ideas and coming up with one of the best events/fundraisers I could have asked for. I love hearing about my friend who's travelling the country teaching theatre to kids who wouldn't have that opportunity otherwise. I just love creativity and people who are creative and liking to think I myself can be creative.

Imagination is such a wonderful thing. I hope it's not something being lost in this digital age. And if so, I hope that I can some how help kids find theirs again, even if for only a moment.

1913

I got my diploma in the mail today :) I'm still undecided as to whether I want to frame it and hang it or keep it safely tucked away somewhere, but it's nice to finally have either way. It's also good to know that I actually DID graduate with honors, so my graduation announcements and fake business cards aren't telling a falsehood. I never thought that not going back to school would feel so.... normal. We'll see how I feel halfway through Septemeber though, I suppose.

Anyway, I went to visit my grandpa in the hospital the other day. He fell out of his wheelchair last week and ended up with a hairline fracture in his pelvis. The resaon he fell: he was leaning over in order to try and clean up a "spill" in the bathroom so housekeeping at his nursing home wouldn't have to do it.

While I was at the hospital with my dad the nurse came in to give my grandpa his medicine. Before she did though she had him tell her his name and birthdate. His name is John and his birthdate was 23 October 1913. 1913. My grandpa is very close to being 100 years old. And that's pretty sweet if you ask me.

During the visit and after the visit I thought a lot. I thought about my grandpa being thoughful enough to try and clean up after himself and how he's just always been that thoughtful. I thought about how it must be hard to have to give up the ability to truly care for yourself after a certain point. I tried to imagine the bruised pride many elderly people must have. There were many thoughts I had about how much my grandpa has experienced after being alive for 95 years. Then I of course wondered how much I will get to experience and see change if I am lucky enough to live that long. It was a good day for contemplation.

One thing is true though, I love my grandpa and really do hope he makes it to 100, because I know that's a goal he has for himself. And more power to him, really. I guess the visit just also made me really glad that he's my grandpa. He really is a pretty neat person and I'm glad I get to be related to him.

As promised....

An update! I'm not sure how exciting that really is because I have no idea who might actually try and keep up with me and who doesn't. (That's a hint to start leaving comments ;)

Anyway! Camp. That's where I've been. The LIT group was large and crazy and hormone-riddled but over all a great group of kids. Then we had Teen Extreme which was a week long camp in West Virginia. It was pretty sweet. A little sad that the mountain biking people didn't know we were coming but hey, it all worked itself out. Or maybe I worked it out, I am the coordinator after all. Plus the climbing/rappelling and rafting were all stellar so no complaints. Right before getting on the highway to head back to Ohio the bus did start to freak out, but not for long and we all got back safe and sound so it's all good.

Then this week's trip to WV got cancelled because there were only 3 kids signed up for the trip, which a super big bummer because it was easily the sweetest trip we had scheduled - Rock and Raft - a whole week of rock climbing and rafting. I know I was looking forward to it, but alas. It's actually a good thing though because it gives me time to continue the job hunt and attempt to get things in order for a supposed move next month.

Next week is Saddle Paddle (Rafting and horseback riding) which has potential, although I think Rock and Raft would have been sweeter. The good thing is going to be that I'm not going to have to buy and cook all the food all week, the ranch is feeding us. Although that is kind of sad because I like cooking and I like being in charge of food so that I'll know it'll be good, but it was a drag to be the only counselor who knew how to cook. It's been interesting. But after Saddle Paddle I'm done because I won't be staying for the ADA camp. Although I'll probably need the money I feel as though the time to get things even more squared away will be more valuable, especially since my family is headed out on it's first FAMILY VACATION in a very long time shortly after camp wraps up. And I'm uber excited about that - my family is pretty cool and I like hanging out with them.

Other than camp life has been pretty decent. I'm keeping in touch with people fairly well, although that's not too huge a change. I feel as though it would be harder if I hadn't transferred a few years ago. As in if I had spent the full 4 years of my college experience in one place I would probably be freaking out right now because I would know that I wouldn't be rejoining all my friends next month or the month after at school. However I've done that and I've been talking to people constantly. And in doing that have already become super excited for the next few months ahead. I'm really going to try and make it out to Seattle to hang out with my very best two man friends - Mike and Dave - since Mike lives there and Dave will be there on tour in October, so that could be a lot of fun if I can scrape enough money together to actually go. Then there's a student show at IWU also in October that I'm going to try and hit up. Finally I have a few more friends planning on moving to Chicago to join the friends and family I already have up there, so I'll probably try and go up eventually, again all of it depending on how my bank account is looking.

And that, my friends, is going to depend on me finding a job. Fortunately I apparently look really good on paper because I've heard back from every place I've applied and the only "no" answers have been because they've filled the position and forgotten to take the posting off line. Everyone else has asked for more information/references and/or invited me for an interview. I had an interview yesterday actually and it was my second one for that position and it's now between me and one other person. So although the hunt continues it's looking rather promising and I'm so grateful for that.

I think that's about it from this corner of the universe....

Until next time: stay in school, do your homework, paddle more whitewater and whatever you do, don't feed the small children copious amounts of sugar!!