Worth a thosand

Extras from my attempt at our Christmas card this year. I've come to the realization that I'm much better at taking pictures of other peoples children. I just have more patience with them..I did come out with a cute one. I'll show it after I send them out. :)

Perspective

Ever read a story in the news about someone who might have done something that seems pretty awful, and you immediately cast judgement and hope for vengeance (not justice)? I'm there, too. I just have had my head turned inside out about this particular topic lately and I thought I'd spill everything out for you.

I don't think I've ever once gone over to the other side of that argument and contemplated grace and mercy, and the fact that the people in these stories were just that, people. They have families, friends, people that love them. These past two weeks I've been forced to think about this, and feel the other side. I've felt the pain of disappointment, the shock to the system and the proverbial punch to the gut you feel when you hear news that you never want to hear or expect to hear, for that matter. For various reasons, I'm not going to divulge the details of what I'm talking about, but let's just say, we've been going through some things in our little corner of Texas. Anyway..

I've had to look at all my past reactions to news stories, and people that I've known who may or may not have done something not in step with Christ's humanity, and totally re-evaluate my void of emotion and compassion for them. Speculation, vengeance, and gossip run amok in the media, and in relationships these days. I have to take my piece of the pie, and accept how I've behaved until now. God has worked in me, and on me through these last two weeks and I'm glad for it. I don't know the whole truth, and I don't know all the answers, but I do know that God knows, and that's enough for me. It's a new day and a new perspective.

Baxter 3.0

30 years ago on November 8, 1979 Baxter was born. I haven't heard his birth story, but if it's anything like his life story it was probably full of laughs and joy... I'll ask my mother in law the next time I see her..

30 reasons I love Baxter.

1. He puts the lid to the seat down.
2. He lets me hog the bed.
3. He'll wear whatever I put out for him.
4. He takes the girls out for "daddy dates"
5. He laughs at my jokes.
6. He'll watch a chick flick with me if I ask him.
7. He works extremely hard to support us.
8. If he's tired when he gets home, he won't complain if I am too.
9. He knows how to handle my neurosis.
10. He's never beat me at thumbwresting.
11. He plays with my hair.
12. He's changed almost as many diapers as I have.
13. He calls me everyday from work to check on me.
14. He buys me flowers for no reason sometimes.
15. He always orders the pizza.
16. He loves Jesus.
17. He doesn't get mad when I jump out and scare him.
18. I see him when I look in the girls eyes.
19. We've grown up together.
20. He's a natural encourager.
21. He tries to sing.
22. He prays with the girls.
23. He still opens my door for me.
24. He cries when he's sad.
25. He can fix anything.
26. He chews with his mouth closed.
27. He sacrifices his time for others, and rarely has any for himself.
28. He gives me the remote control.
29. He lives out his faith.
30. I can still find more things to love about him everyday.

Happy Birthday, Bax!

Fun with teens

Dark video, but here's the plot. It's the IPOD game on the way to Hellhouse (that's a WHOLE other post). His buddy is helping him out, and I'm hiding the camera from him at some parts. The game is just you putting in your headphones, singing at the top of your lungs just like you would with no one around. Close your eyes, and you provide so much enjoyment for your friends. Watch as Nate gets an unexpected surprise from Baxter.

jammin' out in the Pickup line.

Here's the little guy that I watch, jammin' out to some JT in the pickup line. Enjoy.

Rain

I'm not complaining about all the rain we've been having. It's not that bad that the kids have been stuck indoors for weeks now, and are taking out their pent up energy on each other and me. It's really okay that Princess has decided that it's too wet to go outside to use the restroom, so the carpet has become her potty. I've really accepted the fact that it's been about 2 weeks of bad hair days, where my hair stays in a ponytail except for all the wild uncontrollable hairs that stick up and out everywhere. You get the point.

It's all okay. We had a break in the rain this weekend. The sun has never seemed so bright. The air was crisp, clear, and relatively free of humidity. You couldn't help but feel cheery when you stepped into the sunlight to just soak it all in.

Isn't that true for the trials and stresses of our life as well? We cling closer to our creator when we feel strained, troubled, and relunctant. At the end of the long tunnel, there's always light when we believe.

In life, sometimes you need a little rain to appreciate the Son.

The Ups and Downs of Teen Ministry

7 or 8 years ago, I can't say I'd ever imagine myself saying this, but I love teenagers. I love that if they have a hard shell exterior that you can break it down with nothing but a little time, truth, and respect. If I'm having a bad day, I've almost always forgotten what a rotten mood I'm in after hanging out with the teens from the ministry that God has allowed us to lead. It's amazing and wonderful.

We're reaching our second year marker, (and hoperfully going strong for more) in just a few weeks. As I'm sure a lot of you know, 2 years is a really long time for a ministry to have a youth pastor. Typical turnover in this vocation is around a year and a half, max. It's not easy. In adult ministry, you have people, their faults, and their baggage. In children's ministry, or youth ministry, you have teens, or children and their issues, and their parents and their baggage and hangups too. You've got to walk that fine line between discipleship and making sure you and the parents are on that same page. If your not, it gets slippery, and frustrating. We're pretty darn lucky that we haven't had to tackle that situation much. We do tend to take it hard when it does happen though. We take it personally, when maybe we shouldn't, and we question the big picture when maybe it's a small blip on the radar. It's hard. (Did I mention that?)

The funny thing is, the easiest part about youth ministry is the teens themselves. I guess that's a positive affirmation for what we feel we've been called to do. When God works through you, you tend to know it. In a big way. Knowing that you won't always see the fruits of what you do, makes it easier when you don't. I just wish everything else was that simple.

Earnestly craving your prayers,

Amy