Painting at the Deacon's Conference

Today HIS Women and some women from Dive- the Gathering's Women's group went over to the Deacon's Conference and painted one of the large meeting roms. we had enough people that the workload was really quite light and we were able to do a little more (work in the warehouse and having shifts in the prayer room) and it was nice to do some physical activity for a good cause. we had the music pumping and the fans going. I got really messy- no surprise, but I was able to put my climbing skills to use on the ladder while doing some tricky painting where the ventilation tubes were close to the wall. I had to leave before everyhting was done, (Angie's Shower) but I' happy that I got to do something. I'm only sad that more Riverfolk couldn't come, but hopefully they will be at he River on Dec. 4 for the breakfast.

Christmas Eve Service

I can't really say much about it right now, but I am so excited because I get to help plan and write the Chrismas Eve Service at the River. Its going to be really unusual, and honestly, it might offend some people who are expecting the traditional service, but I am going to suggest that if people want the tradition that they either go to Third or some other place, or that they create a service at the River.

Sad Statistics

I've been prayng about what to do if the Zion Project ends up happening and I move to the Edison neightborhood. I am excited at the possibilities, and I am very excited as God continually reveals more and more to me of what His plans are for my life and minstry. I was looking up informaion on After School Programs, as that is one of my passions, and I found out some really sad statistics about the state of the after-school hours in the US.

The hours between 3 and 6 pm, during the school year are the times for youth to engage in or be victims of violent crime, engage in sexual activities, and use drugs and alcohol. 262,000-490,000 kids kindergarten to eighth grade in Michigan are regularly caring for themselves after school. I also found out that tenth graders who are not involved in extra-curricular activities are 57% more likely to drop out of school, 49% more likely to use drugs, 37% more likely to smoke, and 27% more likely to be arrested than 10th graders who spent one to four hours a week in extracuricular activities.

Sad statistics, but something that hopefully will be changed soon. I don't know if you've noticed, but a lot of commercials about after school programs have been on the air laetly, and there is also a greater initiative toward providing quality, low or no-cost after school programs available in every community.

Angie's Shower

Today was the wedding shower for angie. It is so weird to think that in less than a month her life will be completly changed forever. I am so excited for her! She got a lot of nice stuff, and a lot of nice stuff, that I'm sure she appreciates, but really embarrased her terribly. Her dress also finally came in and was the right one. after three times of thinking that it was in, it is sucha relief that it is ready. Or at least almost ready; it is being altered right now, and it is supposed t be done eight days before the wedding- December 10.

Sick Girl

I am home sick today. I don't know why, but I have just been feeling so crappy lately, but I have been feeling run down. Its the cold fall weather i guess- and the fact that I am crazy busy. At least now I have my wirelss card, so I can lay in bed and do one of my online classes or look up stuff online, or do work for the River. I have managed to get most of the registration stuff done for the retreat, and to put people into teams for theFridy night games. I also emailed people about the next River Youth Ministry planning meeting. I have decided that I have been trying to please too many of the people, when there is no real chance that I can find a meeting time and night that will work for everyone involved. I also have four new people from our small group drive who are interested in helping out with the youth group. I have been praying that I can find a way to devote more time to the youth group, because I really feel strongly about the ministry of the River, and the type of communitry that we are trying to be. Its weird though, lately people have been saying weird things to me about it. I was talking to Marti- one of my coworkers who also attends the River about my schedule for next year, and she says to me,"who knows, you might even be working here." And other people have been saying things ind of like that. I know how important youth ministry is to the life of a church, but I also don't want to sound arrogant and as though i consider myself overly important or anything. After all, I only went to RBC for a year. I am a little intimidated by the fact that the onus is on me for all of this stuff, but I am trusting that God lead my steps in this situation, and I am trying to trust more in every area of my life.