Middle school. A crazy, awkward, unforgettable-no-matter-how-hard-we-try time for most of us. One we'd never want to go back and relive ever again. Right? Maybe for most of us...
But for some of us, the crazy, awkward unforgettableness somehow continues on into our adult lives. At least vicariously. I'm talking about youth ministry. Where else can you enjoy this time in all its glory, and have a stinkin' blast while doing it? At least, I love it.
Tonight we had a middle school event at church: "Waldo." People hid all over town at coffee shops, McDonald's, parks, bookstores, all wearing or wielding something specific. Light sabers. Indiana Jones. Martin Luther. Darth Vader. All these and more made appearances for our 2-hour drive all over town with carloads of crazy 11 to 13-year-olds, who descended in noisy swarms on unsuspecting establishments to find these hidden "Waldos."
My car load was different than usual. Normally a bunch of my small group girls practically attack in their jockeying for a seat in my car; tonight I got 3 7th and 8th grade boys. They were different. They were noisy. They were awesome.
These boys screamed Beatles and Black Eyed Peas and "Where's Waldo???" out my car windows as we drove the local streets--the same windows they fell into as they were reloading the car, exclaiming "I've always wanted to do that!" I guess door handles take too much time. They mistook Martin Luther for Christopher Columbus, sprinted across giant parking lots, made friends with random people at McDonald's and Starbucks, selected Coldplay and OneRepublic and Bach from my iPod...pretty much totally made my night.
One of my favorite moments came when I was doing "donuts" in one parking lot, waiting for "Team Epic" to tell me where to go next. Complaining they were getting carsick, they finally told me where to go and we straightened out for our next destination--after I threw in one more roundabout for good measure. One boy teased me: "Aren't church people supposed to be nice and help other people, not make them carsick?" I joked back, "Sure, but you're forgetting something: middle school staff church people are also supposed to be crazy!" Another boy, suddenly got serious, musing to himself from the back seat, "Hmmm...maybe that's what I should do!" Youth pastor of the future? Only time will tell.
Oh yeah, and we won.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
ElecTRONica
Roommate date night tonight at the happiest place on earth! Only it wasn't quite so happy this time around. Nearly an hour into our 70-minute wait for Space Mountain "Ghost Galaxy" (which we've never done and were excited to check out!) a cast member started making the rounds: "We are experiencing technical difficulties which you are welcome to stick around for, but it's going to be at least an hour. Also, the park is now closed..." Or something like that. Lame.
So off to DCA we went. Crazy busy there, but we managed to score some 11:15 World of Color tickets--at like 7:30. So with 3 hours to go before it was time to line up, we set off to occupy ourselves. Barely managed seats on the rollercoaster before it closed for the first WoC showing. Snagged some tortillas and bread after that. And just when we were about to give up hope and call it an early night, we stumbled past the Hollywood Backlot and saw strange things: flashing lights. Loud noises. Weird projections on all the building. And a big sign over it all proclaiming, "ElecTRONica." We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.
Walking in a trance through the flashing lights with arcade-like whirs and beeps echoing off the crowded street, we entered deeper into this whole new world of TRON. Suddenly we were there. Dancing and drinking and a mad crush of young adults, all bobbing and moving to the electronic beat. Sure, this rave was Disney-sponsored and pretty G-rated, but still quite a different scene that I was used to seeing at D-land. Or at all in my life. On raised platforms at the 4 corners of the area were dancers in space-aged suits, doing the robot to a techno beat of "Everybody was Kung-Fu Fighting." At the very back we ventured into Flynn's--an arcade resembling the one that I guess is from the movie. And taking over the MuppetVision theater was a special 3D sneak peek of "TRON: Legacy," which was, by far the coolest thing about the whole shebang.
When the roomie and I finally stumbled back out of the dark and noisy and crowded ElecTRONica, it was like we had truly emerged from the computer-generated world of TRON and could breathe fresh air again. And the real world was a welcome relief, as was the cool tram breeze blowing our techo-induced headaches away.
ElecTRONica. Been there, done that. And, it felt, slightly against my will.
So off to DCA we went. Crazy busy there, but we managed to score some 11:15 World of Color tickets--at like 7:30. So with 3 hours to go before it was time to line up, we set off to occupy ourselves. Barely managed seats on the rollercoaster before it closed for the first WoC showing. Snagged some tortillas and bread after that. And just when we were about to give up hope and call it an early night, we stumbled past the Hollywood Backlot and saw strange things: flashing lights. Loud noises. Weird projections on all the building. And a big sign over it all proclaiming, "ElecTRONica." We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.
Walking in a trance through the flashing lights with arcade-like whirs and beeps echoing off the crowded street, we entered deeper into this whole new world of TRON. Suddenly we were there. Dancing and drinking and a mad crush of young adults, all bobbing and moving to the electronic beat. Sure, this rave was Disney-sponsored and pretty G-rated, but still quite a different scene that I was used to seeing at D-land. Or at all in my life. On raised platforms at the 4 corners of the area were dancers in space-aged suits, doing the robot to a techno beat of "Everybody was Kung-Fu Fighting." At the very back we ventured into Flynn's--an arcade resembling the one that I guess is from the movie. And taking over the MuppetVision theater was a special 3D sneak peek of "TRON: Legacy," which was, by far the coolest thing about the whole shebang.
When the roomie and I finally stumbled back out of the dark and noisy and crowded ElecTRONica, it was like we had truly emerged from the computer-generated world of TRON and could breathe fresh air again. And the real world was a welcome relief, as was the cool tram breeze blowing our techo-induced headaches away.
ElecTRONica. Been there, done that. And, it felt, slightly against my will.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Little buggers.
I haven't returned to my summer place of employment since...well, summer. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for the job I had and the people who contributed to me getting it. But it was a little crazy, for sure. Some days I loved the kids I worked with. Some days I never wanted to see them again. Some days I wanted to go home and cry (a few times I did). In any case, I've been thinking about making a return trip just to say hi to everyone, but have been putting it off/not having time. A persistent friend keeps reminding me, though, so today I took the plunge and returned...
I had barely set foot in the door when first one, then two, the half a dozen cute little ankle-biters were swarming me. "Can you stay?" "Will you not leave?" "Don't go away this time!" Those were the words I kept hearing as we hugged all around. I made my rounds to visit all the little familiar faces, totally disrupting homework time. Some kids jumped out of their seats; other smiled at me shyly from their chairs; one even saw me, shrieked, and ran back into his room! Too cute.
For all those times I ranted and raved and yelled and cried...there were also times when I laughed and played and smiled and hugged. And when it comes down to it, I guess those are the times we all remember best.
I had barely set foot in the door when first one, then two, the half a dozen cute little ankle-biters were swarming me. "Can you stay?" "Will you not leave?" "Don't go away this time!" Those were the words I kept hearing as we hugged all around. I made my rounds to visit all the little familiar faces, totally disrupting homework time. Some kids jumped out of their seats; other smiled at me shyly from their chairs; one even saw me, shrieked, and ran back into his room! Too cute.
For all those times I ranted and raved and yelled and cried...there were also times when I laughed and played and smiled and hugged. And when it comes down to it, I guess those are the times we all remember best.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Drip drip drop...
10% chance of precipitation = no precipitation. Right? At least that's how it should have been today, that's how it normally goes. But I was very thankful I didn't don my shorts today when I headed off to work, because today turned into a gray and gloomy and very drizzly day at the back bay. Amazing how that heavy mist can get everything so wet so fast, but it did. I was soaked from head to toe, dried, resoaked, redried (except for my shoes and socks...those never recovered)... As it that wasn't enough, the day was also plagued by challenging coworkers and a group of punk kids. Oh yeah, and when the day was done and I was about to go home, I discovered that somewhere over the course of this highly frazzling day, I locked my keys in the car. Thankfully, AAA got there in record time and saved the day (and it wasn't horribly wet during the waiting). Yay AAA.
Oh yeah, and if all that wasn't enough, then we had to go hang up all the ponchos that 100+ kids wore for half a day and then unceremoniously dumped in the dirt. Not my favorite job, but I've got some great coworkers that made the cold and wet and everything a little bit more bearable. Thanks, friends.
Oh yeah, and if all that wasn't enough, then we had to go hang up all the ponchos that 100+ kids wore for half a day and then unceremoniously dumped in the dirt. Not my favorite job, but I've got some great coworkers that made the cold and wet and everything a little bit more bearable. Thanks, friends.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Snap crackle BOOM.
Went to Disneyland again today...that makes twice this weekend! And now, thanks to some fabulous friends and family showering their love and birthday money on me, I have another whole year of magic to enjoy. :) Anyway...
The night started off with an interesting parking assignment; I had to ask directions to the tram, I was so turned around and thrown for a loop! Caught the same tram as my friends, magically, and we set off on a fun night at the parks. Rode a few rides, ate some good food, and called it a night shortly before the fireworks so we could avoid the crowds. Outwardly, leaving then made sense; I was pretty tired too. Inwardly, I sorta kinda really wanted to stay for the fireworks show I'd never seen before. But away we went, parting at the escalators as I continued on my merry way up one floor, across the garage, down the stairs, and through to the next lot and my car. Arrived at my car, just in time for the fireworks to begin.
Watching them in the park is awesome, for sure; the view is as it's meant to be, the music adds a whole another element, and even oooh and aaahing with hundreds of random strangers is fun. But from that back way overflow lot, many of the fireworks are only getting shot off a few hundred yards away. There's no music, so you hear every whistle, every whir, every crackle and BOOM as each volley of rockets shoots up nearly directly over your head. I felt each explosion deep in my core, I felt the car shudder underneath me from my perch on the trunk.
And then there's the other cars. They're surrounding you, and they're singing along. Not quite as beautifully as whoever they get for the "real" soundtrack, but definitely unique in their own special way as they belt out their discordant harmonies. Some cars seem to know that they're not in any real danger, and quit their chirping after only 30 seconds or so; other continue on like their lives depend on it. Each has its own unique voice, bursting to fill the night with their urban lullaby.
I didn't stay for the show inside tonight, but the one I experienced from the outside looking in was pretty darn special anyway. So thanks again, Disneyland.
The night started off with an interesting parking assignment; I had to ask directions to the tram, I was so turned around and thrown for a loop! Caught the same tram as my friends, magically, and we set off on a fun night at the parks. Rode a few rides, ate some good food, and called it a night shortly before the fireworks so we could avoid the crowds. Outwardly, leaving then made sense; I was pretty tired too. Inwardly, I sorta kinda really wanted to stay for the fireworks show I'd never seen before. But away we went, parting at the escalators as I continued on my merry way up one floor, across the garage, down the stairs, and through to the next lot and my car. Arrived at my car, just in time for the fireworks to begin.
Watching them in the park is awesome, for sure; the view is as it's meant to be, the music adds a whole another element, and even oooh and aaahing with hundreds of random strangers is fun. But from that back way overflow lot, many of the fireworks are only getting shot off a few hundred yards away. There's no music, so you hear every whistle, every whir, every crackle and BOOM as each volley of rockets shoots up nearly directly over your head. I felt each explosion deep in my core, I felt the car shudder underneath me from my perch on the trunk.
And then there's the other cars. They're surrounding you, and they're singing along. Not quite as beautifully as whoever they get for the "real" soundtrack, but definitely unique in their own special way as they belt out their discordant harmonies. Some cars seem to know that they're not in any real danger, and quit their chirping after only 30 seconds or so; other continue on like their lives depend on it. Each has its own unique voice, bursting to fill the night with their urban lullaby.
I didn't stay for the show inside tonight, but the one I experienced from the outside looking in was pretty darn special anyway. So thanks again, Disneyland.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Just thinking...
I've been systematically taking down my to-do list today. Cleaning up piles. Putting things away. Catching up on the old. Jumping into new tasks. Like church internship-type things. I've had a pile of papers that I've been moving from here to there, but barely making a much-needed scratch in when it comes to actually reading them. I think a part of it is, I'm out of practice; after all, I haven't been in school for the last few years, "homework" feels just a little bit foreign to me right now. I think another part of me is slightly afraid: what if, because I'm out of practice at all this ministry stuff, I don't have what it takes anymore? What if I never did in the first place? I've been a little bit haunted by these questions lately, as I see friends and what's going on in their lives and look at my own. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm truly happy with my life--I love what I do, I love the people I have around me, I'm excited to see what the future holds! But sometimes I wonder...am I missing something, could life hold something more than what I've settled for? And if it does, how do I get there?
I've got to stop comparing myself with the people around me, it never comes to anything good. After all, life doesn't follow a specific pattern for everyone, does it? And that's good, that's exciting. I'm excited to see what the future holds for me down the road, because I know that God's going to keep holding me through it all. In the meantime, I just need to keep being faithful. And flexing my slightly out-of-shape ministry muscles...
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
I've got to stop comparing myself with the people around me, it never comes to anything good. After all, life doesn't follow a specific pattern for everyone, does it? And that's good, that's exciting. I'm excited to see what the future holds for me down the road, because I know that God's going to keep holding me through it all. In the meantime, I just need to keep being faithful. And flexing my slightly out-of-shape ministry muscles...
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, a]">[a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to b]">[b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
I need a throat lozenge.
After almost 2 weeks of anticipation, tonight I visited the happiest place on earth with a whole slew of camp friends. Some were Hume friends I know and love, most were new FoHo friends I'd never met before. Anyway, we rode a few rides, ran into lots of random people, ate some soft serve, and pretty much had a fantastic time. Apparently camp and camp people have the rare ability to draw me out of my shell in ways I never would have dreamed before: I was singing, dancing, yelling, and pretty much making a slightly obnoxious fool of myself with the 13+ other people I was with. In public. Something I never would have dreamed I'd ever do. I yelled and laughed until I nearly hyperventilated, until my throat felt raw. And it was amazing.
Just to give you a taste...
I am very thankful for all the friends God has put into my life. I love you all!
Just to give you a taste...
[the entire back row and all of the left side -the two chokers are us...fantastic]
I am very thankful for all the friends God has put into my life. I love you all!
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