The week so far

I went to Kansas City on Monday and got back yesterday. The trip with Molly didn't work out, but Ang wanted me to go wedding dress shopping with her so I went up there. I did get maybe 8 hours total in the prayer room at the Ihop, so that was good. Time there always helps me refocus. I also bought some new books. I'm stocking up on books to read at school and to create a library for other students to use. I've read all the books I'm taking to school and that will help me recommend them.

Dress shopping with Ang was fun. She looks gorgeous in everything she tries on. We'll probably shop some more, though she did find one she really liked.

I got to play with my nephew, Jackson, all week. He is 10 months old now, crazy! He is a fun baby and really smart!

Now that I'm home Ang, Trav, and Jack are on their way here for the weekend. We are hosting Ang's graduation party tomorrow and it should be fun. It should be a good weekend.

VBS summary

VBS went really well this year. There weren't as many specific occurrences that were outlandishly hilarious, but a few interesting moments, and many overall observations.
Here are a few things that made VBS interesting:

1. The lack of air-conditioning...not to mention it was the hottest week all summer, with temperatures of 107-112 all week. Some of the downstairs had great air conditioning while the sanctuary, where the kids started and ended the day, and the upstairs, where I did the drama in costume, were totally un-airconditioned. The first day the kids walked in to the drama room and cries of, "It's so hot!" and "WE'RE GOING TO DIE!" were the first thing out of the kids mouths. Thankfully we found a tiny air-conditioning unit in the room next to ours and put all the fans in it and faced them towards our room. That helped a little.
2. Kids are different now... Not that I was an extremely moral person when I was in 4th-5th grade (if you know me at all you understand), but kids are changing. Mostly it's there attitudes. The occurrence of the belief that "I'm too cool for this" is manifesting in younger and younger kids. With that attitude most kids don't feel like respecting authority. Although kids seem to be growing up and learning more faster than they used to it's not all bad. While some kids are incredibly cocky and profane some kids are growing deeper in God faster and have an amazing understanding of what God is like.
3. Adults now treat kids different ... As kids attitudes change adults attitudes towards them change. As adults attitudes about kids changes, kids attitudes change. It seems that the churches in our community are less excited and involved in VBS. It used to be a huge deal. Now it seems that they have to put up with the inconvenience. Last year the churches agreed to increase the budget for VBS and only 2 out of the three did. When things were getting tight we asked to take an offering for VBS and some of the Churches said no. It seems that adults are increasingly apathetic toward youth. That is incredibly sad. This is the time to really impact their lives for the better and to do that we have to show them how much we care. Youth deserve more than half-hearted attempts to be nice to them. What they need to experience is self-sacrificial love. It seems that our community has lost its vision for youth outreach and because of that we have lost the youth.

So...that's the overall review of VBS, now to the fun parts.

The first day of the drama I presented the story of the friends bringing their paralyzed friend to Jesus (Luke 5:17-26). You know, the one where they tore a hole in the roof. The scripts came with background sounds to make it seem more realistic. The sounds for that day were busy street noises complete with animals and carts and children playing. The 1st and 2nd grade group kept asking me if they could go see what was behind my walls. I told them that it was just the city streets and that there were mostly donkeys and sheep out there. About 5 minutes later a little girl screamed, "BRING OUT THE SHEEPS! BRING OUT THE DONKEYS!". I told her she might see them later. 2 days later during a drama about hiring new fishermen the same girl screamed again, "BRING OUT THE DONKEYS!"

We used the same drama room all week so by the end of the week it was getting a little messy. As my second group of the day walked in a little girl commented to her crew leader, "She needs to clean her house."

After VBS was over one of the adult leaders told me that when some of the kids were asked to draw their favorite part of the week they drew the stairs (where we made a cave entrance they had to crawl through) and the drama room. Someone was listening!

Awkward

I am an awkward kid. Most of you know that. Every once and awhile I do something that reminds me of my awkwardness. Yesterday I had one of those awkward kid moments.

As the previous post discussed yesterday VBS started. I went to the church early to help with last minute set up and the like. I was carrying some of my things like maracas, costumes, my script, and some duct tape. The steps at the Methodist Church are awkward in themselves due to how they were made. They are the same length depth wise as most steps but their height is quite different. Instead of 6 inches (approximation) they are about 3 inches high. I know that they are weird, I did grow up in that church, however that didn't stop me. For some reason with my feet obscured by the costumes and the already awkwardly balanced stuff I couldn't master the stairs. Expecting to take a higher step I wiped out and slid down the stairs. I landed on most of the stuff but the maracas came flying out and made a loud maraca-ish noise when they hit the stairs.

As I was getting up I said to myself, "Go Awkward kids." Once I gathered my stuff and my balance I stood up and saw above me on the steps the high school aged son of one of the women I worked with on VBS. I said ,"Hey" (in a truly awkward fashion) as he passed me on the steps.

It wasn't embarrassing as much as it was hilarious. Sometimes Jesus likes to humble me in a humorous fashion.
Good one Jesus, good one.

Vacation Bible School: Viva Jesus!

Tonight is the first night of 5 of our community VBS. Like almost every church we are doing Fiesta: Where Kids are fired up about Jesus! I have been painting sets and what not for the past few weeks and this week I am performing skits about the theme of the day. The theme for today is Jesus is our friend (Viva!). "Viva!" is what the kids are supposed to yell while making a V shape with their arms every time anyone says Jesus is our ______!
The skits are pretty funny but some have a more serious note which in the past has scared the pre-k to K group. I'm sure like last year there will be some funny stories. If anything awesome or hilarious happens I will blog it. Wish me luck!

Current Events: Israel and the Middle East

If you don't know what is going on with Israel or don't care read this article: Escalation ripples through Middle East .

Throughout history Israel has been in a almost constant skirmish with other nations (in fact Israel means 'he struggles with God'). In recent years the main disputes have been territorial and mostly with the Palestinians. Though there were concessions made about a year ago there is no peace. I really don't know why anyone expected there would be. Then Hamas, a political group dedicated to destroying Israel, took control of parliament, and therefore the government, back in January. Thing heated up again when Hamas kidnapped an Israeli soldier and Israel responded by firing on Government buildings in Palestine. As a result of Israel's actions many Palestinians are living without electricity or clean water and many have gone weeks, if not months, without any kind of pay. Surely, the poorest of the poor are suffering the most.

Now Israel is blaming Hezbollah for the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers. It's a great time to be an Israeli soldier (sarcasm). As a result, Israel is bombing airports, main roads, and other means of transportation/commerce. As the article mentioned, things could easily spiral out of control all across the middle east and ,in turn, the world.
I believe that though tensions might ease for awhile the conflict is far from over and peace is not even close to being a reality, but it is a distant hope for now. It's going to get worse over all before it gets better.

And with that being said it is time to pray. In Isaiah, God speaks to the prophet concerning Israel. God knows the extreme trials that Israel has been through and will go through as well as the fear they face and the violence they are using. God tells Isaiah to bring His words to the people to comfort them.

Isaiah 40 (NIV)
Comfort for God's People

1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.
3 A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD ; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be raised up,every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level,the rugged places a plain.
5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

6 A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?"

"All men are like grass,

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

because the breath of the LORD blows on them.

Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God stands forever."
9 You who bring good tidings to Zion,

go up on a high mountain.

You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem,

lift up your voice with a shout,

lift it up, do not be afraid;

say to the towns of Judah,

"Here is your God!"

10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,

and his arm rules for him.

See, his reward is with him,

and his recompense accompanies him.

11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young.

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,

or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?

Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,

or weighed the mountains on the scales

and the hills in a balance?

13 Who has understood the mind of the LORD,

or instructed him as his counselor?
14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,

and who taught him the right way?

Who was it that taught him knowledge

or showed him the path of understanding?

15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;

they are regarded as dust on the scales;

he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.

16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,

nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
17 Before him all the nations are as nothing;

they are regarded by him as worthless

and less than nothing.

18 To whom, then, will you compare God?

What image will you compare him to?
19 As for an idol, a craftsman casts it,

and a goldsmith overlays it with gold

and fashions silver chains for it.

20 A man too poor to present such an offering

selects wood that will not rot.

He looks for a skilled craftsman

to set up an idol that will not topple.

21 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

Has it not been told you from the beginning?

Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,

and its people are like grasshoppers.

He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,

and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

23 He brings princes to naught

and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted,

no sooner are they sown,

no sooner do they take root in the ground,

than he blows on them and they wither,

and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

25 "To whom will you compare me?

Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:

Who created all these?

He who brings out the starry host one by one,

and calls them each by name.

Because of his great power and mighty strength,

not one of them is missing.

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,

and complain, O Israel,

"My way is hidden from the LORD;

my cause is disregarded by my God"?

28 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Like Isaiah, it is time for us to pray for the comfort and peace of Jerusalem on God's terms. It is time to cry out and tell them that "all men are like grass", that this life is just a breath, just a moment. The only peace is God's peace.

"But if [Israel's] transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!" Romans 11:12

To post or...eh..whatever

I am feeling a bit indifferent about posting lately. I am actually doing more things than usual, like painting all the sets, posters, life-size characters, and random things for the community vacation Bible school, that I could blog about. I just don't.
I apologize to this recent bout of blogging indifference. I know how it feels to go to a friends blog (who I may or may not have spoken to recently) in hopes to see what is up in their universe only to find a blog that hasn't been updated since April or so. I really don't think I'll be that long.
So in case I don't write for a little while:
I'm doing great
I'm excited for school
I'm preparing for all my VBS responsibilities
I'm reading a ton
I hate T.V., except for the occasional episode of The Office
I've seen a lot of movies lately (Superman, Pirates of the Caribbean, the new Pride and Prejudice)
I'm continually depressed when I look at most of my peers facebook profiles. Lay off the alcohol my friends!You are wasting away in every way possible! You are worth more than this!
I'm trying to plan a trip to the IHOP with my friend Molly though we haven't found a cheap and safe place to stay yet. The continual roadblocks I've been meeting are very frustrating.
I love my nephew!
I've decided that I work best with my peers and those who are younger than me.
God is continually reminding me why I love prayer and teaching me more about it. I love it!
A theme that keeps coming up this summer is meekness (no, not weakness)
I miss my friends.

Perhaps when I am less indifferent I will explain more of these things.

By the way, while I am indifferent about posting at the moment I am not indifferent about you or other people. Just thought I'd clear that up.

I heart Prayer

That is a statement that continues to grow in truth. It seems the more I pray the more I love it. I'm not telling you this so you think I'm all super spiritual and amazing. I'm telling you hopefully to encourage you, whether you love, hate, or are currently indecisive about prayer. I am not by any means a super prayer warrior, in fact most of the time I avoid it until I ache inside. It's only when I spend time in prayer that I remember that I really do love it and is not as hard or inconvenient as I thought.
Here is a few reasons why I love prayer:

I get to talk to God and He talks back!- It is such an amazing blessing to be able to communicate with the One who made me, knows me fully, and knows what's happening. He enjoys it when I join with Him in prayer. That's right, I did put that He talks back. This 'talking' comes in different forms such as: an internal audible voice, a sense in my spirit, a verse in the Bible, a dream or vision, or from another person. He wants to talk to me more that I could ever want to talk to Him, which blows my mind!

I don't have to know what I'm doing- When I first became a Christian I was incredibly uncomfortable praying out loud. Even by myself I didn't feel confident in my prayers. As I've grown I've realized that God doesn't need my prayers to be eloquent or even make sense to others. Plus the Holy Spirit is helping me out. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:26-27 (NIV).

I can learn about God's heart- As I continue to pray God continues to teach me more about what He desires, what His will is, and how He acts. By praying scripture I am aligning my heart with what He has already revealed about Himself and how He answers prayers. Also, I can come to understand more about how God feels about other people.

I can join with Jesus in intercession- As God reveals what is on His heart I can join with Him in praying to see it fulfilled on earth and in heaven. "But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." Hebrews 7:24-25. It amazes me to know that there is something so much bigger going on and that I can be a part of that.

I think that the best part about this list is that this isn't something only I do or will experience. Anyone can learn these things and yes, enjoy prayer.

I am looking forward to a lifetime of learning how to make better conversation with God, especially that part about listening.