Parenting & Youth Ministry .....

Two blogs published in one day. No ... it IS me, just have alot in my head and need to go somewhere with it. I guess if you don't like what I write, there is always another blog to read out there somewhere. I do hope you hang around awhile, read slow and savor my thoughts, but they are just that .... my thoughts, at random. Let me know if the colors are more suitable than they were before ... if not, I'll try again. Here are a few more ramblings.

The clerk asked me today if it was all ONE order. I wasn't in the mood and it was none of his business but instead I just replied, "yes, one order, but some of it is for my son so you can sack that seperate if you want". His reply was "You're a good Mom". Hhhhmmm .... ironic.

I had lunch today with a good friend. We call them our thearpy sessions. She is a Mom of special needs kids to and is also a veteran in youth ministry. We have known each other for a long time, been on many youth trips together, one of our UMW Ladies has told us we fight like sisters ... but have always found our way back to each other. Sistas in Christ ... in good and bad ... parenting kids and youth ministry ... hand in hand. I think sometimes they just go together.

Parenting is hard stuff. Most days you just try and do the best you can. You live, you breathe, you pray, you pray some more and the next day you just do it all over again. Someone accused me yesterday of being a bad parent, about spending more time with the youth I minister to than with my own -- hard piercing words.

And it makes me wonder, does it matter, doing what I do? does it matter that as a youth minister I have spent countless hours traveling, organizing events (that my own kids have benifitted from), have slept on too many church floors to count, spent many night tossing and turning over teenage drama, most of the time being on the receiving end of criticism.

And being a parent in the midst of it all .... just trying to be the best Mom you can be. Hanging out together at a movie because you want to just be close to them, buying a few extra groceries for them when they are out on their own, calls on my cell phone, simple hugs afterschool, correcting them, loving them and letting them go, my boys ... who are becoming young men .... loving them with all my being.

Even in the midst of hurtful words, criticism .... I am still a believer in the old saying that it takes a village to raise a child. I have said the words below with conviction at countless baptism's. Birth kids or not, we are all God's children, walking side by side ... just trying to make a difference. And so I ask ......

What is wrong with being a shepherd? Does it matter?

"As members of the household of God, I commend these persons to your love and care. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them with love."

All God's People Say .... Amen.

Immersed In Thoughts Today ........

Lori

Kelli

The last time I posted was back in March. She and I along with the rest of the team were in the midst of preparation for the upcoming UMYs Event. She and another girl had been taking the lead on arranging the workshops for the event. I was thankful ..... workshops are not in my Spritual Gift inventory, they make me crazy. They teased me about it.

It has taken me over a week to write about her. She was a writer so I know that she would understand. Sometimes it takes awhile for the head and heart to converse and then to communicate with the hand to end up with written words, emotions from within. We often talked about our writing she and I, the fact that it was an outlet for us. A place to reflect and then communicate our thoughts and feelings on paper. She was a beautiful writer.

Hard to believe it has been over a week since she is gone. Where did the time slip away to? So many emotions to absorb for those who loved her. Something you have to take in a little at a time because it is just so devasting. Even though my intellect knows she is with her Savior, dancing as she did at the event ...... my heart still bleeds ........ I miss her.

I learned so much from her. Both in life and in death. She was the kind of girl who didn't have time for "drama". Often times referring to her friends as her "children" .... not in a put down sort of way .... but just her way of making her point, a little hint of sarcasm that was not condemning but yet just enough to let everyone know what she thought. In death, I learned about her evangelism, more so than I knew about in her life. She had taken Kat under her wing, inviting her to youth group, being Jesus with skin on. I think she hoped Kat would be a part of UMYs. She was like that, always inviting people into a wonderful relationship with Jesus Christ. People were drawn to her ..... just because she reflected "something more". I can see them now, teaching heaven's courts the actions to the song "Justice" .... can you hear it?

I admired her love of scripture. The following was read at her visitation, and I think is a fitting way to end the page. The words are from Ephesians Chapter 4 The Message Version:

"In light of this, here is what I want you to do. While I am locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk - better yet, run! - on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline - not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is permeated in Oneness."

And so, in light of this, we press on in memory of you and Kat. With thoughts of you as we go forward, listening intently for your laugh, remembering your smile, holding on to your hope. We press on to UMYs '07, knowing your with us every step of the way.

Rest well girls, in Jesus arms.

Love you too Kelli, see ya later ~
Lori