REJOICE

Thanks be to God, it happened. Last night at our catechism meeting after telling all the parents that I would need them to sign up to help lead two groups due to a lack of volunteers - two people (of whom I had called several times) stepped up and volunteered. WHOOP WHOOP!!! Seriously probably doesn't sound like that big of a deal and sounds totally lame that I am this over the top exctied about it, but I really am! I couldn't have been more excited when they volunteered. Both of them had a condition that they had a couple nights they couldn't be there, I said no problem I will start working to find subs.

Seriously when volunteers stepped up I did a bit of a happy dance and wanted to hug them. I really am excited about catechism and love working with middle schoolers I just do not love trying to beg and twist arms to help out with middle school and high school ministry.

Thanks be to God for the Holy Spirit leading and guiding a couple of amazing men (the two that stepped up were on the top of my list of people who would be rockstars with helping to lead small groups) to be a part of the catechism ministry.

Any great joys in your world lately?

thoughts on life while running

Today as I was out for my run I was thinking about a lot of things but one of them is a quote that has been carrying me for quite some time now and I don't know who said it I found it on pintrest and it has been lovely for me it is "No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everyone on the couch." I love it! When I was out running earlier this morning I kept thinking about this quote over and over again. I am not certain why it sticks in my head but it does and I love it. Even when I am not running quickly I know that it is true that I am not racing anyone other than myself and I am always lapping everyone sitting on the couch.

Other thoughts while running today:

• I have become a snob and no longer can stand running in cotton t-shirts
• I have an amazing volunteer pool but it is a shallow and narrow pool - I need to intentionally work on increasing the size of my volunteer/adult leader pool
• I hate going to the dmv
• I love apple season and can't wait for honeycrisp season
• I want to eat all things pumpkin right now
• I need to catch up on some shutterfly books
• I am excited fall is coming/here sort of
• I have the world's best puppy
• I miss living by my family and friends from all over the country

Ministry Frustrations

While I love being called to a church it comes with its frustrations like any other call/job, my current frustration is finding volunteers. I hate having to call and call and call and beg and beg and beg people to volunteer for this that or the other. I know there are downsides to being a volunteer and people don't always like to do it and it isn't that I am just calling people randomly or just began calling people. I started months ago attempting to fill the catechism mentor positions. I know they will fill but it is frustrating when something is going so well and then I have to spend what feels like forever finding volunteers to step up and help lead. I can't sustain the catechism ministry on my own. I know there are gifted people in the congregation who can do these types of things, I know that there are wonderful people who work amazingly well with middle schoolers. I know people lead busy lives, but I wish I could help them to understand what their investment of time into these middle schoolers will mean to the youth. I try, but words fail. Yes, I pray about it frequently. I know it will be worked out. In the mean time I felt the need to voice my currently frustration.

Vacation Bible School

This week in the congregation I get to serve alongside we are hosting VBS, Pandamania, to be exact. I love the exhaustingly wonderful week of VBS. I love all of the new faces it brings into the church and I love the energy and excitement of everything going on. Not to mention what a better way to see faith like a child.

There is a portion of me that is jealous of the kids, they come, they sing, they pray, they learn, they believe. I love the faith of a child, which could be part of why children's ministry is such an important aspect to my call as pastor. I love the way in which they ask their questions openly and honestly without fear of "not knowing enough" or someone else thinking they are "dumb." It is humbling to walk alongside the kids and their families.

I also love the way in which a group of volunteers comes together to make VBS happen, I love seeing the varied gifts of people and the ways in which they shine. It is exciting the way God works and moves in and through the lives of people. It is exciting the way God has called us to community. I am humbled and honored to be called into full time ministry.