I'm learning that I need to be SO intentional with these kids every single minute I'm with them. That's hard and of course there needs to be a balance or I'll go nuts, but it really needs to be done. I need to love these kids, be patient with them, and lead them to Christ. Everything I do and say should be grounded in these simple facts. God, help me to be loving, patient, and effective in leading these kids to You. Help me to be an example. Help me be like Daniel and Jonah and Noah and Moses...help me do what's right no matter what the cost.

Halloween at youth group tonight. I decided to just go the fun route. A few games and Charlie Brown and The Great Pumpkin were our materials tonight. hehe I think everybody (Nathan, Abby, Caitlin, Justin, Jerry, Josh, Kelsey, Amanda, and Ella) had a great time. We prayed to end the night but that was really the only "spiritual" thing we did. Played "Mummy" and "Pudgy Pumpkin" which both went awesome! Games are hard in our group because the same people always win and get pretty cocky about it. Then we watched CBATGP with popcorn. Overall, a great night of intention fun.

October 10th was the annual turkey dinner at church. It's a HUGE deal and it was quite the experience taking part in my first one. We helped out as a youth group which was REALLY good. I think the Davis's and Caitlyn are going to come to youth group now! That's 4 more kids! Very exciting stuff. I got to hang out with them and encourage them all night which was a blast. God is doing good things at The Rock...

Ahh...I love when the night goes spectacularly. We had a BLAST tonight. Nathan, Abby, Jerry, Kelsey, Josh, Amanda, and Ella came tonight and we explored Daniel. We played the Animal Game for a while in honor of the lions which was really good. We were all laughing so hard and just having a good time. Then I read Daniel 6 and they all acted it out. Kelsey was Darius, Josh was Daniel, Ella was the sun, Justin was the stone...hehe They got SO into it! It was the best thing we've done since I've been here, I think. It really helped them see what was happening. There were three things I spoke to from Daniel: Character over comfort, discipline over disorder, and love over life. I read them a story of a 15 year old martyr towards the end and I think it really got to them. It made it real. It was on my heart to tell them God loved them so I told them by name that He did. It was very cool. I think they can se more and more the love I have for Christ and that He is ALIVE. Jesus...get a hold of them. Little bags of animal crackers completed our night. :-) A wonderful night...

Obviously it's been almost a week since 9/26 when we last met. But I still remember what we did. :-) Nathan, Abby, Jerry, Kelsey, Josh, Amanda, Justin, Julie and I started a series on the "Classic Bible Stories." I'm trying to come up with a flashier title, believe me. We started with David and Goliath. I read them 1 Samuel 17 so they could hear the REAL story and then we watch "Dave and the Giant Pickle." It was a little frustrating because I wanted them to pick out the differences from scripture (ie. didn't cut off Goliath's head, etc.) but they just kept saying "kid stuff" in my opinion. "They weren't veggies." "They don't have legs." "How can he have boxing gloves on if he has no arms?" So, it was kinda funny and at least they can say they know the story now! Julie really suggested doing the bible story deal and I'm falling in love with it. It gives them a chance to have a blast while learning about stuff they've maybe heard about and hopefully be impacted in some way. That sentence was too long, I know. Deal with it. So, I had fun and I hope to have even more in the next couple months. I want to try and work the story's theme into everything we do on yg nights which will be a challenge. I think it can really impact them, though, if it's done well.

A couple things I'm thinking about: I had a blast at Nathan's football game. I OBVIOUSLY need to do more with these guys outside of Wednesday night. I have to make that effort, that contact. Also, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with Halloween. I saw this display at the bookstore about how evil it is...I just don't know. I suppose I'll have to do some heavy duty research.

Oh, the newsletter is almost done! Very exciting. I'm having trouble because I want it to be perfect. :-) It'll be awesome.