I'm still figuring out a lot of stuff about youth ministry. It really is messy. I wish everything worked out the way I plan it to, but that is the most wishful thinking a person could have. Something that seems so simple, just...isn't. For instance, this Monday we're going to the county fair as a group to have fun and hand out invites to youth group. I'm trying to plan for rides and I'm basically at anywhere from 2-15 kids. That's frustrating. Plus, I just found out it's going to cost $7 more per kid just to get IN the fair so that'll have to come out of the already-almost-gone budget. Oh, well...I'm learning.

Our time last night was good. We talked about going back to school and how important school is. Not only math, science, etc., but how it develops us as people. Discipline, responsability, social skills, etc. Our theme verse was Colossians 3:17 challenging us to do and say WHATEVER we do and say for and in the name of the Lord. I gave them all a card with the verse on it and challenged them to memorize it for our next group time on the 8th. I hope at least a few of them do it. We played a dice game where a kid would roll the die then I would ask them the corresponding question to the number they rolled. It worked out pretty nice and I'll come up with 6 new questions for next time.

I think I'm a little too rigid at youth group. It's good to stick to our plan for the night, but it's also good to have the kids talking and feeling comfortable. I need to find a balance between the two. I need t obe able to tell when it's just idle chatter and when it can really help us bond as a group, even if it's not "spiritual talk."

I also need to continue to get organized. I have a lot of ideas that need to be fleshed out and I need to take the time to do that. I'm really attempting to get the kids directly involved by being responsible for certain parts of the night and they are excited about that. As am I. Again, it's just going to take time and effort to flesh it out and implement it.

I'm a little overwhelmed at this point. Lots going on and lots to do. I know God will help me, though, if I let Him and I get out of the way. I like that.

Youth group on Wednesday was fantastic. We had 5 kids and they were all what I would consider to be "core kids." It was awesome to have Nathan back and I think he had a really good time with us. Abby was very sweet and even Eric and Mari cooperated and were considerate. Jerry came, too, which was great. We read Luke 10:38-42 regarding Mary and Martha and talked about our priorities. The kids had some great insight and answers to my questions. We had an incredible time of prayer where they ALL prayed something meaningful and then we "prayed for a person," too! We also learned All in All. Overall, it was just such a great night and I was glad they could all be there.