Disc Golf

Yesterday I went disc golfing with Ian and Aaron. It was a blast. I ended up with a great score too. I was only 6 over par; its a new record for me. I am also beginning to build up a set. I've got 2 drivers, 2 putters, and 2 or 3 midrangers. It was super hot out there, but we all had fun. We went at about 1, and then lastnight at about 1130 i found a tic on my knee. That sucker was chillin there for like 10 hours. What a bum.

SBR

Silver Birch Ranch. What a week. So much happened. I couldn't even guess where to start. The week was fun, relaxing, exciting, stressful, awkward, competitive, educational, tiring, relational, thrilling... It was a week of memories, learning, growing, and making new friends. "Oooouuuch" "BOW MY NUTS!" "UR MOM"
Despite Satan working his hardest there, distracting us and attempting to inhibit our growth, God still showed up and releaved Himself to us. Spiritually, it was a rough week. It wasn't the normal silver birch experience. Satan put up a really good fight this week and held us up a lot. God still showed each person something new. God helped us grow closer to Him and to each other. Satan faught good, but God came out on top and won this week. Thank God for his plan, and how powerful and good He is.

180 Game Nite

Lastnight we had our game night for 180, as the title says. Around 15 showed up. Pretty fair turnout being Father's Day. We played Garbage, Golf, 3-2-13, Mau, Guitar Hero, Ping Pong, and Wii. It was a fun night; I got to know the students better, and I'm still working on remembering peoples names. The memorable quotes from the night: "That's what she said," "Derek is a sexy beast," and "That's the way, uh huh uh huh, I like it." You guys are fun to hang out with, and I can't wait to go to camp with y'alls.

Minigolf

Last night I took our high schoolers minigolfing. Sounds so simple and easy, but here's what I learned:

1. leading 25 strangers is not hard, but extrememly awkward the first time
2. doing anything with these kids is really fun, even doing something as simple as minigolfing
3. i dont need to worry about being judged by anybody here
4. i suck at minigolf

It was a fun night, and I look forward to working with the Rock students this wednesday.

Surprise Surprise

Like I said before, this job isn't what I expected at all. Yesterday I spent my entire 8 hours of work doing manual labor. Not stuff like Jon saying "Oh go do this for me" but like Jon, Brad and I moving a 500 lb stage out and around the church. To a certain degree, I expceted training on how to write a lesson, where to look for ideas... you know, stuff you'd expect a youth pastor to be doing. I'm finding out there's a lot more to being a Youth Pastor than I imagined... which is good. I like that I've been doing in the past 4 days. Yeah, I've been super busy and am tired (it would be awesome if I had my futon to sleep on), but I enjoy doing this stuff.

Lastnight I talked to my mom and faith and briefly sara. My mom was talkin away and I wasn't saying much. She said it seemed like I didn't want to talk much, and honestly I didn't. I knew all you guys missed me, but I didn't really feel like I missed you guys, and I didn't really feel like talking to you. But the fact is that I do miss you guys. I miss everyone there and everything I did there. It's great here and I'm having a great time, but I have a lot of people that I care about and miss. I'm really looking forward to coming home tomorrow. I can't wait to see you guys.

And thus it begins

Today was officially my first day as a Youth Pastor's Intern. What can I say? I didn't quite know what to expect, yet I'm still surprised at what I will be doing this summer. I don't really know how to explain what I will be learning besides this: how to be a youth pastor. There's plenty of things to do, but not an overwhelming amount. I'm pretty sure the tasks of the job istelf I can handle, its just the planning and scheduling that I will struggle with. Jon says I gotta plan things out and make a schedule. That's hard for me because I haven't really scheduled anything earlier than the day before. I'll let you know more about what I'm learning as I get settled into my job.

Outside of that, I got here okay. A few interesting things happened on the way though (ask if you wanna know, its just too long to type). I've got all settled down in my "room." It's just a little corner in their basement about 6x7. It's just perfect though; I'm more than content with it. It's strange being away from home, all my friends and family (and the lovely Megin). I kinda feel like I'm on vacation... but then again I don't. It's weird, I know. I miss you all already and I still have forgotten to let Jon know you all say hello, but I will tonite!... if i remember...

That's all for now, gotta go take a crap-o-la

Youth-Pastor-Intern Tony

Iowa

I leave for Iowa next Sunday. Ten days away. This is really sneaking up on me. I'm ready, but I'm not. I can't wait to get going and learning and growing. I feel... unprepared. I'm not quite sure what I need to do before I go there. I don't know what I need to bring there. The biggest thing is I don't have a car yet. What's worse is that I haven't really been praying about it either. I'm trusting God that He'll provide for me, but I'm over-trusting Him, like I expect Him to give me a car. God will give you what you need, but you gotta pray for it. I'm just skipping step one and expecting step two.
...just now my dad pulled into the driveway, we're about to go out and look for cars. its good, but... I have no money saved up. I dont think my dad has a few thousand to pull out right now either for a car. blah blah blah....