GoG 240: The Talk to Me Meeting

I had a meeting with my student leaders in SoZo a little over a week ago. It was the first one ever! We got frosties at Wendy's and sat and "chatted" about the friendliness level of our youth group. I didn't get much out of them. I have pretty quiet and reserved kids in my group, which is pretty funny when you think about my personality. But anyways ... the meeting wasn't overly successful, but the 45-minute or so wait we had until youth group was pretty fun. Although most of my kids aren't too talkative with me ... when they get talking to each other, they are stinkin' hilarious! And it was fun to hear about their school stories and teacher stories and their jokes. I love to watch my kids smile ... and hear 'em laugh! So fun! I think it's a little extra glimpse of grace to hear my kids laugh because they are my favorite people!!!

GoG 239: The SoZo Volleyball Games

Whew! I really like volleyball! It's really the only sport I'm pretty decent at. Ask Jason and Adam about my football skills - they call me Droppy McDropperson! I quit playing basketball 4 days into basketball season my freshman year of high school. I played soccer for only 3 or 4 seasons in elementary school. So I try a sport I've never really tried before, and whatta ya know? I'm pretty good at it! Well, at least I think I am. Ask the SoZo-ers ....

We had a cookout and volleyball tournament at Calvary a couple weeks ago, and we all had a great time! It was so fun to hang out with my kids, play a really fun sport, eat hot dogs, and laugh a lot with them all. Good times, indeed :)

GoG 238: The Story of My Hiring :)

Like I said, I recently started working at an after school program in Danville. I started last Monday to be exact. :) .... And I found grace in the hiring process.

Ha! I was hired on the spot!

It was great! .... I haven't been in too many interview situations ... and this one was pretty laid back. But it was great to have someone look at my "working" resume and say "Yes! This is exactly what we need!" It makes ya feel good, ya know? In addition to being hired right then and there, my interviewer told me she would "call the other people" later. The other applicants were made to wait another day for their interview. But turns out, I was hired after a short chat with the supervisor! Sooo cool!

GoGs 235-237: The SoZo Prep Days

The downside of not keeping up with these GoGs is that I sometimes forget what they are for certain days. So here's to clumping a few days together, knowing I did much of the same things on these days ... specifically, in this case, I worked on SoZo stuff. :)

The last week of August, I spent 3 days in a row working on various projects for SoZo. I prepared lesson plans, worked on signs, wrote notes to the students, updated the SoZo facebook page ... things like that.

Lately, I've been lax with my focus on SoZo. I've just been lazy if I really get down to it. It's so easy to be lazy, isn't it? Gosh! .... And the past week and a half hasn't helped my prep for SoZo 'cause I started a new job at an after school program. It doesn't take up my whole day by any means, but it is something new ... and since it's later in the day, I can sleep in pretty late if I want to ... and I always want to! ;) ... So it'll take some focus to get back to a routine and start working on SoZo stuff again.

But when I look at my days of SoZo prep, whether they be a lot several days in a row or few and far between, I think about how blessed I am to be working in youth ministry ... and now kids ministry at the after school program! God allowing me to do what I love - everyday - now that's grace!!!! :D

GoG 234: The Relevant Magazine Articles

Okay ... back to blogging! I'm getting caught up ... a little. And I'm determined to finish all my long-lost posts and get totally caught up tonight. We'll see how that goes. ;)

Pastor Mike posts various articles on his facebook page from an online magazine - Relevant Magazine. It's a Christian magazine with articles about God, life, culture, our walks with the Lord ... it's got some good stuff!

I've found a handful of articles that I've definitely related to ... about the college/career years, about prayer and devotions, about waiting on the Lord. Sounds good, right?

It's so encouraging to read about the struggles and triumphs and strivings that others are going through. And it's always grace when another person's story encourages and convicts me. .... If you've never been to this magazine's site, Google "Relevant Magazine" and check it out! :)

GoG 233: The Shy Girl ... well, she WAS :)

One of the girls in my youth group is pretty shy. Like won't read two words out loud, barely comes to youth group shy .... well, she WAS.

She's been doing so well.
She comes to youth group and Sunday School every week, she comes on just about every event, she comes to events even when her sister doesn't come!, she reads whole verses out loud, she volunteers to answer questions!

Oh, it makes me so proud! And it's such grace to see my kids grow. :)

GoG 232: The Dreaded Praxis!!!

So ....

THE DREADED PRAXIS RETURNS!

I'm taking it again ... someday.
But that's beside the point.

It still makes me cry when I get talking about it.
My dad I started talking about it last week, and ... well, I cried.
But my dad gave me great advice and compliments and a hug.
And I felt better ... and decided to take the test again!
10th time's a charm!!!!
:)

GoG 231: The Oliver :)

From time to time, I get to babysit Oliver ... probably the cutest baby in the world! :) And the last time I babysat, we fell asleep on the couch together watching Veggie Tales .... it was precious!!!!

GoG 230: The Southern Gospel Concert!!!

UM.
Uncle Mike.
One of my favorite people - EVER!
:)

Uncle Mike and I went to a southern gospel concert .... Greater Vision. A motorcycle ride, Starbucks, heart-to-heart chats, and some amazing music!

GoG 229: The Dinner with the Fam

Dinner with Mom, Dad, and Wes ..... and at Texas Roadhouse too! ;)

:)

GoG 228: The Daily Productive ....

My brother is a goal-setter. Always .... everyday, actually.

His most recent goal ... to my knowledge anyway ...
The title of his new lifestyle goal: The Daily Productive Time-Management Consistent Action Dominating Planned-Routine.

Ha! Isn't that awesome??? ;) I even helped him with it .... and we had such a good time! Laughed pretty hard. Hahahahaha! Love it!

GoG 227: The SoZo Signs

I made signs for our upcoming SoZo studies .... and it was fun.
Ha! How simple is that?! And I found grace in it. So cool!