Sorry, it's been a while since I've blogged.
Recently things at work have become a little stressful. At the church I have been planning a mission trip for my youth group. Another church invited our youth group to join there's, taking a trip to Arkansas. The week long trip sounded great, so planning began. However shortly prices were raise by hundreds per person, meals were thrown on, and vehicle rental added. A decent priced trip quickly rose thousands over my expectation.
For over a month I have been working with the other church clearing up details, finding prices, getting financial budgets and approvals. Every week there became a new problem to overcome. The other church was even willing to cover a big amount of the cost for our youth group, something I was extremely grateful for. Yet, even with this it came down to myself being the only adult with my youth group. A mission trip where I didn't feel any support from the church, as well as one that I, as an Americorps volunteer, was unable to lead with any religious associations (prayer, devotion, meditation, or discussion). It quickly became a trip that no longer felt "right" to me.
Today after a meeting with the pastor and contact with the other church, I have official called off the mission trip. Even though I know it is not my fault for all the problems, I feel as it is a failure of myself that it didn't work out.
I pray another opportunity will come up for my youth group. Now I have to face my youth members, deliver the news, and work through the disappointment.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Soccer Season
Our second soccer game was canceled. This snow is becoming a problem. Mary Jo and I are bummed about not having a game yet ... but we're trying to look on the bright side ... at least they'll get lots of practice in :)
We've been ending our practices with some type of drill or activity that will get the kids to run. The goal: wear them down before passing them back to parents (a key for getting parents to like you as a coach ;) ) Two weeks ago we were doing a drill where I'd lightly kick the ball away from them and they would all have to chase the ball. Upon getting to the ball they would have to stand in a line and pass the ball (with their hands) over their head, under their legs, over the head, under .... till the last person in line. We do this a few times and then I unleash :) On the last one, I'll punt the ball as hard as possible and off they sprint, grins on their faces. Well, half way there most of the kids are pooped out and walking.
Last week we did a new drill. Follow the leader. This is where Mary Jo and I would jog around the field doing funny things. The kids would jog directly behind us and do as we do. So off we'd go, skipping, jumping, shuffling, zig zagging. We did this for a little bit, then Mary Jo and I started to do froggers (a funny motion where you squat down like a frog and jump as high as possible) after doing a few Mary Jo and I glanced back to make sure they were following correctly. What did we see? A few kids walking, one completely sitting down, and the rest ... just standing and watching. Yes, if you would have been there to witness this, you would've seen two adult coaching leaping around a field with a pack of ten-year-olds watching. Needless to say, that immediately concluded our practice :)
We often make fools of ourselves, but laugh it off and enjoy the company of our team.
Hopefully this Saturday we'll have our first game!
We've been ending our practices with some type of drill or activity that will get the kids to run. The goal: wear them down before passing them back to parents (a key for getting parents to like you as a coach ;) ) Two weeks ago we were doing a drill where I'd lightly kick the ball away from them and they would all have to chase the ball. Upon getting to the ball they would have to stand in a line and pass the ball (with their hands) over their head, under their legs, over the head, under .... till the last person in line. We do this a few times and then I unleash :) On the last one, I'll punt the ball as hard as possible and off they sprint, grins on their faces. Well, half way there most of the kids are pooped out and walking.
Last week we did a new drill. Follow the leader. This is where Mary Jo and I would jog around the field doing funny things. The kids would jog directly behind us and do as we do. So off we'd go, skipping, jumping, shuffling, zig zagging. We did this for a little bit, then Mary Jo and I started to do froggers (a funny motion where you squat down like a frog and jump as high as possible) after doing a few Mary Jo and I glanced back to make sure they were following correctly. What did we see? A few kids walking, one completely sitting down, and the rest ... just standing and watching. Yes, if you would have been there to witness this, you would've seen two adult coaching leaping around a field with a pack of ten-year-olds watching. Needless to say, that immediately concluded our practice :)
We often make fools of ourselves, but laugh it off and enjoy the company of our team.
Hopefully this Saturday we'll have our first game!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Spring Snow = Snowballs
Easter morning.
Excitement was in the air ... until I looked out the window and saw, again, snow. I had an Easter egg hunt planned for all the children at church. However, with having a few inches of snow, this provided a problem. The solution was easy. Indoor Easter egg hunt.
Excitement was in the air ... until I looked out the window and saw, again, snow. I had an Easter egg hunt planned for all the children at church. However, with having a few inches of snow, this provided a problem. The solution was easy. Indoor Easter egg hunt.
While I was in the church service, I had a few youth members "hide" Easter eggs in the gym. Now, first off... the gym ... not very many hiding spots. Once church was let out the children grabbed their baskets and dashed to the gym. Upon turning the corner their eyes opened wide and the sound of muffled "wow" could be heard. There upon the children was a gym floor COVERED with neon eggs. Needless to say, there was a mad dash of children on the floor, scooping up eggs. :)
Arriving home, I walked through the door, grinned at Mary Jo and simply asked .... "wanna go play outside?" Ten minutes later, Nate, Kiley, Mary Jo and I were all bundled up. Immediately we all began to make a snowman. Problem only being, there were four of us each making the snowman's base. The result. Four giant balls of snow that even with all four of us, could barely be lifted. The end result: Mr. Snowman and baby.
Arriving home, I walked through the door, grinned at Mary Jo and simply asked .... "wanna go play outside?" Ten minutes later, Nate, Kiley, Mary Jo and I were all bundled up. Immediately we all began to make a snowman. Problem only being, there were four of us each making the snowman's base. The result. Four giant balls of snow that even with all four of us, could barely be lifted. The end result: Mr. Snowman and baby.
We all slowly headed indoors. However, right before entering the house Kiley chucked a ball of snow at Nate and RAN inside to the safe haven. This left Nate and I outside... which also result in a full out snowball fight. House, cars, snowman and bushes became blockades. To the point of heavy breathing, soaking wet, and laughing too hard ... a truce was called.
Sadly, to end this story.... six hours later our friends we gone ... until next snow... :)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Soccer Is In The Air
Its time again. Soccer season has officially started. Mary Jo and I are the coaches of a spring U-10 team. Just as last year ... there are a few players with short attention spans and stubbornness that we will have to work with. However, we are excited to be back out side, teaching and playing soccer.
Our first game was at 9am on Saturday. So up and early, 7am. Upon waking up I opted, for some reason, to peer out the window... that way I'd have a feel of how many layers I needed to wear.
Welp, upon opening my curtain I had quite the sight. Once again it was white. Snow on the ground, snow falling, wind blowing.
7:15 the soccer director received a phone call. Yes, I had awoken the director for the question that everyone in an hour would be asking .... are the soccer games cancelled? Half and hour later our evaluation of the snow was confirmed. Games were cancelled. That's where Mary Jo and I began calling parents. 7:45 am, most were awake, but some were definitely still in bed... :)
This left us with a new opportunity. Mary Jo, Kiley and I headed to the town. Returning to the house we had 10 movies from the library and one mission: movie marathon. It was cold, dark, and snowy ... blankets, snacks, hot chocolate ... a great day to veg :)
Our first game was at 9am on Saturday. So up and early, 7am. Upon waking up I opted, for some reason, to peer out the window... that way I'd have a feel of how many layers I needed to wear.
Welp, upon opening my curtain I had quite the sight. Once again it was white. Snow on the ground, snow falling, wind blowing.
7:15 the soccer director received a phone call. Yes, I had awoken the director for the question that everyone in an hour would be asking .... are the soccer games cancelled? Half and hour later our evaluation of the snow was confirmed. Games were cancelled. That's where Mary Jo and I began calling parents. 7:45 am, most were awake, but some were definitely still in bed... :)
This left us with a new opportunity. Mary Jo, Kiley and I headed to the town. Returning to the house we had 10 movies from the library and one mission: movie marathon. It was cold, dark, and snowy ... blankets, snacks, hot chocolate ... a great day to veg :)
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Parental Supervision ... Still Needed
I had an amazing weekend with my parents. I'm so blessed that they came out to visit. Arriving Friday afternoon, the whole weekend was full of stories and laughs. They were able to experience my life, my house, and the valley.
Now, I'd love to tell you ALL the stories about what happened... however... it was mentioned, "what happens in the valley, stays in the family."
Well, you see they have stories on me as well .. so if I stayed hushed.. hopefully they will too :)
But I can't leave you with nothing. So, I'll just give you the keys to what happened ... (I'm sure if you ask them about the details...they'll cave in and share!)
- Mom and Dad telling hilarious memory stories to the house (at time they involved manure, animals, or mishaps)
- Setting off the store security alarm .. multiple times. Immediately followed by Dad setting off the rental car's alarm ("supposedly" it was on purpose :) .. )
- Playing a prank on poor Mary Jo ... she ended up wet.
- Ice cream pie, red velvet cake, and a basket full of Easter candy!
- Visiting the Sand Dunes. Sneaking up on a pack of deer ... "o hey mom, by the way.. watch out for snakes." She didn't appreciate that :)
-Driving through the mountain pass during a snow storm. Later finding that the pass was actually closed due to the amount of snow... good thing we made it through! (Mom handled it very well!)
- Trying a new Thai restaurant. Mom's food was a little too hot... watching her eat it caused me to giggle til I nearly spit my food out!
- Driving around with the windows down from the Thai food "leftover" making the car smell.
- Me: "Mom, what city are we in?" Mom: "Pleblow" (aka: Pueblo)
I laughed so much while my parents visited. I can't wait to be around next year and experience them more often!
Well, you see they have stories on me as well .. so if I stayed hushed.. hopefully they will too :)
But I can't leave you with nothing. So, I'll just give you the keys to what happened ... (I'm sure if you ask them about the details...they'll cave in and share!)
- Mom and Dad telling hilarious memory stories to the house (at time they involved manure, animals, or mishaps)
- Setting off the store security alarm .. multiple times. Immediately followed by Dad setting off the rental car's alarm ("supposedly" it was on purpose :) .. )
- Playing a prank on poor Mary Jo ... she ended up wet.
- Ice cream pie, red velvet cake, and a basket full of Easter candy!
- Visiting the Sand Dunes. Sneaking up on a pack of deer ... "o hey mom, by the way.. watch out for snakes." She didn't appreciate that :)
-Driving through the mountain pass during a snow storm. Later finding that the pass was actually closed due to the amount of snow... good thing we made it through! (Mom handled it very well!)
- Trying a new Thai restaurant. Mom's food was a little too hot... watching her eat it caused me to giggle til I nearly spit my food out!
- Driving around with the windows down from the Thai food "leftover" making the car smell.
- Me: "Mom, what city are we in?" Mom: "Pleblow" (aka: Pueblo)
- Shopping trip!
Goal: Running shoes
Result: Running Shoes and Heels :)
Goal: Running shoes
Result: Running Shoes and Heels :)
I laughed so much while my parents visited. I can't wait to be around next year and experience them more often!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Blizzard!
Thursday afternoon the sun slowly moved behind dark gray masses of clouds, which contained the common Indiana enemy ... snow. For the next few hours the ground was touched with snow, rain, snow, hail, and snow. Having a house that consists of mainly mid-westerns, we laughed at the people of the valley in their attempts to drive through the weather. Unfazed by our current atmosphere, we drove to Alice's house for an evening dinner and movie. Our evening was full of laughs, amazing food and birthday celebrations (David's bday). After watching a mockumentary over corn ... which brought both laughter of our corn industry as well as concern for how much corn syrup is in all of our foods.... we ended our evening together.
Coats on, person items collected, goodbyes said... we opened the front door. Immediately things changed. Upon cracking the door open we were blasted with cold air and blowing snow. In the darkness of the night, all that could be seen was white. Snow blowing at such great speeds had created deep drifts and a sky with visibility of mere yards.
Again, being mid-westerns.. we were unfazed. Climbing in the van we began our 7 minute drive home. We all laughed at the current conditions and prepared for a cold ride home. That was until we pulled out of the driveway. Silence stuck as all realized, in sight were no neighbor lights, no ditches, no street signs. Pulling out, we saw no road, only white. We sat in what can only be known as a blizzard. There was an immediate discussion of whether to stay the night or continue on. With determination and rebellion against nature, we began to drive.
Imagine. Flashers blinking. David driving with goals of only staying in the middle of the road. Emmy in the passengers seat, window down, head outside, yelling the position of the van. And then I in the back, studying one side the of road, watching the drifts and the 4 foot drop off (hidden.. but knowingly present).
There was nervousness, giggles, and thoughts of what idiots we truly were proving to be. Ten miles per hour and twenty some minutes later, relief came upon the arrival of what we guessed was our road. We had arrived at home, safe. The night was concluded with Mary Jo and I enjoying a real snowfall. Snow angels were made. Hot chocolate was drank.
A little piece of Indiana in the valley of Colorado.
Coats on, person items collected, goodbyes said... we opened the front door. Immediately things changed. Upon cracking the door open we were blasted with cold air and blowing snow. In the darkness of the night, all that could be seen was white. Snow blowing at such great speeds had created deep drifts and a sky with visibility of mere yards.
Again, being mid-westerns.. we were unfazed. Climbing in the van we began our 7 minute drive home. We all laughed at the current conditions and prepared for a cold ride home. That was until we pulled out of the driveway. Silence stuck as all realized, in sight were no neighbor lights, no ditches, no street signs. Pulling out, we saw no road, only white. We sat in what can only be known as a blizzard. There was an immediate discussion of whether to stay the night or continue on. With determination and rebellion against nature, we began to drive.
Imagine. Flashers blinking. David driving with goals of only staying in the middle of the road. Emmy in the passengers seat, window down, head outside, yelling the position of the van. And then I in the back, studying one side the of road, watching the drifts and the 4 foot drop off (hidden.. but knowingly present).
There was nervousness, giggles, and thoughts of what idiots we truly were proving to be. Ten miles per hour and twenty some minutes later, relief came upon the arrival of what we guessed was our road. We had arrived at home, safe. The night was concluded with Mary Jo and I enjoying a real snowfall. Snow angels were made. Hot chocolate was drank.
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