My new friend!

I went out this afternoon to my balcony to clean the area up. I just found out that the apartment complex where I live is going to be screening in our balconies, so I needed to move my plants in doors so they could have room to work. It seems like every time I head out to my balcony I find some new little critter out there. This little guy has been out there the past few times. He looks pretty small, but he is actually about 3 inches long from head to rear.
Today though, as I was clearing things up I found out he had a little friend. Maybe a girlfriend? I guess with the balcony being screened in I won't see him anymore, but at least I won't have to worry about the bugs or wasps that are sometimes out there either.

Do you live the game or celebrate the huddle?

I just got back from SonQuest on Sunday. For those that don't know, SonQuest is a weekend retreat for teens from all around Florida. They hold it in Orlando every Labor Day weekend. I enjoy being a chaperone at SonQuest because I am able to get to know the teens from our church a lot better, plus the classes & speakers are really amazing.

All of the classes were wonderful & really made me think, but something one of the speakers said stood out amongst the rest. He made the illustration of our lives compared to a football game. When you watch a football game you see the plays & cheer for the touchdowns, but you never get excited over the huddle. The huddles are the times we regroup & plan for the game. Nobody rushes off to the bathroom & hurries back to watch the huddle. It's all about the game & how it is played. Life is the game, SonQuest is one of the huddles. We need to be careful not to celebrate the huddle. SonQuest, camp, retreats, etc. are great times to get together & build each other up, but how do we live in the time in between?

I saw many students who responded to the message & want to rededicate their lives to Christ. I think it is wonderful, but what if some of them are ones that I have seen do it before? At camp or retreats, these same students come forward & want prayers again & again. They say they are going to change their lives, but as soon as the "huddle" is over they are back to living the same way they had been before. What do you do with them? I want to be there for them, but it frustrates me. How do you teach them to live the game & that the huddle isn't what is important?

I guess right now I just have to focus living my life the way I should be & hope to be an example to the teens & to others around me.

So, do you live the game or celebrate the huddle?

No, not school already!

Ugh!!! School starts back for teachers tomorrow. Where has my summer gone? I miss it already!

Mission Trip

Coming soon ... pictures & information from the mission trip to Sardinia, NY. I am busy trying to get all the photos posted on Facebook & then will try to get the best ones posted here. For now I will leave you with this picture. We stopped in this town on the way back from one of our day trips. Kind of awesome to find a town with my name!