More gushing about my middle school kids....

It seems I use this blog to either tell you about stuff that's coming up with the middle school G.L.O.W. group, or to gush about them. Today I'm going to gush about them. And the great thing is, they probably don't even know what they did particularly today to make me gush about them.

Here's why....

First, I walked in to Breakfast Club this morning and I see 14 fabulous faces, smiling and talking and enjoying each other's company. Then, I look around the room and see two people occupying one chair that they usually fight over. That was very cool! (Since it's such a big chair with plenty of room for two.) So that made me very happy.

Next, when I started talking about who is going to volunteer to entertain our guests at our fundraising dinner, I got soooo many responses. People I didn't expect volunteered to use their talents to make our evening special. That was EXTRA cool. Other people had said they had actually been PRACTICING their performance ON THEIR OWN, without me having to schedule it!! Super cool!

And finally, Elise and Rick came up to me after leading Breakfast Club this morning and told me what a great group of kids they all were. Of course I already knew that, I keep telling people, but it's so nice to hear unsolicited.

I love my job.

When I was at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference a few weeks ago I had a lot of time to reflect on this Middle School Ministry and everything that makes it so great. Of course, the kids are awesome. They try to include people and not say hurtful things to each other. Yes, they slip sometimes, but I know they try and have loving hearts. I also have terrific adult volunteers; Brian, Diana, Elise and Rick (and ALL the other parents that volunteer to drive, chaperone, bake, bring breakfast, get their kids to church on time.....) are indispensable. I couldn't do any of this without the help and support I get from them. And of course, I have to thank God. He put me in this position (through a few small words from Hannah that said, "Mom, you should apply for that job." And I know He is working through EVERYONE involved in this ministry from the youngest to the oldest.

Blessings,

Nancy

Impressed!

How wonderful it was to watch you signing the Lord's prayer at church today. You took it seriously, and did your best. What a wonderful blessing to watch you pray with your hands. Thanks for sharing with the congregation. Yay!

Lent!

A friend of mine posted this as her status on Facebook. I really liked the sentiment and wanted to share it with you.

Happy Lent!

Fast from criticism, feast on praise.
Fast from self-pity, feast on optimism.
Fast from offense, feast on forgiveness.
Fast from pride, feast on humility.
Fast from selfishness, feast on service.
Fast from fear, feast on Faith.
Fast from judgement, feast on compassion.

Walk in Love, and may the joy of the Lord be your strength.

Pictures!

Here are some pictures of things we've done.

Ringing Bells at the Salvation Army

and

Bowling

Enjoy! You can download pictures from this website if you like.

Lock - In

Here's the information about the lock-in:

When is it:
Friday, February 5 at 9:00 PM to Saturday, February 6 at 8:00 AM

What to bring:
a snack to share and drinks for yourself (Energy drinks are NOT allowed)
a sleeping bag, pillow, your bible and a something to write with

We will be working on a mission project for Hope Clinic creating fun bags to give to the kids and bags with personal care items for adults. For the kids' bags, please bring crayons, coloring books, small toys, pencils, activity books - whatever you can think of that a child would like to play with that we can put in a lunch bag sized bag. For the adults' bags, please bring in shampoos, soaps and toiletries in small or sample sizes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other personal care items that will fit in lunch bag-sized bags.

What NOT to bring:
cell phones (you won't need them and texting while at a youth event is a no-no)
a bad attitude (we will have fun, but we'll be doing some lessons, too)

Bring a friend! (but make sure they have a permission form)

Our Growing Ministry

15 People at Breakfast Club two weeks ago! 17 kids at Breakfast Club last week! I am in awe of the wonderful way God is bringing middle schoolers to church. I love when I see you interact, listen to each other, share your faith, ask questions, and participate. I truly see the power of God working in each of you.


We've been practicing signing the Lord's Prayer. I have a tentative date for signing the prayer in church. I am hoping to do it on Sunday, March 7. We will practice at Breakfast Club and at LifeStream. However- you can practice at home too! Here's a link to the video I took of Julia signing it. Watch it. Pause it. Practice it. Do it!

I love you guys,

Nancy

We have a new name! and more pictures!

We have voted! The Geneva middle school youth group is now called G.L.O.W. This can stand for God LIghts Our World or God Lights Our Way or we can make it more active and have it stand for Generating Light in Our World! I guess we might have more voting to do. We'll take a vote on what we want it to say on our new t-shirts this Sunday. I heard lots of support for a firefly as our logo. Any other suggestions?

Let's try to keep referring to our group as G.L.O.W. now, OK? It's going to take a while I think before everyone catches on. The more we use it the easier it will be.


Great turnout everyone for helping the senior highs load up the truck with the donations to Fort Street. We got that entire 17 foot truck filled form top to bottom and front to back in 45 minutes! It would have taken a LOT longer without you. Thanks to everyone who helped, and a special thanks to Billy, who also helped unload the truck on Saturday morning.

Here are some pictures from Friday. Loading up the truck