Curse You, Ronald McDonald!

It's amazing to me how things change but somethings will always stay the same. For example, seminary started on Thursday and it was the same routine for the first two days; however, when Paige gave his opening chapel message, nearly thirty people came forward during the altar call for various reasons (something usually not seen at our seminary - not since I've been there).

Though seminary has only been in full swing for two days, I'm already burnt out. =/ Luckily, we had a video scavenger hunt this past Saturday and that totally entertained me. For those that don't know, I am the king of video scavenger hunts. I have never taken part in a scavenger hunt that my team didn't win...until now =(

For years I would conduct an annual video scavenger hunt when I was working in youth ministry. It always provided laughs and some subliminal lessons for our youth. The youth would learn boldness when approaching total strangers and accomplishing bizarre tasks. They would also learn that it was alright to be laughed at as everyone laughs together at all their zany antics. I would never join a team claiming my "undefeated team run" would hold true and that any other team trying to beat my team would be futile. On Saturday, August, 20, 2005, the undefeated run came to an end =(

My team lost by a blasted 2,000 points! It was close; however I was hurt. Never in my life did I ever think I'd see the day. Want to know what made it worse? One of the challenges was a classic - kiss/make out with a manequin or statue. By this point I had already dawned a dress, cracked an egg on my head, and already been nominated for chugging a two-liter pepsi and eating cat food. We're at a McDonalds and a Ronald McDonald statue is sitting on a bench. I felt I was already doing enough so I told one of my other team members to give Ronald some love. Though they pretended to kiss Ronald they never really did it. As a result the points didn't count - the points that would have made us win!!!!

It hurt. I was there. Ronald was there, but between Ronald and myself there were no sparks flying that night =P Though funny, odd, and somewhat demented this story actually is, there are some lessons to be learned here. First, don't let pride overcome you. Pride always comes before the fall. Secondly, help people in need. My team needed me at this pivital moment, but, sadly, at the time we didn't realize how truly pivital it was. Lastly, carry good chapstick...because you never know when a statue needs a good ole' fashioned kiss. =P

This Monday marks the first full week of seminary fall term '05. Pray for me as the next two semesters will be the most hectic to date. Take care, be good, and enjoy a McFlurry for me ;)

The Big Hot Apple

Hey everyone! It's been quite some while since the last time I shared with you all, but I've been in New York working hard and playing harder. Not much has happend since the last post other than the trip to NYC that I just got back from. I figured I'd share.

Note to self: NEVER..EVER go to New York in the summer time! I have lived in both Florida and Texas - not too many states can boast hotter climates than those, but NYC in the summer is bar-none miserable. It was hot everywhere we went, inside or outside. When I was sitting in the subway I noticed that I sweated so much that I had a pool of sweat in the heel of my sandle.

Now that my mini-vent is over, New York was great. Overall, it was very fun and enjoyable. Yankee fans are very passionate about their team and it was fun to cheer along with them on Friday night. Like most mission trips, I strengthened old relationships, made new relationships, and came back with many inside jokes that only people from the group would understand (isn't that right, Chopper 5).

The school we worked in was fun, even without the air conditioning. P.S. 48 is indeed the best school in the universe. Being the only 19 white people in the area definitely turned heads and got people asking questions (that and we were also covered in paint half the time). The coolest thing we did was after the last day of work when we prayed over the school.

I talked with the principal of the school, John. He's passionate about his job and just the expression on his face showed me he appreciated us and was very, very proud of his kids (all 1,300+ of them). They were one of the poorest school districts in the US, but with determination and love they are academically one of the best public schools in the area.

I didn't get to meet many of the kids while the work was being done. I can't begin to imagine what they deal with or what struggles they must overcome. Maybe their lives are great, but maybe their lives are rough. Either way, we prayed as a group that the Lord would bless them in their studies, keep them safe, and have our work and the work of others stand as a testimony to show that they are loved - not only by us but by a God who gave them His best.

I also pray that all of you are doing well and staying safe. Take care of yourselves and God bless.