truth from a kid

So to connect with kids.... we are on facebook, phones, texting, and g-chatting... I came across this on one of my campaigner girl's facebook- on 30 random things about herself.  Caught me off guard and was encouraged and blessed- thanks K.

5. i go to young life, and i love it. and i dont care if you think its a joke. i enjoy it.

25. i love God. i try to live my life to glorify Him. but i fail at that most of the time, it's hard. but i'm working on it and i'm working on my relationship with Him.

10 minutes

You don't think 10 minutes matter, but they do.  I go up to LSN high school for 10 minutes almost everyday.  I stand in the lobby after the bell and talk with kids I know and meet others I don't know- aka- contact work.  Last week- I missed going on Thursday.  Thought no big deal (nbd-text language) and I didn't go, I made other plans.  I was missed.  I got 4 text messages asking, "Where are you?"  Kids want constants in their life.  We go I read a study that stated an adolescent needs 5 adults in their life during those years to shape them to whom they are created to be...I wanna be one of those and so does every YL leader. 

Hit by a log...

Was in Wichita...and this will probably my most random post but here goes: An old man blocked off half of the road to cut up some tree to make firewood.  He just stuck out two saw-horses and I guess thought that would close the main road in front of his house down so he could work.
Well I was following my friend Nicole, and she just went around the baracade slowly so I proceed to do the same.  Well Mr. Grumpy Pants gets in front of my car and starts screaming at me.. "What are you doing (add curse words) can't you see I am blocking the road, you are going to hurt your car driving over these branches."  I only had seen some twigs, all the main logs and tree branches were by the blocked off part.  So I realize Mr. Grumpy needs me to move.  So after he yells at me for me possibly hurting my car, he get this... throws a LOG at my car!!!  Seriously.  Fight or flight.  Well I was so calm and went out and hugged him and told him about Jesus and he had me in for coffee.  Just kidding.

Uhm in my defense here is what has happened... He:  1. tells me I'm gonna hurt my car.  2.  curses at me  3.  then actually throws a log at my car.  So I jumped out of the car and screamed something like, "What are you doing?  You just through a log at my car!!!  You are crazy!"  He tells me to prove the damage and cusses me until I back up down the street to find a new route.  What would you do if that happened?  I couldn't believe I jumped out and yelled at him, but it happened.  Not my proudest moment... but was hit by a log.

Meanwhile, Nicole called the police and they came and he yelled at them and the police asked what I wanted and being a previous 3rd grade teacher for 10 years I said, "I would like him to say sorry b/c he hurt me feelings."  I was partially kidding but honestly wanting that.  Bizarre world... a problem happens in a 3rd grade classroom and we figure out what happened make them own up to their mistakes and say sorry.  Real life, real world... people throw logs and then call the cops and then yell at the cops and I just think wow, life was easier in 3rd grade. 

Verse of the day...

Each day I send a mass text to YL kids, friends, and family of the verse of the day.  Maybe it's the only time they read the Bible... but what it has done is given me a reminder I need the Word and I need it in my life.  So verse of the day:
1 John 5:11-12
God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has life.

Translation by T- I am more thankful today than yesterday.  I have life in Him period.  I am allowing Him in every part of my story. 

I'm Thankful for...

• having a job that is my total passion
• high top shoes
• YL kids that I can share life with
• text messages that wake me up from a YL kids (Laura) saying, "I wouldn't know what I would do without you.  You have impacted my life so much.  I am thankful for you."
• an amazing family and group of friends
• for my best friend, who I have watched unfold in beauty as she has accepted Christ 7 years ago say, "I was your first YL kid."
• my twin sister
• my caring, always learning husband
• my YL committee that knows me and loves me and is my foundations
• Skip-Bo with the family
• friends all over the world- Brills, Hirsts, Beyers, Thai friends!!, Amy
• YL kids opening up and sharing their heart and wanting Jesus
• emails from my dad that say...
  
  Hi Tracee

  found a quote from my devotional thought you would like..."Unless a life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile"    Mother Teresa

  Proud of you,

  Love Dad

   

   

  
  

Word to Build a Life On... by Mike Crawford

our last campaigners with YL (JR/SR) girls we listened to these amazing lyrics and asked what is God trying to tell you?  so i ask you... do you consider yourself blessed?  are these your words?  how does this apply to your life?

These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine

Blessed are the poor
Blessed are the weak
Blessed are the ones
Who can barely speak

Blessed in your hurt
Blessed in your pain
Blessed when your teardrops
Are falling down like rain

Blessed when you’re broken
Blessed when you’re blind
Blessed when you’re fragile
When you have lost your mind

Blessed when you’re desperate
Blessed when you’re scared
Blessed when you’re lonely
Blessed when you’ve failed

Blessed when you’re beat up
Blessed when you’re bruised
Blessed when you’re tore down
Blessed when you’re used

These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine

Blessed when you’re heart broke
Blessed when you’re fired
Blessed when you’re choked up
Blessed when you’re tired

Blessed when the plans
That you so carefully laid
End up in the junkyard
With all the trash you made

Blessed when you feel like
Giving up the ghost
Blessed when your loved ones
Are the ones who hurt you most

Blessed when you lose your
Own identity
Then blessed when you find it
And it has been redeemed

Blessed when you see what
Your friends can never be
Blessed with your eyes closed
Then blessed you see Me

These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine

Blessed when you’re hungry
Blessed when you thirst
Cause that’s when you will eat of
The bread that matters most

Blessed when you’re put down
Because of me you’re dissed
Because of me you’re kicked out
They take you off their list

You know you’re on the mark
You know you’ve got it right
You are to be my salt
You are to be my light

So bring out all the flavor
In the feast of this My world
And light up all the colors
Let the banner be unfurled

Shout it from the rooftops
Let the trumpets ring
Sing your freaking lungs out
Jesus Christ is King!

Jesus is my Savior
Jesus is divine
Jesus is my answer
Jesus is my life

These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine

Give us ears that we may hear them
voice that we may sing them
life that we may live them
hope that we may give them
hearts that we can feel them
eyes that we can see them
thoughts that we may think them
tongues that we may speak Your words

These are Your words I want them to be mine

Blessed are the poor
Blessed are the weak
Blessed are the ones
Who can barely speak

Blessed in your hurt
Blessed in your pain
Blessed when your teardrops
Are falling down like rain

YL Video

This is us... YL.  Greater things are yet to be done in this city.  Watch this video and see...

http://vimeo.com/17132468