Student Leadership Retreat

Student Leadership Retreat is something Crosstown has done for I think 6 years now. I loved the preparation and the thoughts behind this retreat as this is were my ministry heart is, training and teaching believers that want it.

The students didn't know where we were going and worked it out when we were pretty much there! It was an amazing week. We did all sorts. Our theme was, The Amazing Race, and on two days we did a race with the students. It was intense!

What a day Friday was though. We hiked for about 16 hours and 20 miles, minimum. We hiked up half dome. It was crazy, but so well worth it. 8000 feet high, thats a lot of walking, I sure felt it and pretty much died on the way down. I wasn't feeling all that good the night before, but clearly I still went. Well I didn't eat too much because of how I was feeling, foolish I know. And on the way down, on a nice straight path, I zoned out and fell to my left and hit the deck. That sure woke me up!

Well I made it down, after sun down in the dark and enjoyed somewhat a nice warmish shower.

The pictures really do speak for themselves. Look out for me on the diving board on the top of Half Dome, it's a ledge stick off the edge of the Dome, looking down 8000 feet.

Also another high light was doing the communication, team building activity of Lego Man :)

Acts just Stirs

Awhile back I started meeting with Pastor Mick Andrews. I first I didn't know what to think other than I wanted an older man to be my mentor. He is over 65, so my first requirement was achieved! I am a strong believer of discipleship and mentoring people, because the Bible is so clear about it. Jesus clearly talked about it as did Timothy and Titus. So to speak to P. Mick about him meeting with once a week and mentoring with me, and having him say yes, with no doubt brought joy to me. Not realizing what I was starting when I had the conversation with him. With it being about 6 months, I never want to miss a 9 am Wednesday morning Mick & Stu time. To have someone to talk to, share with, ask advice and receive such care, love and interest back, with along with his humility and openness too, why would I want to miss a 9 am Wednesday? The thing I love the most about P. Mick is the support I get from him. His desire to see me continue on my path with the LORD and see what the LORD is working and doing in my life now and in the future achieved. To have that support with correction is possibly one of the best friendships anyone can have.

Going back a few months now we started going through the book of Acts, or known more descriptive as the Acts of the Apostles, I have it written in my Bible as that to remind me what this book is talking about. We are just about to go into chapter 6. And reading and talking through Acts with P. Mick has brought me accountability to be reading my Bible daily in preparation for Wednesday 9 am each week. I will be honest and share that I struggled at the start and would read the night before or the morning before I headed to church, but now I am in a place were I am reading consistently and near enough each day. Acts is the book I am using to go through and my time personally with Jesus, and having that opportunity to reflect on the verses we read each week with P. Mick on Wednesday. That time is so important due to fellowship, but also the taking in of the verses that we read and the teaching that can spring from that, just makes me walk away filled with joy rising high from the Holy Spirit within me. I am so strongly felt towards teaching and training believers, that Acts is used greatly by God to stir up in me this feeling were I am on edge and raging to go. Every opportunity like the Apostles and others mentioned in Acts, do I wan to be like that sharing Jesus and preaching and teaching His name and spreading His teaching. There is nothing more I want, after just simply surrendering and following Jesus, is to teach what the Bible says.

I share this as my heart is so heavy for this. And Acts, because that is what God is using primarily to speak to me through His Word. I love Pastor Mick and I encourage you to seek mentorship and discipleship wherever you may be or may go.

KiDz

Probably back in May we started sign ups in the Youth Group for students to be involved this summer in serving our church. Two of them were Vacation Bible School (VBS) and Music Camp. I signed up for VBS, because I had no doubt in my mind that I love kids and I wanted to share Jesus' Life with them. So I told Loretta the director that I wanted to be involved. She asked me in what capacity and doing what? I said I am not sure, just wherever you need me. Following that conversation maybe 2 weeks later or a little over, all so fuzzy now, she said to me, does a class leader sound good? I was like wooooo, leader a class/grade? "Yeah!" Loretta responded, "that okay?" I was like sure, just didn't expect that kind of role. So June came along and there I was leading my class. Was such a beautiful experience. I connected with the kids, shared Jesus, saw the Holy Spirit at work and had fun with my volunteers and the kids involved.

Was a very joyous event to be apart of and I wanted to share with you a picture of Brain Stewart, one of my kids in my class. He is beyond cool, as you can tell from his Mo-Hawk!

In the build up to VBS, and having no thought at all of being apart of Music Camp, since I am not that overly musical, I didn't see it being a fit for me, until Jeanette came up to me in the office and asked me to be a part by using my tech skills to teach the kids about slideshows and movies. So I asked for the dates and said I could only until the Thursday because a trip planned down to San Diego to see the coolest people on Earth after Adam and Eve! Jeanette was cool with that, so I agreed. So in July I was able to share Jesus again with another bunch of kids, just as wild and crazy. This time as overseer I had two classes. I want to share a picture I took on my phone of my first class. The quieter of the two, but defiantly not like a sleeping baby!

I had this photo as my screensaver on my phone for a while to be reminded of them and to pray for them. But also to have child like faith. The faith that takes trust in words that say "jump, come follow me. I will catch you and lead you." Kids are amazing to observe and spend time with. So much to learn from and so much fun to be had with them.

I just enjoy loving on kids and being loved back.