Keeping Busy

It has been awhile since my last post and I know that I have been slacking.

So much is happening though in my world...

1st- We have finally kicked off student ministry at Seacoast Church at James Island!  And what an impact this has already been!  We have seen a lot of students come to be a part of what's going on.  To kick off we beat up a car and already within the first week of having Student Ministry we have already had an all nighter with our Middle Schooler!

2nd- Cyndi and I have been packing.  And when we haven't been packing, we've been thinking of packing.  We are making a shift in our housing, which we are thrilled about!  We are getting a much bigger place for a lot less!

3rd - We are planning on going to Jamaica towards the end of October.  The main reason is to try and setup an appointment to get the process rolling on the adoption of Monicea.  Please pray for us as we are in this process as well as we find the funds both to travel to Jamaica as well as the adoption.

4th- Our friends Matt & Kathy had their baby girl today!! (Okay, Kathy had her...Matt just helped).  Congrats to them!  Got to talk to Matt tonight on the phone and he is pretty stoked!  Matt and Kathy are two of the coolest people and two of the most awesomest parents ever!  

Well, thats about all of my ramblings for this night!

Something I Have Learned

As I sit here reflecting on this past week, I am being drawn to what I experienced on Sunday.

This past Sunday we kicked off a brand new student ministry, and here is the kicker...this is the very first time I have had enough volunteers!  I am not saying we don't need anymore, but I am saying we had a great team to kick off.

As I have been working with my team I have realized a few things:

1. Volunteers are essential!  - Seriously as a body of Believers we have got to give our time and talents to make Jesus known.

2. Volunteers need to be treated as though they matter! - This should be a no brainer. I have experienced a few situations where volunteers were treated as though they HAD to be a part of the ministry and were told HOW to do ministry, WHEN to do it, and weren't given any room for ownership.  Want to be able to keep your programs/ministries running so that you can continue to reach out?  Keep your volunteers involved, growing, and most of all give them ownership!

I love being able to spend time focusing on volunteers and connecting with them, but most of all I am loving watching them serve, grow, and impact a great group of students!

Welcome to the World of Blogging

Our good friend Courtney has joined the blogging world.  And she has already posted two blogs! One is especially good!  Check her out by clicking here.

Going through a Storm

Last night we were graced by the presence of Tropical Storm Hanna.

Honestly, it could have been much worse (especially here in Charleston).  I have been through a couple of Tropical Storms and this one really didn't do much.  Lots of rain, but for the most part I slept through the entire thing.

I did wake up this morning and discover that our tennis court was completely flooded but that it!

As I was preparing for Tropical Storm Hanna a few thoughts about storms in life came to mind and I was reminded that storms do come up.  Stuff happens and when there really is no end in sight, that is when we tend to call upon God.  This last year has been an interesting year for me personally, and spiritually.  I have had a few "storms" come up myself and I have really learned to lean on God through it all.  But more importantly I have been striving to put Jesus as the center of everything...not just the storms!  Hanna was a good reminder to keep striving for this!