Then. We. Made. It.

OKAY. So story. After attending Leo's grad ceremony (more like dragging a certain someone along!!!), we were then on our way to our one and only grad party of the day. We didn't even look up the address, as this person was rather certain they knew where it was. We pull into the driveway, realizing that there is no room to park. Then, we eventually try the "buggie stop" portion of the road directly in front of the neighbor's place... who was outside. My "passenger" pointed out to me that it looked like no one was home, which was odd, because the party was scheduled to start 15 min before we got there. We decided that they must have been running late, along with the "creeper white van" with the rest of the summer staff in it -- we had managed to escape that one for the day. After jamming out to some J.BEIBS, things were starting to feel a tad shady, so we made a few dials. A call to kelley-guy: no answer. A call to kelly-girl: no answer. This was not good, we thought. Maybe the party was at a park or something! Before things got too panicky, we made another call to our famous captain fun: again no answer. As I hang up my cell, I hear a rumbling and look out my back window. It's captain fun on his moto -- better timing, i think not. As he zooms by, I start shuffling things around, trying to follow the lead. The car was off, but in reverse, so I couldn't start it... ahhh!! I was losing time! Finally.... on the road... I caught up, at this point chippy is dying laughing at me -- certainly not over a laughing matter. at all. We're starting to feel good, about finally being on track, and moto boy starts turning around and shaking his head. What!!! Haha, this was just crazy. Okay, so we then turned around, maybe this time for like the seventh time, and then. we. made. it. whew. what an afternoon, I should say! :)

Sheep, Wolves, Snakes, Doves

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

-Matthew 10:16

God, grant me an eternal perspective on where you've currently placed me, and over the work that I am doing, and relationships I'm building.

Hold On Tight... Literally.

Hold on tight! Literally... is what I had to do, but it's also what you might need to do as you prepare yourself for reading this. Today has marked a great day of history in my life. (I'm trying to build this up... so just go with it!) I have been waiting for this day for countless years... and well, now it's one of those "i can never say i've never done it, ever again..." things.

Today marked the day of my very-first motorcycle ride ever. To those of you who own a moto, or wish that you did, you can rejoice with me, and well, for all of you who don't have one and are proud to say it, well you can rest knowing that I am still in one piece. I did learn something though: next time I will be wearing sunglasses. I guess I underestimated, or just didn't estimate at all, the whole "wind" aspect of not being in a car.

As for now, I'll work on getting a pic of me "behind the wheel" so-to-speak -- wouldn't that be quite the sight!

Amish In The Light?

Hey gang,

So right now I'm just chillin' on my day off catching some rays on my back porch :) It sure is quite a beautiful day. This past week has been great -- can't believe it's already coming up on week three for me here at Grabill. 

Funny story of the week: Wednesday night at youth we had what was called "Prayer Night." It was just a time of prayer through thanks, break-off groups, reflection, etc. and praise through song. During the small group time, I was with about six or seven jr. high girls. The way we had the night set up, was we'd have "prayer intervals" of about 5min each for different specific topics (our summer theme of servanthood/mission trip, the process of hiring a new associate youth pastor, our community and church, and the world). During our prayer time for the world, our MC for the night, Heath, mentioned that he couldn't recall ever praying for an Amish person, especially with there being quite the Amish population here in Grabill. He suggested that we pray that the Amish would see the light. One of the girls in my group then prayed, "I'm not sure if that was supposed to be a pun, so God, I pray for the Amish, that they'd see the light, whether that means You're light, or... electricity." I thought that was SO cute!!!

Now that I finally have some pics of Grabill's fantastic summer staff team... let me introduce you to these folks I have to put up with... uhh, I mean... get to work with :) 

Who's this stranger?! Oh... this is me :)

Courtney, more commonly known as Chip-Chap. She's pretty sweet, actually super awesome. Yesterday we had our fair share of splendid moments ranging from biking to work together, to spilling the grounds on the carpet and not reading a VERY important sign when it came to her teaching me how to brew a pot of coffee :) Grabill is actually her home church, as she lives just down the road with her family, and she loves to run, and does Track when she's at school.

This would be Heath, whose real name is Dustin... but also goes by Number Six. My curiosity kept persisting after being told that it was a "long story" -- now I can attest to it being the truth. But basically, apparently in the Bible, the #6 has something to with "being manly, or a man -- in a rebellious sense." Heath is a great asset to our team, with a very determined, "get 'er done" persona, and he loves to go for rides on his new "lightening-bolt" motorcycle. He also enlightened our team to what might be one of my "top-favorite" words right now: brouhaha. Look it up!

Lastly, but surely not least, this is Joey -- the only one of us hooligans who does not go to Bethel. He is from not too far away himself, just more downtown in The Fort. Joey has known Kelley-guy, the youth pastor, for years, and actually was part of his wedding, so they go back pretty far. He has the hook-ups for creating a pretty sweet t-shirt design, and also likes to cook, or more specifically "grill out" -- SO... he has been knighted as GrillMaster for our Summer KickOff in just over a week. 

Well, looks like that's all for now, folks. Keep prayin' for us -- it means so much, and we need it!!!

Case