SHYG

Christ Church Lake Forest, about 10 minutes from campus
CCLF campus, isn't it pretty? i think so too.
the new senior high youth group facility



at the conclusion of our Chicago Eagles camp in Wisconsin, the entire academy re-grouped at a fire-pit in the backyard of one of the home-stays for a time of fellowship and worship where we shared the events of our past couple weeks and our how God was moving in our hearts. The father of the house, Brad, shared his testimony about his involvement with discipling young men out of his home. He challenged us to invest ourselves specifically in the lives of high school aged kids when the summer concluded and we returned to the college routine. I entertained the idea for maybe no longer than that evening.

when the summer was wrapping up I had a meeting with the director, Rick. it was a time of evaluation and reflection - a "so what, now what?" conversation... so what: I witnessed Christ impact communities in Germany and several hundred children in the Midwest and handfuls of opponents and spectators during matches. now what??: how am i going to make a difference in my college program? i left satisfied with the idea that @ TIU i would be surrounded by incredible young women of God who strive to glorify Him in all that they say and do AND under leadership who actively exemplify Christ in how they coach. i love it here. i'm comfortable. i'm constantly being fed. BUT I'M NOT SERVING. the annoying chicago eagles summer phrase became a jingle playing over and over in my head, "GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE."

This morning's service was focused on celebrating missions through several presentations. at the conclusion, the Pastor challenged each member of the congregation to serve on a missions trip at least once in their lifetime. i thought, "hey, im set FOR LIFE" - jp. really though, i was feeling pretty good about myself, just freshly returning from the mission field. he continued... then he challenged each of us to serve in the church, to SERVE WHERE WE ARE KNOWN, among our peers. He explained that it is far more difficult a task to be a light for Christ to the familiar than it is in another country. wow. i immediately thought of Brad's words, about his challenge to us to mentor high schoolers.

before i knew it i met Syler, CCLF's youth pastor. I attended a 'potential/current youth leader meeting' for SHYG (pronounced 'shig'). you guessed it, Serena and I are going to be small group leaders for high school aged girls. heck yeah man!! pray for me =).

Serena's car was shipped to her this morning FREEEEEEEEEEDOOOOOOOM. so we went to Walmart =). I dropped a ton of money ON THE WRONG CREDIT CARD. hopefully i didn't do too much damage =). we'll see.

hungry? why wait? grab some Trader Joe's banana chips and dip them in a Melton peanut butter single serving cup AND YOU CAN'T GO WRONG! thanks mom for the care-package!

melton is the TIU cafeteria. it's pretty bad. alright, i shouldn't talk it up so much IT'S HORRIBLE.