ministry life.

                 

                
Someone said to me the other day, "Do you miss being in full time ministry?"  I wish I could have seen what my face looked like when they asked that.  People (my sisters) usually tell me that I don't need to say any words, my face always expresses exactly what I'm thinking.

"No I'm not working for a church anymore, but I still consider myself to be in full-time ministry."  To me, that's exactly what I'm doing as a 4th grade teacher.  I have 28 little lives that I get to pour into 35 hours a week.  And I don't take it lightly.

28 lives I get to pray for, speak truth into, love unconditionally, hug, high-5, smile at, listen to, laugh with, teach long-division to, demonstrate good character to, have class parties with, take lunch count for, do brain breaks with, grade tests for, learn patience from, and just be there for.

To me, that's exactly what full-time ministry is all about.  And I'm thankful that's exactly what I get to do every day of the work week.

last week

I love the summer.  I love all the activities and clothes and food & drinks that go along with it...the beach, BBQ's, pool parties, tank tops, flip flops, ice tea...this is definitely my favorite season.

It's also my favorite because of my job.  Ministry is busiest (for me) during the summer...promotion, 5th grade send off, camp, Summer Blast (VBS)....oh yes...Summer Blast.  That is how my week was spent last week.  Well, actually the last 6 or 7 weeks have been spent on it....but last week we DID it.

1,500+ kids, 500+ volunteers, 5 days, 141 salvations (the best part), and $9,450 raised for our missionary.  It was a rad week.....

2:00am...6 hours before the kids begin to arrive...stage set

7:00am soundcheck...1 hour before the kids arrive

our staff

I mean...our crazy staff...we're all just big kids

missions time...our missionary of the week was our very own Danielle...a bittersweet time as we prepare to send her off to Kenya...tomorrow!!

we told the kids that if they could raise $8,000 for Danielle, Miss, Jane, Miss Danielle, and I would get SLIMED on Friday.

Claire worshiping with the early childhood kids.  She LOVED Summer Blast!

Glow Stick Simon Game in the Worship Center...it was awesome!!

slime prep....just in case the kids bring in the money!! :)

ok...so they did....in fact, well over $8,000...almost $9,500!!

I got slimed too!!

post-sliming

Seriously...I can't believe that after all that planning it's over.  BUT it was a fantastic week!!  God showed up...BIG TIME!!  Not that I doubted He would....but it's pretty miraculous to get to experience it first hand.

You can follow Danielle's journey to Kenya here .