Loving Every Minute

Today has been great! Met lots of online friends in the flesh. It’s always an adventure to see if people are really like you imagine them when you interact online.

The 1st general session was amazing. I’m psyched that Starfield is leading worship a couple more times this weekend. The worship was really moving. Caught me a little off guard with it’s depth. The speaker – Mike Pilavachi was fantastic too. Really spoke to our weary hearts.

I went to part of the seminar “Feeding Frenzy” but I ducked out half way through. Hey, I’m allowed. No expectations. That’s one of the great things about NYWC.

I heard some great information today in regards to my ministry but I was hit with a realization during worship that has to do with my own condition … as I teared up during Starfield’s first song, it became clear: I am carrying way too much right now.

I don’t think you really know how much you are carrying until you try to put it down.

Praying that I can put it down – all of it – and leave it behind as I move forward. Praying that I can come out of these days away with a peaceful heart.

Increased knowledge of youth ministry stuff is a guarantee and I will benefit from it.

But what I really need is a quieting of my soul.

Lord, hear my prayer and answer my cry.

Well, we made it. It was a gorgeous day for a roadtrip.  Sunshine and dry roads all the way here.

Haven’t been able to check in to the hotel yet (some problem with the reservation) but I trust that will be resolved soon and I’ll be able to get this party started. (and by party I mean ‘fun time’ not ‘let’s go drinking’ — just for clarification)  

Stay tuned.

Ever play that telephone game when you were a kid? Where someone whispers something and then everyone passes it along around the circle until the last person says it out loud … and it’s hardly ever even CLOSE to what the first person said.

A grown-up version happened at my church today. On Sunday the pastor requested prayer for me this week while I travel to and attend the National Youthworkers Convention in Pittsburgh. He said “They’re in seminars all day and they party all night – she’ll be exhausted and inspired when she gets back”

OK. That’s true. So far so good.

Somehow between Sunday and today the message changed. Today in corporate prayer our prayer chair prayed for my trip and said ” Lord, bless Sara while she’s at the convention. Pastor Wayne said on Sunday that they play all day and drink all night…”

Um, what?

Today was an adventure. All days are. But today was one that I didn’t see coming. I should have. It seems like everyone else could have predicted what happened today. But I was shocked. Which, sadly, is not uncommon for me.

I decided to invest in a backpack with a laptop section in it for my trip to Pittsburgh next week. I’ve been wanting one for a while. Decided this was a good time to get one. My destination … Target. About a half hour from home.

Around the 15 minute mark I heard a strange noise (over my loud radio). I switched the radio off and realized instantly that what I was hearing was my muffler… dragging on the ground.  At this point I was on the highway, going about 65. I immediately slowed down and pulled as far onto the shoulder as possible.

A stereotypical ‘girl’ might have called someone.  Never crossed my mind. Not because I’m better than other girls. But because I’m an idiot – who never asks for help.

If ONLY I had a metal hanger in my trunk. I did not.

Another crazy thing about my past that came in handy today: I have a lot of experience in community theater. When you work in small town community theater you learn how to make anything out of anything.

I had several citronella candles in my trunk…

I took the handles off all the candles and made a daisy chain (manly, I know).

Next obstacle: My car is so rusty that I couldn’t find anything to wire the muffler TO.

Now, another important ’stage setting’ fact about this adventure is that I was somewhat dressed up. I had just come from the office. So I’m on the side of the highway with my flashers on, half underneath my car.

No one stops to help. They must have known just by looking at me that I had everything under control (or something).

Eventually I found a solid spot to wrap the candle handle daisy chain around.  Not the ideal repair job but enough to get me to the next exit and a service station where they proceeded to show me how rotted the exhaust was and pull the muffler off. Cost me $25.00 in labor.

I could have pulled the muffler off myself – FOR FREE!

… and I wouldn’t have stains on my new dress pants.

But hey, if life was always predictable and never challenging I would be REALLY bored.

So I’ll take it.

And thank God that I am physically able to climb under my car on the side of the road

… and that it wasn’t snowing.

(and I may try to get a patent on the ‘candle handle daisy chain’)