Preparing for Orange

With a small team of people from Oak Leaf church, next week I am heading to the Orange Conference, a kid-ministry extravaganza (www.theorangeconference.com). In addition to an amazing list of speakers and musicians, I'll be attending four breakout groups that will give me specialized information on areas of kids ministry. I am really looking forward to next week.

Before I leave, I'll be sitting down with my husband to create a list to all the comings-and-goings that he'll have to oversee while I am gone. I know he can handle it. He's my Superman. :)

The other thing I am doing before heading to Orange is try to think through what some things I'd like to walk away from it with are. I've picked up a new journal. (I love new journals!) I've begun recording a jumble of thoughts. I am a note-taker, a quote-jotter, and a doodler-while-I listener. I think that half of what I learn from Orange will be later on as I as review and mull through my writings.

Here's a few things I am looking forward to:

• meeting others like me! Admit it, kids ministry volunteers are a little goofy, and I can't wait to bask in the fun.
• the ideas! People from churches of all sizes, budgets, & needs will be there. I hope to hear how they may be adapting 252basics (our curriculum) to their own situations.
• bonding with the others going. Even just the road trip will be an experience! (did I mention I get carsick?)
• making connections with people that I can share ideas with in the future.
• getting away :) Yes, I am excited to sleep in a hotel.
• worship. there is nothing like thousands of voices raised to the heavens in praise! gives me goosebumps just thinking of it.
• growing closer to God. it's so true that we can be inspired and drawn closer to Him through experiences like this.
• sharing stories. we all have them. the kid who got stuck in the movie-theater chair. the child who asked, "who am i really, inside of my heart?". The time i sat in a puddle of who-knows-what and had wet jeans for the rest of the service. The day you watch one of your students get baptized. It's these touching, quirky, spirit-filled moments, that create great stories, and I can't wait to hear them.

I am so blessed to have this opportunity...Yes, I am looking forward to growing at Orange 2010!

Winter comes before Spring

I love the rebirth of the earth during spring, when all becomes new again. It definitely gives way to thoughts about rebirth into something new and how we are made new in Christ.

I've also reflected on the dormant state that much of nature goes into during winter. After the leaves fall and die, the beauty of flowers and trees fades, we are left looking at brown and grayish bare branches, dried grass, and withered flowers.

But what is really going on? On the outside these things look dead and lifeless, but inside where no one can see, they are being renewed and prepared for the next season where their beauty will soon emerge. There are times of life when it feels like nothing beautiful or meaningful is being produced, or when your potential isn't fully used.

But take heart! It is at these times, that God is preparing and renewing you for something great. During this time or dormancy, we must train ourselves in obedience and truth and be still. Patience.

Take joy in the winter, for spring will follow.