Changes

So this week has been a week of changes. First it is a big change in the youth group. The main core over the past year has been seniors, and many have now moved away from the area, gone to college, etc. Even those still local have jobs, and well, they've out grown the youth ministry. I'm trying to keep some plugged in in student leadership roles through serving at camp, on a praise team, etc, but the whole face of the youth group has changed. We do have a good core group of kids coming up though. Lots of middle schoolers and 9th graders. These are the kids that are really in my hands, they were too young for youth group when Joe was Youth Ministry here. We had 10 kids yesterday for a fun trip to Thunder Valley for go karts, laser tag, mini golf. Many of them don't normally come to youth group, most because they are young, haven't been, and their parents don't bring them. Hopefully all that can change. It is a plus though, this is a small church, and 10 an event is cool, but I'd love 10 at night for class more. Not just for numbers obviously, but because that is where they learn about Jesus and the Bible, not at Thunder Valley. (of course there are always "your life is a lesson" lessons they learn in community, but you get what I mean).

More changes coming at Edgewood. Senior Minister Larry is has given his letter of resignation, and will be leaving here at the end of Nov after 17 years. The search has begun for a new senior minister. The pulpit committee and leaders are looking, and we'll see where this goes. Til then, all I can do is trust God in the situation, give my opinion when asked, and keep pressing on. I love Larry and wish he and his family the best. He has been a strong pillar in this church, and a great example of a minister with integrity. Our secretary Jean will also be leaving in Nov. She works part time already at a bank, and her daughter is having a baby. She wants to be able to help watch the baby. So at the end of the year I'll be the senior staff member with only a year experience (there is our part time children's minister, but she isn't here for the day to day stuff). I am excited at the change, as we are stuck in our traditional ways in some aspects. (and I don't mean doctrinally, I mean in the "this is the way we've always done it and we fear change cause some people could get upset" attitude). I am not worried. Change comes, it is a part of life. And the good news is I don't have to know what is going to happen. I am not in control, but I know that God is. And he knows what will happen, and I know I can trust in him. Proverbs 3:5,6. So that is what I'm doing.

On the home front Lily started really walking yesterday! She took her first unsure steps a few weeks ago, but has been mostly walking holding on to our hand or fingers. Yesterday that all changed. I came home and she was just walking around the house, not falling at all. They grow up so fast...it seems like just yesterday she was just spitting up brocolli all over herself....oh wait, that was yesterday. Still, she is growing up, and it is adorable to watch.