If the shoe fits.

One time at youth, we were really trying to get the kids engaged in conversation.  This particular week there was only one girl, and nine boys, so getting them to talk was needless to say, difficult.  The youth director looked at one guy and asked "Johnny, what are you thinking about?"

Kicked back, chillin' on the couch, he responded:  "I'm thinking about how my shoes match the walls."

Best part?  The color of the walls (and his shoes). Light purple.

#seniorhighswag

hello my name is....

If you're a teenager, writing just your name on a name tag is never enough.  While we were volunteering recently with kids living in transitional housing, one of my kids took three tags for his first, middle, and last name.

It read:

John Swag Smith

At least we don't have to be concerned about his ego.

20 questions: mission trip style

1) What is your drink of choice?
2) Will you buy me a beer for a million dollars?
3) Are you a virgin?
4) Have you ever smoked?
5) Will you buy me a cigarette?
6) Why don't you have a boyfriend?
7) What are we doing?
8) When do we eat?
9) Can we go to Starbucks?
10) Why can't we go out at night?
11) Can you take us downtown?
12) When can we shower?
13) Do we have to go to devotion?
14) When are we stopping?
15) When are we having lunch?
16) Can I get a two liter?
17) Do we have to go to bed?
18) Can we
19) Do we
20) WHY?

Dear God

Considering it is Holy Week, I thought it was an appropriate time to share a prayer.  This is from a seventh grade boy:

Dear God,

Thank you for the [pause] uhh, Earth.  And the floor and these recliner things.

Everyone started laughing before he got to the Amen.


I appreciate all of those things too. Amen.

don't run with scissors.

So one of the kids at church told us he isn't allowed to use scissors, not even safety scissors in half of his classes at school.  He asked if we thought this was unfair.

Considering how clumsy he is, no.

But then again, he is 14.

Safety first.

sanctuary shenanigans

Today I was with the high school students practicing for next Sunday's worship.  (Yes, Christians like to let youth actually lead worship.  It's usually the best service of the year, maybe with the exception of Christmas and Easter, but does take a lot of behind the scenes work.  Mostly this involves saying "slow down and speak louder" a few hundred times.)

One of the boys was standing behind the pulpit as I was trying to get him to practice a prayer.  He was more fascinated in playing with the bible and looking at stored in the pulpit. He found the chalice, holds it up and says "I found the Holy Grail!"

I'm 100% convinced Sunday will be a success.

count your blessings

Dear God,

Thank you for electricity, water and duct tape.

Amen

Sometimes 8th graders remember the things adults take for granted. 
And sometimes, they just think duct tape is cool. 
But at least they remember to thank the universe for it, whatever it is.