Derelict Theology

Well faithful blog readers, it’s true, I’m going on yet another trip, thankfully my last of the summer.  Starting today, I’ll be gone through the next Friday to Johnson City, TN on mission trip with my church.  We’re going to be partnering with Southside Baptist Church there to do some renovations to the church and a mission house that they’ve been donated, and we’re also going to be doing VBS at night, after we work all day!  It’s going to be a long, tough week, so your prayers are appreciated.  I’m not going to be able to update all week long like I did at Centri-Kid, I don’t think, so I hope you have a great one.  There will be pics when I get back!

And, before we knew it, camp was over.  We came home today, but not before a stop a Chuck E. Cheese for some pizza and games.  We had a pretty good time at camp, and I’m ready to go back next year.  Check out our final moments of camp, and for Pete’s sake, leave some comments!

Welcome to Organized Mass Chaos, or O.M.C. as it’s referred to at camp.  It’s really just an excuse to run around like a madman and slap paint all over yourself.  Fun times.

Those aren’t toilet seats, they are onion rings.  Yep.  Believe it.

Sibling rivalry gets put to the side as O.M.C. rages on.

I don’t know what I was saying here, but I’m sure it was pretty important.

More tomorrow!

Yesterday was a good, but hot day.  Lots of sweating was done.  All the kids are having a great time.  The adult chaperones destroyed the staff in a best of 3 volleyball match.  Most of the kids are getting tired though, as evidenced by my guys sleeping past 6 o’ clock this morning.  We’re about to head to breakfast, but I thought you might want to see some more pics, so here they are!

Allissa loves camp!

I don’t think Erin was happy that I was taking her picture.

This was right before Anna did a cheer about tater tots.  Crazy kids. :)

Ben lifts weights.

David recreates a famous statue.  Right after this, smoke started rolling out of his ears.  I think he tried too hard. :)

This is The Spot.  Our kids meet there every day to be taken to their track times.  Much excitement is found at The Spot.

Deanna and Abby pause for a pic before heading off to track times.

Anderson got the close up treatment.

Aranda didn’t know I was going to take this picture.  Can you tell?

The pool has been a big attraction, and yesterday our boys enjoyed swimming.  This is Canon.

I know what you’re thinking.  And yes, we can possibly be that cute.  Don’t stare at the ugly fat guy in the back though, just concentrate on the beautiful woman up front.

Excitement + lack of sleep + hair ties = crazy hair party time!

More tomorrow!

Here we are at scenic Lambuth University in Jackson, TN.  One word can describe our week so far: HOT.  These past two days have been scorchers and we have been sweatin’ it up.  But, camp is good and we’re having a blast.  Below, you’ll find some pictures from camp, thanks to our handy-dandy cyber technology…(basically Lambuth has free broadband internet and my laptop works just fine.)  I hope you enjoy! 

This is David being David.  Nuff said. 

Bailey is unsure about what to eat for dinner.

“Hey Anderson, do you smell something funny?”

The guys. (plus Anderson)

The girls (well, some of them.)

John and Ben enjoy recreation.

Mycaela plays with the largest tangerine in the world.

Deanna is having a great time.

Abby and Hannah didn’t know I was taking this photo.

Here, Abby, Darby, Mycaela, and Canon ponder how to construct a giant drink cup out of pool noodles and duct tape. 

Meet: Giant Fizzy!  We didn’t win the contest, but we sure had a blast making him!

We love beef jerky!!!!!  Fo’ sure!

Today I leave for Centri-Kid with my children’s ministry group.  15 kids, and 3 adults are going to be at Lambuth University in Jackson, TN for a week of camp.  I love Centri-Kid but I find myself going into this year’s camp a little frustrated.  The number of kids we’re taking is the lowest number of kids we’ve ever taken to camp, along with the lowest number of chaperones.  I know for a fact that several parents have opted to send their kids to another camp this year because they don’t like the facilities at this camp we’re going to.  And, on top of that, I still haven’t been able to get my license for the new church bus, which means we have to take the old, stinky church van to camp.  I guess I’m not just frustrated but discouraged. 

 When I was called to FBC, I was called as Minister to Children AND Youth.  Sometimes I find that I’m doing a whole lot more with the youth group than I am the children’s ministry, and I hate that.  My education lies in the area of youth ministry, my main ministry passion is youth ministry, and my calling is youth ministry…and a lot of times I feel like I just give my seconds to our children’s ministry.   Thing is, I feel like I try pretty hard, and that I plan good events…it just seems like people don’t like the things I’m doing.  It does hurt when people don’t want to go to events and tell me that they are sending their kids to other churches because of it.  I know I shouldn’t take it personally but a lot of times I do because I feel like I put all of who I am into my work with the church, and honestly I don’t think that’s a bad thing.  I wish we had enough people going to our church so that the youth and children’s minister’s job could be split, and they could have a more dedicated children’s minister, because that’s what they deserve. 

I just feel like people don’t give me a lot of credit when it comes to the things we do and that it’s ok to put our ministry down or not participate, but in the end all it does it make me more discouraged.  For every time I feel like I’m doing good with the youth, we have children’s event on the other hand that only brings in about 4-6 kids.  I guess I wish that people would take me more seriously sometimes and that they would participate in more of our events with the kids, that’s all.

 But, it’s time to finish packing, according to my wife.  Leave some comments, readers, I’ll be able to check them this week!