Tired from the retreat. We got back at around 2:30PM this afternoon. I had to take the Portland kids back, so I ended up staying for church at Corinth. Since my Beetle didn’t have room for everyone’s luggage, I borrowed the church van to take them back. I was slightly worried that they might be one van short should there be any activities being done after church at MJ tonight. I tried calling Phil, our youth minister’s phone several times, but got no answer. In any case I’m not worried about it. The worst thing that could have happened is some people might have been inconvenienced had might have had to drive their cars somewhere. I doubt as though the van was being used. Sometimes it’s easier to beg forgiveness than ask permssion.
The kids from Portland seemed to have a good time. I’m not sure how well they meshed with the other MJ and Lebanon Road people. Although some of the kids seemed to be friendly toward them. The capture the flag game Friday night was a good ice-breaker for everyone.
We did play that string game Saturday night. Everyone sits around in a circle and passes a string from one end to another. While doing so, they say a good reason why they are passing their string to this person. It was meant to be a bonding experience. What it turned out was that no one could hear what other people were saying. Much of it was predictable. Best friends passed it to each other, while lesser knowns were left to fend for themselves until the very end when someone felt sorry for them and sent them the string. It’s better to play in a smaller group….and with less predictable outcomes.
I’ll be the first one to admit that I don’t know the high schoolers all that well. I was never really good friends with them. It’s also hard to determine if the attitude they show is sometimes just for show or if they really feel that way. The way that I feel as though I am making a difference is getting to know these middle-schoolers. They are a good group of kids. I have forgotten what is like to have fun without having the worries of work and everyday stress to bring you down. These kids taught me that, without even knowing they were teaching me. It is amazing how it makes me feel to know that there are people out there who think I’m good at what I do – which is a complement I would never be able to tell myself.
I am trying to put together a computer slideshow of the 300+ digital pictures I took. I can put background music to it. I was thinking about using “Why Can’t We Be Friends.” However there is a lyric in the song that says “I remember when you drank my wine.” So I think I will have to edit out that part before anyone at church is offended by it. Otherwise it works really well in the slideshow.
I don’t have much to look forward to during the coming months. These retreats that I went on were the highlight of the fall. Otherwise there isn’t much to do, except back to the grind of trying to find a job.