The Gospel of Sumo Suits.

Last night at the Arlington Free Methodist Youth Group was my first encounter with those pre-fab sumo suits. I took on a 15-year-old (a very energetic 15-year-old, mind you) who completely kicked my butt. Pastor Nathan told me it was not a very "dynamic" performance.

I did however, rock it out on on DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) on PlayStation2. I thought I was pretty good at the second level, only, I got a little behind and the game booed me off. That was discouraging.

I took one of my unchurched girls with me, and before we left, an AFM Youth Group girl ran up to her, gave her a big hug and asked, "You had fun, right?! So we'll see you next week!" That would be my prayer...

Spirit Week.

It's Homecoming Week at AHS. I forgot that today was Hawaiian Day (sorry, Janelle). Fortunately, the kind AHS secretary, Deana, allowed me to borrow a plastic lei, so I could blend in with all the cool kids.

Thursday is 80's day, and all the kids are pulling out their crimpers and leg warmers. Candace and Amy want me to go thrift store shopping with them tomorrow. I say, "well, like, totally!"

If you have a favorite 80's memory, you should post it, for the general populace to read and reflect. I think my favorite 80's toys were my Optimus Prime Transformer and my battery-powered Voltron.

Sundays at the Donnelson's.

Every Sunday night, there's a YD-sponsored home group Bible Study at the Donnelson's. There are about 30 kids who regularly attend, and I've been going the past few weeks just to meet more kids to network from. (Most of these kids attend the Donnelson's church and are already plugged in, but the Bible Study still has a very open/evangelistic feel.)

Last night, I stayed upstairs with the freshman/sophomore group and participated in the discussion led by a YD volunteer. It's definitely difficult for me to sit back and NOT lead, but I definitely don't want to be interfering with the integrity of an established group that doesn't need my interference.

I talked to four of the girls that were there last night, all of whom are Christians and all of whom have a church home. I encouraged them to come to Monday nights at my apartment as a ministry opportunity, since I have two girls right now who have no church home at all. The girls seemed excited about this, and it would be great to help them develop good leadership by building relationships with my Monday girls.

So, hopefully, we'll see one or two of them tonight! It think that would be just stellar. Kids reaching kids with the gospel.

BTW

insurance company just called. all is clear for chiropractic bills! Hurrah! Will not have to refinance mortgage to pay for curvy spine (wait....do not have mortgage...)

Heather-modo.

Months ago, I asked everyone to pray for my nose, and suddenly all was well--and it wasn't broken.

Well, now my neck and back are KILLING me (all related to the same car wreck in June). I'm going to the chiropractor this afternoon, but I'm a bit worried about getting it all worked out with the insurance (having cancelled the insurance with the claim and now having a pre-existing claim for my new health insurance)...although at this point it doesn't matter, because I have to go to the Chiropractor or I will become a bed-ridden 23-year-old hunchback.

Please pray that I do not become a hunchback, and that the insurance companies are benevolent.

Students outside Arlington High School praying during "See You at the Pole." The AHS building opened in Fall 2003, and it's HUGE. 

Here's me in my most frequently visited spot--my desk in the office. Please take special note of my pretty fridge and the "brown sugar" paint on the walls. 

Associate Director

I have an official job title: Associate Director for Youth Dynamics Arlington. Doesn't that sound important and official. There you go Mom. You can keep telling people I'm a Youth Pastor, OR, you can tell them I'm an Associate Director for a parachurch youth ministry. ooOOOoohhhh...

And by the way, one of the girls whom I took Bible shopping has already read and highlighted the first six chapters of John! She's hardcore.

X-Box.

I have just achieved an important Rite of Passage for any Youth Pastor--I have played Halo on X-Box. Saturday night, at a friend's birthday party, one of my YD friends networked three X-Boxes together so twelve us could play Halo, a horribly bloody, gruesome game. I think that in two hours, I died appx. 147 times, but I am now a real Youth Pastor, because I play X-Box. This is important. Legions of young people will now be drawn to Jesus because Heather, that cool blonde girl with Bronco, will play X-Box with them and then teach them about Jesus.

Since playing the game, however, I have felt the need to duck from snipers while walking outside. Overall, I do not think the game has improved my quality of life.

Home Football Game #2.

This time I knew ten kids. This is exactly ten times the amount of kids I knew at the last home game. I even learned the "Rock the Mullet" dance. Chelsea said I was "awesome."