Ok. I know they aren’t fishes. I wasn’t really that pumped up about our swim with the dolphins thing going into it. The girls were pretty excited though, so I was looking forward to it on that level. Having done it now, I have to admit it was pretty cool. I don’t know that I ever need to do it again, but for a one time thing it was incredible.
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Taylor and I finally sat down on Friday to talk about her mission trip to Mexico. Much as I suspected, she was a little overwhelmed. She had a great time and enjoyed passing out testimony sheets in the village, and the worship rallies. But, between the language barrier and the “Gee whiz” of it all, she could only think of one thing that really struck her. That was the slower pace and the contentment of the people there. There wasn’t the constant bustle of activity, and the sense that there was always one more thing to accomplish, or one more object to obtain. They didn’t seem to be sitting around lamenting their condition, they seemed to be happy with what they had, however little it was.
I guess the fact that it took eight days for me to find enough time to sit down and spend 15 minutes with my daughter kind of bears this out. Doesn’t it?
TJ and Taylor have spent the last week in Mexico on FBC’s Youth Mission Trip. It has been a good thing for me, as we were all on pretty bad terms when they left. Sometimes kids are kids, and even when they’re 18 they do boneheaded things that get on your nerves.
That is one of the reasons I am truely thankful that FBC sends kids on mission trips. Not beach trips or ski trips, but trips to places that kids should see. They get to have a chance to partner with God in the work he is doing around the world, and they also get to see how most of the rest of the world lives. It’s a great reality check to go into Mexica, or South Africa, or even rural Arkansas and see what it is like. From a purely selfish standpoint, I find the next couple of months after they come back to be really pleasant. There’s nothing quite like perspective.
This was Taylor’s first trip abroad, if you can call Mexico abroad. I look forward to hearing what she thought, and what God did in her life while she was there.
TJ and Taylor are both off to Arkansas for a 5 day youth leadership camp called simply “Super Summer”. Admission to the camp was limited and by approval only after a special service project and an interview with the youth staff. Candidates had to show evidence of leadership within their peer group, and an overt desire to share the gospel message with their unsaved friends. Since they are both leading the small group for their age group, I guess their admission was in the bag. I’ve talked to several adults recently who went to Super Summer as a youth and they all commented on it being a truly life changing experience. Sounds good to me!
Well, another year gone by, and another kid graduated from middle school. I never knew there was any such thing as an “Eighth Grade Graduation” before we moved to McKinney. But, they had one for TJ’s class, and this year it was Taylor’s turn. She looked absolutely fabulous in a black dress with gold neck and straps. I was a little upset about the cost, but I guess you’re only in eighth grade once (if you’re lucky).
It’s a bit startling to think that I will have two kids in high school next year. Even more amazing that TJ will be a senior. Oh well, that’s the price of getting old…
