I guess I forgot

The last few months have been hectic for me, even very stressful. If you read my last post you know that I have made a move in my life from Vernon to Granbury. I have been here now less than a week and I am starting to settle in a bit. It is a different world here in Granbury. There is so much more going on and a lot more to fill my time. I think I will like it here.
But that is not why I am writing this morning. For the last few months I have been preoccupied with moving and saying goodbye to people I love. I have not spent much time with teenagers, which is what I have dedicated my life to for the last three years. So, because of the nature of moving, I have not had the opportunity to be around the demographic that I am called to serve.

Last night I hung out with the Granbury kids for the first time. We went and had dinner, then went to a talent show put on by Project Graduation at the school. It was so much fun! They had kids do magic, dance, sing, and play instruments. There were some who were talented, some who were not so talented. There were two performances that stuck out in my mind though. One was two guys who had a "drum battle". They both set up their trap sets and started going nuts! It was amazing. They both took turns with a certain beat and one-uped each other. Too cool.

Then, four guys did the dance on the treadmills from the video from OK GO. If you haven't seen it check it out here. It was so awesome how all of the teens got into it and went crazy. The guys really pulled it off well I thought.

All it did was remind me about why I love teenagers and being a part of their lives while they grow. Teens don't have a lot of inhibition. They are who they are. Those guys playing the drums and the kids doing the treadmill dance were just out there having fun and being themselves. Teens always remind me about how to be open and honest and not to be anyone that I am not.

Sometimes I get insecure about being quiet natured and reserved around other people, especially as a minister. But if anything I have learned that I should be myself in all situations, the man that God made me to be. If I try to work outside of what God gave me, I am just being someone else that I am not.

That is why I love working with teenagers. I can be myself.

Chris

do I have to change the name of the blog now?

Well if you haven't already heard, I am going to be moving away from ol' Vernon in a little more than a week. I have been praying and thinking a lot about it for a few months now and I finally came to the conclusion that God was leading me to another place. I will be moving to Granbury, Texas to work with the youth at the Granbury Church of Christ. I have been talking to them on and off for the last few months and they offered me the job a few weeks ago.

Now, what he is leading me away for I do not know. That remains to be seen. I am leaving a lot to do this job. I have a bunch of kids and families here that I am really going to miss. It is so bitter-sweet to have to leave kids like these. They will be my friends for the rest of my life. Also there are some families that I hate to leave as well. These people in this little town are going to be a part of my life forever. Who knew that God would bring me such blessings in such an unassuming place! So to leave is really hard.

Yet I do feel led. I feel so excited about this new chapter of life. I am a person who is not used to being in one place for a really long time so this change is really welcome for me. I have been quite lonely here in this town for a while. I might be lonely in Granbury, I am not sure. But I do know that I feel led to Granbury. In the same way that God led me to Vernon, he is leading me to Granbury. What happens from there is up to him.

Pray for the youth in Vernon. They have the chance to do some amazing things if they are willing. Pray for the youth minister or youth ministry couple that is on their way. Pray that the kids will accept them with open arms. They deserve it.

Again, I leave with a heavy heart but an expectant future. God is on the move! Let His people recognize His reign in the world and the passion of his relentless love! In these days of war and darkness let us spread the light of Christ wherever we are planted and in whatever we do. Pray that the spirit of fear that resides in our flesh will be overcome by the power of Christ!

Thanks for your prayers. I will write more soon.

Chris