perfecting the high-five

*Forewarning: I'm posting slightly out of obligation because my (small, but faithful) "blog fan base" is threatening to leave me!  (GASP!)  But in all honestly, I've been meaning to update this for a few weeks and life has gotten the best of me, so what I needed was a couple of good friends to knock some sense back in me and remind me of the important things in life...like blogging. :-)

So, here is a somewhat out-dated topic, but still a noteworthy one.  

I perfected my high-five on April 24th at the opening of "The Block"!  

Timeout: To those of you who don't know (and that's probably 1 person reading this!)..."The Block" is the new youth ministries "head quarters" of Southeast Christian Church, and pretty much the most "rad" place on earth for Generation Y.  Seriously, youth ministry was NOT like this when I was younger.  This place is phenomenal.  Scores of gathering places for Bible studies, fun decorations & furniture, art designed by students, prayers hanging from the ceiling (literally), arcade games, a cafe,  rock-climbing wall, and the list could go on and on and on.  I hope - I should say I *know* - these teenagers know how blessed they are to have a place like this!  Oh and one more important note, the designer of The Block also helped design Disney!  You can probably imagine how cool this place is!

So going back to my perfecting the high-five.  Like I said, The Block opened on April 24th...and it was one GRAND opening...red carpet and all!  The volunteers stood in a single file line and ushered in every student - high school, middle school, elementary school - with a high-five!  I must have given at least 300 high fives that night.  Each one had a different style though!  Some were up-high (high schoolers), some were down-low (elementary kids), some were apathetic (middle school - you know those tweens, always act depressed!), and some were explosive!  I distinctly remember one that made my hand turn red, and I had to take a break for a few seconds!  I so wished I actually counted how many high fives I gave that night - would've been a cool statistic!  I think I'm going to start greeting everyone with a high-five now.   Seriously!

Oh, and I also somehow (completely unintentionally) ended up on the front page of the church newspaper that next week!!!!!  I was so embarrassed.  The expression on my face wasn't particularly great (I looked like I was in deep thought, when everyone else was cheering around me), but eh, what's done is done. 

Anyway, the main reason I went for the opening....2 hour drive away...was this:

These are my most precious high schoolers and two God-fearin' young ladies who boldly (and humbly, might I add) lead and mentor them every week.  Having the opportunity to co-lead this group last year was such a blessing, one that I'm afraid I took for granted at times.  I seriously can't tell you the awesome-ness of this group of girls.  When I say "the best," it's an understatement.  Seriously. 

 

They make me so happy every time I talk to them, whether it's a text message, a facebook update, or a long conversation...I get energized with each interaction!  And THAT is why I decided to drive 2 hours for The Block opening.  I cannot wait to see what God does with these young ladies and their sweet leaders in the next 1...3...5...10 years!  I will tell you this, something UNBELIEVABLE is in store!  

Off to go set up my new place!  Hopefully pictures will be forthcoming today or tomorrow!