Operation Birthday: Day 22

Today’s Mission: Repent and Believe the Gospel

I realize that I haven’t blogged for the past few days but when you go on a youth retreat it gets a bit difficult to do so.  Plus as you know “what happens on the retreat stays on the retreat.”  Except when the youth leader blogs and has great stories to tell.

I’m not sure how all youth groups work but mine doesn’t always play by the rules (and they often ask – “What rules?”)  This can get them into a bit of trouble sometimes but it can also be a lot of fun.

Initiation rituals after lights out, getting others to sing with us at lunch, laughing at Bejeezus of Hepzibah, and greeting others with random hugs makes me smile.  It makes me remember that even though our mission is to make disciples, making disciples can be a fun process.  In fact, it must be.  That doesn’t mean we don’t have serious moments, it means that God wants our joy for Him to spill over into all parts of our lives so that we may  have abundant life.

Today is Ash Wednesday.  Today I got to go to an assisted living facility and lead a service where I placed ashes on willing residents and asked them to repent and believe the Gospel.  It was serious but it was fun too.  I met someone who was 105 and I realized after meeting all of these people and after spending the weekend with some crazy youth that one day I will be the old lady causing all the trouble in the nursing home.

And God and I are okay with that.

Until Everyone Hears,