Its true, I finally caved. Well, actually I didn't really cave. As weird as this probably sounds, I needed to get a MySpace. Almost all of the teens, and a good majority of the pre-teens, and even a lot of the kids at church have MySpaces. We, as leaders, have been somewhat monitoring what these kids have on the spaces, and honestly its not encouraging. So, after a few weeks of praying about it, Carisa and I decided that it was time for me to get a MySpace. Now, I not only have access to their spaces (many of whom are private and can only be accessed if you have your own), but I also have my face on their sites, as a little reminder and accountability. So far its going really well and I am actually enjoying it. I get to leave encouraging comments on their sites, and it has opened a lot of doors for some good conversation.
So far the only negative has been the amount of time that it takes. I am realizing now how addicted to the computer a lot of these guys are. I am having a hard time keeping up with people while also adding things to my space (mine is pretty simple and it still took me a while to get it all on there!). These guys have to spend hours and hours on the computer to be able to have the sites that they do and keep up with all the friends that message and comment you. Its going to take me a while to find the balance and not be overwhelmed.
Its been the greatest for my relationships with a lot of the God's Girls. I am seeing just how impressionable they are and they are really looking for someone to look up to. The other day I found a really great Christian music video on a website, so I added it to my MySpace. Within just a few hours, several of the God's Girls had seen the video on my site, found it, and added it to theirs! They are really watching my every move!
I am telling you this not only to inform you, but also to explain why I haven't really been keeping up with this blog...and to warn you that it might take me a while to balance all of this stuff. So, please be patient with me! (You always are).
In other exciting news, we had a sleepover on Thursday night for a bunch of the girls in God Squad and it was GREAT! Chris (the other female leader at God Squad) and I have been really frustrated over the last few weeks with the girls in God Squad. Well, not really with them, but with their attitudes toward each other, and toward the Lord. We were really starting to question whether any of them really wanted to grow in their relationships with God, or if they just didn't have anything better to do on a Monday night. It was getting to the point that neither of us wanted to even go to God Squad.
Taking all that into account, we were pretty nervous about how the sleepover would go. Thankfully, God chose to use that night to answer the prayers that we have been praying for weeks! We have a unique mix of girls that could have clashed, but instead bonded and had fun. We had great conversations, a TON of fun and a lot of the girls got to do things they don't usually get to do (i.e., help cook food). The most exciting part (for me) was when we started talking about controversial topics (purity and modesty), several of the girls really spoke up for what they believed in. It was the first time in a long time that I wasn't the only one defending the truth! I was SO proud of them! Everyone had a blast and I really feel like God was glorified by all that we said and did. We didn't even have a single curse word slip out of any one's mouth! It was a wonderful night! I think we are going to do it again sometime in May.
My week off is about to end and I will be back at after-school on Monday. I miss the kids A TON, so I am really excited to see them. I am hoping this week off has reminded them how important after-school is, but I fear that they will come back and forget how they are supposed to act (that tends to happen when they are away for a while). Either way, though, it will be wonderful to see them. Pedro and Miguel have been visiting their real parents all week (they live with their grandparents), so I am really excited to see them. I miss them so much!!! I learned a lot about their lives this week from talking to other people in their family, and my heart breaks even more for them as I learn everything they have had to face. Please pray for them.
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