Knowing That You Are...

Following God's will for your life is a great thing.

Tonight Ryan and I took Rachelle and Kate to the airport so that Rachelle could go to her Nease Hall RA reunion taking place tomorrow. I was a bit nervous with just Ryan, but excited to get some extended one-on-one time with him. We went to Cabela's to pick up a new EZ-up for the Children's Ministry (my new job-scroll down on the link) and we had a blast looking at all of the cool stuffed animals and neat gagets that they have there, knowing that if my good friend Jefe was with us he'd appreciate it so much more than these two suburban boys did.

Then I called a couple of my high school friends to see if they wanted to come over and play some Wii, maybe watch a movie or just hang or whatever. This is usually followed by "I already have plans" or something that the teenagers can think of to avoid hanging out with that wierd 31 yr old guy that keeps talking to them, but tonight the response was positive.

So I quickly went and rented a couple of movies, grabbed some Mountain Dew, Frozen Pizzas and popcorn and rushed back home. Three guys came over and we had fun ripping each other in bowling and other games, then one other guy said he wanted to come, so we all piled in the van (including Ryan) to go get him.

On the way there Ryan was just chatting it up with the guys in the back of the van, as they were making each other laugh, interacting as only Freshman and 2-year-olds can.

We picked up D and then a friend Phil came over and wanted to jump in the van to come hang out as well. So now we have a party!

Ryan had a blast and made two of the boys go out back with him and they jumped on the trampoline together, playing hide and seek and wrestling (again as only freshman and 2-yr-old boys can), Ryan having a blast the whole time.

Ryan was quite disappointed to have to go to bed as his new friends were still here playing Wii and jumping on the trampoline. As I prayed with him tonight, I asked him what his favorite part of the day was and he said "hide seek with new friends"

The joy for me is two-fold. I think I'm finally making in-roads with a few of these kids, they will at least come over if I promise them pizza and Wii. Secondly, Ryan gets to see how we make friends with these kids that look and act nothing like us, but we can still be friends. I pray that I have the opportunity to share the wonderful Gospel message with these boys over the next few months, but will be happy if I just get a few more moments of hanging out with them.

Thank you Lord for these friends and the impact that they have on my and my family's lives. I pray that they would see right through me and see you and your love and they would desire that love in their life....Amen.