Getting some air at Coronado Beach!

I don't really know where to begin with this post to be honest. Seems like SO much has happened in the last week or so! Last week was our first "prep week" and we had a lot to accomplish. Everything from setting up the places where the youth will serve, to making signs for our site, to building maintenance, to driving directions all around the city, to practicing worship, skits and games, to cleaning...we did it all!

My service coordinators (Jimmy and Murphy) have been working hard to meet with all of our service partners to coordinate scheduling and specific needs of the ministries that we can cater to with the youth that will be coming to our site. Josh, my program staff, has been working diligently to plan our evening activities and "club" services. We have had a fun time practicing our "clubs" and making sure that things line up so we don't look dumb in front of the youth when they come. My fingers are officially calloused from playing the guitar which is a good sign!

I'm realizing the my role is much more behind-the-scenes and administrative. It's not a terrible thing, but I know I will miss interacting with the youth and getting to serve hands-on this summer. I've also realized that I'm the "main man" that is running the show. Kinda scary. My staff looks to me for every ounce of leadership I've got and I'm not gonna lie...I'm feeling the pressure! It's all on my shoulders and I can feel it! I'm sure I'll be able to feel it even more when the youth and adult leaders come and they are all looking to me to have the answers to all of their questions, to be able to solve the problems and to alleviate any and all issues that might come up. Yikes! Not sure I was ready for this, but hey...here I am!

The "solid six" intern team reunited!

Aside from Youthworks stuff...I got to go up North this past weekend to the ranch (CEM) to watch my kids graduate. What a HUGE blessing! It was really great to be back at the ranch and see people that I know, love and care about. It felt like I was going home, and really, it's probably the closest thing to home for me. My heart was so full, hearing my kids' speeches and seeing them so happy and feeling accomplished. For them, it was a huge feat to get their high school diploma and I can't explain to you the excitement that was felt by all who were there. I was sad to come back on Sunday. I flew stand-by and didn't make the first flight that I was supposed to be on. So my good friend Emily and I got to travel together because she missed her flight too! That was a fun surprise to see her in the airport in Sacramento after she was supposed to be back in Georgia!

Travel buddies!

Anyway, I will have another update soon. This week (meaning June 4 - now) has been a little more relaxed since I was a "slave driver" last week. And yes, my staff did allude to me being a slave driver last week, I worked 'em hard! At any rate, we've carved out some time to hit up some really cool sights that I'll have to post about later! Until next time...