Unplanned

I had big plans for the two weeks that I would be in Seattle. I thought, "I'm going to hit the gym every day and I'll see everyone I know in Seattle and spend quality time catching up with all of them." I think I've accomplished 1/4 of that. I haven't hit the gym once and I've made it worse by eating at my favorite burger place DIck's Drive In. Okay, I didn't do a "SuperSize Me" thing, (although I would if I could get away with it). I only went to Dick's once, but I feel like I've been eating fried everything-else for the past two weeks.

As for seeing everyone I know in Seattle. That hasn't quite worked out either. Since I slept the first week I was here I've lost valuable catching up time. Now I am seeing who I can and hoping the rest can forgive me. I'll be back in Seattle in August for my cousin's wedding so maybe I can catch up with more folks then.

One unplanned but pleasant surprise has been my time with my grandmother and cousin Jay's family. I don't get to see my mother's side of the family often since they live in Ontario, Canada but it's really nice when I do, eh?

Different kind of joy

"I think this is women's version of porn..." my cousin leaned in and whispered to my ear. He said this as his wife darted from section to section at Macy's in the accessories floor. We had been shopping for hours and she hadn't stopped once. I could certainly smell the familiar aroma of addiction in the air. Some of the smell was coming from me.

Shopping has always been a big part of my life. Is that a female thing? Or is that just me? From middle school I knew the joy of finding a bargain at Nordstrom Rack. The thrill of the hunt, the allure of red sale signs, the pounding of my heart when I see the signs "Store closing everything must go" or "70% off"; these are all things have kept my addiction alive and thriving. I love shopping and I love a bargain. It brings me joy. Yes it may be temporary and shallow, but it's still joy none the less. Shopping has been a way for me to bond with my mom. It was a way for me to bond with my brother (we had a system and a pattern at the mall at one point). It was a way for me to enjoy vacations, relieve stress and escape reality.

My cousins from Ottowa Canada are here at my parent's house visiting for two weeks. My cousin Jay is a big shopper. My mom and I have tamed over the years, but every now and then the beast gets awakened. Jay has woken that beast. We came home today with bags of stuff (I don't know what really, just a lot of it) and tomorrow we hit the outlet mall in Tulalip. I'll probably let my cousin and her family do the lions share of shopping since my bank account has not adjusted to my addiction.

It's been fun for a couple days, but this shopping spree has a very short shelf life. At least it was fun while it lasted.

I guess I was tired

I slept 11.5 hours last night.

Take my yoke upon you...

I am closing off my 14th year of youth ministry.  My 8th year in youth ministry full time.  In other words:  over 20 week long summer camps, over 70 retreats, about 20 staff retreats, 5 month long assignments working at various Young Life camps, 19 weeks of preaching/speaking at youth camps, probably another 20 other seminar/teaching engagements, recruiting and training around 50 volunteers, meeting hundreds of kids each year, starting two areas from the ground up, and on and on the list goes.  It's not an amazing list (I certainly have friends who have clocked in more hours and done more incredible things within those hours), but it's not a small list either.  

Take my yoke upon you and I will give you rest.... this has been one of the most comforting things Jesus has said to me.  I would run to this scripture in Matthew when I was in high school after crying from the stress of my schedule.  And now finally 20 years later I have permission to take His yoke and sit at His feet (mixed passages sorry).

I've decided to blog my sabbatical for a couple reasons.  One, I know some of you get bored at work  and need to look busy :)  Two, I need accountability.  Although I do want to rest (there is gonna be a lot of sleeping these next few months) I also want to come out of this sabbatical with a refreshed outlook on ministry, my relationship with Christ and my relationship with people.  I figured if I "report" what I'm doing, I'll have to do a little bit more than sleep and watch marathons of "Tori and Dean; Inn Love".  So here it goes...

I am 4 days into my sabbatical.  The first day I spent running errands with my parents.  I love going to Costco with my mom.  It makes me feel like a kid again.  Stopped by to make an appointment with my optometrist while my dad slept in the car.  We picked up Nanay (grandmother) at the assisted living place.  She's always on the phone texting (that's right texting) or talking to someone in the Philippines about the ministry she and my grandfather built.  Never mind that she uses oxygen tanks, there are people to serve!  Well into her 80's I can see my future.  

The next day I slept in till 1pm.  I could have slept longer but my cousin called and said, "Are you asleep????"  I guess the previous week of camp had caught up with me.

Yesterday I was able to do a little shopping for items I may need in Hawaii.  A Mac Airport Express (which I can't seem to get work), a pair of Chacos for my hikes through the island, and a pack of Hanes tshirts just because they're so dang soft.  Spent several hours with my best friend catching up on life and ended up driving home at 2:30am.

Today I woke up at 6:30am to make my eye appointment.  Eyes slightly worse, but no need to change glasses.  Slept some more and watched Juno the rest of the afternoon .  

I haven't seen very many people yet.  I'm still pretty wiped out from the camp.  Next week though, I'll be in full force catching up with as many people as I can.