I'm Glad I'm Not A Teenager Again

I'm so glad I'm not a teenager again. The things teenagers go through, I'm so happy I'm married with kids. I'm around teenagers all the time, I have a teenage son and I have a teenage niece. In one week they can go through tears, fights, anger, happiness, big mood swings and than start back over again. Whoohooo, I'm so glad I'm not a teenager again. Ummm, did I already say that?

As Youth Director at our church and than various other youth ministries I do at our church, I am constantly confronted with "teenage issues". I have learned that when teen guys get mad at each other, they usually fight it out and become best of friends again the next day. Now the teen ladies, that's a whole other issue. Usually tears and screaming are involved. And then they hold grudges for a long time.

Now I'm not saying I was any different when I was a teen, because I'm sure if you ask my parents....they'll have that same dazed look that I have on my face all the time now. And as much as I shake my head in confusion, I'm surprised I haven't knocked a few important brain cells loose up there. God bless my parents for tolerating us. And by God's Grace they "survived" our teen years.

My advice to parents; just keep smiling and look as though you actually understand what your teen is talking about. And just remember the teen years don't last forever. ((we hope and pray))

My advice to teens; please enjoy these years, they'll go by too fast. Than you'll join the "real world." Your parents may be confused during the entire duration of your teen years, but we still love you!!

Another Favorite Site....

Evan Dyson is an awesome photojournalist. His site is filled with stories and photos of events that happen in this area. And I have to say that 90% of the time, he has the photos and stories before the Daily News Record and WHSV does.

Please go visit his site and dig through all the older articles and of course the new ones. I know you'll enjoy
your visit.

www.valleyobserver.com

Alex Owah...........I Saw His Face

In our area, there has been a problem with one of the local high school football teams and a few players. They broke the law and basically only one got in trouble for it. And one of the players that are out of jail and playing football, should not (in my opinion) be playing football. But in this area, football and especially this team....football is everything. A "take no prisoners" sort of deal, just win, win, win. So an opinion of alot of people is, he got off because of his "big name" football player status.

I personally have been very adamant about him not playing. I still feel that way, but...........

I saw his face, I saw him up close and personal. I've seen him play before, I've heard and read a tremendous amount of news about him. But this time was different. I didn't see him in a way of spoiled athlete, the "almighty" player alot portray him as or how the high school acts like he's the only player.

I saw him as a teenager that still has a future, as I want my kids to have. I saw him as a young man that could some day grow up to be a corporate lawyer, a Dad, a teacher, a Pro-football player and maybe a Pastor.
I saw him in a way any Mom would want other's to see their kids. I saw the teenager that messed up, but plans on going to a good university and make something of himself.

I saw myself as a person that is far from perfect and a person that hopes other's will forgive me when I make mistakes. Alex and I are alot alike....we're both human. And if we ask, God will forgive us. I do hope Alex straightens up and makes a good life for himself. Alex use your talents God gave you for good. Tim Tebow is one of my favorite football players, I pray his life is an inspiration to you as it has been for me.

I apologize to Alex for the coldness and harshness that I've presented towards you. I pray you do good and make Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, Virginia proud.

I'm still a Broadway High School fan, but I know Alex will do what's best for the Harrisonburg High School football team.

Fall Is Almost Here......

I'm so excited Fall is almost here. The weather this week has been absolutely perfect. We have the windows open at night and it's just wonderful sleeping weather. This evening when I went out to feed all the animals, I actually got cold.

Football games, making apple butter and apple cider are just a few fun things to do and take part in, here in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Churches are having Harvest Festivals. The church up the road from our house has been making apple butter this week, they auction it off to help raise money for the different things. Each town has their own festivals. I think the biggest (correct me if I'm wrong) is in Dayton. That was started when I was little and it is huge now. But too crowded. They try to stuff too many people and businesses on a few streets and it's just not fun. I actually quit going a few years ago because I feel you can't enjoy what they have to offer when you're too busy crawling through a little space in the crowd. Dayton....I ask, can you please expand to other streets?

Broadway's is very nice. Some good things about this one is, they get more kids and schools involved. Plus you can actually walk around without running into people. Yet, it's very well attended. Enjoy the Fall weather. I feel it's God's break to us for our hot summer. Check out our local newspapers to see what is going on and where.

Do You Really Pray?

You see a friend you haven't seen in years. Ya'll get to talking and your friend shares with you, different health problems they've had. Towards the end of the conversation, you say "I'll be praying for you." As many times I've heard people say that to me and others, I just wonder how many of those people actually take the time to pray for that person?

In a way, not only is that person putting their faith in God. But they're putting their faith in you,that you'll pray for them. "I'll be praying for you" has become such a cliche, that I don't think alot of people are actually putting their promises into action. I don't think prayer is as meaningful to them as it is to some people. Prayer is very important to me. To me as a Christian, it shows that I'm putting all my faith in God. It's my way of expressing needs, concerns, praises to Him. It may be a small prayer request to you, but it could mean the world to someone else. Most likely when people ask for prayers, they're not telling you the whole story or they have alot more problems than they want to mention. So spend a little extra time praying for them.

God hears our prayers, God is faithful and prayers are very powerful! Pray for everyone!