« September 2007 | Main | November 2007 »
The student ministry staff and I went to lunch at the new Portillo's Hot Dogs today. Founder and owner, Dick Portillo, was there! I was beside myself with joy. I've been going to Portillo's since I was born - when it was just one location. To meet Dick Portillo was a dream come true! Imagine the horror on the faces of my co-workers when I insisted on introducing myself and shaking his hand. Who cares? I just fulfilled life goal #71. 
I've always been against youth workers calling themselves freaks. I believe we need to work towards building a reputation in the church and community as professionals who make serving adolescents their business. This week I earned a new reputation: "a geek". I guess it was an exact quote, so I have nobody to blame. I guess I need a new press agent. Honestly, I'm tickled pink that they would even think to feature me and the middle school ministry.
At the beginning of the school year I was so pumped about journaling on a daily basis. I sensed something special about this year and wanted to document the journey. Then the school year happened. A tornado hit our house, we had to move our fall retreat date, I wrecked my car, and I am dealing with some heavy ministry issues I cannot discuss on the Internet. Needless to say, I haven't bothered to blog through most of it. The sad thing is, I could have really benefited from it. I've been operating in overdrive for the past couple of months, never stopping to rest and reflect. The very thing I am too busy to do is the very thing that could have given me the fuel I need. The weirdest thing caught my attention last night and really made me think. I was watching some random talk show and Randy Jackson (yes, the dawg from American Idol) was talking about his foundation to raise awareness for diabetes. I'm no stranger to diabetes as my dad has been fighting with it for a few years now. But Randy talked about some of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes and I was alarmed that many of them are weird things that have happened to me in the last year. I'm not saying I have diabetes (although I will be making a doctor's appointment this week), but I did realize the toll my lifestyle is taking on my body, mind, heart, and soul. I haven't stopped since August to eat well, exercise, sleep, pray, read for fun, or be with friends (for other reasons that to plan ministry). I just keep rushing around, banging up my car, eating fast-food, and living by the seat of my ever-increasing tight pants. Last night, I decided to stop the insanity. I want to get back to living inSanity again. Anyway, I never thought God would use Randy Jackson to change my life.
