2007

Well, it's almost April, meaning we've all survived another quarter of a year. This time of the year always makes me very contemplative, and think a lot of "deep thoughts". As a result I end up basically making more new year's resolutions, 3-4 months late. After all, you gotta try the dress on before you can tailor it. :P

Things are going to happen in the rest of this year. I have plans. Plans I'm not currently willing to disclose. :P But if I have a thing to say about it, 2007 is going to be BIG. I should hope so, too, because the first three months haven't exactly... gone well, because of one certain parasitic person... But that's another story.

I'm starting to get a sense of pattern recognition - last March, I realized I'd wasted the first 13 years of my life, and accomplished nothing with much of any earthly or heavenly significance. I realized I had absolutely nothing to show for my time on Earth already spent, and this year, I realize the same thing, but now it's been 14 years. But now, I know what I'm doing. I know what I intend to do with future, both near and distant, and all those "good things" in life that used to seem so unattainable are getting closer - better yet, I've finally grown enough of a spine to work for them.

Basically, every spring, I have a miniature mid-life crisis, 30 years too early. On the one hand, some clarity in matters concerning one's life is nice, but on the other, deep thoughts make me tired. :P

Why am I awake at 4 AM, you ask?

I somehow got into a discussion of religion with a friend. An important discussion, really, as his spiritual state is dubious. That's why. You can't just say "*yawn* well, I gots ta go get some shut-eye now, good luck figuring out all  that God stuff" in such situations.

It's possibly one of the the only good reasons I've had to be up this late in ages. Sleep? Bah. Where's the need for sleep when you finally get the chance to share faith in a civilized manner?

Fun things be afoot

I've only been going to the church's youth group for about a month now, but I'm already ensconcing myself as a lasting fixture. I had the fortune of arriving right about the time that Pastor Jared started talking of organizing teams within the student body. The forms Jared passed out tonight explain them as the following, this is a direct quotee (minus my interjections):

"Prayer and Encouragement team: A group of students will meet at 5:30 on Sunday evenings [this is a half hour before it starts] to pray for the needs of the students in this ministry. Encouragement will be offered in the form of letters and e-mails to the people you prayed for.

Welcome Wagon: A group of students who will be responsible for welcoming all students to FishBowl [this is the bizarre official name for the youth group - my best guess is it spun off from the concept of a Jesus Fish] and making sure they are plugged in to a group. They will make sure we recieve information from visitors. Every visitor will be contacted the following week by a member of the welcome wagon. They will also be responsible for contacting absent members occasionally.

Teaching Team: A group of students who meet after school to learn how to teach. The members will work toward the goal of teaching sunday school or FishBowl and will be evaluated. This is a 7 week course.

Praise Team: This group of students will meet monthly for practice and planning. Musical talent or ability is a bonus but not a requirement. Desire for leading peers in worship is a must. Vocalists, musicians, and creative planners are needed."

Everyone knows I'm entirely too meek for those middle two. I have a touch of what you call the social anxiety. I also have absolutely no musical talent. This leaves the Prayer and Encouragement team, which is ideal - obvious spiritual fulfillment matters aside, it means I get to spend one half hour more at church every sunday night. Being home on weekends can get very dull, so this is a plus, but better still is that implication of e-mailing people. If there's ONE thing I'm good at, it's listening to people's problems by way of netlies.

Despite my complete lack of musical talent, I'd like to be involved in the last one in some way, so I put on the form that I could be a "creative planner" if needed. I'm not even entirely sure what I'm signing up for with that, I can only assume it means finding musicks and coming up with the plans.

The sign-up form asks embarassing questions such as "What do you think are your spiritual gifts?", "What are you passionate about?", etc, but I managed it. Aside from accidentally not capitalizing "God" once and having to scribble it out, I'm giving a fairly good impression of myself. :P

Notable goings-on of the actual meeting include scalloped potatoes, learning a bunch more people's names, holding a drooly baby, and trying to hide my disgust as the only couple in the youth group student body started necking once the sermon was over.

In addition to this, I'm going to be making pancakes for the community outreach brunch and easter egg hunt, and I'm making spaghetti for the mission trip fundraiser lunch. Look at me, I'm involved!

Psalm 16

I'm sick right now - I contracted a cold from a 2 year old I had to share a car with on Wednesday. Aside from obvious things such as large amounts of snot and a powerful, bark-like cough, colds have another effect on me - they make me want to eat things. A lot.

Every time I'm just starting to get sick, my mouth will hurt. No one ever seems to understand what I mean by that, but it's basically the same deal as having a sore throat, only higher up. It hurts the top of my mouth when I swallow. And one of the only ways to remedy this.... is to eat. I don't even know why, my only guess is the heat from food.

After that passes, I still want to eat constantly, because when I'm sick, nothing gives me energy like a meal does, probably not even sleep. In addition, the general "waaaaah" feeling of being filled with germs makes me desire "comfort food" (i.e meatloaf).

One generally hears of people having no appetite when sick, but I think I actually eat more than usual at times such as these. So if anyone happens to have meatloaf, french bread, or twice-baked potatoes on hand.... I demand to have them.