A Breather

It's hard to believe, but the summer is almost at its halfway point. I've been here in Kansas City since about May 10th. We are now on the cusp of July and about 7 weeks left of work for the summer. And then I get a blissful couple of weeks of a free calendar before school starts up again.

That being the case, I've been spending the past week reflecting on where the summer has taken me, what is left in store, and what I should do with all of it. So let's see where I'm at.

First comes the fun stuff. It has been great hanging out with people in town. There are people here that anyone would be gifted and blessed to know. I have had some great conversations, heard some great stories, and have laughed a lot. I'm excited to know that I'm only halfway through with hanging out with for the summer. On top of that I have really just been appreciating hanging out with people who know me, and who I know - but at the same time it has been a long time since I have really been in KC. Not only has been really great to reconnect with old friends, it has also been fantastic connecting with people that I didin't know that well, but have been able to hang out with this summer.

Then comes the job stuff. I have been surprisingly challenged with work this summer, and not in the way that I would have expected. Before doing Field Education this past year I have had limited experience working on a large staff, and usually that staf has been only temporary - summer staff or something similar. But, over in Allentown there is a large permanent staff composed of both paid staff and adult volunteers. Because of all that difference and crazy schedules, there is a real sense of being intentional when it comes to planning. Allen town also has the benefit of people who are unbelievably committed to the program. I often think the people there eat, sleep, and drink the ministry. It is incredible. My biggest challenge this summer has been adjusting to a staff that isn't in that same vein. Despite there being so many of us, no one really owns any single thing. As a result it is rare when something feels like it has continuity or some overarching design to it. It can be frustrating that way.

On the bright side, it is ministry. And I rarely complain when something has a ministry component to it.

In the end, I am hoping to look back on the summer so far and really scrutinize everything going on. I hope to get to a point where we can implement some changes and hopefully be more intentional with our direction as we close out the summer. But more importantly, focus the direction as this ministry heads into the fall and into another year.

In the meantime, I am staring down the barrel of a mission trip in the near future. Do I know what is going on with it? Nope. But we leave Saturday.

Kansas Stereotype Day! (And Other Updates)

Ummmm, there's kind of a lot to cover here. We'll start with literature, move onto travels, and then stop at current events.

LITERATURE
I finished reading Lords of Discipline today by Pat Conroy. Do I recommend it? Yes. Highly. It is perhaps the best novel I have read in recent history. A great summer read. Devour it in a week if you have the time. When you get a hold of a copy you may look at the paperback cover and think that this MUST be a joke. It isn't. Don't be fooled by the cheesy cover.

TRAVEL
I leave tomorrow morning and head to Farmington, MO. I went there for the first time many summers ago and I never thought that I would return in charge of my own youth group, and then return a third time in the summer of 2006. It is a joy to develop a relationship over time with the great people that run this organization. It is also difficult to hear about the situation of so many people there. This place does great work, and often harbors kids from their parents (hence a reluctance to mention the exact organization's name), and sometimes protects the kids from themselves. It will be a short mission trip, but will be exciting for junior high. It will also be a prelude to a New Orleans senior high trip later this summer.

CURRENT EVENTS (or, why some stereotypes aren't all false)
So, this weekend the city of Mission, Kansas is celebrating its heritage and pride. I have to admit that I find it interesting that some places hang onto pride such as this...or choose this particular form of recognizing their heritage. But, the city of Mission, every year, makes a point of getting together this lovely little parade. Now, don't be judgmental. The following photos are going to make it look like I'm in a one road town that was lucky to earn its first stop light or something. Not the case. It is just a suburb of Kansas City. And it is the unique downtown area celebrating....well...just celebrating, I guess.





And I want this last one to be bigger. I just love the cattle parading in front of Moss Copy Center for some reason.



So, yes. Cattle. Down the middle of the street. You might be delighted (as I was) to know that sometimes an ambitious little heifer gets away from the pack and escapes into the shopping area or even makes it into the neighborhoods. No such luck this year.

And, just so you know, after it was over I went and had a hamburger for lunch. Just felt like having meat for some reason.