What Do Doughnuts, Parades, Concerts, And Service Have In Common?

Give up?


Answer: Youth Group.


Yes, these are just some of the things our youth have been up to the past month. Let me explain a bit. Doughnut sales are going on to raise money to send some of the youth to Tremors (!) this year in December. Several of them have been to Quaker Lake in the summer over the past two years, so it will be interesting to see how they compare that to late December weather - especially if it's below freezing like last year. One of the places where we peddled our glazed edibles was the McIntosh Homecoming parade, which was a lot of fun despite the 92 degree weather (yeah, apparently the temperature can still get over 90 in October). Some of our kids and youth were in the parade, too. Jennifer cleaned up collecting candy and beads.


One thing before I get off this topic - if you've never sold doughnuts on the side of a highway at an intersection, go do it. Right now. Yes, I was like you, expecting that it would be a totally awful experience. Not so. I don't think I can really explain it, but there's something about cars pulling halfway off the highway, dangling money out the window at a red light (or green, in some cases) that gets my adrenaline pumping. Or eyeing people sitting at a red light while they mess with something in their laps, trying to guess whether they're texting on their phone or getting cash out to buy doughnuts - that's awesome, too. Maybe God was giving me some divine inspiration to help me stay positive, I don't know for sure. I do know I'd do it again, though.


Ok, back to the youth happenings. During a Hollywood Stars theme youth meeting, we were able to practice a little philanthropy by stuffing supply baggies for the teachers and staff at McIntosh Elementary School. Forty bags were prepared containing everything from pencils and crayons to staples and paper clips to tissues and stickers. It was good for the youth to see that helping others in need is worthwhile, and indeed, God is pleased by it. The teachers are truly in need, as they have no budget whatsoever for office supplies this year due to budget cuts. And where did all of these supplies come from, you ask? Virtually everything in these bags, plus two big totes full of paper, pencils, and crayons that were given to the school, came from our latest rummage shipment. So if you or your meeting donated school supplies for our ReStore - THANK YOU!!! You have no idea the impact it has made on these teachers and this school. I'm serious, when we delivered them you would have thought we were giving them bags of gold. They and we are deeply appreciative of your generosity.


Finally, Jennifer and Corey took the youth to a Christian concert this past weekend. I believe Hawk Nelson and Skillet were two of the bands there, and all reports were that they had an amazing time.


We will try to keep you updated more frequently from here on out. Thank you always for your thoughts, prayers, and support. God bless,
Will
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Hey, Long Time No See!

Hello friends! Sorry to have waited so long between updates - I guess we must have been busy! This is William Allen posting again. For those of you who don't know, I have moved back down to serve as the Director of the After School Program for this school year. I'm really excited and already being challenged by this awesome opportunity and responsibility! Since there is a lot to catch you up on, I'll talk about school in this post and let you know more about other events in a separate update.

At the moment we have right at 25 kids in the After School Program, ranging from preschool age to 5th grade. Though we may not have every kid show up every day, attendance is very stable compared to last year, which is a huge improvement and blessing. A few weeks ago, most of our kids brought in their first quarter report cards, and they were very good overall. We still have improving to do, but they are doing a great job! Another positive accomplishment has been our reconnection with McIntosh Elementary, where most of our kids go to school. Jennifer and Corey were heavily involved with them last year, and I am excited to see that relationship continue to grow! We have had opportunities to talk with the principle, guidance counselor, and some teachers about our program and their students. We are volunteering weekly to help students with reading and plan on being a part of their upcoming special events. Also, we were able to give ALL the teachers and staff supply packets. (More on that later!!!)

I want to share with you quickly a comment made to us last week by a wonderful lady who works in the office at the school, and I don't mean to boast on what we are doing at the center, but rather on what God is doing in the lives of these kids. Here is part of what she said:

"I thank God for you. I really do. These kids that you're working with, it's making a difference. I can see it. And a lot of the ones you work with really need it. So I just thank God for you."

This lady is also the bus driver that drops our kids off every day, so you know she knows what she's talking about! And her comment was directed towards our older kids in youth group, too. Isn't it nice when God lets you know He's present and active in the world around you?