Red Bull. Oct 10th, Entry #92.

Sara:  I went to this week-long seminar a few years ago on "adolescent catechesis"  (translated: how to teach teens the faith).  After the first day they gave us homework....we had to create something that represented our ministry.  We could create from the pile of crafty items left for us or write a poem or something else equally cheesy.  And to be honest, we went to dinner that night, played some frisbee and I totally forgot about my homework until the next morning.  So, on an index card I drew a can of Red Bull.

When we got to class that morning everyone had to present their creation to the rest of the group. When I stood and held up my poorly drawn Red Bull, the head presenter looked at me like I was crazy or just lazy. 
But here is what I said:
The kiddos in my ministry are my Red Bull.  They give me energy.  When we are on mission trips and we're tried b/c we're working hard all day and sleeping on the floor at night, they make me laugh and wake me up.  When I'm cranky because something didn't go the way I wanted it to, they lighten the mood and make me feel better.  Just being around them and their crazy amounts of energy just puts me in a better mood.  Without even knowing it, they lift my spirits, make me happy, pick me up when I'm down and just make life more fun.
I think the main presenter still thought I was just lazy or didn't really get the assignment, but even though I came up with my answer right before class started, I knew it was a right on representation of my ministry. 

I bring up this story because last night on the way home from FLOCK, I realized that they did it again.  They were my Red Bull when I needed them most.  I had a looong weekend full of lots of people, lots of events and lots of family staying in my tiny little house.  It was a great weekend but by Sunday morning I was stressed, exhausted and wanting to crawl in a hole, NOT be up in front of 40 kids.  I was anxious about the whole situation and freaking that FLOCK was going to be lame b/c I was in a lame mood and just not excited about any of it.  And then the kids showed up.  And they were full of energy and had funny stories about the weekend and were just being themselves.

And on the way home, as I'm driving with the windows down, blaring my radio (with a CD made by one of the kiddos, thanks Jordy!) I realize that I'm in a great mood.  And then I realize that all of that anxiety and stress and other junk that had been dragging me down all day was gone.  They did it again.  They were my Red Bull and gave me all the energy I needed and pulled me out of the dumps.

It's things like this that remind me that I have the best job ever.