20

Well, it’s my 20th birthday! I don’t feel much different, and there’s nothing I can do now that I’m 20 that I couldn’t do when I was 19, but I felt like it was a blogworthy occasion.

Honestly, I can’t believe I’m not a teenager anymore. I’ve been a teenager for seven years, and that’s been a part of how I’ve defined myself for those seven years. Now I can’t define myself that way anymore. It’s really not that big of a change. I’ve been an adult for at least two years now, and I’ve learned to accept that. But being a teenager was a lot of fun, and I’ll miss it.

But I’m on to bigger and better things. And for that I’m very grateful. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me this year. And I can’t wait to share what God is doing in my life with you.

Branson

My brothers, dad, and I spent the past few days vacationing in Branson, Missouri, and we had a lot of fun. We spent a lot of time at Silver Dollar City riding roller coasters. We also saw a couple of shows, Joseph and The Dixie Stampede. And we spent way too much time riding go-karts. It was an awesome trip, but I’m glad to be on my way home. I almost always come home from vacations more tired than when I left, and this one wasn’t any different. Besides, I’ve missed my nephew Aiden and my job. I had a great time in Branson, but there’s no place like home. Hey, isn’t that from a movie or something?

Back to Work

I’m working at Cavanaugh Church, my home church, again this summer. Today was my second day back at work, and I’m absolutely loving it. Yesterday was the Cavanaugh Classic, my church’s annual golf tournament we put on to raise money for our mission trip. I helped set it up and rode around in a golf cart all day giving the players snacks and cold drinks. Today, I met with some of the staff members to discuss the upcoming mission trip and started creating a scavenger hunt for the teens tomorrow night. Sounds like a pretty good job, right?

But I don’t just love my job because I get paid to ride golf carts and make up games. I love my job because I get to minister for a living. And to me, that is absolutely crazy. You see, God created me with a servant’s heart. I live to help others and do God’s work. I was created to minister to my fellow children of God. And that’s exactly what this job lets me do. In a very direct way, I participate in the church’s ministry to our community and others around the world. It gives me a joy I cannot describe.

Not only do I get to minister to others, but I get to train under five of the greatest guys I know, my pastors. I get to see how they interact and what it is about them that makes them so good at what they do. This job allows me to refine my skills and explore my interests in a church ministry setting, and I’m so thankful that I get to do that all summer long.

The past two days have just been a preview. Throughout the summer, I will learn, grow, and (most importantly) serve. And I am so very, very excited. I’ll keep you guys posted.

Beaverfork

For the past semester, I’ve been working two days a week at Camp Beaverfork, and it has been wonderful. I’ve had the privilege of improving the camp through maintenance and helping rebuild the camp website. I’ve been going to Beaverfork since I was seven years old, and I love being able to give back to the camp that has meant so much to me throughout my life. I’ve learned a lot about all the work that goes on behind-the-scenes when no one else is at the camp. And I’ve loved it. Today was my last day working at camp this semester, but I’ll be back for camp this summer and hopefully to work again next semester. I can’t wait!