Team Building and Brainstorming

Thanks to my fantabulous husband, I was able to join most of our children's ministry team (missed you Betsy) at a small conference, put on by Group Publishing, in Nothern VA this weekend (sorry Aunt Marsha, I didn't have my car so I couldn't visit).  It was sad to leave Neil and the boys behind (okay, not so much), but I had to forge ahead and figure out this thing called children's ministry.

You might think that camp ministry is quite similar to children's and to some extent it is, but my role it in all is completely different.  At camp, we get to put the cheesiness aside and focus on the fun in life, knowing that Christ will shine through it.  Camp is more of an outreach ministry, where CM is primarily focused on believers.  But as a consultant, I'm enjoying the idea of not being required to have all the answers, to lead the vision, or even to make any decisions.  How great is it that my purpose is to give advice? I'm so good at that, whether people want it or not.  However, it doesn't stop there.  Amy, Clare, and Katy happen to be my some of my closest friends, and this ministry, overall, happens to directly affect my three beautiful children.  So, yeah, I have a little more invested, and I have to be careful how I give the advice considering I'd like to keep my frienships in the end. 

The conference was profitable, a good value for the buck.  Of course, the most important take-away for me, for a deeper bond in the team.  I'm starting to see that we're moving beyond friendship, into the arena of healthy working relationships.  Plus, we found a children's Bible that didn't skew the word of God. Score! And we made a final decision on interim curriculum, which is huge. Not only did we make a decision, but we each understood the why behind the decision.  All in all, we were on the same page.  How often can you say that about any new found team. 

Wouldn't you know, though, that I didn't take a single picture?  I'm really getting frustrated with myself.  I take my camera everywhere and rarely snap a shot.  Seriously!

Much will come of this time together, I just know it.  We have our normal team meeting this coming Tuesday, so you guys can pray for innovative ideas and solid decisions moving forward. 

Wow, I really do have a lot going on lately.  Between More than Moms, the Whisler Campaign (did I tell you guys that I'm going to be doing communications for the entire campaign? well, I'll wait till it's official and then I'll post something), Fusion Church Plant, and the neighborhood association (or and did I mention that I'm also a mom of three kids), I feel absolutely stretched in every which way and, at the same time, completely invigorated.  Sometimes I feel like I'm playing a game of "connect the dots."  I'm not sure what God is doing, but somehow, it's all connected.  Neil said to me the other night, "I can't wait to see where you'll be in 20 years."  I'm excited to look back and go, "Oh, that's what God was doing."  Glad you guys are along for the ride...totally wished I had pics from the conference.