New places, new people

Half the challenge of YSP is going to new places, and that includes new churches.

First leg of the trip is from Mentor United Methodist Church to Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL. (TomTom says 416 miles, 6:59 minutes non-stop)

Better known as "The Big Yellow Box", Shawn Harris hails from there and is coordinating the hosting in his former church, as well as the day trip to Chicago on Saturday.

Can we order New York style Pizza in the Windy City?

Let's extend our circle of family and friends.

Short stretch

Yep

It's getting close - single digit midget

Time to sort out the short term overnight stuff

Time to pack the longterm (all week) duffle

Hint: keep your overnight/short term stuff & sleeping bag with you in your travel van. Longterm stuff (don't need it 'til Sunday at Cedar Rapids) goes in the cargo van with your tools.

What about my hair dryer? don't need it

What about my ____(fill in the blank)___ Do you really need it?

Just for today, I'll choose to understand how much is enough.

Focus & planning

As it gets closer to leaving for YSP, I begin the mental checklist for all sorts of things.

- tools
- hot sauce :)
- crew pairings & assignments
- matching skills with jobs
- directions to nearest ER
- duct tape 1 roll or 2?

Busy, busy, busy - but is that really the important thing

Today I'll make a very conscious effort to slow down, and uncomplicate the workplace of which I'm a part.


YSP helps me focus, year after year - being a part of His plan, with His help.


How 'bout you?

Getting Close . . .

Sometimes when we think about YSP, and going on a service mission, we thank the the spotlight is (or should be) on us.

In reality, doing the ordinary things, and just being of service in His name, we do your best to be in the back ground of life.
Always in His eyes, we are on the limelight. His focus.

We don't do YSP, or service & stewardship to others to be in the focus. We do it to praise His name, and be faithful stewards of His name.

Praising His Name is what we should be doing in the quiet moments of our life, deeds and actions.

Right?

Just for the moment, I will stop complaining about my work load & how "it" should be "me".
If is is "impossible" to deal with, then I need to remove myself and find a place that respects balanced people who can contribute to it.

"I" will become the "i" in service.

Struggle for happiness

Being happy is high on my list of "do's."

I find that happiness is essential to good health and contentment.

I struggle, every day, to find this happiness.

Some days it manifests itself in quiet, subtle ways.

On others, I simply smile, loudly.

I call that having a YSP moment.

Moments & Challenges

7 of 9 - MaGhee, Arkansas

Dr. Dan crabbin' - Kenner, LA

Road Trip! - every YSP

I'm On The Roof! - Grand Rapids, MI

All in perspective

Sometimes (well, really most times) things need to be put in perspective.

Very often there is no one right answer. There are many. Today, and in future days, I will try to be flexible in my approach and my expectations.

YSP has a tendency to allow you to take advantage of perspective. Enjoy the hard work, appreciate the time with the families that welcome us, and allow us to be of service to them.

YSP will challenge each of us, and He will enable us to grow in strength with Him when we have strenght in our belief; as well as belief in our strength.