It was my great honor to staff TP IL last week. Our fabulous staff team consisted of: Ben Gasser (Program Director), Jonathan Morris, Eunice Dixon, Paul Holley, Capers Whatley, Phillip Farmer, and myself. Wow! What an honor and a joy to work with each of them.
I couldn't have asked for a better co-committee leader (is that the correct term?) in Jonathan. His encouragement and experience were really vital, especially during the first two days. He has both my utmost respect as well as a truly fantastic sense of humor (honestly, I love the randomness....)
Eunice was... well, Eunice turned out to be a huge blessing throughout the week. God knew what He was doing when He sent her to Illinois. God used her to speak truth into my life, and to give me comfort through the rough patches - for that I am truly thankful. Not to mention the fact that Eunice is an all around amazing young woman. 
Ben was truly great to work with. I really appreciated his gentle leadership style, as well a his transparency.
Capers was... well... fun! And not only that, but a true "southern gentleman."
Once again, it was great to see all of the Farmers! Mrs. Farmer was a wonderful stand-in "mom." And Sarah... *LOL*... goodness, what can I say about Miss Sarah Farmer? Simply put, she is a joy - if a bit frank (OK, more than a "bit"). And, as always, it was a pleasure working with Phillip.
Paul wasn't quite like what I expected - and I mean that in a good way. I don't know what exactly I expected going into TP IL, but I found myself really respecting and enjoying being around Paul by the end of the week.
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As for the highlights of the week, I'll try to list what I can remember:
Horseshoes (the fact that I list food first is in no way a reflection of the week  )
Sarah petting Eunice (... *laughs*... *sigh*.... only Sarah would dare do such a thing....)
Jonathan's "sermon" - that's gonna' stick with me for awhile...
Bible studies in the bathroom at 4 a.m. - just goes to show that even insomnia can be a blessing...
The Wednesday afternoon talk with Eunice...
Aaron Phillip's visit on Wednesday...
Jonathan teaching public speaking at the one-day class (I don't think I've laughed that hard in months... I began crying at one point.)
Singing in the laundry room of the hotel on Thursday night (that room has amazing acoustics)...
The drive home on Friday... God's creation really takes the breath away.
"I love your socks!"
"Tunnel of watermelon death."
- Here I have to share a short story:
Setting: Eunice and I are buying a couple bottles of water on the main floor of the hotel, when from across the room we hear...
"There are the two most beautiful ladies in the hotel!" - an older gentle I had seen in the lobby earlier, referring to Eunice and myself
*polite smiles* - me and Eunice (at this point, I'm thinking, Boy, that's a little forward of him....)
A minute later on the way to the elevator...
"Do we know that guy?" - me to Eunice
*Bursts out laughing* - Eunice, "Yes, we know him: that's Mrs. Farmer's (the state coordinator's) father."
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I learned so tons about myself as a result of staffing. It was a challenge. It was tough. But it was also very rewarding. And I learned that God still has a LOT to teach me... by the end of the week, I once again had the mind-set of, This is just the beginning....
I'd say that the biggest thing that God showed me during TeenPact IL, was the fact that I have not been placing my trust entirely in Him as I ought to. Too often, I try to control situations and people myself; it is often done unconsciously, and under the illusion that somehow I know what is going to make me happy, or useful, better than God does. *ouch* That's rather difficult to admit to... it is also rather exciting, because I know that God wants to help grow up into all things like Christ, and will finish the work that He has started in me. God is faithful....
Anyway, that's all for now folks! | 