The Attic
Well after months of nothing...I guess that I have found something that is worthy of blogdom...
Wednesday was the grand opening of The Attic...our new (new to us) youth space that we have been waiting a year to get. Somewhere between Easter and now Nic celebrated his one year anniversary on staff and we celebrated our one year here. It has been an exciting year, full of many things. So much of me can't believe we have actually been here that long. Time seems to fly. Of course the excitement of a new youth minister spreads and students show up, and a youth minister consistently and relevantly shares the love of Christ and students stay, so space has essentially been a problem since we got here. With a little patience (forced at some moments), alot of sacrafice (of those who believe in student ministry), and some persistence, we have found such needed space. We moved just off the square in the upstairs of an old, old, old building, hence the name 'Attic.'
It has been utterly amazing to watch my husband's vision come to fruition. It has been a joy to be a part of the whole process. On Wednesday, a fellow consistent and devoted youth worker commented that there was a smile on every face. And there was. There was so much joy in that space, so much fellowship, so much laughter, so much of what the church should look like. It felt good to know that these students felt like that had a place of their own. A place to call theirs. A place just for them. I have a feeling that if we didn't have the pool tables, video games, pizza or air hockey, the smiles would have still existed. I am a little envious of them. They now have a safe house, a family room of sorts, in the church. They get to experience what it is like to have people love and support them and want them to succeed. What an incredible tool, as my husband would say, a building could be and is.
What is even more incredible? That is how the love of God is. It creates a safe house within. It creates a sanctuary in the midst of crazy lives. It creates laughter, smiles, and happiness. And oh what a joy the love of God truly is.
Another interesting fact is, if every student brings just one friend, just one, then we will exceed fire code by fifty I think. What an incredible problem to have.
The artwork is from the creative mind of one of our students...what a beautiful way to use your gifts for the kingdom.
Wednesday was the grand opening of The Attic...our new (new to us) youth space that we have been waiting a year to get. Somewhere between Easter and now Nic celebrated his one year anniversary on staff and we celebrated our one year here. It has been an exciting year, full of many things. So much of me can't believe we have actually been here that long. Time seems to fly. Of course the excitement of a new youth minister spreads and students show up, and a youth minister consistently and relevantly shares the love of Christ and students stay, so space has essentially been a problem since we got here. With a little patience (forced at some moments), alot of sacrafice (of those who believe in student ministry), and some persistence, we have found such needed space. We moved just off the square in the upstairs of an old, old, old building, hence the name 'Attic.'
It has been utterly amazing to watch my husband's vision come to fruition. It has been a joy to be a part of the whole process. On Wednesday, a fellow consistent and devoted youth worker commented that there was a smile on every face. And there was. There was so much joy in that space, so much fellowship, so much laughter, so much of what the church should look like. It felt good to know that these students felt like that had a place of their own. A place to call theirs. A place just for them. I have a feeling that if we didn't have the pool tables, video games, pizza or air hockey, the smiles would have still existed. I am a little envious of them. They now have a safe house, a family room of sorts, in the church. They get to experience what it is like to have people love and support them and want them to succeed. What an incredible tool, as my husband would say, a building could be and is.
What is even more incredible? That is how the love of God is. It creates a safe house within. It creates a sanctuary in the midst of crazy lives. It creates laughter, smiles, and happiness. And oh what a joy the love of God truly is.
Another interesting fact is, if every student brings just one friend, just one, then we will exceed fire code by fifty I think. What an incredible problem to have.
The artwork is from the creative mind of one of our students...what a beautiful way to use your gifts for the kingdom.
0 comments:
Post a Comment