Sandy's Sayings

Day 3 at NYWC

It was a busy day today.  Started off the morning with a General Session where Mark Yaconelli spoke. Mark is a contemplative kind of guy and took some time to prayer and have us slow down a bit as well as take some time to care for our souls.  He ended his talk with a story about when he was thirteen and going to a dance.  Let's just say he shocked us all!  The lights went out, a huge disco ball started moving, he busted out in dance in full on disco clothes!  

After the general session most of our volunteers headed back home to the Bay.  I went to a couple of really good seminars in the afternoon.  And then headed to dinner with the rest of our team and some folks I have met over the weekend.

Our evening session was incredible.  I'm still trying to find the words to explain it.  Tony Campolo spoke and really challenged us and our dependence on everything but Jesus.  He referred a lot to how we depend on our country, our money and consumerism.  One of my favorite quotes from Tony was "We buy things to impress people we don't know."  He referred to the state of our country and our lifestyle and how it is challenged and how the day of our affluent spending is over.  He talked about how the church is going to have to change it's lifestyle and how the church has an incredible opportunity in these tough times.  Out time tonight left us speechless but was followed with the most incredible time of worship!

Closing Off the Evening with a Game of Poker

The 20's crew from our team is closing off the evening with a game of poker.  I feel like I'm in a scene from Oceans Eleven, where Brad Pitt is teaching the young, hollywood stars to play poker. 

Youth Worker Speed Dating

YS is offering a new seminar: "Youth Worker Speed Dating."  Let's just say one of youth workers found her man!

Dinner with the Staff

Tonight I got to hang out with our Student Ministry Staff.  We have an awesome group here.  I wish are whole staff could make it.  We had some yummy dinner at Spaghetti Factory and made it back in time for the evening General Session.  Good times.

My Little Pony

While in the exhibit hall we came across Hume Lakes, "My Little Pony."  Or should I say "My Little Bull?  Anthony, one of our brave volunteers conquered "My Little Bull!"

A Little Fun in the Exhibit Hall

Our team went a little crazy with the DDR!

Live Blogging From NYWC Sacramento

So today was the first time I've ever blogged live. Before I left I asked out 20's pastor Justin Buzzard for a few tips since he has done this before. He gave me some great advice:

 -don't try to record/blog everything, aim instead to take down main points, highlights, and what especially struck you from each message. try to give people a feel of actually being there by highlighting details that you'd only know by being there. try to tell a story with each live blog post. 

-include a photo or two in each post if possible -use spell check and re-read your post several times before publishing as you'll have a lot of folks reading your stuff. 

-have fun. 

-go into it knowing that you'll get tired from this...I was surprised, but by day 2 of live blogging I was pretty exhausted of it...you have to stay so

alert.

I'm having a lot of fun so far, but Justin was right, it's hard being so alert.  Make sure and follow us when you get a chance.  

Day 1 at NYWC

I'm so excited that we have some of our volunteers to join us at the Youth Workers Convention!  The excitement is in the air and the first General Session was awesome.  Lincoln Brewster rocked it in worship and Bishop Sherwood Carthen challenged us about the cost of leadership and the lessons we learn while in the wilderness.  My favorite quote by Bishop was "in the wilderness you are butt-naked before God. You are not that good."  He gave us a few points: 1) the wilderness crucifies false spirituality. 2) the wilderness reinforces dependence on God. 3) the wilderness prepares us for revelation, it prepares us for new levels of ministry.  These words hit me hard today and that is because I feel I'm in the wilderness. Bishops words encouraged me a lot.  After the first general session we hit our seminars.  I went to Duffy Robbins class on advanced speaking techniques.  Of course Duffy is an easy guy to listen too and he had some really good reminders, so I'm glad I went.  I'm always looking to improve my teaching style. 

YS mixed it up with General Session 2 by having three speakers who spoke for about 15 minutes and then we broke up into discussion groups and also had the opportunity to text in questions for the speakers. Loved the format.

Some Ministries To Check Out While at The NYWC

Thought I'd share some love to some ministries that I have partnered with over the years. They are in the exhibit hall this weekend so check them out! Vetanna Ministries: Go see Doug and Jon and tell them "you like it hot!" Ventanna is an awesome ministry for students looking to serve God right out of high school. They provide an incredible opportunity for students to get out of there zip code and discover what God has for their life! Check them out! Rock-N-Water: Craig and Mia have been leading students to discover God by playing in His creation! Their team of folks care about students and provide opportunities for students to deepen their relationship with God through activities like river rafting, rock climbing, backpacking and more. And of course I can't forget a ministry dear to my heart, Mt. Hermon Camps! Go by and see Katie and the crew and see how God is using them to reach students!

Live Blogging From NYWC Sacramento

On Thursday I leave for the National Youth Workers Convention in Sacramento.  I'm really excited to hang out with our student ministry staff as well as blog live.  I have no idea how this happened, but I was asked to blog live for the convention.  Make sure to check our the live blog here and check in throughout the weekend.  I'll also be keeping up my blog as well.  If any of you are going to NYWC in Sac, feel free to look me up, I'll also be Twittering!