Ice Skating at Pan Am Plaza - We always have several students who don't know how to skate, and somehow I end up being a skating instructor. I love helping them figure it out, and it's such a great chance to just hang out with students and talk as we go round and round the rink at .5 miles an hour. Garrett surprised everyone when we discovered he used to play hockey as a little kid, and he quickly proved to be king of the ice; until the 14 year old figure skater showed up. She was amazing. Jacob Gahimer took a fall, and we're praying he's okay. He hurt his wrist, but was in good spirits the rest of the day.
Circle Center Mall - All the students split into groups and shopped around. My group went looking for a purple penguin, as Foo needed one for a girl. So, all seven of us guys hit Claire's first thing. Meanwhile, we caught Vince and Todd (guy leaders) in the Yankee Candle Store, and Annette in the Lids store. We're a strange bunch of leaders, no doubt. My crew spent time and a lot of cash upstairs in the arcade, while everyone else shopped around. Kyle Weaver cheated and beat me on the Indy 500 game after I lead for the whole race, and he won with one foot to go at the end. (NO, I am NOT bitter!) Dinner was fun, as a certain guy student and mom were sitting back to back and grooving at the exact same time, without knowing it.
Monument Circle - We had snow, again! So of course, we had snow ball fights, again. Fortunately this year there were no small children around from other groups, so no one got hurt, just cold and frosty. It was COLD, but everyone had a great time and we ran for
South Bend Chocolate Company - Great hot chocolate and a chance to get warm. It's always an even better time to hang out and laugh about a great day. My crew went in the Bro Closet and found the 2005 Statistical Data book, and quizzed each other on it. (An annual tradition).
When we left, the Colts fiasco let out late, so we all got stuck in CRAZY traffic, which ran us 30 minutes late getting back. Thank you to all of our patient parents for understanding.
So, parents, you may wonder why we do this trip. What is the goal? We want to accomplish a few things:
1. Relationships - Discipleship happens in relationships. We want your students to have meaningful relationships with adults who passionately love Jesus. That takes time. Our leaders are intentional about spending time with your students on these events to show them love and listen to them. We also want students to have healthy relationships with other students who love Jesus. Both are crucial to growth.
2. Memories - We need to put "mile makers" along the road in life to look back on. As students remember this trip, it cements in a correlation between being loved, having fun, and Christ. That's crucial.
3. Culture - Downtown Indy is part of our local culture. We want to provide kids a healthy chance to experience it, as it builds a better understanding of what God is doing, as well as an appreciation for what He has given us.
Thanks for letting us partner with you as you raise your students. If your kids didn't go this year, I encourage you to sign them up next year and send them. Let me know if you have any questions!
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1 comments:
Where was my invite to this shindig?
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