Silence....

So I am sitting here writing this blog in utter silence, which is interesting since my sisters are home for fall break from Baylor. Jen has gone to get the food (since the parentals are gone) and Mel is taking a cat nap. Which leads me here writing to both of my faithful readers (thanks Mom and Dad).

This week I got the honor of going to a conference called Conclave. It is put on by the Baptist General Convention of Texas and it is strictly for youth ministers and youth workers. Considering I spent two summers working in youth ministry, took several classes at Baylor surrounding the adolescent age, and I am currently work with 7th graders as a small group leader, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to go. I got to stay at a really nice hotel and learn about youth ministry! It was an awesome experience. I also got to have lunch and coffee with some dear old friends! It was a much needed break from the monotony of what has become my everyday life!

I got to learn a lot about youth ministry and how to minister to youth effectively, but I think that the most interesting thing that I learned about was girls and the media. The media is having such an effect on young girls today, their sexuality, and their attitudes. It was very interesting (and heart breaking) to hear statistics and facts about this. What I took away from this session was that we cannot change the media or the fact that the media and advertisements are affecting young adolescent girls today. What we can do, is train them how to think and respond to this. This is something that I am in the process of doing...keeping an extra close eye on letting the pure in and guarding against the impurities of our society. After all, if I am not living this out in my life, how am I going to encourage young girls to do it?

I got home last night and spent the night in this huge house all by myself. It was not as bad as I thought....probably because I was asleep by 9 because I wasn't feeling well. I did not wake up until the alarm went off, so I didn't hear one weird noise being all alone! I did wake up without a voice, however. If you were to hear me saying this to you as opposed to writing it, I would sound like a man in your ears. Yes, I have a man voice, probably due to the fact that the doctor diagnosed me with an upper respiratory infection this afternoon...not exactly a pleasant arrival back home after a great week conferencing! But it looks like I will have a full week off of work...

I would also like to take this time to give a shout out to the TRI! I miss you all dearly! I hope you are all having a TRI-riffic day...homecoming is in two weeks and I am more ecstatic than you know! Until next time...be blessed!