Brains

Dear Family and Friends,

(picture to the right is of a Pack Out In-N-Out we had with Jr. High about a month ago. These are some of the kids I'll be hanging out with this summer.)

This past weekend was lots of fun!! :0) Matt and I went down to San Diego to spend some time with my parents and sister. Went to this super cool place in San Diego called Seaport village where much fun was had and many pictures were taken. It was glorious. We even got a little spontaneous and got matching Henna Tattoos. For those of you who are wondering, Henna is a kind of skin dye that washes off after a few weeks. I also had it in my head to make some Lefse, a Norwegian sweet treat of yumminess that I loved when I was a kid. LOVED. and It was a success for the most part. ;0) This weekend was exactly the vacation I needed to re-energize for my up and coming internship! I am so excited. You've NO idea. Absolutely NO idea, I promise. :0) So pumped.

So as I mentioned in the last blog, I am reading this book called Middle School Ministry to kind of prepare for this summer and really life as a jr. high leader. Cause this stuff is SO important to ministry and understanding the minds of a Jr. High kid. So I thought I'd share a little bit of what I am learning, so that maybe you could also benefit from such readings-

I've been working with jr. high kids roughly since I was a senior in high school, and I must admit working with these kids sometimes can be frustrating. Not gonna lie, there have been times I've gotten home and wondered why I was even trying. But understanding is the solution to frustration.

Two big things that Marko and Scott bring to light in this book:

- Early adolescents have not yet mastered the art of thinking abstractly!! They are in this funny little world between concrete thinking and abstract thinking. Which means they don't quite understand metaphors. This was HUGE for me. A couple of sundays ago I was going through a Psalm with a group of 6th and 7th graders. We read through it, and I asked them if they knew what the psalmist was talking about. They looked up at me with blank stares. Real encouraging. lol. I eventually got out of them something about a lion and Shepard, but nothing was connecting. They don't understand metaphors. Not granted, this is not true of every jr. higher. Each brain develops differently, there are some very mature kid in this group as well - but this weird shift from concrete to abstract thinking is definitely a challenge in teaching kids about Jesus. After all, almost all of Jesus teachings are parables, which are basically metaphors in story form. Ah, I love a challenge. :0) It's our job at adults, parents, leaders, friends, to help these kids develop the abstract thinking part of the brain!! Isn't that exciting? I love teaching kids how to think on their own and question things. That is the best sign of growth in my opinion.

- Secondly, there are these things in the brain called Neurons, they are like tiny little roads that run all over the brain transferring information. During early adolescence these this little roads multiply way beyond the number that will finally be used by the adult brain. From there the brain does this process of elimination thing, where it get rid of every neuron that isn't used regularly. The phrase, "Use it or lose it" comes to mind for me. This biological fact alone is enough to legitimize the importance of early adolescent ministry and interaction. Most people believe that most interesting stuff happens with these kids in high school or college, when in reality how your brain is going to function was set by the time you turned 14 or 15. The years between 11-13 are some of the most important developmental years in a person's life. That's CRAZY to me. CRAZY.

These kids mean the world to me, and I'm discovering this more and more as this book continues. I am so blessed that God trusts me enough to give me these kids for a summer, to love and mentor and be silly with them. To teach them about Jesus, and help expand the ways in which they think. It's amazing. I'm so excited.

I hope this post finds each and every one of you well and smiling.

Love always,

Jen

Another Summer...Another Internship....Another Adventure

Dear Family and Friends,

That's right! The blogs are BACK! It's been almost 9 months since I last wrote here, and man has it been an interesting 9 months. I've completed my Junior year at University of Laverne and am currently looking forward to a wonderful senior year full of many lessons to be learned and the promise of new adventure. :0)
As for right now... It's finals week. And I have one final left before I am free for the summer!!! This weekend I'm heading down to San Diego with my lovely boyfriend, to spend some time with my parents and to enjoy some much needed time of rest and relaxation. Woot woot!!!

So here's the deal for this summer. Before leaving Harrisburg last summer, I emailed a friend of mine back home asking if he was in need of a jr. high leader. Well he totally was, and when I got home I started working with the Glenkirk Jr. High youth group in Glendora, California. SOOOO much fun, lemme tell you. A few months ago, I offered to be the Jr. High Intern for the church during the summer and Scott, the Jr. High Pastor, was totally into it. I even rigged it so that I get the same scholarship I got last year! WIN! WELL - ah yes, the story gets better.... a few weeks ago we learned that our Director of Student Ministries, Jenn Graffius, has decided to leave her position at Glenkirk and move on to bigger and better things in L.A. This is a very exciting time for her, and though I'm going to miss her - i am so excited for what God has for her in L.A.
This means however, that Scott needs to take over High School Ministry for the summer which landed me being in charge of the JH group. EXCITEMENT. and also - SCARED. hahaha. Aside from running a Jr. High small group my senior year of high school, I've never really been in charge of a full program before. It will be a great challenge for me, but I am completely up for it.
I've discovered that God likes to put me in places of transition. I'm like a ministry band-aide. :0) and I don't mind. This summer will be a great determinant for my future in ministry, in more ways than one I'm sure.

In addition to my internship, I am also going to be doing some awesome readings!! SO excited. I'm currently reading two books: Middle School Ministry by Mark Oestreicher and A Legacy of Love by Dr. Arun Ghandi. So It is likely that you will hear my thoughts on these readings as well.
I'm looking forward to blogging again this summer, and hopefully you enjoy reading! Don't be afraid to leave comments and start conversations. I'm totally into that.

With much love and energy,
Jen

Another Beginning

Dear family and friends,

I am almost home! Tomorrow morning I leave on a plane at 8am, land in Chicago, then land in Colorado, and then FINALLY land at Ontario Airport in California. One HECK of a flight to be sure. I am not looking forward to the flight so much as I am looking forward to landing in my baby's arms when I get there. (clarification... baby = Matthew....NOT a small child...*cough*laura*cough*)

This week went by FAST, though the days went by slow. I sat in the office literally staring at the clock as I had little to do, and all the time to do it in. And still I managed to have a good time. Was taken out to lunch a few times, dinner a few others, a dear friend bought me flowers, and another took me to the state capitol. I'm glad I managed to see it before i leave. It really was a most beautiful building second only to the Country's capitol in my opinion. The lady who took me there was called Louise Knight, a utilities lawyer and such a sweet woman. It made me wish I had gotten more time to spend with her, but that's life I suppose. Time is our worst enemy and greatest friend.

As I look back on my summer... i am astounded at how far someone like me can come in 2 1/2 months. I'm not the same person I was, that's for sure. I'd like to think I'm closer to looking like Jesus now than I was all that time ago. And it wasn't even that long ago that I stepped off the plane in Harrisburg and stared wide-eyed at the broken city of Harrisburg wondering what in the world I has signed up for. I can honestly say I've grown to love this city as a second home, and the Harrisburg First Church people as a second family. I could never forget the Hospitality shown me, the love and care given to me, and the experiences shared. I sincerely and completely hope my paths cross with more than a few of them in the future. I love them dearly, and i really do. I mean that. It was harder than I expected to say goodbye to some of them, the kids especially. But these amazing people literally showered me with cards as a going away present, I walked away with two pictures, a hand crocheted cross, and 145 dollars. LOL. I'll never forget opening card after card, reading all those lovely things, and feeling my eyes grow bigger as that little green stack got bigger and bigger. hahahahaha. Oh my word, Jesus is the absolute coolest. the for SURE.

Now I am taking a break from packing, waiting for some laundry to get down. I swear on butter flies, that my suitcase will be the 8th wonder of the world if everything ends up fitting. lol. It's already to the brim with a load still in the washer, and my bathroom still in disarray. Fingers crossed peoples. ;0)

With this I will bid you adieu. I have no idea where the time went, but I'm to try and catch it tomorrow...on a 9 hour plane/layover journey home. I can't wait to see you again. I've missed you all terribly. and to those of you I'm leaving... I'll miss you. I guess one can never be fully satisfied with who one's around. In order to no longer miss a certain person, you have to leave another you will undoubtedly miss sooner or later. THAT my friends is why I'm looking forward to heaven...won't have to miss anyone...and won't have to leave anyone behind. Those will be good days.

I hope to keep this blog up and going through-out the year, but i wouldn't get any hopes too far up into the sky. I'll be really busy and blogs may be few and far between.

I love you all dearly. :0) Here's to the beginning of another adventure!

All my Love,

~ME

September: Growing Edge

Dear Harrisburg First Church,

I am a firm believer that “Church” is not a word, or an idea that can be held captive behind four walls and a Sunday sermon. My Father’s Church lives in each and every one of your hearts. Everywhere you go, to the store, the shower, school, or a friend’s house, Church travels with you. With out you, this beautiful building would be just that. A building. In your heart and fellowship, I was introduced to Jesus all over again. It never ceases to amaze me where He seems to pop up. He’s in the smiles and stories of the Kids at the Youth Group, He’s sitting in Kim’s kitchen as she cooks, in Pastor Belita’s office as she counsels, He’s cheering at the Baseball games, He’s eating pizza with Pastor Gerald at Agape-Satyagraha, He’s everywhere!!!!!!!!!
Through my encounters with the members of this community and Church this summer, God has taught me a few lessons I’m sure never to forget and I wanted to share a few of them with you before I leave.

1. Love the individual, not the action. In a world such as the one we live in, there are a lot of people making a lot of unwise decisions. Every day there’s another teen pregnant, there’s another drug addict dying, there’s another bully at school, there’s another tax collector cheating us out of hard earned money. Fortunately for us, God called us to love the person, NOT what they do. I can reach out to that pregnant teen in the love of Jesus, throw her a baby shower, and remind her how much she is loved with out ever judging the actions that got her there. That’s the challenge isn’t it? To look at these people, to look at ourselves, and try to see past the rotten actions to the Piece of God’s Heart that is living, breathing, and trying to shine in each one of us.

2. It’s not about who I am, but whose I am. Since I was in high school, I’ve always been worried about what job I’m going to have, how I’m going to support a family, who I’m going to marry, what my kids will be like, what will people say about me when I’m gone. Slowly but surely, I’ve come to learn it’s not about that. It’s not about me. This life, this world, these sometimes heartbreaking circumstances were NOT meant for me. Or for you. We were meant to walk in a beautiful garden holding the Lord’s hand. This summer, for me, was about forgetting that I’m a suburban, white, college girl with some pretty cool friends and family waiting for me back home. That’s all a part of who I am. Whose I am…is what really matters. I belong, heart and soul, to Jesus. If I live like I’m His, by His word, and His love, there will not be a need to worry. Who I am won’t matter, because Jesus becomes my definition.

3. Don’t be Afraid to proclaim the Faith. Don’t be afraid. In my life I’ve been called many different things, but coward has never been one of them. However, until recently when it came to talking about God I was rather skittish. God isn’t exactly a beloved being in the theatre where I’m from. His name is more often used as a curse word, than anything else. But I’ve also discovered that as my friends find out I’m in love with Jesus they start asking questions. “Do you think God has a gender?”, “Why does God let horrible things happen?”, “Who is God to you?” etc. And the coolest part is, all these questions came to me with out the title of ‘Pastor.’ I’ve always loved these questions, and answering them always opens up the door for further awesome conversations. Never-the-less, I’ve always had trouble volunteering prayer and God’s word in such an environment. God’s used this summer to give me the courage to be more vocal about my relationship with Jesus. This love is so awesome, why in the world would I want to keep it secret?

Having said all this, I want to let you know that when I return to California I am going to be a Jr. High Leader at a church near my school. I’ve been talking to the Jr. High Pastor there, and he’s really excited to be bringing me aboard and getting me plugged into these kids’ lives. It gives me such joy when I think about it, and I know it’s exactly where God wants me to go right now.
I want to thank you for all the encouragement, the fantastic food, fellowship, and love you’ve given me this summer. I’ll never forget it. And God willing, I’ll be back in the future to visit. I’m not a huge fan of good-byes, because I know I’ll see each and every one of you again when we party it up together in Heaven. So I’ll leave you with the verse that has spoken most into my life, Romans 8:18,

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us.”


With Love,
Jen Scarr
MSS Intern 2009

Almost Home

Dear family and friends,

(picture is of Me and Eliana, one of the awesome sunday school girls...she's 7....maybe 8.)

Here i am! Nine weeks in, and one week away from home! Though this summer has been amazing,and something I am sure never to forget...I am ready to come home. I miss my friends. my family, and mostly my boyfriend. hhahahha. This time next week, I'll be in his arms and happy as a clam. Nay, happier than a clam...

So this weekend was fantastic! Josiah and Christine took me to Philly on Saturday, and oh man that was SO much fun. It felt like we walked all over the city by the end of the day. We saw Independence Hall, the line for the liberty bell, and at Steaks! PhillyCheeseSteaks. It was pretty awesome. We found a map of a walking tour around the city where there are still many of the original houses and stuff. The needle in a haystack ended up being Betsy Ross's House. We accidentally walked right past it...all the way around our elbow... and when I finally saw the sign Josiah was like, "You're kidding me!!!" It was awesome. I laughed alot... I don't think my friends thought it was as funny. teehee. While we were standing outside the allusive house, there was a tour guide talking about Betsy. He said that she was buried in the courtyard of the house.....maybe..... lol. He said that when they wanted to move Betsy Ross's body they discovered that Quakers don't mark graves. Betsy was a Quaker. lol. So they took an educated guess...bottom line - who ever is buried in that courtyard is Betsy Ross. :0) awesome story.

For lunch it was Philly Steaks for us! There are two steak stands near South st. called King Pat's Steaks and Geno's. Pats is for the locals, and has very specific way of ordering...and Genos is more lenient and meant for tourists. You can tell just from the decor. lol. I had a half from each place...and decided that Pat's was better. If you don't order right at Pat's they may send you to the back of the line, or across the street to Geno's. BAHAHAHA. Lucky for me, I was a quick study. :0D

Sunday was my last youth group. Next week Josiah is doing a wedding, so they aren't going to be back in time. Josiah asked me to try storying for my last night.....so I did. I think it may have gone over okay. lol. As well as Squirmy urban kids could take it. :0) There were a lot of new girls...who didn't like me at all. I've found that I do much better with the guys than the girls. I have no idea why! The guys in the youth group were WAY easier to befriend and play games with. Most of the girls looked me up and down, sneered, and gave me attitude. No bueno.

Well anyway, here I am through with youth group. I'm gonna miss some of those kids. They were really cool...as much as they drove me crazy....I kinda love 'em.

I'm back at the Kelly house after a four day "escape" to the Reardons. They were really fun people to live with, but I missed my basement. lol. It's good to be back. :0)

SO this week, is full of people wanting to take me out to eat before I leave. What's cracked me up is that while these people only eat out once a week....i've been eating out three or four times a week ALL summer.... hahahha. I'm also spending time finishing up all the final details before I leave. I've almost got everything marked off my list!! Whoohoooo!

For those of you who are facebookers, I've got some pictures from Philly up and VBS and such things. Also, I've had to write a letter for the Growing Edge which is the Newsletter for the church, so I'm going to make a blog of that and post it here as well. If you so wish to read it, you may. :0)

I'll probably blog one more time before I get home. So keep those eyes pealed!

Love you all and see you soon!
Love

~ME

I SURVIVED.

Fellow people,

I HAVE SURVIVED what was possibly the craziest week of my existence! ok...ok...maybe not my existence... but definitely the month... I would describe this week as an inverted wave in terms of hecticness. Monday was CAH-RAZY. I went in early (i'm supposed to have half day off on mondays) at around 10 and worked as well as had a meeting all the way up until 6:00 when Josiah and I tramped into the neighborhood to pick up some kids who wouldn't come otherwise. I met some of THEE most awesome kids. Nygeria (Ny-Ny is the nickname) was the sweetest child I've ever met, so cute, lovable, and she held my heart in her hands. lol. Jalen (Jay-len) who has been an incredible hand-full in youth group, came to VBS and behaved like a little adult....which completely floored me. lol. He answered questions, stayed quiet, and looked out for the other kids. I actually really liked the kid by the end of the week...when I asked him why he doesn't behave this way at group, he smiled this goofy smile and walked away. hahahhhaha. oh dear. There was also, Eternity, D'ajah (dee-ah-sha), and Shayla who were all girls and all completely wonderful. It turns out that we had around 61 kids come over the whole week, and they were a pretty good group.

Tuesday- Thursday were pretty slow daytimes for me. I had to re-write some stuff for the skits (meaning I had to write a character out of the story we were telling cause the actor had to go to a wedding..lol....) and I did Devos and tried my best to take it easy...but by Wednesday night Josiah said to me, "I better not see you here until at least 1:00pm tomorrow." I laughed. and he said, "Seriously." So I didn't go in Thurs. until 12:30pm....I'm a rebel. lol. It was GREAT fun.

Friday was crazy. We had food Distribution in the morning at which one lady standing in line almost fainted. Her name was Nadine, and it turns out she hadn't eaten yet that day and needed water. I laughed to myself, cause she reminded me of myself a few years back even though she is at least 3 times my age. I got her water, Aleve for the head ache, and she refused food so I let her son deal with that. It was crazy talking to her....she clearly loved both of her children but she had cut ties with her daughter because she was in an abusive relationship that has physically deformed her and gotten her four kids placed in Children and Youth. Overall, the stories of the people in this town, NEVER cease to amaze me.

Friday night was the Sleepover with Kim, myself, and 5 hyperactive 3rd-5th graders. Oh my golly goodness...lemme break it down for you...

6:30-8:30- VBS

8:30-9:00 I had to walk the kids home. Josiah wasn't there and Kevin was MIA so I had to walk them home on my own. It pumped my adrenaline a little bit, but I survived. The kids were sad to see me go, and I was sad to see them go. I'm going to miss them.

9:00-11:00 Jen = alone with the hyper active kids. LOL. Kim has some stuff she needed to do, so I was left to entertain them on my own. Katie brushed my hair, while Eliana told me stories about her nephews, Giovanni and Devin played on DSes, and Sierra was doing gymnastics in front of me complaining about one of the boys at her VBS table. They also played four square. 2 hours of that. I was pooped.

11:00-12:00 Kim came back and we blew up air matresses...rather IIIIII blew up air mattresses while Kim entertained the kids for a spell. We got all set up for bed and popped in a movie. Veggie Tales!!! Sadly...it was only a half hour.

12:00- 2:00am Finding Nemo played while the kids ran around the fellowship hall, Kim and Katie made Deviled Eggs, Sierra and I actually watched the movie.

2:00am - 4:00am We watched the WaterHorse. *sigh* FINALLY the kids fell asleep, so I did as well...probably around 3 or so.

5:00am - I wake up to Kim snoring and our airmatress deflating.

5:00-6:00am I walk around the fellowship hall, go to the bathroom, grab my pillow and blanket and go sleep in the kitchen to escape the snoring. WAke up in the kitchen and go back to the now completely deflated airmatress.

6:00am, Kim goes down to the classroom and pulls up two tiny couches that roll out into beds of a sort....i curl up on one of those and was OUT.

9:00am... The kids awake.

9:30am everyone's up and about...talking and playing. We put in the Waterhorse again so they could see the parts they missed for sleep.

9:30-11:45 watched movie, ate breakfast, played games.

11:45-12:45 we cleaned up, packed up, and got ready for the pool party.

1:00- 5:00pm POOL PARTY.

5:00-7:00 Kim and I cleaned up the fellowship hall and did other such things.

7:30 = HOME. and also - EXHAUSTED.

So THAT was my Friday into Saturday. So when I say, I Survived..... literally....I survived. lol. When I got home Saturday evening, I had a beautifully decorated package from my boyfriend who had sent me a CD with a couple songs he'd written for me, a DVD with good wishes from a lot of my friends back home that made me laugh and cry...it was great, and two little boxes I wasn't to open until Sunday morning. Perfect ending to an exhausting day.

Sunday was nice...had to get up super early. But I got to open my boxes!! Inside the boxes was a little ceramic baseball glove that reads "You're my best catch!" and inside the other was a beautiful little necklace of a dancing person. The note that came with it read "Dance like no one is watching." I absolutely loved it, and have decided to wear it everyday til I get home. lol. Matt and I have been together for 10 months now!!! Crazy huh? I love that man.

So looking forward into the next two weeks I see a lot of busy-ness. I'm basically rolling right from VBS into all my other regular activities. I have to move houses this weekend, so I'm not sure I'll get a chance to Blog this weekend, but I'll do my best to get at least one or two more out before I get home. Mostly in reflection of the summer and what's coming next, and what I've learned. Believe me, I've been keeping a list.

Until then my dear friends and family, I am off! I have to go to a ribbon cutting ceremony of sorts in a few mintues. I hope you are having a beautiful day, and I'll see you all very soon.

Love,

~ME

"See ya Tomorrow"

Hey friends and family!

This is the beginning of an 8 day stretch that I am to be going NON stop. haha, so I thought i'd sneak in a blog to tie you over in case I don't get a chance to blog until next week!!

This weekend has been really awesome so far.

Last night I drove down to Palmyra (that's right, I've got NEW WHEELS. pictured at right...lol.) and went to see Harry Potter with Bethany. It was SO fun. lol. It took my an hour to get there!! There was traffic because of a concert going on Hershey Park, I literally traveled 20 miles an hour almost the whole way there. lol. It was great, and raining, but I was having a good time anyway. :0) Even though it took me HOUR to get there, I was there half hour early and so Beth and I went to get dinner at this completely rockin' place called "Sheetz" it's a gas station, but also a pretty good distributor of glorious food. I got Three-Cheese Macaroni, as did Beth, and an OJ which we ate and drank in her car. It was 6:30 (our movie was supposed to start at 8) by the time we finished, and on a whim decided to go the theatre and get our tickets early..to beat the rush ya know? First friday in theatres and all....

We get there.....hardly anyone there....and there was a showing at 6:45. It was 6:37. SCORE. We got to go to the film EARLY and it wasn't even that packed. It was beautiful.

The movie itself, was the BOMB. Bethany and i were equally as impressed. I enjoy going to movies with Beth cause we are both jumpy and giggly. At one point I looked over at her, and both her and I are sitting there with our knees up to our chests, hands over mouth, and eyes wide. (it was a scary part.) Oh man, I giggled. We also would jump at the same time at a startling part and then laugh at ourselves....realize we were the only ones laughing...stop...and then silently giggle. It was really fun. We went home after the movie and watched the first Harry Potter movie cause she had it at the Baker's house. It was really cool to watch the beginning of such a great saga.

I drove home this morning after a fantastic breakfast of blueberry pancakes and an education on Sinkholes.

This afternoon was Doris Frysinger's memorial at our church. I had the honor of meeting this fantastic person but once before her passing. She was an enchanting lady as was demonstrated by her full and love-filled life. She praised Jesus even until the end. It was a very moving service. What got me the most was a devotional that Roy (her husband) shared with her a few days before she went home.

"It seems that 'good-bye' is a word all too prevalent in the Christian's vocabulary. Missionaries know it well. Those who sen them know it, too. The Doctor who leaves the city to work in the jungle hospital said it. Those who feed the hungry, those who teach the lost, all know the word 'good-bye'.

Airports. Luggage. Embraces. Taillights. "Wave to Grandma." Tears. Bus Terminals. Ship Docks. "Good-bye, Daddy." Tight throats. Ticket counters. Misty eyes. "Write me!"

Question: What kind of God would give you families and then ask you to leave them? What kind of God would give you friends and then ask you to say good bye?

Answer: A God who knows that we are only pilgrims and that eternity is so close that any "Good Bye" is in reality a "See you Tomorrow."

*sigh*

It was beautiful and SO true. I was reminded of all the times I've had to say good bye for good, and hated it. Wondering if these people I'm leaving will remember me in a few years, If i'll remember them, if we'll write, if i'll ever see them again. I was reminded of all the people I've known who have gone home to Jesus leaving me behind.

I cried even though I didn't know her. Hearing her sons and husband talk about her, made me want to live for what she lived for. And then I giggled to myself cause I already do. She lived for Jesus, and I'm living for Jesus.

Beautiful....Simply, Peacefully, Beautiful.

Next week started VBS, followed by a sleepover for the young kids, a pool party, and then youth group. All in 8 days. phewie. It's gonna be rough, and I'm going to be TIRED. so I ask your prayers for stamina. I'm gonna need it. :0)
Only Three weeks left and then I get home!!!! :0) Yippeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! It's SO funny, I'm already making plans to hang out with friends back home and spend every waking moment with my boyfriend. ( I REAAAALLLY miss him, if you didn't gather that already....hahahaha). it's so weird to make plans to go to the Pacific Ocean when I'm in Pennsylvania. ;0)

I love you all, and I can't wait to see you!!!!

Love

~ME