Connecting with my church Oct 10

Now that I have been attending Warmland church for a month I feel a lot more connected than I did on that first sunday I showed up. Don't get me wrong, im not saying that the church wasn't accepting,  they are a very welcoming church, it just takes time to make it your home. I did have to take initiative on getting to know the other members. Unfortunatley this does'nt exactly come naturally to me so it was, and still is, a stretch for me. I found that I am able to get connected to the guys on the worship team because I know of a common interest between us to get conversation going, also I help with putting chairs away and my work hasnt gone unnoticed and relationships have been building up with the guys who usually take on that task.

Im getting more and more invovled with youth. Connections with the youth have been coming along really well, especially since road tour. Road tour is a big event that connects all the local youth groups in one big and fun worship night. Considering this was only my second event with the group I was able to make a solid connection. During this event I did try really hard to spend my time with my group and show them I was there to be with them not my other friends. Even though I was the "new guy" (actually one of three new leaders) I felt like they accepted me into their friend group. I first noticed this during a game that was played and each youth group had to designate one leader to particpate, I was the chosen one! When it came time for the bus ride home, I walk towards the bus and even before I get on there are kids yelling at me saying they had saved a seat for me. My intentions had paid off and my relationship witht the group is off to a great strart. I do wish there were more boys...it was a long bus ride with mostly 12 year old girls. Fortunatley last week we split off into small groups for a little while and I could get to know the few guys there a little better. A new friendship has also come out of my participation with the youth, Theres another guy working with the youth thats my age and we have been able to hit it off. I'm thankful to have a friend in the church thats outside of my school group. The main youth leaders do a great job about being intentional with us by having us over for lunch every sunday for fellowship and to discuss youth buisness.

The relationship with the pastor of Warmland is also going well. I will make a point of having a breif conversation with him every sunday but he was been doing more initiating than I have. Two weeks ago he had invited myself and the two other students (Evan and Rachel) for lunch after church. We all enjoyed the afternoon getting to know him on a personal level along with the rest of his family and another couple from the church.

I have an easy connection with the worship leader, Russ Smith. He just so happens to be my "link" (leader who watches out/prays for me) at camp Qwanoes. We get to see eachother all over the place, in fact we are meeting for coffee this friday morning, I think he will really be able to help me grow, especially with music.

I'm excited and very thankful for these connections that have been made. I know all these relationships are still at the beginning stages but I feel it's a really strong start and they will go a long way in the 7 months that I have left here.