Quote of the Day

My friend, Angie, had this cool quote from Greg Paul on her blog. I don't know who Greg is ... my nearest guess is an incredible author whom I should be reading.

“I am sometimes struck by thoughts of the hundreds of lepers Jesus did not heal, the thousands of people who died of ridiculous little infections during his lifetime, the blind or lame beggars who missed his passing by a few hundred yards or a few minutes. He healed so few! And I, who can heal no one, am reminded that being his presence does not mean fixing everything. Being among people means being in their midst, not outside. It means being with them, not being over them. It means not looking away from their agony or humiliation, but beholding it, and having the courage to be also wounded by their pain.” -Greg Paul

Depression and Suicide

Some of you have asked me for a copy of what I said the other night at Oxygen. Here you go...

(Began my portion of the message by playing the part of the November 29 Cadre Conference Call where Jeanne is getting back on the line, after jumping off with me to hear the news)

I remember as if it were yesterday, I was standing in the entrance way of the door you came in tonight. My sister was on the other end of the cell phone trying to find the words to tell me that my niece had walked in and found my father had hanged himself. All I can remember is saying “I’m on my way home, I’m on my way home, I am on my way home” … which for me, home is 11 hours away in Indiana.

Jeanne wanted to put me on a plane, but I want to drive … I needed to drive … to cry, scream, beat the steering wheel, to be silent, to talk with Jesus. For most of the way, I had a Jars of Clay song on repeat called “Oh, my God” and that was pretty much my prayer, the cry of my heart, for in one two-minute call, my world had come crashing in on me.

During the drive home, like a bad tape recorder, I replayed the last few moments with my dad in my head over and over again. My dad had interjected some things into a conversation we were having that I missed, but I didn’t have the luxury of knowing what was about to transpire just five days later.

• He talked about how he would have been ok if he died in the hospital a month earlier when his body became toxic from an adjustment in the medicine he was on. But when we talked about suicidal thoughts before, while he had them, he said “I would never ever do that.”
• Later on, he repeated what he had said before, “I wish I would have never bought the house. I wish I would have moved in to an apartment. I wish your brother would have put me in a nursing home.”
• He lived with me for awhile when he had depression before, he said “I enjoyed living together. We had a good thing going.”
• Randomly he said, “Don’t buy me a Christmas present.”
  

Instead of listening between the lines, you know what I did, I coached him.

• “Dad, that house was a great investment.” He loved to play the stock market and make a buck or two. He loved to know he beat the system.
• “Too bad dad, I already bought you a Christmas present.” I knew he still didn’t feel well and just figured he didn’t feel much like celebrating the holidays.
• “Dad, I promised we’ll get you to the doctor to get you on the right meds. But dad you’ve got to speak up … you can’t say you’re feeling fine when you aren’t. You can say you’re physically fine, but you’re not in your mind. Dad you’ve got to speak up.” Then we talked about other stuff, I hugged and kissed him, said “I love you dad,” then left.

“You’ve got to speak up dad” … those words echo in my mind today. I tell you all that, so that if you ever find yourself in a state of depression that’s lingered, get some help … as Jeanne already mentioned, sometimes it’s a biological thing. If the first person you tell doesn’t listen or fully grasp what you’re saying, tell someone else. Don’t make people have to guess. Don’t make them have to put the puzzle pieces together or figure out the clues you’re trying to send. Don’t buy into the lies the devil tries to sell you like “they’ll think I’m weak” or “I don’t want to burden them.”

But don’t say those words flippantly either. When I got back, I overheard some of the students, after a bad test or a tough day, say things like “I could just shoot myself” or “I just want to jump off a cliff right about now.” With a smile on my face, in a joking but at the same time serious way, I said, “enough with the suicide jokes.”

And don’t be a drama queen or king either by throwing those statements out there to get attention. If you’re down because you’ve just lost your girlfriend or boyfriend of two weeks or even two years, you’re smart enough to know that while it hurts like all get out now, in time it will get better. Get perspective. BUT if it’s lingering, speak up ... speak up.

At the same time, if you’re on the other end of conversation … listen. On the way home that day, I decided I wanted to officiate my dad funeral … I felt Jesus had some things He wanted me to say. In a nutshell, I talked about how we all wished we could get some do-overs in our life, but sometimes you can wish all you want, but a do-over is just not available. Instead, you just need to resolve to do better next time. My resolution was to love people better. After reflecting on my last conversation with my dad, one way I know to love better is by listening better … to lean in and listen, ask better questions, the questions that no one is asking that go beyond the surface chatter. Things like, “Dad, what do mean when you say that?” “Friend, normally when you talk your eyes dance, they aren’t dancing today, what’s up?”

I want to end tonight by saying this … ups and downs, highs and lows, peaks and valleys are a part of life. You heard Jeanne earlier tonight talk about tests you can take to see how prone you are to depression. If I were to take that test, between the my dad’s unexpected tragic death, the holidays, a new job and living in a city hundreds of miles away from my family and friends … my susceptibility to depression score would be off-the-chart. But, I don’t have to take a test, because I can feel it here, inside of me, in my heart. I know I could easily dig myself into hole right now.

For example, it was good for me to drive home for my dad’s funeral, it wasn’t for me to drive home at Christmas. I was heading into a holiday of tradition where a significant member of the family wasn’t going to be there for the first time. I was battling a wave of could of … would of … should of guilt and really just wanted to drive off a cliff or put my gas pedal through the floor board. How many of you know that if I would have dwelled on those thoughts the entire 11 hour drive home, it would not have left me in a good place? While there are no cliffs in Indiana there are a lot of straight-aways to put the gas pedal through the floor board. I HAD THE OPTION TO DWELL OR STAY WELL. I chose not to dwell, but instead to call some friends and think through some product development ideas I have. I wish that was the one and only time I’d ever have to deal with it, but I was getting nailed with it Sunday night to the point I went home from church at 8 and was in bed by 9, when I’m normally just warming up. I laid there in bed, staring at the ceiling for a half hour. At that point, I once again was faced with the option TO DWELL OR STAY WELL I had made a new years resolution to read two books a month and I new if I knocked out a couple of chapters, I’d feel better. So, that’s what I did, I simply got up and read until I got to the point I could sleep. It’s ok for me to process some of my thoughts and feelings about the suicide, but I'm telling you if I park there for any length of time, I am in trouble. It’s in those moments I have to ... and you have to ... decide to DWELL OR STAY WELL. You have to choose to refocus. Even last night, Jenna text me, how’s work going because it was pretty late and I wasn’t home. I responded by telling her that I was working off a funk I was in.

DWELL OR STAY WELL, only you, and you alone, can decide where you are going to allow you head to go … your parents can’t decide for you, your friends can’t decide for you, even Jesus can’t decide … he can help, but he can’t decide for you … you and you alone.

Cadre - 29 States Down 21 To Go

The Cadre - Jeanne's mentoring program for youth pastors - is off the hook. I believe within the next three years, we will have every state represented. This year wasn't bad, the records show 116 youth pastors from 29 different states are represented. The surprise came from the show from California. While it's a largly populated state ... it's a gazillion miles away ... ok, maybe not a gazillion, but it feels that way when you sit in the middle seat on a sold out plane.

Oklahoma came in at number one with twelve. What in the world is in Oklahoma? I didn't know 12 people lived there ... but, oh wait, that's where the infamous Adam Barnett is from. Adam, you almost fell from favor today when you were late getting on the conference call ... but loved that you got on just in time. You are truly amazing and one of the coolest of the cool.

Oklahoma
12
Florida
11
Texas
9
California
9
Michigan
8
Georgia
8
Pennsylvania
6
New Jersey
5
Arizona
5
Arkansas
4
Washington
3
Tennessee
3
South Carolina
3
Montana
3
Missouri
3
Kansas
3
Colorado
3
Alabama
3
Ohio
2
North Carolina
2
Nebraska
2
Indiana
2
Illinois
1
Wyoming
1
Wisconsin
1
West Virginia
1
Nevada
1
Maryland
1
Kentucky
1

Total
116

Dungeon of Depression

Last night at Oxygen Jeanne addressed the topic of depression and suicide. She nailed it with ways to conquer depression, while encouraging them to gain perspective on people and events that lead to depression. In addition to two great skits, she gave me part of the message time to talk about my dad and my life after a suicide. The response was huge.

One crazy sad story from last night when we were praying for kids was when Missy was talking with an 8th grade girl who was sobbing. Literally that morning, her parents had woke her up at 3 a.m. and told her that she was a mistake, they didn't love her or want her. They brought her down to Atlanta and dropped her off in the foster care system. She landed in the foster care home of one of our church members and the same day came to our youth ministry. Naturally, she was broken. Fortunately, we talk family a lot here and Missy told her, while her heart aches for her and it's a tragic situation, she's welcome here and we'd loved to have her be a part of our family. Words may or may not have felt cheap at that moment, but time will show our words match our actions. Pray for her and the numerous other foster kids in our ministry.

Now I Get It

Did you ever have one of those ah ha moments? Lately I felt like the ball in a ping pong match, bouncing and landing all over the table ... or maybe it's more like reaching new levels of ADD. I couldn't figure it out until I put down on paper everything going through my head at random times. Turns out I have 23 projects I am providing oversight on ... seriuos tweaking ahead.

Who Are You Going To Be Judy

Character is a big, big deal to me. There is always some area I'm trying to refine within myself. In some ways, it's a large part of what drives me. I do pretty well in that department, but am always asking Jesus to help me be the best me I can be. The question I privately ask myself is, "Who are you going to be Judy?" ... sometimes I word it ... "Where are you going to land?"

• When I find myself in the middle of a conversation laced with gossip.
• When it's easier to twist words in such a way that I look more favorable and the other person looks less.
• When I have the opportunity to extend grace and mercy or cast judgement.
• When I have the option to speak up or stay silent.
• When I have the opportunity to shift blame or own up to my mistakes.
• When I can give God the glory or take it for myself.

Even in areas like...

• When I've wanted to blow money left and right (incidently, I'm doing really well in that department since the new year ... buying the mini-fridge and microwave for my office has already saved me over $50 the last seven days alone ... it hasn't paid off the appliances yet, but by the end of the month it will)
• When I want to eat fast food/junk food (doing better, but still room for much improvement...mini-fridge and microwave are helping)
• When I want to skip jumping on the treadmill (not doing great in this department)
• When I want to be lazy and not read (I found that if I keep my current book and Bible next to me at all times, it helps alot)

There's some work to be done, but in time...

Tent of Meeting

I enjoyed the nearly 70 degree weather, but Jeanne's teaching in Alliance today even more. It revolved around the Tent of Meeting found in Exodus 33:7-11.

7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. 11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

The Tent of Meeting is your purposeful place of personal encounter with the Lord (ie your quiet time).

"I don't know shortcuts on anything that matters ... your walk with Christ, marriage, raising kids, losing weight, etc."

"I read the Word of God whether I want to or not ... with a pen in my hand. It's Oxygen to my soul."

In a nutshell, here are the six things that will happen WITHOUT the Tent of Meeting...
1. Ministry will become a chore and not a calling.
2. You'll talk about discipleship but in reality will be discipling no one. Moses taught Joshua ministry started and stopped in the Tent of Meeting.
3. Eventually you'll minister through a critical, judgemental spirit not through a heart of love.
4. You find yourself repeatively moving in man's wisdom and not in God's, but frightfully enough will still see results ... God honor his Word.
5. You'll often battle discouragement. We try to get security and happiness through others and things but it will never be the result of our circumstances ... it is an inside job.
6. You have a higher likelihood of giving into your Hell bait areas (ex. disease to please). There are not necessarily levels of sin, but some sin areas costs you more. Sin begins as a seed, prayer combats and aborts it before it takes root.

Another Great Jeanne Quote

I'm sure she stole it from somewhere, but I'm giving Jeanne the credit.

There's not much difference between your frineds and your enemies. Your friends choose to focus on the positve things about you, while your enemies focus on the negative.

FREEZING!

My friends always get ticked when I write or text them about how wonderful the weather is in Atlanta. Ok, just so you know, it's stinkin' frigid right now ... I even saw snowflakes in the headlights last night. My car says it's 23 degrees. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. There is only one degree difference right now between the windchill factor in Atlanta vs. Granger ... there goes my bragging right.

A Resource Every Youth Pastor Should Have On Their Shelf

I'm the last one to listen to Jeanne's monthly resource - "Source" and "Youth Leader's Coach"- before it goes to Piper Media for duplication (which if Josh and I have anything to do with it, will be downloadable in the next few months) and Midwest Mail Works for mailing. This month had some bumps so I've had to send it back to the guys for tweaking, which has required me to listen to it not once but four times. After listening to it for the fourth time, I've come to the conclusion that this is a resource that should be on every youth pastor's shelf ... in fact, they should have multiple copies to hand out to students.

The title of the "Source" this month is "Guy Meets Guy ... Girl Meets Girl" and it's on homosexuality. Latest stats tell us that 30% of students today will at one point in their teenage years question their sexual identity. That's a significant percentage. It doesn't mean that 30% will adopt a homosexual lifestyle, but 30% will at some point question their identity. With that in mind, this resource is invaluable. Not because of the high percentage though, but because of the content within. The approach Jeanne takes in the resource is non-offensive, yet some of the most straight talk on the topic that I've ever heard.

I've got a couple of friends whom I love dearly that live a homosexual lifestyle, so I listen and read things through a different filter. I listen and read things with them in mind ... considering what they might think, how they might interpret what was said, etc. Now, the reality is I know that if we actually sat down and discussed it, while it would be a great conversation, we probably wouldn't influence each others thoughts. Nevertheless, they matter to me. And, the kids questioning their sexual identity matter to me. This is a CD that they need to listen to ... especially the three tracks "Answering the Question, 'Does this mean I'm gay,'" "The Root Issue: Unmet Emotional Needs" and "Breaking Away from Emotional Dependency."

Resourcing the Church

Spent part of New Year's Eve dreaming youth ministry stuff with Josh and Monica ... and totally loved it. When Josh Mayo and I put our brains together it's a scary thing. We both have way too many ideas than we possibly have time to implement. However, we have landed on four that we're working on getting done before Jeanne goes to the Group Conference in February. I am totally stoked. Later on, after we rung in the new year, I was talking with Jeanne about what a geek I am on this stuff and how much I absolutely love it. She laughed, affirmed me and said "Judy, I love watching your eyes light up when you talk about resourcing the church." I can't wait to dive in. I think the stuff we've come up will help youth pastors around the nation to spend less time behind their desk and enable them to go out and love on their kids.

I think 2008 is going to be a life changing year.

New Year's Resolutions in Bite Size Chunks #2 and #3

I'm off to a good start on the second one. New Year's Resolution #2 is to get my finances in order and be strategic about them. Most people would tell me I've already got that nailed because, other than my rent and utilities, I have no debt ... credit cards are paid at the end of each month, car is paid off, etc. However, lately I've spent money like it's going out of style ... between grief shopping, going out to eat because I'm always in a mad dash hurry and impulse buying, I'm out of control.

So, I bought a small refrigerator and microwave for my office (you've got to spend money to make it ... right?) and I loaded it up with Diet Dew and bought some soup and stuff. So instead of running down to QT twice a day to buy a $1.50 bottle of Diet Dew, I'll drink my cans that cost me a quarter a piece. Instead of running to Wendy's and spending $5, I'll eat my PBJ and soup for $1.50. I'm feeling pretty good about this one, especially since I spent the Michigan game going through mounds of paperwork to make sure my I's are dotted and T's are crossed. In the process I found about $150 in different gift cards, so that was fun. The only other thing I have to get a handle on in this area is my retirement accounts, they are everywhere. I'm not sure how I'm going to resolve that one but I'll figure it out.

Resolution #3 is to eat better and exercise, pretty much the resolution everyone and their brother makes. Rather than to say I want to lose "X" pounds, I'm just going to keep it simple and say I'm going to make movements in the right direction when it comes to eating and exercising. I've got a plan that I will implement in bite size chuncks. It begins with slowing life down a notch ... not much (I actually enjoy Mach 2, just not Mach 3) ... just a little to help keep my priorities ... well, a priority.

New Year's Resolutions in Bite Size Chunks

I taught about Resolutions in Sunday School (somebody should rename that beast) this morning. I've got four I'm leaning in on. Actually, there are a dozen, but I've narrowed it down to four ... figured that's enough to focus on in any given year.

One of my resolutions is to read more. 2007 was a horrible reading year for me with all the my life, job and geographic changes. I decided to be "resolved" a little early, but figured that's ok. I listended to Malcolm Gladwell's Tipping Point on the way home yesterday and over Christmas began Carly Fiorina's Tough Choices. Great stuff. I'll give you the cliff notes to Carly's book within the next month. While I'd love to read a book a week, I'm setting my goal at reading one book and listening to another each month. By the end of the year, I should have digested 24 books. While not huge, a bite size chunk I think I can handle.

Wow What a Day (or do you count that as two?)

Back home, rather than doing Christmas presents, some friends and I decided to get a couple of hotel rooms at the Marriott, have dinner at the Emporium, swirl around in the whirlpool and just enjoy each other's company. There were eight of us, so it was a cool little party. We went to bed kind of late (at least for them :) ) at around 1 a.m. I proceeded to wake up bright-eyed at 4:30 a.m. thinking about one of my old Oasis students, Jami, who lost her dad two weeks ago. Thoughts were swirling around in my head on what we could do that might actually help ... even in a small sort of way. I thought, prayed and came up with a game plan (too many times I've thought and prayed and never followed through, lesson learned along time ago on that one). So I headed downstairs to begin to put the plan into action, adding it to an already busy day ... take a look.

6:45 a.m. Purchased stuff in the gift shop for some gifts and checked email in the lobby

7:30 Josh called and was puking his guts out. He had to leave the hospital to go home. Asked if I could get his van over to Elkhart General in case baby Sarah got released (she was a little dehydrated from the flu, which she proceeded to give Josh. All is good, she is home).

8:00 - 10:00 Got the keys, got the van, drove to and from EGH, watched the baby while Dee took a shower at the hospital, then dropped Loretta back off at the hotel

10:15 -11:45 Met with Seth and Sarah, got caught up and talked about what we think God's dream is in each of our worlds. Awesome friends, some of my favorite people to dream the dream with.

12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Met with Rhonda, Denise, Danielle, Jami (who lost her dad), Loretta, Bob and Karen for lunch at South Bend Chocolate Cafe. In the middle of it, took a time out to do a short call with Andy over at Simply Youth Ministry to talk about Jeanne's portion of youthministry.com stuff. Gave Jami different gifts God laid on my heart. It wasn't a ton, but I hope it helps in a couple of different areas. Great friends and great fun all around.

2:15 - 3:15 Checked out of the hotel, drove to vet to talk with her on Zach's diagnosis and picked up his medicine. I should of asked for a script for CVS; vet charged me $30 for 30 pills, could of got it for $18 at CVS. Lesson learned, don't get your animal medicine from the vet if they have the same stuff at the pharmacy (which we learned with Ben, vets can write a prescription for). Between vet bill and medicine, forked out $225 to find out that Zach has what I figured out from the internet ... a hyperthyroid. NOT great fun for me or Zach.

3:15 - 4:30 Met with Naomi and we talk about "knowing God's will for your life." Wonderful friend, fun discussion.

4:30 - 6:00 Met with Rachel from Arizona and talked about youth ministry, life in general and her first year in the Cadre. Once again, amazing friend, good times getting caught up.

6:00 - 7:00 Tossed all of my clothes and stuff at my sister's house into my car and picked up stuff for party at Chris' house. Forgot some stuff, but sister had my back.

7:00 - 12:30 a.m. Had a blast with 60-70 AMAZING friends. Mike, Scott and I aren't in town much, so we like to see people in masses when we come home.

12:30 - 1:30 Stopped at my mom's house to drop off Zach's medicine and some paperwork.

1:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Drove home to Atlanta, needed to be home by 3:00. Normally only an 11 hour trip, but needless to say took some naps along the journey

Ok, after all that ... can you say STUPID! What in the world was I thinking? I'm going to bed now. Oh, wait a minute, what about all that stuff in my car and, oh yeah, have to teach Sunday school in the morning. Oops, better get to work.

While I'm in cold, snowy Indiana for the week enjoying time with family and friends, right before I left Atlanta we did a fun outreach night. One of the transition videos between short dramas can be seen here. The guy playing the Christmas tree is Alex and, while he's silly here, is one of the most amazing worship leaders. I describe him as "the guy who when he opens his mouth, heaven comes down." The other guy in the picture above is Vinny. Vinny is a first year Master's Commission student who seems quiet and reserved. However, he is a total comedian on the stage. With any luck maybe I can get Sterling to post some of Vinny's stuff from the fall retreat where he and Grant stole the show.

MASTER'S COMMISSION ATLANTA

The FIRST YEAR MASTER'S COMMISSION ATLANTA pics from the Christmas Party are below, along with the staff's pic. Eventually, I will post the second and third year MC ATL pictures as well.

While I absolutley love, love, love working with youth pastor's in the CADRE, these students have been a pure joy and make me laugh and smile so often each day. While I don't walk with them on the academic side every day, I do spend considerable time with them between projects, Cadre and other activities. For some reason, God has granted me favor with a lot of them. It would be cool if every church in America, remotely doing things right, would run one of these (of course, only if they are going to do it well...which is no easy task). The work load to teach, train and manage them is enormous, but the outcome - should you be willing to deal with a few more dings in the wall and stains on the carpet - is revolutionary. Between what we do with the Cadre and MC ATL, it really does feel like the MULTIPLICATION EFFECT at its finest hour.

Cool Coversations

I just had the most amazing conversation with five Master's Commission students at 10 a.m. at night, all standing and sitting around my relatively small office. There was so much energy and excitement in the room I could hardly stand it. I spent an hour dreaming, vision casting and encouraging them on what it means to "champion" people and projects ... what it looks like, how it's played out, how it's evidenced in your life... In the end, I'm not sure who left more on fire ... me or them. It was a cool night.

Dealing with the Desert Times and Alliance

Early, early this morning I listened to the final edits of Youth Leader's Coach for December. It's called Dealing with the Desert Times. All I can say is WOW ... hands down one of the top five most powerful, and helpful, messages I've ever heard.

Great quote and thoughts from Alliance's Leadership Team Meeting today...

It's far too easy to be a full-time minister but a part-time follower of Christ.

Jesus made himself of "no reputation". He chose not to claim His rights as God.

What rights did you "choose" to give up last year?

What do you do when you realize you are the most important person in the room? At the Last Supper, Jesus chose to wash people's feet.

Another Great Jeanne Quote

A divided church will never conquer a unified Hell.

Maximizing Your Mission Trip Experience

Matt and Julie Cooper



Matt Cooper with Back2Back Ministries was on the Epic Conference Call today. As expected, he knocked it out of the park. He now has a new fan in Jeanne. Here were my highlights from our time with him...

1. He answer the question, "Are short-term missions even helpful?" He told the story of how the kids at the orphanage wanted to make scrapebooks, as they had seen some of the women on the base make. The ladies were worried. They wondered, "What pictures would they have to put in them?" Long and short of it, when they went to do them, a girl pulled out a box of pictures of herself with the various teams that had come through. These were some of her prized possessions, most memorable moments. I loved the way he answered the question through a story ... totally dug it!

2. He did this cool visual with a clock, talking about Experience, Reflection, Changed Heart and Action. Often times we don't go any further beyond a "Changed Heart," basically the moutnain top expereince of a mission trip. He said the mountain top experience will be gone within 30 days, if we don't help them with "Action" steps upon their return.

3. He said that icebreakers and team building exercises are good, but serving together beforehand is even better ... have them do a Habitate project or something like it before they get there. Get them together and focus on something other than themsleves. Teams that bond well beforehand hit the ground running. Those that don't, it takes 3-4 days of their trip just to do that.

4. He encouraged them to find an organization that will take care of the details, so they can do ministry and not worry about what's for dinner and who is going to get it. I don't think he realizes how hard it is to find organizations that do that well. Back2Back has beat every organization I've worked with hands down.

5. If possible, get pictures and names of kids at the ophanages/ministry location ahead of time so that they can pray, prepare, etc. By doing so, a bond is formed even before your students get there.

6. He talked about making sure to know the concerns of your parents. It affirmed my "know and answer the questions before they are ever asked" mentality.

7. He mentioned "mission trips are pressure cookers for growth." Amen. Liked that saying.

8. Look for ways to involve other students and people in your church, to make them feel more a part of the trip.

9. Expect to be ministered to. As you pour out, you'll be poured into as well.

10. Keep great track of travel documents. If you're not good at it, admit it ... and hand off the job.

The only thing I cringed at is when he said, "Be flexible. We've found that students do fine with change, but adults don't." I totally knew what he meant when he said it, but have found organizaitons to use that line when they haven't done their homework. Fortunately, Back2Back is not one of them. They do the front end work, so youth ministries can maximize their mission trip expereince.

Well done Matt Cooper! You, Julie, Bill and Heather are loved and have fans in the ATL.