A year ago today...life changed

Its still so hard to believe that a year ago today at 4:30 in the morning, my dad called to tell me that my brother had died.  It is a memory that I know that I will never forget.  The night before we called Michael and left him a message about what he wanted for Christmas...little did we know that he only had a few hours left and that his last call was checking our message.   We got home late from Christmas shopping and put on the second Pirates movie and watched in on our brand new HDTV.  Jessica and I decided that we wanted to just turn our cell phones volumes off and leave the house phone in the other room so we could sleep in.  Little did we know 2 hours after we went to bed my dad tried to call us.   After several attempts, I woke up and saw my phone glowing...then I heard my dad crying and screaming...while Jessica ran to the den to pick up my sisters phone call...It felt like a dream...just as it does today a year later.
I would like to say that this year has been easy...but it hasn't.  I miss my brother every day.  I miss having one of my closest friends to call and talk about football, hunting, or whatever.   I miss having someone to help me pick on our sister. 
I know that I have had trouble in the past year connecting with friends and family.  It has just been really hard....really really hard.
I know that things will get easier in time.  They say the first year is the toughest...and it sure has been.  If it weren't for me having such a great and wonderful wife and family and great friends and the hope, trust, and faith in my GOD...this year would have been much worse.  I know that my brother is in heaven and one day we will meet again.

A year ago today...life changed

Its still so hard to believe that a year ago today at 4:30 in the morning, my dad called to tell me that my brother had died.  It is a memory that I know that I will never forget.  The night before we called Michael and left him a message about what he wanted for Christmas...little did we know that he only had a few hours left and that his last call was checking our message.   We got home late from Christmas shopping and put on the second Pirates movie and watched in on our brand new HDTV.  Jessica and I decided that we wanted to just turn our cell phones volumes off and leave the house phone in the other room so we could sleep in.  Little did we know 2 hours after we went to bed my dad tried to call us.   After several attempts, I woke up and saw my phone glowing...then I heard my dad crying and screaming...while Jessica ran to the den to pick up my sisters phone call...It felt like a dream...just as it does today a year later.
I would like to say that this year has been easy...but it hasn't.  I miss my brother every day.  I miss having one of my closest friends to call and talk about football, hunting, or whatever.   I miss having someone to help me pick on our sister. 
I know that I have had trouble in the past year connecting with friends and family.  It has just been really hard....really really hard.
I know that things will get easier in time.  They say the first year is the toughest...and it sure has been.  If it weren't for me having such a great and wonderful wife and family and great friends and the hope, trust, and faith in my GOD...this year would have been much worse.  I know that my brother is in heaven and one day we will meet again.

A video from NYWC

National Youth Workers Convention (Nashville 2008) from Shawn Michael Shoup on Vimeo.

Check out this incredible video from Shawn of the Youth Specialties National Youth Worker Convention.

A video from NYWC

National Youth Workers Convention (Nashville 2008) from Shawn Michael Shoup on Vimeo.

Check out this incredible video from Shawn of the Youth Specialties National Youth Worker Convention.

#NYWC: National Youth Workers Convention (cliff notes ed.)

Let me just say that was a great convention!

It was my first time attending NYWC and I've wanted go for years but always made excuses (either time or Church budget).  As with Catalyst, I attended NYWC for class credit for my MCE degree and got a student rate.   I also crashed at my good buddy Jason's place for the weekend.  It really helped that he had been a couple times before.  It was great to hang out with him and hear his side, while also learning the ropes. 

I decided not to go to any of the seminars and take the time to reflect on the general sessions, relax, and get 4 bags full of goodies in the exhibit hall!!!

Let me just say that it was all worth it!  Worship, the talks, the skits, the concerts, free time, the exhibits....I really do not know how I have not been before.  And from now one no matter what I plan on putting at least one conference into my budget every year.  It is a not a question.  It is a MUST!

So...here is my cliff notes version of the weekend...

I'm now an official member of the slow club...even though they ran out of the tshirts in 5 minutes...and we are still trying to track down where to get one at!!!

ITS TIME TO SLOW DOWN and ENJOY IT...again!

I need to take more time like this to refuel.

Its time to let tears of the soul happen....because their is joy after the tears

Its time to regroup, give care and to teach adults volunteer and parents in new ways.

Its time to have FUN again...and not worry so much about the busyness of the church.

ITS TIME TO LOVE YOUTH MINISTRY AGAIN!!!!