Let me begin by saying a great big thank you to everyone who helped donate items for our Shoebox packing party on November 3. We were able to pack over 50 boxes, and then had individuals take home extra boxes to pack on their own, we ended up dropping off 60+ boxes.

 

I love watching traditions take shape. Some of the students who participated with us have been packing shoeboxes for years, and others were completely new to the process, but excited to keep it going.

 

That brings me to musings on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Built into the holiday season are opportunities for families to make the most of traditions. My brother and I still joke about looking at Christmas lights before getting to open presents (we were not fans of the tradition), but the shared memory helps us stay connected all these years later.

 

What traditions does your family have? How can you lean into them this season? Maybe there’s a new one you can start? One of the greatest opportunities we have as a family is to collectively look to God, and my prayer is you will do that this Christmas season.

 

 

The Students. We have some absolutely incredible students. I see it when we go on trips, but also in our weekly meetings. We have students who love being together, who love God, and who love having fun. Our middle schoolers have an enthusiasm that words can hardly describe. Our high schoolers are making an impact around them. Our student leaders (made up of middle schoolers and high schoolers) are eagerly learning how to make a difference, and they are making a difference.

 

The Adults. One of the best kept secrets when it comes to the Student Ministry is we have some top notch adults pouring into students’ lives. The adults who serve love Jesus and want to help model and encourage that love in those they serve. Whether that means they’re leading a table discussion on Sunday mornings (helping reinforce the scripture we’re studying), volunteering at an event, or teaching a lesson to their Circle on Wednesday nights, our adults are making a difference.

 

Glo Games. Never have I ever done an event like Glo Games before coming to Trinity. Black lights, dodgeball, face paint, photo booths, and a confetti drop are all excellent parts of Glo Games. But the most exciting part isn’t the games at all, it’s the way our students invite their friends to not only participate in what we do, but also to find a place where they can belong. Glo Games is more than games, it’s an introduction to the Trinity family, and something I’m always thrilled to help lead.