NYWC Atlanta, first two days

Hanging out here in Atlanta at the National Youth Workers Convention. It's been nice to get away though I miss my family. The past few weeks have been crazy. Two retreats/trips in three weeks along with multiple tests and projects due in class and trying to keep up with the ministry stuff. I've been looking forward to getting away and so far it's been nice. Some stuff that was interesting, fun, or weird.

1. My friend Jeff got in Wednesday night around 9:00 or so. We hung out in the room, chatting it up as usual and then around midnight figured out that we were a) not tired and b) hungry. Found this 24 hour diner place (Landmark Diner) about four blocks away. Got a late dinner, grilled cheese, and hung out watching the rain just pour down outside. Something about late night food, hanging with a good friend, and just talking that is really nice and relaxing. Got back to the hotel around 2:30am and slept until 11:00am Thursday. I never sleep that late.

2. On Wednesday night I dished out probably $10-$12 to homeless folks I came across. Basically ran out of money and had to turn the last guy away. It's strange really. In one sense I really want to help, I want to talk, I want to make eye contact, I even made sure to ask names, shake hands, etc. Not because I'm condescending but because I'm trying to break out of these walls I build so frequently to keep some people away. One guy actually said,"It's just nice when someone makes eye contact with me and says hi." His name was Kevin and he was from Boston. Nice guy. On the other hand I was a little frustrated that I couldn't walk 100 yards without someone else asking me for money. Frustrated with them for constantly interrupting my conversation (I'm not saying this is fair, just being honest). Frustrated with me, society, etc. that this is still a problem in a country that is so rich. Not sure how to feel about this. I'm glad that God is helping me to realize how dehumanizing I can be and is helping me to step out a little bit. But I still struggle with the fact that I was heading back to my $100 a night hotel to sleep in a warm bed. I don't know.

3. Good Critical Concerns Course. Probably one of the best I've been to. Did the "Retreat for the Youthworker" with Mike King. Really enjoyed the discussion and the times of prayer and silence along with the contemplative music. Exciting to see how our youth ministry is already moving in some of the directions he was pointing out. Also got some good ideas and such for possible future moves.

4. Took a break from the convention this afternoon and went with Jeff over to the Georgia Aquarium. I've wanted to visit it for a while and I'm always a fan of a good aquarium, plus I thought it would be good to scout it for a possible youth trip stop. My observations:

• a little pricey at $27
• good exhibits, they've got whale sharks which I've never seen anywhere else so that was cool
• pretty interesting stuff, I definitely enjoyed it
• not a youth group stop, we were done in about 1.5 hours and between the price and no real shows or entertainment, it's not going to catch a lot of teenagers

So now I'm hanging out in the hotel room blogging and soon transitioning to some school work. We are meeting Shoup and Jennifer for dinner and I think Jeff and I will be going to the David Crowder concert tonight across the street from the hotel with some Ortega folks who have been nice enough to lay a couple of tickets on us.

Looking forward tomorrow's stuff. Phyllis Tickle is the main session speaker in the morning which is cool and Chris Folmsbee's afternoon Super Seminar looks really interesting. TTFN.