Last week we went to summer camp with 26 youth and 6 other group leaders. At first the experience was rather intimidating, since this was our first time as the people in charge. Ultimately, though, we are so glad that we got to experience it.
For both of us, this camp did one major thing. It seemed that it was such a wonderful bonding experience for everyone. It provided many opportunities for us to get to know the youth, and for them to get to know us. We walked away with a deeper love for them. We are also so proud of our youth group. (And this is not just because we're biased, although I guess you could say we are). Our youth show a level of such deep, solid maturity that stood out among the crowd of youth groups (all 500 individuals!) They have a wonderful balance of being able to have fun, but to bring it down and focus when it is necessary, which I think gives God a place to move in the group.
It is the greatest thing to see God be faithful to meet you where your are, where He has called you to be. He consistently builds confidence in you, in Him and His ability to work on your heart, grow your passions and enable you to do the thing He has asked you to do. We can honestly say that that is what He did in us at camp.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
First Youth Pastor Adventures
This Thursday Seth and I will be going to camp with our youth group. We have both realized how interesting it is to be going as the leaders of our group. This job has really brought us into so many things we have never done before. I guess that is the story of being newly weds, and newly embarking on our life journey. There's good stuff happening in our youth group. It seems like every week it gets easier and easier to interact with them, and we are secretly pining for recruits to LIFE (Hehe). Let's just say we have seen some youth who have some huge potential for being in the ministry in one way or another. It's so great to see young people (that makes me feel old, but I guess I am technically a young people too) so excited to follow God and do what He asks.
We have also recently been able to establish connections with other youth pastors in the area. It is exciting to see that we will be building up a network of people who are in the same boat we are who can encourage us and who we can encourage. It will be a great opportunity to be there for each other in many areas. So this is an update on the youth pastor part of our lives.
We have also recently been able to establish connections with other youth pastors in the area. It is exciting to see that we will be building up a network of people who are in the same boat we are who can encourage us and who we can encourage. It will be a great opportunity to be there for each other in many areas. So this is an update on the youth pastor part of our lives.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Mini Middlebrook Reunion
Last night Seth and I were able to spend some time with extended family. This was quite the experience for me, being that I am a new Middlebrook, and haven't been one for very long. It was good to be able to meet new family members, and see some again that I already knew. One of the biggest ideas that hit me is that this whole group of people have grown up together, spending time with each other, or at least keeping in touch with each other for years. With literally three generations present, it's easy to see a family's heritage, of generations that have chosen to serve God in one way or another. And the strangest thing is realizing that I am now part of it. Such is the story of marriage, and the blending of two families. it is quite a thing to experience, and I think we are only beginning to see all that it means.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Appendix A: Did You Just Say Zebras in California?!
You may be wondering, "how on earth are there zebras in California?! Are they sure they didn't just see black and white horses?"
In answer to all your musings, zebras are legitimately what we saw. There were about 15 free range zebras standing in a field munching on grass, just like you might see deer munching grass of the side of the road in Idaho. We saw them as we drove by, and pulled off to the side of the road to watch them. And we have the pictures to prove it, which will be posted at a later date.
So how did the zebras get there? Just a few miles from where we saw them, is a historical landmark known as Hearst Castle (which we were able to visit). In around the 1920s through the 1940s, this estate was built by a rich newspaper owner/editor and influential political figure named William Randolph Hearst. In building this Castle, he added ancient artifacts and animals from all over the world. This is also where the zebras come in. At the time, he owned the largest, independently owned zoo in the world. He collected animals like kangaroos, polar bears (seriously!), giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions and the list goes on and on and on. Today there are still a few species of the animals that remain on the Castle property and the surrounding land. The zebras are one of them!!! Yes, quite a unique and wonderful experience to
add adventure to our honeymoon.
In answer to all your musings, zebras are legitimately what we saw. There were about 15 free range zebras standing in a field munching on grass, just like you might see deer munching grass of the side of the road in Idaho. We saw them as we drove by, and pulled off to the side of the road to watch them. And we have the pictures to prove it, which will be posted at a later date.
So how did the zebras get there? Just a few miles from where we saw them, is a historical landmark known as Hearst Castle (which we were able to visit). In around the 1920s through the 1940s, this estate was built by a rich newspaper owner/editor and influential political figure named William Randolph Hearst. In building this Castle, he added ancient artifacts and animals from all over the world. This is also where the zebras come in. At the time, he owned the largest, independently owned zoo in the world. He collected animals like kangaroos, polar bears (seriously!), giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions and the list goes on and on and on. Today there are still a few species of the animals that remain on the Castle property and the surrounding land. The zebras are one of them!!! Yes, quite a unique and wonderful experience to
add adventure to our honeymoon.
We're a Married Couple Now!!
Admittedly, we have been terrible at posting. About two months have gone by, and so much change has taken place. As of Saturday June 7, 2008, we are Mr. and Mrs. Seth and Sarah Middlebrook, and enjoying it to the fullest! The wedding was absolutely wonderful, and we feel we have nothing to complain about. It was such a great blessing to see all you friends and family who were able to be there (even some surprise visitors like my uncle and aunt from Georgia!) Once we get internet at our apartment, a plethera of pictures will be added.
The honeymoon was in Cambria, Ca, a truly amazing seaside town. It was relaxing as ever and full of wonderful scenery and animals (including zebras!--we will post a separate message telling how that is possible). 10 days of the most relaxing we have done in who knows how long, and we enter the stage of real life in Simi Valley, Ca.
The next part of this Readers' Digest story is that of our apartment. We cannot begin to describe how wonderfully blessed we have been since moving to Simi Valley. We opened the door to our new apartment (after driving 4 hours from Cambria and in 100+ degree weather) to see our home almost completely furnished with items people from our new church family had donated, including a brand new bed! God has definitely used this church to bless us over and abundantly, and it reminds us that Simi Valley is where God wants us right now.
You are also reading the blog of newly installed youth pastors. We are in the thick of learning how to be youth pastors, planning weekly meetings, a calender for the rest of the year and summer camp...we hit the ground running! We are excited to be in this position of ministry and know that it is only by God that this is even possible for us. Already, the kids have been a huge blessing to us.
And so, as we adjust to the newness of life, we will try to keep you all as updated as possible. This will probably be the most detailed place to find our updates, because it is so accessible to everyone. So keep checking, and we'll get better at regular postings.
Love you all, The New Seth and Sarah Middlebrook
The honeymoon was in Cambria, Ca, a truly amazing seaside town. It was relaxing as ever and full of wonderful scenery and animals (including zebras!--we will post a separate message telling how that is possible). 10 days of the most relaxing we have done in who knows how long, and we enter the stage of real life in Simi Valley, Ca.
The next part of this Readers' Digest story is that of our apartment. We cannot begin to describe how wonderfully blessed we have been since moving to Simi Valley. We opened the door to our new apartment (after driving 4 hours from Cambria and in 100+ degree weather) to see our home almost completely furnished with items people from our new church family had donated, including a brand new bed! God has definitely used this church to bless us over and abundantly, and it reminds us that Simi Valley is where God wants us right now.
You are also reading the blog of newly installed youth pastors. We are in the thick of learning how to be youth pastors, planning weekly meetings, a calender for the rest of the year and summer camp...we hit the ground running! We are excited to be in this position of ministry and know that it is only by God that this is even possible for us. Already, the kids have been a huge blessing to us.
And so, as we adjust to the newness of life, we will try to keep you all as updated as possible. This will probably be the most detailed place to find our updates, because it is so accessible to everyone. So keep checking, and we'll get better at regular postings.
Love you all, The New Seth and Sarah Middlebrook
Sunday, May 18, 2008
IDAHO!!! And there is much rejoicing in the land
Graduation is complete (with pictures pending) and we are now home in the wonderful land of Idaho. We are thankful for this time with our families before we get married (three weeks!!) and move to California (Yikes!!). We'll keep you posted on our many soon-coming adventures!!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Graduation is coming!!
We are excited to announce that we are both graduating from LIFE Pacific College next Saturday! It is crazy to think that four years have already gone by, but we are ready to move on to the next stage of life. We are so thankful that God has brought us here for this season. Keep checking to see how our next few CRAZY weeks go before we get MARRIED!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)