One of my best Memories

Today I started to think about one of my favorite memories. I was in ASL 3 and 4 (It was a 4 credit class that covered two subjects). ASL is an abbreviation for American Sign Language. It is a language used by the Deaf, hard of hearing, mute (unable to verbalize), Children of Deaf adults (CODAs), and Interpreters.

Anyway, I was in an Associates program for ASL. I struggled in 3&4 because it focused more on storytelling aspects, which isn't my strong suit. But I am learning how to do this still. At the end of the semester, our teacher gave us each a bag of cookies. Inside each bag was a handwritten note by my teacher.

She knew I beat myself up regularly. I was never very good at telling myself was I was good at but my feedback on what I was bad at was exceptional. I still have the note she gave me, it is beaten up and almost falling apart, but I still have it.

It told me to keep going, that I could do it, that I was a lot more skilled than I thought. I almost cried when I read the note. Positive feedback is sometimes harder for me to take than negative feedback. I am much harsher on myself than most people are towards me.

It is still one of my favorite memories to this day.

Just a Pastor's Kid. 

Youth Group

Today I am going to talk about Youth Group. First of all, is it biblical? It isn't forbidden or condoned in the bible, so...Do with that what you will.

Growing up I have had some pretty bad experiences with youth groups. Mostly bullying of some sort. Here are some examples:

Shoved to the ground
Picked on about my lisp, clothing choices, eating habits, father's job, etc.
Ignored
Bitten
Kicked

Youth group can either harm you or nurture you. Unfortunately, every experience I have had except one had to do with being bullied or mistreated in some way. Because of this, I am against youth groups.

Youth groups, if not properly watched, can turn into high-school. People have cliques and caste systems. There are the losers and the popular. It is a disservice to the people of God, the church, and the representation of the church.

Then you are sometimes labeled as weird for acting more mature than them. It seriously is not my fault if you can't act your age. I was taught not to throw fits when I was two, but if I see you kicking and screaming at 13 years old because your mom said no...Yeah, I will look at you like you're a lunatic.

Here is some advice for youth leaders as well:

I suffered at the hands of a youth leader. She was manipulative and cruel. She pretended like she sympathized with you but the moment the bullying started right in front of her, she would look the other way. She would make fun of me and other kids who also didn't fit in. Do not do this.

If you see a teenager is having a rough time with other teenagers or prefers the company of adults...maybe you should suggest that they start going to the adult classes. Or talk with them beforehand so that way they aren't tormented right before worship. Oh, and maybe set aside the economic status of the bullies and simply tell their parents.

Instead be like this youth leader: She was wonderful. I was friends with her son. If I was being tormented I would go to her for safety. She would tell the parents and she would tell off the kids. She refused to put up with it.

Don't make it out like teenagers are supposed to be cruel to each other. Don't make it out like this is normal behavior. All it does is scar the kids who are the targets of those people.

Now I have trouble:
Eating in front of people
Trusting people
Believing what other people say
Believing I am good at things.

Please, if you see a youth kid being bullied or mistreated, stand up for them. They probably didn't do anything to deserve it.

Just a Pastor's Kid

Gun Control

Okay, so the Texas shooting? I lied, I'm seeing my friends make fun of liberals. Listen. Really carefully. Wait until the bodies are at least cold. This makes me angry because of the fact that it looks like you don't actually care. Here is what I see from the same person,

"Grieve with those who grieve."
"Good guy with gun stops bad guy with gun."
Commentor, "Yeah, we need gun control. :p"

Listen. Now is not the time and facebook is not the place. Make your sick jokes inside your house. I don't care if you added a "silly face". This was a tragedy and you're making light of it. People died. Children died.

You are adults, start acting like it.

Love, a Millennial 

Texas Church Shooting

First off, I want to say that the man was not part of Antifa. That is fake news that has been going around and we need to stop spreading it. Fake news people are like the neighborhood bully, if you ignore them they will eventually leave you alone. Stop spreading fake news and inform friends if they are doing so. If you need to use Snopes, please do it.

I haven't noticed a lot of gun debate going on so...*applause* I'm proud of both sides. You are at least waiting until the bodies are cold.

I want to extend my condolences to the church. I am so sorry that this horrible crime had to happen in the house of God. I am thankful that God served justice to the man who defiled the sanctuary. I pray that you are able to find a peace that surpasses all understanding.

As a pastor's kid, I pray for you. I grieve for you. I cannot imagine what this feels like. I am sorry for your loss.

Sam