Accepted

We watched the movie Accepted this weekend. It was a pretty good movie. For those of you who haven't seen it, it's a movie about this group of kids who start a fake college because they weren't accepted into any real colleges. It started off as a small ploy to get their parents off their backs, but it turned into a much bigger deal than this. It became a college full of rejects. On another note, I'm in a class this semester called Models of Youth Ministry. It's pretty much a class which discusses different models of youth ministry (surprise surprise) and helps us to figure out our own philosophy of youth ministry. Now, to tie this in with the bit about the movie...I like the model of the college in this movie for youth ministry. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying all the stuff that goes on in this movie should be involved in youth ministry. In fact, most of what goes on has no place in youth ministry. What I am saying is that a youth ministry should be a place where every kid feels accepted, where every kid has a chance to experience God for themselves in their own unique way. Youth ministry has become so instituionalized (like the rival college in this movie). To those on the outside, many youth ministries can look like special social clubs where they will never be accepted. There's not always something wrong with the typical youth ministry, but that's not where God's leading us. God's leading us to something out of the ordinary. We're not sure exactly what this is going to look like, but we know we want it to more closely resemble South Harmon Institute of Technology where everyone is accepted, rather than the stuffy, institutionalized Harmon University. much love becky

Baby Jesus

This Christmas season got me thinking about Jesus in a whole new way. I've heard the Christmas story many times. I've read it for many classes. I've heard numerous sermons preached on it. But this year, it struck me in a new way. It became more real to me than ever. Jesus came as a baby. God, the creator of me, the creator you, came as a baby. The Almighty came into the world not as a mighty ruler, but as a vulnerable infant. Although I've hear the story many times, I've never digested the story in this way. It's never really hit me until recently. This was such an incredible thing which my God did for me. Just a thought for today. Have a great day everyone. much love becky

Another Night of Hockey

Last night was Monday. That means hockey. That means more pictures for the blog. We had a great time last night, as we usually do. Blazers won, once again. Here are the pictures. Enjoy. If you would like to see more pictures from around Bethany, then check out the newly added link over on the side. much love

Me, Kate, Jen

Erica doing the "Backwards Grind"

Jordan doing the same

DJ and his Texas hat

Tiffany and Amy

Jen, Kate, Me

HOCKEY!

More HOCKEY!

After a goal.

Mmmm...McChicken

Kate loves her McDonald's and Tim's

Official RD Business

Yay for Monday Night Hockey

This was our first hockey game of the semester (there was a game last week, but we didn't go). It took a little longer than usual to get there because of the snow. That's right, we're finally getting some snow over here. Still not a whole lot (about 6 inches), but plenty for me. Anywho, the hockey game was a lot of fun. We won 10-5 or something like that. Blazer hockey rocks! haha. Well, that's my attempt at trying to update this thing a bit more. Enjoy the few pictures from the night. much love becky

All bundled up

Say what?

Brrrr

Good times with Kate

Nice pass, eh?

Action

Fight, fight, fight...or not

More action

Cory Doiron showin' 'em how it's done

Christmas Break

We've been back at school for just over a week and it feels like we never left. The first week of classes are finished and there are piles of homework to be completed. Although it feels as though we never left Sussex, we did--for three weeks. Our Christmas break was a lot of fun. We stayed busy with a lot of travelling. We were both in Oklahoma from the 18-27. The majority of our time there was spent visiting with family and friends. It was great to be with family for Christmas. On the 27th, I left for Oregon and spent a week there. I had a great time. I got to see my brother and sister which I am so thankful for. I didn't think I would get to me sister for another couple of years. I also had the chance to catch up with a lot of friends from high school. This was the first time I'd seen everyone back home since I've been married which was a little weird at times. As much as I miss Oregon and miss everyone who is back there, the trip back made me so thankful for where God has led me in my life. I wouldn't change a thing. While I was in Oregon, Jeff did some more visiting with family and friends. He also had the chance to do some hunting. The day after I got back from Oregon, we flew back to Providence. We stayed a night there and then drove back up to Sussex. Here are some pictures from our trip. much love becky

Christmas Dinner with the Poes @ Rib Crib

Waiting to open presents with the Poes

The Girls

The Guys

The Family

Playing 10 Up, 10 Down with the Swanson's

Grandma Way

Grandma and Grandpa Machlan, Laura, Us

Goofin' off during family pictures

"Reunion"--Zach, Jon, Amye, and Mandee

"Reunion"--Skippy, Brittany, Me

Dinner with the Siblings

Dinner with Erik and Mary

New Year's Eve with Brittany--We partied hard...or maybe we just watched chick flicks

Chillin' with Amye

@ the airport with my sister

Getting ready to say good-bye to Bethany and Travis