The Pencil Parable

A few weeks ago we had our church youth group over after Sunday night worship.

We fed them pizza, they played basketball, football, and 9-square outside, then they came in for singing and a devotional.

Because it was early in the school year, my husband did a devotional about a pencil.  My mom had sent it to us thinking Joe might like to use it some time. It worked perfectly for a "Back to School" thought.

Here is the devotional thought:  The Pencil Parable.

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. 

"There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be."

"One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand."

"Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."

"Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."

"Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside."

"And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.


Now replacing the place of the pencil with you.  Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish.

Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot make a change.

Teen Valentine Banquet & Scavenger Hunt 2013

(SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  THE PLAYLIST is working again!  Turn your sound up and listen to Hallal and The Zoe Group!)

Sunday night was our annual "Teen Valentine Banquet & Scavenger Hunt".  

We had a huge turnout, having to add more tables and chairs as the others filled up.

Thankfully, I had made plenty of food, but it's the first time that ALL of the lasagna and ALL of the dessert was totally eaten!  Many got seconds, but we were glad there weren't many leftovers.  We tire of lasagna in a hurry if there is ever any left!

As in the past, I made chicken and beef lasagna.  You can find the recipes to serve large groups on my "Life's a Bowl of Cherries" blog.

This time I made the most breadsticks ever - 180!  There were 20 left.  This recipe can also be found on the "Cherries' blog.  They are a favorite of the youth and the adults.  

The scavenger hunt was different this time.  My big desktop computer is having major problems, so I couldn't print out the hunt list from the past.  Quickly one of the adults helped me put one together while the teens ate their meal.  He helped come up with some fun ideas since he is also a member of our small town police department!  One was to go get a "ticket" from the officer on duty.  It wasn't a real ticket or a real offense - just something made up with his signature.

The first group to arrive decided to trick the other two groups.  They moved their van to the back of our fence - in the field.  When the second group arrived, they thought they were first!  As they busted through the door, they were surprised to see another group sitting in the living room, calmly waiting on the others!

You many remember that part of the hunt list says to bring back two people that weren't previously at our house.  That is a neat part because many in town "want" to be picked up!  They are hoping to be part of the hunt.  Most likely many are NOT wanting to be a part!  That's the funny part :).

When all of the groups got back, my husband did a devotional.  It was a great illustration using silly putty.  I'll share it soon....or have him share it :). 

The singing was BEAUTIFUL with all of us gathered in our living room/dining room/kitchen.  I would have liked to sing like that for hours.  (Tonight is our monthly singing night - yay!)

There are many fun events and opportunities for spiritual growth for the youth throughout the year, but I would like to think that this annual event is one of those special times that they look forward to each year.  I know I do.

What a blessing to have so many in our youth group in this small town of less than 900 people!  We are very thankful for each and every one of them and pray that we are teaching them and sharing Christ with them in all that we do.

Feed Them Pizza and They Will Come

No, really, I think they would have come anyway....but food and teens seem to go together!

Tonight the youth group came over to our house after evening services.  They played volleyball, baseball, football, and basketball.  Some just visited.  And, of course, they ate!

We ended the evening with singing and my husband, Joe, gave a devotional thought and our youngest son, Tyler said the ending prayer.  What a great evening!  What a great group of teens!