Bottle Rockets

Family Culture

I just read this blog from one of our students that graduated a couple years back. We talk about being family a ton in high school ministry, but it isn't a culture shift that happens over night. We aren't there yet, but we are getting there. Check out this blog post she posted just the other day.

Family

Family, at first glance my family consists of my mom and dad, sister and brother. They are all fantastic and I love them all so much and wouldn't trade them for anything. They have loved me despite my flaws, they know me better than almost any humans on the earth, and they are apart of me. Now at first glance most of you would think that's it, pretty normal family, but the truth is my family is a lot bigger than that. I have family members in a little indian village in Panama, where I spent a week with my youth group building two houses for the glory of God, but while there we not only built houses, we built lifelong friendships with our friends, our family in Panama, although we don't see them much, they are still very dear to my heart and I think and pray for them often. My family also extends to inner city Marion, where people that are sick, broken, lost, and often forgotten are living in some conditions we wouldn't believe are possible in the United States, but if you open your eyes and step into reality, it becomes evident that this brokenness is all around us and right in front of us. Each of these people in inner city Marion, are apart of my family, when they hurt, I hurt, when they cry, I often cry, when they smile, it makes me smile for days. They will always be apart of my family.

But thats not where my family ends, a huge apart of my family is right here in Noblesville, IN. My youth pastor,Justin Fluhr, through high school always said throughout my years of being in the youth group, he wants us to be a family, he always said WE ARE A FAMILY. And about a week ago, our youth group family stepped together in Jesus name and did something that I will never forget and humbled me and my sister. My sister and I felt called by God to go on a mission trip this summer, and after praying for weeks, we felt led to go to Haiti. After finding the organization we were going with and seeing the price for each of us, it seemed daunting, but we both knew God was calling us and knew if we were suppose to go, God would bring the funds in. The cost for each of us was $1800 dollars. As we continued to pray the funds began to come in and we saw generosity from people that we never expected to see, but God is always good and faithful. The organization wanted the money in a month before the trip, which for us would be May 20th. As we came into the final week before the money was due we still owed quite a bit as we chipped little bits off through the week, it didn't seem like we were going to make it, but we still trusted that God would provide.

The night before the money was due, the 19th, we still owed around $700 dollars, and we honestly had no clue where the money was coming from. I was secretly stressing, but I still had peace that God would provide in some way. I got off work, and then went on a bike ride to blow off some of the stress, and to talk to Jesus, I went to a Bible study at my god parents house, and thought the night was just a normal night, but little did I know that the Spirit was stirring hearts not far away. Towards the end of the Bible study, I got a text message from a dear friend asking where I was, and what I was doing, and then had a phone call from another friend. Not thinking much of the text messages and phone call, I left the Bible study and prayed all my way home for God to do a miracle if it was His will for us to go to Haiti on this mission trip. I arrived at home and was sitting in the kitchen talking with my mom, and then heard a knock on our front door. It was 9 something at night so I was just expecting a neighbor to be at the door, yet when I opened the door a group from the youth group was at my front door, a little scared, I opened the door and went outside.

They handed me a box. I opened it. And in it was the rest of the money for Haiti. I felt: Joy, peace, love, humbled, excitement, comfort, encouragement, support. They had raise over $650 dollars within 10 minutes at Bible study that night for my sister and I to go on this journey to Haiti for God. So you see, my family it also extends to this whole youth group. when me and my sister were at a point where we needed help, they lifted us up, when stirred by God to help us. They helped us carry our burden, they loved us unconditionally, they supported us, and glorified God. God is good, God is faithful, God is always true. Family isn't just the people you live in a house with, they are the people you encounter everyday, they are the people you do life with. I am forever grateful for the family God has given me, for the love, support, peace, comfort God has used them to instill in my life. To all of you in my family, I love you and so thankful for you. And Justin you were right, WE ARE A FAMILY. And always will be.

- Ashley Meldahl

 

I'm proud of you Ashley. I can't wait to see how God continues to use you and Rachel in Haiti!

Congrats Grads!

This past weekened we celebrated the graduating class of 2011. They were just freshman when I started here and that makes them my first full cycle of students. We've had some amazing experiences over the past four years and I'm so proud of who God is molding them to be. I was humbled as they shared stories on Thursday night about their high school ministry experience. In a lot of ways they were my guinea pigs. They experienced a lot of firsts in our ministry including events, programs and trips. I'm so thankful that they stuck it out with me and gave me a chance to lead them.

This group has a huge heart for the Lord and for others. They are super creative, true servants and most of all, faithful. If any of these seniors are special to you, make sure you let them know how much they mean to you. You can check out their plans for post-high school as well as their open house details by checking out the Online Yearbook.

We also hosted the Noblesville Baccalaureate service Sunday night. If graduation is about what students have accomplished in the past 18 years, Baccalaureate is about honoring what God has done in the past 18 years. It was a great student planned and led service. We were happy to host and help them in the planning. It's a weird experience leading a congregation dressed in black robes, but seeing a generation focus on God at a time in life where their whole future sits before them is a humbling thing. It was an honor to worship with them.

  

If you try something new you might break a leg

Don't worry, no hospital visit for me. For our 7-12 grade Easter service we attempted to try something new, monologues. I've never been a big skit guy. When they are done right they are great, when they aren't, well, let's just not talk about that. Instead of a sermon, we used two monologues to set up a really short talk for Easter. They were awesome. One was by one of our students. I'd seen him act in school plays for years and this seemed like a great opportunity for him to use his gifts. The other was by one of our volunteers who's been in productions for a long time. They absolutely killed it!

The experiment went so well that I asked another student to take a stab at it and kick off my sermon last Sunday. She was great. I love seeing students on stage using their gifts and helping us understand the gospel. You can check out all three monologues on our podcast.

 

 

Eggstravaganza!

I had my doubts. An Easter Egg hunt? Really? I just couldn't invision it at first. But thanks to an incredible volunteer team, great promotion, a good plan and Tim's prayers for no rain, it was an incredible event. In secret, I was praying that 500 would show up, so you can imagine my surprise when over a 1000 flooded our parking lot. The sight was incredible. There were people everywhere. The entire egg hunt took approximately 3 minutes for the kids to collect over 12,000 eggs. That was just the beginning.

After collecting their eggs, kids were directed back into the building where counters were covered in candy and prizes. It looked more like an arcade prize counter than a church lobby. As kids exchanged empty eggs for goodies and treats, we watched in awe of the sense of community and family. I'm so proud of all the volunteers who made it possible.

The best part of the event was watching the faces of new families walk through our door. I saw so many people who I've never seen before enjoy a great event at our church. My prayer is that it is merly a stepping stone towards them coming back and finding a life changing relationship with Christ. I believe that one day people will look back from heaven and have an Easter Egg to thank along with a host of people who made it happen.

Heart Attacks aren't all bad

After the Road Trip I set my eyes on the next two goals, rest and Easter. Both needed some serious attention, but that all changed when I got a call from Laura on a Wednesday morning. She was in tears when she told me her Dad was on the way to the hospital and having a heart attack. Shock, fear, uncertainty were all settling in. I went into the office and tried to go to my first meeting. Before the meeting was over two of our Elders from the church had already called to pray with me. I wasn't sure what to do being hundreds of miles away, but Keith Comp simple said, "you go." He and Tammy Kalstad assured me it was the right thing to do and with that I told Laura to start packing when she got home.

The next day we drove east to a small town just outside of Washington D.C.. Two surgery's later, Mike (Laura's father) was back home. In fact, he was back at work on Monday. Laura and I made the long trip back on Sunday and crashed after the 1500 mile weekend.

Some people might say, he was fine, you didn't need to go, it all worked out. But they'd be wrong. That's exactly why you go. You go because it's family. You go because you want to cherish the fact that it did work out. You go because you need each other. Sure it was a long drive, but I'd do it again tomorrow. I got a chance to let my in-laws know that no matter how far away we might be, Laura and I will be there for them. I got a chance to hold my nephew and see my sister-in-law. Most of all, it was a opportunity for me to love Laura.

Who knows what the future holds. I'm sure there will be times when we won't be able to jump in a car and go. There will be times when we're stuck or can't travel or are too late, but this time we were able.

I'm glad to report that Mike is doing much better. In fact, he's in better shape now than he was before his little incident. We all learned some things in the process. Good diets aren't guarantees in life (so bring on the burgers), 911 is a cool number, use it, Mary could be an ambulance driver, and I love my family very, very much.

Senior Road Trip 2011!

Most people would call me crazy. Eight girls, one boy and a worship leader? What was I thinking, right? As we loaded up the van we headed down through Louisville to Knoxville, TN. Over the course of the week we visited two very different college ministires to talk about how to find their next spiritual home. Most of our students will leave Noblesville and be looking for a new place to worship. One of our goals was to help them see what makes a great chruch great. How to see past what makes it different than White River and what makes it a place that God is using for His Kingdom.

We also ate. From BBQ, burgers and pizza in an old church, this trip was full of some great food. There's nothing like talking about your future over a plate of comfort food. Don't worry, I wasn't ready to let them gain the "freshman 15" yet. During the week we tackled a 5.4 mile hike to Rainbow Falls in the Smokey Mountains. The hike is always eventful and this year was no exception. Kat lost a show after deciding to cross a creek barefoot. I was blown away watching her hike the rest of the trail with one food bare and a smile on her face. She's one tough girl.

But the highlight of the trip was the stories. Throughout the week we had 10 sessions where we heard everyone's life story. We asked questions, gave them feedback, and encouraged each student on the trip. It's remarkable how God has moved in the lives of each of these students. Their courage, integrity, passion and faithfulness was amazing. They love their famlies, they dream huge dreams and God is working in each of their lives. I was humbled and inspired through each story.

It was a great trip and one that I'll never forget. I'm so proud of each one of them.

 

 

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Flying By

It feels like Spring Break was just last week, but it's actually been almost six! Needless to say, when things are that busy, the blog tends to suffer a bit. So here's my goal, to catch you up on the past six weeks in one week of blogging. I love to write and I hate that this is usually the first thing on my list to get bumped. No time to waste, on to the next blog entry.