today i was closing, and after work i stopped by my buddy's birthday party. except, i had to rush out because i got a call from my mom saying my sister was in labor. so i rushed home and from there went to the hospital.
we chilled in the lobby for a few minutes until drew came and took us past the locked door, into the back area (i don't know what its called, i'm not up on hospital lingo, maybe i should watch greys anatomy).
then, the doctors did the c section on kelly around 3 am, and pulled out the babies. Kayla Mackenzie Robinson (formerly known as Alpha or baby A) and Braelyn Elizabeth Robinson (Bravo or baby B) both came out at about 5 lbs each.
i caught a glimpse of them as they were rolled out to the NIQUE (once again, i don't know how to spell this stuff). drew went with them to name them and get their identification straight.
then i got a chance to see kelly for a second but she was out of it. after that i got kicked back out to the lobby. so i killed the time by trying to chat with the spanish speaking security guard, it was kind of hard cause he spoke very little english and i speak very little spanish and he was distracted by one of those crazy spanish shows with a lady in a short skirt and a guy with a lot of whistles... but im getting off topic.
drew came back out and pulled in my dad to go see the babies (my mom was with kelly) then eventually i got to go see kelly. apparently only grandparents get to go visit the premie babies. but after the drugs hit kel, and she rambled on about red gatorade, she eventually fell asleep and we left.
now i'm home writing this blog... sorry if it was wordy, i'm a little tired and a little excited.
but praise the Lord, i got two neices.
this past weekend
this past weekend at church, i got the opportunity to preach at the 4 middle school services. jesse taught the high school service (it was a straight sawgrass takeover).
it was a lot of fun. the first service was really short because i wasn't sure about how much time everything would take. apparently, i severely overestimated my material, so i was up and down in probably 10 minutes. but for the sunday services, i threw in a story about my spoiled rotten sister (shes not really that bad) and it turned into a 10-15 minute sermon.
the kids seemed relatively interested, at least as interested as middle schoolers could be. all in all, i got over my nerves, and it turned out pretty good. i get the chance to do it again, in a couple weeks. i'll only be doing the high school service, but its good that now i'm more comfortable, i should be able to speak better. glory to God.
the lesson was on gratitude, and i feel real privileged that God put me in the position to be able to speak these two weekends. it was a lot of fun, but it is a struggle to stay humble and not make preaching about me or my own ego. i'm sure real pastors know this much more than i do.
but still, i feel blessed that God gave me that desire and opportunity, so in a way, i learned more about gratitude than i thought i would. (doesn't that sound like a cheesy line from the end of an episode of Full House, cue the sappy piano.)
anyways, i figured i'd upload the outline of my teaching if you were interested.
p.s.- all of the spaces and blank lines are for you Matt.
GRATITUDE MATTERS
Luke 17:11-19
Gratitude MATTERS because it shows humility.
“True humility and fear of the LORD leads to riches, honor, and a long life.” – Proverbs 22:4
Gratitude MATTERS because it shows dependence on God.
“How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?”- Galatians 3:3
Gratitude MATTERS because it leads to success.
“Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful…” -Deuteronomy 8:18
it was a lot of fun. the first service was really short because i wasn't sure about how much time everything would take. apparently, i severely overestimated my material, so i was up and down in probably 10 minutes. but for the sunday services, i threw in a story about my spoiled rotten sister (shes not really that bad) and it turned into a 10-15 minute sermon.
the kids seemed relatively interested, at least as interested as middle schoolers could be. all in all, i got over my nerves, and it turned out pretty good. i get the chance to do it again, in a couple weeks. i'll only be doing the high school service, but its good that now i'm more comfortable, i should be able to speak better. glory to God.
the lesson was on gratitude, and i feel real privileged that God put me in the position to be able to speak these two weekends. it was a lot of fun, but it is a struggle to stay humble and not make preaching about me or my own ego. i'm sure real pastors know this much more than i do.
but still, i feel blessed that God gave me that desire and opportunity, so in a way, i learned more about gratitude than i thought i would. (doesn't that sound like a cheesy line from the end of an episode of Full House, cue the sappy piano.)
anyways, i figured i'd upload the outline of my teaching if you were interested.
p.s.- all of the spaces and blank lines are for you Matt.
GRATITUDE MATTERS
Luke 17:11-19
Gratitude MATTERS because it shows humility.
“True humility and fear of the LORD leads to riches, honor, and a long life.” – Proverbs 22:4
Gratitude MATTERS because it shows dependence on God.
“How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?”- Galatians 3:3
Gratitude MATTERS because it leads to success.
“Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful…” -Deuteronomy 8:18
lesson
i'm editing the lesson for this weekend a little bit before i go to sleep. i'm teaching the middle school services at cooper city this weekend. so i need all your prayers, so i don't get up there and fall on my face and make a fool out of myself... actually, that might get their attention...
p.s.- i have one more day of high school left.
p.s.- i have one more day of high school left.
joke
here's a cheesy joke i heard and have since been spreading around for pure pity laughter:
why did the mayonnaise blush?
because it saw the salad dressing.
BAM!
i guarantee if you tell that to your boss, you'll get a raise. no doubt about it.
why did the mayonnaise blush?
because it saw the salad dressing.
BAM!
i guarantee if you tell that to your boss, you'll get a raise. no doubt about it.
late knight out
so today i got the chance to go to the silver knights award ceremony. its some community service/academic thing put on by the miami herald. anyways, i came home empty handed. the girl that won in my category discovered some peptide in poisonous sea snails that helped people with pain disorders... yeah. i actually didn't pull off a consolation paper because the lady passing them out didn't think i was a nominee based on my casual attire (since when was a dress shirt, jeans, and a pair of nikes not acceptable?) regardless, it was pretty neat seeing all of those overachievers in one place. you can tell those kids are going to go places. it got me thinking about leadership and the importance of drive and passion.
i think that leadership is a gift, but we can also work on it. sometimes it can also feel like a switch that is turned on. i know i am perfectly content to just sit back and watch the action unfold, but if i see a group in need of leadership and realize that i won't be stepping on any toes, i'll come in and "flip the switch" and take control. i think many people assume that they are too shy to be a leader, or that they don't have that gift. i think that enough drive or passion can make you a great leader, even if you are a natural introvert. many times, people just need someone with some direction or goal in mind. i'm sure that sometime in your life, you will have to come out of your comfort zone and lead out on something. i challenge anyone out there who is maybe quiet or shy to find their voice and step in the next time they sense they have an opportunity to lead. remember, moses couldn't even speak in public, he had to go through his brother aaron, but he turned out to be a pretty good leader. one day, you'll have to lead, you might as well start now. the younger the better, especially if you are a student. i know many places in student ministry that need leadership with the exit of the graduating class. that just means more opportunities for you to step up and leave a mark.
i think that leadership is a gift, but we can also work on it. sometimes it can also feel like a switch that is turned on. i know i am perfectly content to just sit back and watch the action unfold, but if i see a group in need of leadership and realize that i won't be stepping on any toes, i'll come in and "flip the switch" and take control. i think many people assume that they are too shy to be a leader, or that they don't have that gift. i think that enough drive or passion can make you a great leader, even if you are a natural introvert. many times, people just need someone with some direction or goal in mind. i'm sure that sometime in your life, you will have to come out of your comfort zone and lead out on something. i challenge anyone out there who is maybe quiet or shy to find their voice and step in the next time they sense they have an opportunity to lead. remember, moses couldn't even speak in public, he had to go through his brother aaron, but he turned out to be a pretty good leader. one day, you'll have to lead, you might as well start now. the younger the better, especially if you are a student. i know many places in student ministry that need leadership with the exit of the graduating class. that just means more opportunities for you to step up and leave a mark.
Summer Camp
school is almost done and summer is just around the corner. i'm getting pretty stoked about summer camp, as a senior, this will sadly be my last camp, but it looks to be amazing. it's called The Way and is going to be awesome. we're gonna go up to north florida and some big bands and speakers will be there, plus a ton of games and time to hang out with everybody. if you are in student ministry and are debating going to camp, i encourage you to go. it is the best thing we do at FRC, and you will definitely come back changed. it is an amazing spiritual experience, i pray that you just give it a shot if you're doubting it. i will personally take responsibility for your time, if you go and dont have a blast, i will wash your car or something. just give it a chance.
i also am planning to go to middle school camp, which is called Leave Nothing, as a leader. the same goes for this, it is a great way to grow spiritually and make some true friends and accountability partners. so parents, don't be alarmed, you're kids will be well supervised by all of the adult leaders and they'll have a lot of fun. camp is amazing because you get to see kids lives completely changed for Christ. they come back on fire for God and many students turn into leaders right in front of our eyes at camp.
go check out flamingoroadchurch.com for more info. register online, and you can pay there too.
i also am planning to go to middle school camp, which is called Leave Nothing, as a leader. the same goes for this, it is a great way to grow spiritually and make some true friends and accountability partners. so parents, don't be alarmed, you're kids will be well supervised by all of the adult leaders and they'll have a lot of fun. camp is amazing because you get to see kids lives completely changed for Christ. they come back on fire for God and many students turn into leaders right in front of our eyes at camp.
go check out flamingoroadchurch.com for more info. register online, and you can pay there too.
