Alan is here this week. He was a kid in our youth group in Indiana, and now he’s a friend. It’s strange, but nice how that happens. The transition from the youth minister/teen relationship to adult friends relationship makes me feel old. 🙂 He was the first teen to make himself at home with us at our house. He’d just show up at our door with a movie and a pizza and say, “I thought maybe we could hang out for awhile”. He’d get his own dishes out of the cupboards and stuff from the fridge without me “waiting” on him. Benny and Alan would wrestle around and punch each other like boys do. Alan was one of the few people with the talent to make Benny belly laugh – hard laughing to the point of a red face and tears in his eyes. When Max was born, it was like Alan was the proud big brother. He was also the first teen to hold Zoe when she was born. Both our boy’s middle names are Allen – a family name – though Alan told everyone they were named after him and we just spelled it wrong. He was there during our loving on Diana days, and Diana adored him. She even let him drive her little red sports car! I think I was the only other person to ever drive it! We moved to Wichita the day before Alan’s 18th birthday, and he cried. (So did we). He’s been a part of our family for over six years, and we’re so happy to have him here. He now works for FedEx and goes to school part time. I love teasing him about his job, telling him I don’t trust FedEx – I saw Castaway! LOL I feel like his older sister, and we have a great friendship. Alan leaves on Monday night, and more friends are arriving on Thursday.
Adam and Luke are coming to CO to spend a few days with us. We’re excited to take them to Shakespeares for pool night with the streetkids. We’re also going to a Colorado Rockies baseball game. It’s nice having connections-our friend Julie was able to get us tickets for $4.00 each. She said the seats are pretty good too – on the 1st or 3rd baseline (don’t know which yet) in foul ball territory in the first section. It should be fun! They’ll also be here for Easter Sunday, so I guess I’m cooking this year. 😉
I’ve plugged Adam and his blog many times before. He’s one of my favorite youth ministry friends in the world and I’m proud to call him friend. We also know his sister Anna from Camp Zenith. I’ve never met Luke, but Angi has, and says he’s just as amazing as Adam. (Are you blushing yet guys?) They’re both intelligent, funny, goofy, Godly men. Now we just have to meet Bethany and we’ll know all four Copeland kids -I mean adults. 😉 I actually wrote their mom a note telling her what an awesome job she and her husband did raising four children like that. They definitely instilled in their children the values we’re trying to instill in ours.
I’m planning a phone marathon with Texas Jennifer for tomorrow. I miss her so much and wish they hadn’t moved!
Who am I that I was blessed with so many good friends?
Sometimes I Write 
Niki:
Your words are so poignant, evoking sweet memories of ministry moments from years gone by. Although it’s not all sugar and spice—this thing called ministry—it is certainly not without its rewards. Stories abound! May I share just one? I’ll just touch on the high points…
He was 12 at the time. We’ll call him DC. I was in my mid-20’s, stumbling along in my first ministry assignment. Long story short: His faith led him into a saving relationship with Christ and I was privileged to have a front row seat. He flourished like a tree planted by streams of water. He began to bear much fruit in the kingdom. He led many of his friends and family members to the Lord. Years passed. My family moved a couple of hundred miles away. He graduated from high school, went off to college and majored in Bible and Ministry. He subsequently became involved in a fruitful and multifaceted ministry role.
About 10 years ago, I was wrestling with ministry alligators and wondering why I ever wanted to drain the swamp. I was really up against it, wondering if this ministry thing was what I really wanted to do for the rest of my life. No! Not the rest of my life—the rest of the week—the rest of the day! I was so very close to turning in my badge and getting out of Dodge.
After a long lunch and even longer “coffee break” at Barnes and Nobles, I made my way back to my office at the church. As I pulled in to the parking lot, I saw a package hanging from the mailbox. I collected the mail and then looked at the return address label on the package. It was from DC. At the time he was completing his undergraduate studies. Something said in one of his classes prompted him to send me a special message.
His note said, in essence, that it occurred to him that he had never told me how much he appreciated me taking the time to share the gospel with him and nurture him in his young faith. Reading his note was such a special moment for me. I sat there in my car with a flood of tears running down my cheeks. There was an unlabeled cassette tape (remember them) in the package. DC’s note said that the song he’d copied on the tape really expressed his heart. I popped it in the player and listened as Ray Boltz began to sing…
I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me;
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name.
We turned and saw a young man running
And he was smiling as he came.
And he said, “Friend you may not know me now.”
And then he said, “But wait,
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart.”
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
Then another man stood before you
And said, “Remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry.
You didn’t have much money,
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that’s why I’m here today.”
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
One by one they came
Far as the eye could see.
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done,
Sacrifices made,
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven, now proclaimed.
And I know up in heaven
You’re not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, “My child, look around you.
Great is your reward.”
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
Since those early days when DC became a new creation in Christ and started walking with the Lord each day, more than 23 years have passed. He recently completed his Master’s in Ministry and continues to preach the Gospel in his home state of Colorado. We don’t talk as often as we should, but he (and a host of other DC’s that I’ve been privileged to know) is always in my thoughts and prayers. Though I’ve got a few scars from rogue alligators, as the years click by memories such as this make ministry more and more meaningful each day. Who knows, maybe Alan will write you and your Benny a letter some day?
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I hope he does. Maybe that’s one reason why so many burn out of ministry…they don’t get these affirmations from those they’ve given so much to. I know we don’t do ministry to get thank you’s, but it sure makes the ministry all the more sweet. Thanks for your thoughts BW!
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thanks for the kind words. can’t wait to see you guys…
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hey, another thanks for the kind words. looking forward to meeting you and benny. i’m excited about the time in denver. peace and happiness, see ya soon
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