Alden Ellis

Here are a couple of thoughts wondering through my head:

• I am excited about heading to the ATL tomorrow for Youth Specialties‘ National Youth Workers Convention. I look forward to this conference each year. I ALWAYS walk away with so much information to process, but more importantly so much encouragement. I am extra stoked about taking 5 other of my comrades with me from NewSpring Church. This will be the first time for each of them going to the NYWC, so I will be excited to watch them learn, be refreshed, and encouraged.
• I am also looking forward to catching up with some ministry partners from all over the country and seeing how they are doing. Wes, Brandon, Nathan, and many others…come prepared to buy my lunch… I am looking forward to seeing all of you!
• Tonight I am speaking for our Student Ministry Service in our series called 360. I am speaking on the topic of parents. I am really looking forward to it, but I am really nervous about speaking to middle school and high school combined. It should be a fun and quite interesting.
• By the way, there are some of you have emailed me and asked for an update on our current change in the way we are ministering to our students. Well…it is AMAZING! We have had so many positive responses from students, volunteers, and parents. Of course, there are some things that we are still working out as we go, but it has been wonderful!
• I got a new computer this afternoon. I went to lunch and when I came back my old laptop was missing. I went and asked and they told me that I was getting a new laptop and that it would be ready in a couple of minutes! WOW! I love how NewSpring is always equipping me more and more to be able to do my job…which is to minister to students! I am so blessed!
• I booked a trip to Hawaii today! Deanna and I have been saving up for a trip for our 5 year Anniversary. Well, we have made it early due to being smart with our money and telling it where to go (Joe would be proud!). It is amazing what your money can do it YOU take control! We are heading out in May to spend a week in Hawaii! I am so excited…I have never been before. Anybody got any good suggestions??
• Clemson plays BC this week. I hate to say this, but I hope Clemson wins. I can’t believe that I am saying that! I will say that I would like to beat them coming off of a HIGH after getting to the ACC Championship.
• Not to much to say about my Gamecocks! They are pitiful. You can’t do much when you give up over 1200 yards in two weeks. The thing that keeps my head high is that we have Darth Visor and he has two weeks to plan, scheme, and prepare for the Tigers.
• If you are going to be in ATL for the NYWC, please contact me! I would love to catch up if at all possible!

Well, I am out for now. I will be blogging from the conference with my new laptop computer, so check back! Peace!