FEELING SO SMALL

i felt to small when i moved up to the high school.  it was a big change from being the "kings" of middle school to the small crumbs of the high school.  the sports were more intense, the school was larger, and the privileges were greater.  a lot like middle school, sports introduced me to a lot of people.  i had made a lot of friends from football that summer.  looking back at it, i wish i wouldn't have been so timid.  i regret not introducing myself and getting to know people sooner than i did.  i was really afraid of what people would think, and that is a habit i wish i could have conquered.  but, i did get to meet a lot of people.  during that first year it still was east and west though.  although we were one school, people still hung out with their clicks from middle school.  i remember seeing the seniors and thinking how big they were.  i feared them, respected them, and wanted to be like them.  during that freshman year i played football, and basketball.  i didn't get a whole lot of playing time my freshman year of football, because i was backing up two really good players.  but, i showed a lot of promise and showed i could be a good player in the future.  basketball was an adventure.  the jv coach at the time had a lot of "favorites".  at first i did not make the jv team, i made the freshman team.  after a lot of hard work and dedication, the coach recognized my hard work and moved me up to the jv team.  i was able to get a lot of playing time and helped the team out quit a bit.  overall the first year of high school was an experiment.  i did not go to far out of my comfort zone, but i was able to make a lot of friends and have great experiences.

that summer i also went to new orleans, louisiana to the evangelical lutheran church of america youth gathering.  it was one of the best experiences of my life.  i was with 40,000 other high schoolers who loved God and wanted to make a difference. we were able to help victims of hurricane katrina and give them our support.  our support was mostly financially and spiritually, but there was no doubt we made a difference.  i loved being able to be in the super dome with thousands of other kids.  i made so many friends on that trip.  i know have numbers of people from all over the country that i still stay in touch with.    they brought famous bands and speakers to the gathering.  it was just an amazing experience.  i image that is what heaven feels like.  billions of people worshiping the lord and having a great time.  i can't wait to go back to new orleans in the summer of 2012.