May 30 through June 9

Life got better. When everyone returned to class on Tuesday, there were 13 of us: 9 women, 4 men; 12 laypeople, 1 pastor.

The course content is good - it excites me and I have lots of ideas for application for when I return to Good Shepherd. I also purchase materials - so many that I ultimately have to box them and ship them home because they won't fit in my suitcase.

Excellent teachers: David Anderson - writer and researcher in the area of Youth and Family Ministry; Lyle Griner - trains teens and adults in Y&FM; lots of family system stuff; lots of practical, workable materials and ideas for spiritual development of all ages.

The director of the program, Rev. Dr. Nathan Frombach, had great information and resources for the Emerging Church generation (Gen X; Gen Y and more). It helped that most of my classmates are also Gen X & Y'ers.

Our final project was to be a presentation on topics that intrigued us - and that we could use when we return to our congregations. I have the Power Point already to show to the Council and anyone else who might be interested.

In spite of the hard first day, this class has been very worthwhile. It will tie in well with the work I hope to do with Dr. Roland Martinson in El Paso in July.

I headed home feeling very positive about all I have learned and the ideas I have for implementation.