why I work with the greatest youth group in the world...

So I've been playing in this basketball rec league over the summer...a team I played with a couple of years ago - that is, until this happened in Jan '07...

most people have to look at it for a second before they figure out what's happening...and then this is what it looked like a week later...HA...

I just felt like I needed to share those...it obviously took some time to physically recover from that one. But the mental recovery took even longer. It was the first time in my life that I was scared about getting on the basketball court! But, at long last, I put the b-ball shoes back on this summer - along with some super tight ankle braces!! It's been really fun playing again. I'll probably keep playing this game until my knees finally say they're finished...I may still have a couple of good years left in them. :)

So tonight my team is playing in the league championship game. Now mind you, we typically have a "crowd" of like 4 - 5 people each night (all usually spouses...), so you can imagine the change of atmosphere when 11 of my friends/youth group kids (including sweet John Mark and Riley holding little signs that said "Go Hoops"...ah I love them) show up. And I was somewhat expecting it because I had heard "rumblings" about it...I did NOT, however, know that as soon as I made my first shot, I was going to turn to the sidelines to watch four guys take their shirts off to display this...

hahaha...I mean, the mustaches really took it to a whole other level. So of course, I am a tad shocked but laughing hysterically...

But I mean, seriously...what kids would go to their youth minister's totally unimportant rec league game and go all out like this? Not very many...but I get to know them! They're just awesome...that's all. I get to work with the greatest students - FRIENDS - in the entire world. I'm more convinced of it every day. I love these people.