Naomi's Choir

Laurel Sees Herself

Preparing for the Summer

If you didn't know, summer has a high activity volume for youth ministries. Finally school and sports are not as prominent (though still present) and we try to take advantage of that down time to mold students. This year is no exception. I'm finding that it is hard to keep up with all we are doing at the church and at home. July is full, I may be home for a whole 3 days in July but it should be a good busy.

We've all been sick for most or parts of this week. I think Naomi and I got the worst of it but I'm on the upswing...Naomi has a double ear infection. Her vocabulary is growing like mold on an old piece of bread...and all of it is just adorable, especially when she can't say the word right. The latest one was when she told me that she had an ear infection, infection being the tough word. I knwe what she was saying though.

Proud Daddy

Naomi gave up her pacifiers last week. It was sad to see her little lower lip quivering as she gave them to our Children's Pastor (we wrapped them up "to be given to needy babies"). But I was also so proud of her that she was brave enough to do it and has done a pretty good job since then of being content at nap time and bed time. I'm sure she misses them but she understands that her time with them is over.

Laurel keeps growing. She is able to hold up her head fairly well and continues to laugh histerically in her sleep. We've moved her in to her crib in her room, a tougher transition for Colleen and I then it was for her.

we've made our plans to be out in California in July. I'm sure we will make it to MABC on a Sunday and see old friends. We have loved being in Alexandria and contiinue to be excited about what God is doing at the church and in our lives.

Easter Family Breakfast and Egg Hunt

March 2009

Disney on Ice (from February)

Naomi loves the Princesses.

March

I won't win any awards for frequent blogging that's for sure. March went by fast. We're adjusting to the new one still. She is almost 2 months old now. She has had a stuffy nose for about the last 5 weeks, or so it seems. I've really felt blessed with my family. A great wife and 2 beautiful little girls. People often ask if I want a boy, I guess because manly men produce boys (isn't that so Dark ages?). The answer is not really, I'm pretty much set, as far as I know.

The job is still good. I've made several adjustments over the past year and 3 months but everyone, well most everyone, has been good about it and been flexible. Right now I've been looking in to ways to further separate our middle school students and high school students. Those 2 groups are so unique in their needs and spiritual states that it can be difficult to meet their spiritual needs. Having more of our stuff separate will enable us to speak more directly to those specific needs and give our older students opportunities to purposefully interact with the younger students as leaders and mentors.

I still haven't posted the pics of Naomi and I at Disney on Ice have I? Well, I'll get to that sometime...

NYMC Day 1 and 2

So I've not exactly blogged "through" the conference but I'm reporting this morning. So far the conference has been fantastic! Like last year, the seminar set up has provided much more time for interaction with other youth workers and gives the leaders of the seminar plenty of time to share their thougths too. The 5 volunteers that came with me are also having a good experience. This conference does not over-value the lead youth person.

The awards for the last couple days:

Most frustrating moment: Having the ramp to the GW Parkway blocked, forcing us to go in to DC and figure our way around back to it.

Best quote from our team: "I love buttons" - Corey Brooks

Funniest moment: The Skit guys Saturday night. Sandy, and his laugh, were in rare form

I'll report more when I can. Full report should come within a week of getting back. Gotta get in there for the morning worship time!

NYMC

Last year's National Youth Ministry Conference was by far the most helpful Youth Ministry conference I have been a part of. I was able to spend time with fellow youth workers, be blessed by some great worship sessions, and was a part of an incredible training/learning seminar with Mark Devries. Oh yeah, Colleen and I hung out with Kutless at the airport, well we talked to them there.

This year I'm taking 5 of our adult volunteers. First Baptist has what's called "First Baptist Foundation", or something like that. They distribute funds to minitries for projects and needs that are one time events or special, unexpected needs. This year they have graciously provided funding for these adults to be a part of the conference experience as well as funds that will enable some of our student leaders to go to California for the Purpose Driven Youth Ministry Student Leadership Conference in July!

I'll blog each day I'm there to give a recap of the day's events and such. If you see me there, say hi.

Beautiful kids

A break from really adding to my blogs and twitter has been necessary because of the change in our family.
So far Naomi has done well with Laurel. She loves on her all the time and gets upset if she has to leave Laurel to go somewhere or go to bed without giving Laurel "big hugs and kisses". At the same time she is still 3 and still a challenge. It's more of a challenge now because of the added responsibility of Laurel. I can't imagine having to be a single parent.

Laurel is doing well, but only sleeping at 2-3 hour segments right now. I'm hoping she moves on to longer sleep times at night, and so does Colleen. I want to thank everyone who has congratulated us on our beautiful little girl.

Soon I'll post pictures from a little daddy/daughter date Naomi and I went on last week...Disney on Ice.

More family pics

Laurel Catherine Cope

Wednesday Wonderings

I wonder...

Who had the idea of using tissue from dead people for live people

What innovative technologies will make our lives "easier" this next year

When the Bengals will hire a GM

Where Colleen and I will go for our anniversary...in May

Why Manny Ramirez just doesn't go ahead and sign with the Dodgers already!

How life will be different with 2 girls

If my daughters will ever compete with each other

Cool Opportunity

So I am now a Purpose Driven Youth Ministry State Mentor for Virginia. Basically it's focused on the mentoring of other youth pastors both in a one on one setting and also as a community of workers. I'll help out "rookie" youth workers in my area and connect them with other youth workers. I'll host a couple gatherings for youth workers, we'll mentor each other and try to hammer out how we can implement the 5 purposes in our ministries. It's a great group to be a part of, I participated in one when I was on the Eastern Shore and it was, by far, the most productive time I've had with other youth leaders. Another piece of the position is to be available to youth leaders in my area that might be beginning to implement the purposes. My ministry is open to those who want to come "check it out", not because we do it the way everyone should do it, but because it helps to see what else is happening around you and the feedback is always appreciated. I'll also post a blog each week on http://pdymcommunity.com

I'm excited about being a part of this. I like the idea of sharing ideas and thoughts on youth ministry and helping others as I can.

Wednesday Wonderings

I wonder...

How bad traffic will be around here on Tuesday

What I'll do all weekend at the Ski Resort when I can't ski

When it will snow here

If I'll be able to play church league softball in the summer

Who will serve as interns with the students this year

Where Colleen and I will go on our next date? Any suggestions?

Why the pizza guy thinks he comes to our house every week

Wednesday Wonderings

I'm skipping the usual wonderings and I'll focus on one thought this week.

I wonder what worship in heaven will be like. Any thoughts?

Trying something new

So I'm trying out a new "craze"...Twitter. If you know me you know that I am not one for trying stuff very often (especially not food). So here's how it works. I update it from my phone or computer and it sends that info to whomever is "following me". Basically it's like a mini blog. I want to see if it will come in handy for working with students or if it's just another thing to keep up with. If it's the former I'll stick with it, if it's the latter I'll chunk it sometime. Check it out here:

http://twitter.com/JeffreyMCope

Wednesday Wonderings

I wonder...

Who invented All Night youth events

What makes people passionate about their faith

When Yahoo will open up their fantasy baseball leagues

Where Naomi and our soon to be born daughter will go to college. My suggestion is California Baptist University.

Why bbq sauce makes my tummy feel funny

How people can be so gullable to think that blowing themselves up and killing innocent/non combatants is actually pleasing to God.

If USC will beat Penn State by 20 or 30


A guy I went to high school and college with recently had a bad dirt bike accident. His family set up a blog to keep people informed and the results have been amazing. The Press-Enterprise published an article about social networks and prayer. Check it out. I think it is amazing when there are thousands of people praying as one.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE_News_Local_S_prayerblog30.3d0ddf9.html

Wednesday Wonderings

I wonder...

Why the Bengals keep winning when they had a shot at a top 3 draft pick

Who else the Yankees will sign

What Naomi will like best this Christmas

When I'll get to go to a game at the new Yankee Stadium

Where I'll be on inaguration day

How jealous Red Sox fans are now

If it makes them feel better to say CC and Teixeria are bad players...they would have loved to have