Simplify -- May not happen cold turkey.

Over the past week we've been making some decisions to simplify our lives as we head into Young Life. I've started reading through Matthew -- and I'm gripped by a common theme in Jesus teachings - dependence.

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Matthew 19:21

You don't need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to
keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light. Matthew 10:10 (Message)

That's what we want! To follow Jesus, to walk on the water, to lay down our lives. So we're in the middle of a personal simplification process -- which means laying down our treasure as we pursue his call.
One thing that I keep praying, is, 'God, let us be in the place where we grow closer to you. If it's in laying down treasure, let us be closer to you. If it's in cutting back our lifestyle, let it give us a hunger for things of you. If it's in simplifying our house, our cars, our property, our bank accounts - let us depend on you, not these.'
And in doing so, we embrace this 'laying down of our lives' -- to follow Jesus. It must be worth it, or Jesus wouldn't ask it. We have yet to see all the challenges that lie in this approach. We have yet to know the upcoming trials that Jesus would permit in our lives. But our hope is that our lives would lean toward better dependence on Him.

What's happening with YL for our area:

• Pray: I met with 3 families to begin intercessory prayer over me & my role in Young Life. Courtney met with several herself. Our goal is to find 5 familes each to pray for us daily over the next 30 days.
• What's in a name: I've never been very good picking out names, but the Belton YL director (Robert Raedake) has been asking "what should we call it?" Something local like Paola YL, or Miami County YL, or Miola YL... The name really communicates how we're focused. Will we launch in Paola only? Will we be available to our area? (Osawatomie? Louisburg? Wellsville?) Will we middle school? high school? Post a comment and let us know what you think.
• $: Yes, if you're wondering, we will start raising funds for YL, but not yet. We still have some things to think about first. YL calls the pre-fundraising process "developing a case" where we ask questions such as, "Is YL necessary in the area? Who's the audience? What are the stats & stories? If YL was here permanently, what differience would it make in the lives of teens?" I'm very excited about this process, because it finally gives me the chance to sit down with students, parents & youth leaders and just listen to their thoughts & concerns for students in our area. Further, I can't wait to open the door (even just a crack) to some of the work that God has been doing to get YL in this area. I can wait to share with them an organization who loves teens, who considers them friends, who meets them where they're at, and who teaches them about Jesus through compassion -- and then to say, "And it might be coming HERE!"
• By the way, I'm Drivin': I passed my drivers test for young life. I want to dedicate that to all those who thought it couldn't be done.

Amazing. Courtney is on bed rest for 2 more days! And then the baby could really come ANY DAY! I think I'm getting dizzy. Anyway, we decided on the baby-girl name 'Kate'... and the middle name is yet to be determined. Thanks for your prayers & following what's happening in our lives. Take care. Ryan & Family