Fail to prepare, and
prepare to fail. It’s a great phrase and this was one of the only things I kept
in my head from physics class junior year. Every test there would be someone complaining,
"this test is too hard!" and my teacher, Mr. Fuchs, would quickly
reply with "if you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail."
Throughout my childhood, I have been trying to prepare for
adulthood. One of the things that I believe
has helped to prepare me was being a part of the Abiding Presence Lutheran
Church youth group for all these years.
In middle school I was a part of the confirmation class that helps to
prepare youth to become a member of the church. In the various confirmation classes,
we learned the Ten Commandments and the meaning of the Lord’s Prayer and
the Apostle’s Creed. We also learned why
we do what we do in the church, and we get a better understanding of this
religion we were brought up in. This is
also the age when you travel to confirmation camp, where we get the opportunity
from an early age to interact with other kids from all over the state who share
our beliefs. Camp was always a good
time, and it was where the bonds were formed with my friends in the church that
I still have today.
After being confirmed, I moved on to the high school Buzz
sessions. We would meet for dinner on Wednesday nights and have various
discussions on topics related to our age group. Some of my school friends would say, "You
have to go to church on Wednesday!? I'm sorry man!" but in reality I
couldn't wait to go! I rarely saw my
friends from the church because most attended different schools, and the
reality was that these where some of my only real friends. It’s hard finding others that aren't just
looking out for themselves, but when I come to Abiding Presence there are
people like that all around me.
After you become a high school student in the youth group you are
invited to the Annual Sr. High Synod Gatherings in hotels all over south Texas.
Each year was a new place, but mostly
the same faces we had seen before. At
each of these events, we learn different ways of promoting Christ through our
actions, various skills to use in the real world, and there was always some fun
stuff thrown in the middle of it all. It was cool because you got to
meet and interact with all these kids from all over the state some of which I'm
still in contact with. I believe
these types of things helped me prepare for the next four years of my life. I will be attending school out of state and I
don't know a soul going there, but after years of attending these events and
interacting with strangers it shouldn't be a problem.
The thing I feel to be the most important in preparing me for my
future would have to be the mission trips. This is a week-long learning experience, where
you learn everything from how to scrape paint off a wall, to how to cook dinner
for everyone. One of the things I found
most beneficial for me was working at the soup kitchen in Austin, TX last year.
We were given to chance to help out
people that were not as well off as us and our families are. After serving them, we had the opportunity to
sit down and eat with them and get a little insight on how they live their
lives. After talking with them for a
little, it was apparent that these people were smart, caring, and friendly
people. They were all very grateful for
the simple service of serving them food and eating among them. It showed me that doing things for others even
if it seems like nothing to you could mean the world to that person. I learned that day that just showing some one
that you care is enough to make their day.
"Fail to prepare and prepare to fail." I believe that with the help of the Abiding
Presence youth program and the spiritual and emotional support of the Abiding
Presence family I am prepared to enter my next stage of life and see where it
takes me.
Thank you and God Bless
Lane Hoggard
Blessings on your journey Lane, as we enjoy life in the wake your impact has made on us!
Pastor Steve
