"We never talk of our lacking relationships"

Is it sad that I took 5 high school freshmen to dinner tonight and I was at least two inches shorter than all of them?

But seriously, tonight was a fun time with those guys and it reminded me of why I have such a heart for high school kids. I can't imagine that life ever gets much worse for any guy than it is at age 15. First dates, first kisses, driving permits, acne, etc. Not many things that anyone looks back upon dearly. Everything is new and awkard. What is comfortable isn't cool anymore and what is cool changes almost constantly. Insecurity rules every thought, word, and action. Insecurity and girls that is. Problems that face these kids get minimized by time and maturity...but at that time they are huge and real.

And once again...I wonder if I am only in ministry because I am terribly selfish. Because I take way more out of this than I put in. But that insecure freshman partly remains in all of us. I realized tonight that...in several ways...if I look deeper, a 15 year old Torry Patton...although he existed 11 years ago...offers great insight into who I am now.

Bonus points to who can tell me where the title of this post came from?

School's out forever

I am done with UT and what a relief. I was looking forward to summer WAY more than the students were. I have turned in my grades and the only thing left is to move out of the office. I also found an apartment. It is a loft downtown and I am really pumped about moving in there. I found an awesome couch yesterday...that was really exciting. It is half a mile from my new office. The new job is great. So great that I'm not dreading my first summer with a real full time job. My life doesn't operate in semesters anymore. Went to Bama this past weekend to see my sister graduate high school and for Mothers Day. Crazy that she's old enough to graduate.

winding down

All is great. I feel amazing. Two more days of work at UT. Great trip to Houston. Doc said everything is looking good still. Spent the weekend with some awesome old friends in DC before Jason heads out to Iraq. By "old friends" I mean friends that I have had for a long time, not friends that are old. Cause, if they are old, that means I am too. Got a new apartment secured and it's awesome. Younglife is finishing strong. I am having a great time with my guys and our last few clubs have been unreal.