post 1 from the National Youth Workers Convention, Atlanta

Our trip to Atlanta has been good so far. There are 5 of us from State College here (our 2 Penn State students arrived Friday night around 11:00), and we're looking forward to a good weekend.

It's been a good day. Like always, the music and speakers were top-notch. (Desperation Band and Flatfoot 56 this afternoon, Third Day and the Desperation Band tonight. The speakers for today were Andy Stanley and Shane Claiborne). Andy Stanley urged us to use our influence and power for the betterment of the other people in our group. Shane read the world's best sermon to us--the Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5-7. That's it! He did his fire-tricks, read the Bible, prayed and left the stage. I snagged some good swag from some of the folks in the vendor's area. I scored a couple of t-shirts, a frisbee, some music, and probably won several ipods that are being given away by vendors. And probably a couple of Wiis.

Highlights of the Day: Shane, then good conversations with some folks, followed closely by good coffee (thanks Ugly Mug!).

Tip o'the Day: If you're with a group, designate a decision maker. We're all trying to be conscientious, so we end up like stinkin' Chip 'n Dale. Where do you want to eat? I don't care, wherever you want to eat. No, seriously, you pick...I am suggesting to Marko and YS that they put a Designated Decision Maker (DDM) on the list of things to bring to next year's deal.

Unexpected fun moment: Hey, I read your blog! I got to say hi to Tony Myles and Eli Ruggles today, along with Marko and Mark Riddle. It's fun to get to meet the guys I read online. I'm hoping to get some time with a couple of those guys to talk later this weekend.