You know those Sliding Block Puzzles - the ones where you have one open square and have to move the other squares around trying to get all the numbers back in order....
This is what I feel it is like this time of year when I am trying to put our small groups together.
We run small groups in our Jr. High Ministry mid-week program, and while we don't have what some would call a giant group - we average about 45 Jr. High students every week. We have a total of 4 girls small groups and 3 boys small groups. At the beginning of the fall, every student fills out a form listing two friends they would like to be with in a small group and one leader they would like to have. I tell them that I will do my best to get them in a small group with ONE of their three choices, but I make no promises. I then take all of these pieces of paper, and sit down on the floor, spreading them out like a giant sliding puzzle. I then do my best moving them one paper at a time, filling in the empty spots, hoping by the end that I have gotten everything in order in such a way that will make everyone happy.
It is quite the challenge and often takes HOURS of time to do. That's what I get to do today. :)
Quite the task. We only have a guys group and a girls group right now - so it isn't too difficult to separate them into their appropriate groups.
Posted by: David Mackey | September 17, 2006 at 11:24 AM
Oh man, just did that puzzle last week. Yes, a very tricky thing to put together. I think I made it this year without anyone getting real upset at me.
:)
Posted by: joshua | September 17, 2006 at 08:40 PM
Yeah, after making our groups, we had to change 5 out of 7 because of situations we weren't aware of such as bullying, and past baggage. Esp in a small town, that is hard. Hope you managed to get that puzzle together!
Peace,
Jenna
Posted by: Jenna | September 25, 2006 at 02:57 PM