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. | Walking the beach at sunset last night, it was clear things were different. The ocean front usually peppered with wet-suited bodies on boards was oddly missing. My neighbors usually out surfing until dark were gathered to talk about the shark attack, their own shark sightings, the dolphins and seals that have been popping up in more populated areas, etc. The beach where the attack occurred is just 3 miles from me, and a beach where I enjoy meeting up with friends. It's amazing how much coverage this fatal shark attack has received! This afternoon I walked the beach by my apt. and there was a lone seal pup struggling on the sand. This is the first I've seen in my area, which makes me curious. Some signs had been posted that SeaWorld was notified. I waited and watched. The seal kept turning to look at me. We just stared. He'd rest his head, then jerk up when he heard others approach. I realized my rescuing nature wanted to walk right over and help. But how to help a seal?? While I sat keeping guard, I was surprised how many walked by not even noticing. Missing the signs set up to place a hedge of protection around the seal - they walked on, until I called out to watch their step! Each time they were so surprised, almost walking in to the seal. So I ended up sitting 1.5 hours keeping guard until SeaWorld Stranded Animal Rescue showed up. There were many during this time that stopped to show compassion. They wanted to help, but didn't know how. We didn't have the proper information and tools. But I was thankful for a couple that sat with me the last 20 minutes, making additional calls to see about rescue efforts. The seal pup will be seen by a vet - and once everything checks out ok, it will be released to its natural habitat. I sighed with relief. I've heard where there are stranded seals, there are probably sharks... As I reflected on this, I thought about the far more serious attacks going on daily that get little coverage. It often remains hidden and in the dark, or simply overlooked. People are walking along, not realizing the hurt "seal pups" right around them. Or they see them, but feel helpless to come to their aid. They don't understand these foreign creatures called "teens". I am also seeing the care and concern, and many want to learn how to help. Or provide the resources for others to help. The past couple of weeks I've been hanging out with a lot of middle school kids under serious attack. There are a lot of sharks out of water! I see in these kids the eyes of the stranded seal pup... longing to be helped, but uncertain who has their best interest in mind. Not always liking what restrictions are placed on them in an effort to help them. They are tangled up in some pretty damaging nets... prescription drugs and weed, alcohol abuse, casual sex, self-piercing, dieting, cutting, lying.... you name it. They've grown to trust me, and I love them. I may not be their mom... but they are "my kids!" There are a lot of sharks out there preying on our kids. It breaks my heart to see these kids trying to "grow up" too fast. They are making decisions under peer pressure that slowly creeps up until it's too late to take some actions back. They tell me it isn't decisions they make "in the moment." But a slow wearing down. The talk that takes place with friends and classmates. The little compromises. Pushing the boundaries. Until they take things further than they wish and feel caught up in activities they wish they could take back. I lay awake at night worrying and praying for "my kids!" Today, I'm so thankful for your continued support, encouragement and prayers so I can keep walking alongside the wounded, the stranded, the hurt, the struggling, the lonely, the searching, the curious, the popular ... our kids! On a more positive note, I've been Head Coach this year for middle school track. We had our district meet on Thursday and took 2nd place out of the 5 competing schools. In addition to hurdles, I've been working with the high jumpers. Seven of my 7th/8th graders went home with gold, silver and bronze medals for their division! We have our championship meet next Sat. I will miss them when the season ends. Yep, I'm proud of "my kids!" My new work with a local church, Torrey Pines Christian, has been a tremendous blessing. I love the outreach working with the college students from UCSD - what an amazing bunch! The people at the church are the most genuinely welcoming group I've encountered. We will be starting up our new worship service soon targeted to the younger generation, calling it The Bridge. A dear Portland friend referred to me two young German guys, Elias and Anton, who were traveling the U.S. and wanted to learn to surf. I was able to set them up for two days with boards and wet suits and lessons from "Surfer Bob" from church. They left for their next journey the morning of the shark attack, so I had to send them email to share the crazy news! We were able to hire one of my UCSD friends as a summer youth/worship intern, and I'm looking forward to all the unknown of the months ahead, knowing it will be amazing with God walking before us in the plans. I pray this finds you all well. I pray for so many of you as I walk the beach. Please keep praying for "our kids!" Joyfully, +++ Two years ago Michelle Dahlberg accepted the call to leave the corporate world of public relations in Portland, Oregon to move to San Diego and She worked with high school youth groups in her spare time while Michelle's role with TPCC will be meeting another passion, building a bridge with college students at UCSD as "Pipeline Director", recruiting and training college students to invest in the lives of the youth in our community as well as inviting them to a place of worship right in their As a "wannabe" surferin-training, she is excited to tap in to the surf ministry as a fun outreach to kids of all ages. In her spare time, she loves working from Starbucks where she can meet students on their turf |
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