I have been involved in a ministry called Young Life on and off since 2006. For the past almost two year I've been working with middle students through Wyldlife. Throughout the past 5 years I have questioned more times than I'd care to think about "Is it worth it?". It can be extremely draining in all aspects, physically, mentally, emotionally and especially spiritually. You can give and give and give and often you don't see anything come from it. So why do it?
Why spend time planning a Campaigner lesson? Researching the topic so you can be sure to have the knowledge you need to teach it? Creating an application take-home sheet? For one kid.
Yes, we had one kid show up to our Campaigners meeting last night. And not just any kid. No. It was the one kid that's a little, umm, different. First off, it was a boy and we don't have any male leaders yet. He's always been a bit socially awkward, and never seems to be into what we are doing. We could be playing this super awesome game that all the other kids are loving and he's wandering around looking super bored.
It could have been a totally awkward night, with him only giving one word answers and not talking to us. But it wasn't. He totally opened up to us and for the next hour and a half we got to know him. Got to understand him better. (Well, I still don't understand how he can play video games for hours on end, especially since all he plays are first and second person shooting games... but that's something I don't think I'll ever understand about anyone!)
Since yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, we proposed a challenge to not only give something up, but to replace it with something good. We had a sheet for the parent to initial off on for accountability. Well, when his dad came to pick him up, he ran over to me and asked if he could have another sheet and gave it to his dad and told him he had to do it too! He explained to his dad what it was and everything! Totally awesome! Then, as he was leaving he gave both of us a hug! So sweet.
It wasn't in our plan to only have one kid show up. And things maybe not be always as we perceive. But God always has bigger plans than us and He knows what we need, when we need it.
It's moments like that that make it worth it.
Showing posts with label YL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YL. Show all posts
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Monday, October 25, 2010
One of Those Weeks
This week is going to be one of those weeks. You know. A week where you know it's going to busy. A week that is going to fly by. A week where you feel like you have no time to do anything extra.
But it will be a week of fun!
Today I have my 20 week appointment after work (YAY!) followed by meeting with my co-leader and friend to plan of Wyldlife tomorrow.
Tuesday we have our first official Wyldlife club of this school year. (Again Yay!)
Wednesday is Younglife's all-area Halloween club. I guess I don't have to go to this, but Kevin is playing guitar and I love being around to support the other leaders and lend a hand.
Thursday evening I'm catching up with an old roomie and friend.
Friday night is a birthday celebration and a bonfire with friends.
So while it's a jammed packed week, it's filled with a lot of fun and all things that I enjoy and want to do. Now if only I can fit some time to do my classwork and housework in there.
Oh, and I took my 19 week belly pic, so that should be posted soon!
But it will be a week of fun!
Today I have my 20 week appointment after work (YAY!) followed by meeting with my co-leader and friend to plan of Wyldlife tomorrow.
Tuesday we have our first official Wyldlife club of this school year. (Again Yay!)
Wednesday is Younglife's all-area Halloween club. I guess I don't have to go to this, but Kevin is playing guitar and I love being around to support the other leaders and lend a hand.
Thursday evening I'm catching up with an old roomie and friend.
Friday night is a birthday celebration and a bonfire with friends.
So while it's a jammed packed week, it's filled with a lot of fun and all things that I enjoy and want to do. Now if only I can fit some time to do my classwork and housework in there.
Oh, and I took my 19 week belly pic, so that should be posted soon!
Friday, June 18, 2010
May Recap
We all know I've been super sucky at keeping up with this blog. So let's look back at the past month and see what we've been up too.
We started off the month with a tee-ball game with the Harper's.
These are two of the cutest little girls EVER! Of course my niece hasn't been born yet, so I can still say that :-)
They are such an awesome family and I love having them as models for when we have kids someday.
We I had a few Wyldlife events this past month. First, we had a spa night/sleepover with the girls.
We had 11 girls show up and had an absolute blast! Two of our sixth graders help to set most of it up.
There were these awesome paraffin wraps for your hands
There was a nail painting station
A place just to talk and hang out
A pedicure station
A facial station
And after they all got their hair and make up done we had a dance party!
Followed by midnight snacks
Two movies later and the girls were still going strong! Crazy how much energy they have!
We also had our last Wyldlife club for the year. The Merrill's were kind enough to open up their backyard to a bunch of wyld middle kids. After stuffing our faces with BBQ goodness we played some human foosball. Freaking awesome!
Followed by some cricket spitting. We were talking on Rev. 3 where it says if you are lukewarm then God will spit you out, so we had to practice our spitting.
It took awhile to convince someone to give it a shot, but Ryan stepped up to the plate.
Soon everyone followed, including the girls!
We had an awesome first year, and can't wait to see how this summer study and next year shape up.
Memorial day was also in May, but this post is too long already.
We started off the month with a tee-ball game with the Harper's.
These are two of the cutest little girls EVER! Of course my niece hasn't been born yet, so I can still say that :-)
They are such an awesome family and I love having them as models for when we have kids someday.
We had 11 girls show up and had an absolute blast! Two of our sixth graders help to set most of it up.
There were these awesome paraffin wraps for your hands
There was a nail painting station
A place just to talk and hang out
A pedicure station
A facial station
And after they all got their hair and make up done we had a dance party!
Followed by midnight snacks
Two movies later and the girls were still going strong! Crazy how much energy they have!
We also had our last Wyldlife club for the year. The Merrill's were kind enough to open up their backyard to a bunch of wyld middle kids. After stuffing our faces with BBQ goodness we played some human foosball. Freaking awesome!
Followed by some cricket spitting. We were talking on Rev. 3 where it says if you are lukewarm then God will spit you out, so we had to practice our spitting.
It took awhile to convince someone to give it a shot, but Ryan stepped up to the plate.
Soon everyone followed, including the girls!
We had an awesome first year, and can't wait to see how this summer study and next year shape up.
Memorial day was also in May, but this post is too long already.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Kick Off Event
The other Sunday we had our kick off event for Wyld Life and it went fan-tab-ulous!!! The week leading up to the event was rainy and cold and God totally pulled through with a warm, sunny day!
Both the kids and parents had uber amounts of fun on the slip and slide. I wish we would have gotten pictures of it at the end because someone went crazy with the soap and we had a huge, I mean ginormous, mud/soap puddle at the bottom. Kids would come running up the hill begging to be hosed off because they couldn't see from all the suds in there eyes. I don't think I've ever seen a muddy mess that was covered in soup bubbles. Kinda ironic.
After noshing on some awesome food, we moved inside for our mock club. It took awhile for the kids to catch onto the songs, but it went well. The mixer was a HUGE hit! I mean, c'mon...people banging on a pot on their head to call out the name of a song, while their mouth is full of lollipops...drool everywhere...seriously hilarious!
We also played our version of mission impossible... opening starburst (which is hard enough by itself) with snow gloves on. Oh yeah.
God totally blessed and encouraged us through this time. We got to meet and get to know not only some kids, but also their parents. Many of which are super excited to help and come along side of us! CAN.NOT. WAIT. UNTIL.OUR.FIRST.CLUB!!! Oct. 27th here we come!!!
Both the kids and parents had uber amounts of fun on the slip and slide. I wish we would have gotten pictures of it at the end because someone went crazy with the soap and we had a huge, I mean ginormous, mud/soap puddle at the bottom. Kids would come running up the hill begging to be hosed off because they couldn't see from all the suds in there eyes. I don't think I've ever seen a muddy mess that was covered in soup bubbles. Kinda ironic.
After noshing on some awesome food, we moved inside for our mock club. It took awhile for the kids to catch onto the songs, but it went well. The mixer was a HUGE hit! I mean, c'mon...people banging on a pot on their head to call out the name of a song, while their mouth is full of lollipops...drool everywhere...seriously hilarious!
We also played our version of mission impossible... opening starburst (which is hard enough by itself) with snow gloves on. Oh yeah.
God totally blessed and encouraged us through this time. We got to meet and get to know not only some kids, but also their parents. Many of which are super excited to help and come along side of us! CAN.NOT. WAIT. UNTIL.OUR.FIRST.CLUB!!! Oct. 27th here we come!!!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Leader Weekend
So this past weekend I spent down in OCNJ with an awesome group of God-fearing men and women who have hearts for the youth.
The view that greeted us when we arrived wasn't your typical beach scene. Road blocks were up everywhere because so many streets were flooded.
The rain did a number on the beaches too! Look at that drop off! Byebye Jersey shore!
In between sessions we had some down time to play... hello Bananagram! Basically it's like Scrabble on steroids.
Half the group HAD to have their Mack&Manko's pizza, while some of us hit up the food court next door. Ever seen a Stromboli that big???
Followed by some awesome beach volleyball. Take note the size of our court...
...and the size of theirs. Luckily, so still managed to win!
Oh, and we got to see some pretty sick cars since it was hot rod weekend.
Meet team Wyld Life!!! Can't wait to start reaching out to the middle schoolers!
Thank you so much to the Carnuccio's for open up your beautiful home!!!
Sorry for the choppiness of the post. There was so much crammed into 24 hours it's impossible to recap. God totally showed up and moved in that house as well as my heart. It's not about the list and what has to get done, I have feed myself first, before I can try and feed others.
The view that greeted us when we arrived wasn't your typical beach scene. Road blocks were up everywhere because so many streets were flooded.
The rain did a number on the beaches too! Look at that drop off! Byebye Jersey shore!
In between sessions we had some down time to play... hello Bananagram! Basically it's like Scrabble on steroids.
Half the group HAD to have their Mack&Manko's pizza, while some of us hit up the food court next door. Ever seen a Stromboli that big???
Followed by some awesome beach volleyball. Take note the size of our court...
...and the size of theirs. Luckily, so still managed to win!
Oh, and we got to see some pretty sick cars since it was hot rod weekend.
Meet team Wyld Life!!! Can't wait to start reaching out to the middle schoolers!
Thank you so much to the Carnuccio's for open up your beautiful home!!!
Sorry for the choppiness of the post. There was so much crammed into 24 hours it's impossible to recap. God totally showed up and moved in that house as well as my heart. It's not about the list and what has to get done, I have feed myself first, before I can try and feed others.
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