"And will the Younglife and Youthgroup leaders please stand" said no graduation speaker - ever

After 4 years I am hanging my hat.  By the time this next school year rolls around kids will be going back to school, fall sports will start up, Friday nights my high school friends will be watching football games, leaders will be starting to get kids excited for fall weekend, and hundreds of grown ups will find themselves using twitter and facebook again to get their YL kid's attention.

But not me.

My time is done.  No more campaigner Sunday afternoons, crazy club games and skits, club talks that seem to stress me out until I give in, give it all to God and suddenly I have something worthwhile to share with the kids.  No more laughing about how silly our club games were on Thursday, or taking goofy pictures of kids with pots on their heads and lolipops in their mouths.  I will miss the days of cuddling together with my younglife friends during cabin times, and club talks, and praying with them through the hard times, and the rare but most beautiful moment of all - when they want to talk to you about changing their life to have a REAL relationship with God.  All of the mentioned moments have been some of my absolute favorite over the last 4 years.

I have loved my time as a Younglife leader.  It has taught me humility, selflessness, the servanthood and grace of Christ, and how to push on through the tiredness to have that late night conversation with a kid, let them cry on your shoulder, and spend tons of time/energy/money/all the above to try to be where kids are and pursue them.  It has taught me the pleasure of being a kid, living life, finding joy, and the satisfaction when you know you are accepted just for who you are.  Because of Younglife I know what dubstep is, can sing more Justin Bieber songs than I would like to admit, have have at least 2,307 car rides screaming Taylor Swift songs at the top of my lungs, I bravely bought a pair of skinny jeans, I have learned how to create no less than 7 interesting prom hairstyles, and know that high school boys are just as cute/adorable/frustrating/obnoxious as they were when I was in high school.

I went to graduation for the high school the other day.  They asked the pivitol people in the kid's lives to stand.  They started with parents, and then grandparents and siblings, and then teachers.  They never asked for youth leaders to stand up.  And I love that - I think every youth group leader does.  The one thing I have learned over the last four years, is that it isn't about what we've done for our high school friends.  God placed me as a leader to learn that - I think - because I can so easily make life about me.  The last four years I have gotten to see God more clearly, and been able to try my hardest to grow more like the others-focused, loving servant that Christ perfectly modeled.  There may be times where we question our impact on a kid's life, but we are so quickly reminded that it isn't about US and what WE are doing with the kids - it is what HE is doing for THEM, and how fortunate we are to be used in that way.

And at graduation, as each of those kids are sitting there, they are waiting for the moment that they walk across the stage.  They are revisiting what their time in high school meant, what they stood for, what they are leaving behind.  And it's all about them.  Welcome to being a YL leader.  It is all about them.  We love them for who they are (and as frustrating as it is, we love them for their mistakes too).  It is so great to know that because I have been given the gift to spend time with them, some of those kids have had encounters with Christ through high school.  And some got it, and some didn't.  But they are all off to new things now.  And I don't get to go with them.  If I am lucky, I get to stay in touch with them and share a wonderful friendship with them.  But where they are going - I don't get to.  God does.  And for any time I ever (selfishly) felt under appreciated, stretched too thin, or taken advantage of, I know that I did it in the name of Christ, and to draw them closer to a God who loves them and wants life with them.  And hopefully for most of those kids I've met, they will let him go where they are going.

Leaving Younglife is a sad sort of contentment.  I will miss this graduating class, just as I've missed the ones before it.  I will miss leading YL for the girls that are still at RM for the next year(s).  But I know that I have been set aside so Christ could use me and bless me, and now it's time for someone else to have that blessing, and I hope they love every moment as much as I have.

Congratulations RM ROCKETS 2012!!

Catching up and the simple joys...

Sometimes we can be running, running, running, and it seems to stress us out even more to find times to rest.  I found myself running on E on Friday, and I just started to shut down. 

"And He said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest for a while.'  For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat."  Mark 6:31

Likewise, Psalm 23 gives us a beautiful image of God leading us to a restful place.  The imagry in the passage alone makes you want to get a cool tall glass of lemonade and start chillaxing in a hammock with the sun streaming down on you.  Hmmmm....

Life has been busy, but joyfully busy.

Last week I attended a very nice Younglife Banquet to celebrate and raise funds for Montgomery County Younglife.  There were a few sudden surprises thrown my way, but it turned out to be a great evening, reconnecting with friends across the county who support the ministry, and being part of something I believe in so much.  Younglife has, is, and will continue to change lives, and I am blessed to be a part of it.  Not only that but I got to hang out with some of my kid's parents, and I got a graduation gift for the baby sister, Rock Climbing for me and the boy, and a 1.5 hour date with a massage therepist around the corner from my house.  Mhmmmm....  Lovin it.

Friday was my day.  That was the day I shut down.  Cancelled my plans.  I picked up sushi, and watched the Flyers v. Penguins game with my roommate.  I did not even make it to the third period of the game because I went to bed around 9:30.  It was glorious.

After a much needed 10 hours of sleep, I trudged out of bed for some breakfast with some wonderful women from my chuch (and an adorable little man who joined us!).  Then I spent most of the rest of the day cleaning out and organizing the storage room.  It was tedious, messy, and frustrating at times, but at the same time there is so much peace that comes from cleaning up and clearing out space - I loved it.  I went to softball practice and then to Kev's parent's house for some out of town family, working on a car, and dinner.

Yesterday I started the Daniel fast, and that was pretty much the biggest accomplishment of my day.  It was quite a low-key weekend, and it was so wonderful to have a low-key weekend after all the business and craziness lately!  Now, I just need to make it through this wonderful week with pedicures, weeding, Younglife Club, and then Charlottesville for a friend's wedding this weekend!  Whooop!

Pictures from my recent busy-ness:



Easter creations!  Tim, Kev, and I made Peep sushi, found on Pinterest over Easter weekend.  So cute, fun to make, and deleriously sugary.  Yum!



Carousel Rogues - Friday night on the town with roomie, boyfriend, and YL friends.  What a great time!

Yep... he already has a girlfriend?  Not a big surprise...

Wyeth and Kev on our Saturday Virginia day.  This was at the winery just enjoying fun, sun, wine, and family.  What could be better?

Life is not always perfect, but often it is good

Like weekends full of:
Sleepy early Friday nights with the boyfriend falling asleep on his shoulder.
Early Saturday mornings cheering on my Younglife girls at a swim meet and hanging with their super wonderful parents.
Saturday afternoons sitting with high school friends and cheering on the high school Poms team in their county competition.
Randomly stopping by another high school friend's house and talking about life, her baby, and hanging out with her family and sharing love with them the way Christ does with us.
Dinner with old friends - celebrating growing up, new engagements, home ownerships, and realizing that some things never change.
Sunday mornings at church sitting next to a couple of great friends, and one particularly wonderful man.
Afternoon runs with yet another Younglife friend - our junior leader, and then having her crash lunchtime with said wonderful man and I.
Superbowl parties with good food, decent commercials, plenty of half-time entertainment, and casual laid back conversation.

What else is good is:
Wednesday afternoons working from home (trying to beat the snow that DIDN'T stick...)
A run to David's bridal to see what I will look like when I am standing in front of the church watching my best friend commit her life to her best friend.
A little innocent gossip between roommates that is not altogether juicy to either one of us, but definitely draws some smirks from the cashier.
A night of invention in the kitchen with brightly colored, delicious tasting veggies.
Chocolate covered strawberries.
Spending time with a friend who will not always be so close (physically).
Finding out that kitchen inventions can be delicious and healthy!  (and pretty)
A glass of red wine.
Watching Modern Family with ALL roommates present.
Leftovers of said healthy meal.
Random music videos and dance parties for Shake It Country Girl, and MMMBop (we are all country girls who grew up in the 90s.  Don't judge.)

Pictures and videos below to show you some of my Wednesday night.

Roomie dinner night!

Just start with a little brown rice...

Add the most colorful veggies in the market...

Ensure proper garnish (cheese) and tools for proper cooking (wine)

Melt Chocolate Chips onto some fruit for the best dessert imaginable...

MMBop & Shake It Country Girl


Tonight was a REALLY good night.  This past weekend was a REALLY good weekend.  Yes, life is sometimes not easy or downright hard.  But I have a lot of love in my life, and that is a very very good thing...

Life is so good, and I do believe it's gettin better <3

He answers us :-)

Younglife leader.
That title enthralls all types of thoughts and images. Some are good, really good. And some aren't.
A Younglife leader is strong. They are fun. Funny. Crazy. Christian. ALWAYS THERE (like seriously... don't they have grown up friends?!?). Tired (although you may not know it). They always know what is happening at the school, with your friends, on your team. They come to games and check out your art projects just because they want to. Not because they have to.
To some, a Younglife leader is a grown up friend who cares just as much about making them laugh as they do getting real and talking about life and God with them to make sure they are movin in the right direction.
Younglife leaders don't take no cr** and tell it how it is. Life is great and a gift, but some things about high school suck and we get that.
Younglife leaders live with passion, and intention, and love, and adventure in their hearts and a desire to show the love of Christ though that.

I am a Younglife leader.

Last year was supposed to be my last year leading. I have been leading for 3 years now, and while my relationships have gotten better and better, life has gotten more and more tiring. Having a full time job, maintaining relationships with friends, family, a significant other, and younglife friends is exhausting. Add to the mixing bowl trying to stay fit, trying to do things like cook to save money, and going to bible study, and living with some adventure in life - and that is a full plate!

This summer I took off Younglife. I didn't take off time with my kids, just time with Younglife events. I didn't go to camp, or summer campaigners, and didn't stress about the planning or thoughts or logistics for younglife. it was nice. Almost too nice. I enjoyed the extra free time. I was worried that by the time this fall rolled around I would still be enjoying my little sabbatical from younglife. I was worried that my heart wouldn't be in the right place for another year of service. That I wouldn't be ready for the energy, the passion, and the dedication to be the type of leader we are called to be with teenagers.

Last week that changed. It was like I woke up one morning and realized how much I missed club with my kids. I wanted to plan activities, club talks, and figure out new ways to encourage my high school friends to reach out to their friends. My heart and changed - suddenly, drastically - and I knew it was only of God. Within a few days of my wheels starting to turn, and the call in my heart pulling again, I pulled up my gmail to find out some great news. We were going to have a new leader. A guy. JUST what we needed in our club. JUST what we have been praying for even when all else seemed for loss.

He answers us. He answers us with perfect timing. He answers us with better answers than we asked for.
And my friends, I AM a Younglife Leader.


Life is so good. And I do believe, it's getting better <3

Plans...?

There is this song I heard for the first time when I did summer staff with Younglife at SharpTop in Georgia.  The song was written by a man who lost his 4 year old child, lost his home and fortune in the Great Chicago Fire, then sent his family on a boat to Europe and the boat sank and his four daughters all died.
It is a terrible story, but after this, the author creates this beautiful song called 'It is well with my soul.' 
It is a beautiful point when you come through a struggle and can look up at a Holy Creator, and honestly profess that it is well with our souls.
But it is also good to have that peaceful contentment and honesty even when we are not going through tumultuous waters. 

I am excited for the future of Younglife at my high school, and my great high school friends. 

I am excited that a bunch of them are going to camp for a whole week to have a great time and get to know God more closely.

I am excited for a Wegman's date with Emily on Saturday.

I am excited for the Derwood Bible Church softball team to start the season on Saturday.

I am excited for the Phillies v. Nationals game tonight - even though the weather is a bit icky.

I am excited for new friendships, relationships, and just getting to know the heart of people.

I am excited for my family to visit next weekend for Easter.

I am excited for skydiving in 2 months!!

I am excited for my return to social networking.

I am excited for the results I've been seeing with my personal trainer.

I am excited for my trip to Texas 2 weeks from tomorrow!!

I am excited to see old friends, and explore new places.

I am excited to move into the Ashley house in May.

I am excited for the new opportunties that are coming at work.

Things haven't been perfect, but they have been well.  And I love that I can say that, and say that I am abundantly full with feelings of contentment, excitement, joy, peace, and fervor for what is coming up next for me :-)

I have great friends, fellowship, and family, (and most times a great job) and can not wait to be completely enthralled with them all over the next few weeks.



Ok, and so let me also add in here about my most recent obsession.  You have heard me talking about running the Philadelphia Rock'n'Roll 1/2 Marathon in September, and you may even recall reading about getting a personal trainer.  But I have also changed my diet in the last few weeks.  Specifically changed it to incorporate more of the yummy healthy stuff and less of the heavy junky stuff. 
However, this past weekend was so difficult for me.  I went to Younglife's Northbay Camp in northeastern MD and we spent the weekend serving.  (Pictures and stories to follow shortly - I promise!)  But we had Younglife food.  And if you've never had Younglife camp food before let me tell you - they give kids what kids want.  Cake, fried food, greasy food, pizza, baked goods, pretty much everything that will make a grown woman's thighs double in size just by thinking about it. 
But as I came home on Sunday, I was feeling pretty icky.  I thought at first maybe I was just tired, but the more upset my stomach got, the more I realized my body was more or less revolting from all the junk I consumed last weekend.  It was terrible at the time, but it is really refreshing to know that even my body is jumping on board with this whole healthy lifestyle thing.  Like the thought of brown rice and steamed broccoli for dinner beats some boneless buffalo wings by a mile these days!
Needless to say, that my smoothies, salad, over indulgence in water, and roasted asparagus for dinner last night combined with my nice 3.5 mile run (at a 10 min pace - YEA!!) was a welcome feeling after beating up my body all weekend.  Phils game tonight and one-hour-major-butt-kicking-session with Allison tomorrow!