One of the best things about my life is the privilege of working with the youth at our church. I love, love, LOVE these guys! It's a delight watching them grow and blossom..seeing them become young women (and men...but especially the women...sorry guys!) of substance.
But...when they leave us...and they DO leave us eventually...they are sorely missed. So, this month is catch-up month. I'm squeezing in as much of them as I can. And these young women amaze me. They have become beautiful...and not just in the way you can see. They are young women emerging...on the verge of changing their worlds.
So here they are...featured here for me to brag on them...
Ali, who went back to college too soon...
Amber, who you can find here
(and I'm totally jealous, I tell you!)
And these two who have hearts for Cambodia and I fear will fly there and never return! (Wait..maybe I would be so proud of them that I can't put it into words!)
Caitlin and Ana
And Halle, who also returned back to school too soon...some stupid reason, like a J-term, or something. Blah...whatever.
Kelly and Angela who've been friends since diapers...or almost...
Kelly shows up on our doorstep everytime my oldest son is home from college...hmmm, coincidence?
I think not.
And Jess, who was my coffee buddy this morning. We were the ones hogging the comfy seats at Panera today. Sorry...deal with it, we were catching up.
And, Beth...who will be sharing coffee w/me on Saturday before she flies off to be some big-wig event planner...WHATever.
These girls...they are the reason I stay in youth ministry. Because they're becoming the full-circle. I'm seeing the outcome, and it is good. There are piles and piles of girls coming up behind them...all with such rich potential. I heart them all! I can't wait to post these same thoughts with new faces included...they're already etched into my mind...
Next to the love I have for my own children...these girls rate a close first place.
Who knew? I actually LIKE teenagers!
9 comments:
Great post...we used to do the youth work too and now we are the pastors we still get to spend time the young people which is great and of course our kids are young...ish and now we have grandchildren!!!
It is always amazing to look back over peoples lives and see what God has done through the years. You are blessed to have them and they are blessed to have you. keep up the good work!
have to say I love those gals as well... amazing what they are allowing God to do in their lives and I sure do miss them. But just as much I appreciate your years of work and dedication pouring into the lives of these girls - a youth staff couldn't ask for a better volunteer! Thanks for your work, your love for the students and your example for them in leading godly lives!
love ya!
The world needs more people with a heart, like you. What a joy to read this post and realize that God has His children strategically placed in groups of people like your youth ministry, reaching out to them, listening to them, encouraging them and simply loving them as you do. They are so blessed to have you and you to have them. Quite honestly, you look like you fit in with them beautifully. What a tribute this is to the faithfulness of God. I am so thankful that I visited your blog today. It encouraged my heart.
Awww I love you Terri!!!!! I was going to write more but haha I don't even know what more to say. But I'm glad that you like us all more then you like Alex. haha.
CAIT...for the sake of my position in this household, let me clarify that I don't love you MORE...just alot!!!!!!!!!!! **Alex, if you're reading this, I have no favorites!
oh terri..i love you so!! You're such an encouragement to me! reading this blog post gave me goosebumps..haha thank you so much for all you do...and have done over the years. Hope to make some more memories..now being a youth leader along with you this time! :)
Amber...there is nothing better than seeing you guys take the good experiences you had in youth ministry and turning around and giving back. LOVE YOU!
Oh how I loved reading this. I am so blessed to have had you as a youth leader, and now a friend. you have influenced me in more ways than I have time to write. Thank you for all the years that you have poured into us, and will continue to. love you! :)
love, LOVE you girls, too!
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