Day 12: Those crazy teens

Today, I am thankful for the chance to be the youth director to some awesome teens! It was definitely a God thing when I felt God leading me to do youth ministry. I had no clue why He wanted me to work with teens at a church when I had a degree in Social Work. I also had no clue where I would end up. But of course, God worked it out in such a perfect way (as if His way could be anything less than perfect...it can't). Craig and I ended up in Evansville, IN after we were married and I have this awesome opportunity to minister to a great group of teens.

It's not always easy...there are some nights when I get home, Craig asks me if I'm sure I'm doing the right thing. But I always know that I'm just where I'm supposed to be. I didn't go to IWU to become a youth pastor, so I know that my lessons are not the 3 point sermons they could be. But my dad has said from the beginning that the relationships and time I spend with them is some of the best ministry I could do. Witness of WITH-NESS. And thinking about it, my favorite memories of youth group weren't a particular lesson, game or youth meeting. It was those times when the youth leaders and young adults just spent time with me. It was when they would take me to the movies, have me over to make things at their house or just spend time talking to me. I think it's also important to be there for them and be an example of a good Christian marriage (which a lot of them don't see anymore). And can I just say, I have the best husband? I think at first, he had no clue what he was getting himself into, but he has done an awesome job and loves those teens! He particularly loves playing wii and doing stupid stunts with the boys.

And the teens are just awesome. Some are full of energy. Some are quirky. Some are quiet. Some are loud. But they make up an awesome group called 1 M1LL1ON and I hope they know they are loved.

 Oh! And I also realized, I really haven't taken pictures in a long time...especially in our awesome new youth room, so that is now next on my agenda!