CT PhotoMemories: May the Force be with You

Oh Friends...

I'm a little nervous about what y'all are going to say once you reach the bottom of this post and see "yours truly"...

but, don't go there yet...

no, no, no...stay up here...read my happy words first...I guarantee there will be PLENTY of time to laugh like crazy once you see that last picture...

For those that don't know, my husband and I lead a small group of middle school students. It's not like we lead them to any particular "location" persay, but basically, we're people who have a heart for young people...

it's why we both served on ministry teams in college

it's why I became a teacher

it's why we were both camp counselors

it's why we prayed for children

it's why, to this day, we look for opportunities to build into lives of young people...

I'd be remiss if I didn't say there is a selfish part to that "heart" ...If you want to feel loved and respected and want to see kids run up to hug you, or text you hilarious memes or video clips...spend a few moments each week just BEing with a student...

We have no sons in our family, but there is a student that informed me just this past week that he KNEW that he was "My favorite son"! And I eat it up people...EAT.IT.UP.

If ever I doubted what we were all created to do, all I need to do is spend time listening and interacting with young people...because it's about relationship...through and through!

Please understand, I'm not some saint...I've got a business to run, a school to volunteer at, dinners to plan and cook, shopping, laundry, carpooling kids here and there...there are definitely weekends that approach and I am not sure I have to gumption to drink a bunch of soda and listen to the crazy talk of a bunch of middle schoolers jumping on my furniture...

but, somewhere in the midst of it all...I am reminded of a bigger picture...it's not about me...and there is something to be said, something very important to be said about showing GRACE to these kids...even when it may seem inconvenient...when they "might" drive you a little nuts...

Our Youth pastor set up a BIG gathering this past Sunday...we skip out on our small lifegroups once a month to meet up at the church...and this past weekend was a Star Wars Theme...complete with blue, red and green strobe lighting, yummy eats, thumb wrestling and a costume contest...

I was being IN the moment so I didn't spend a ton of time on the technicalities of the camera settings, but regardless, I think these images give you an idea of our fun together!