Young Life

For the past five years I have been a Young Life leader in Lake Oswego. To say it has been an amazing five years doesn't even begin to do it justice. To say it has changed my life is a little closer. The mission of Young Life is to meet high school kids where they're at and walk alongside them in their journey to faith. I had the chance to lead two groups of girls through parts of their high school experience.

I can still remember meeting that first group of girls for the very first time. My very first official leader experience. I was so nervous and afraid they would think I was too old or super boring. But to my surprise, they didn't, or if they did they were super nice about it. And I kept going back, and they kept coming back. The thing about being a Young Life leader is that you are investing your life into the lives of these high schoolers and at some point you realize it goes both ways. That they are so important to your life too. I can remember telling the girls I was pregnant with Lu. I can remember celebrating the wedding of my good friend and co-leader with them. We shared life.

Some of my favorite memories with these girls were up at Malibu. Crazy amazing goofiness. Camp is an amazing place. I feel like life at camp is exactly what we were created for and what it will be again someday. Time together with each other and time to grow in faith. There's a song I hear on the radio by Brandon Heath and it instantly takes me back to this week of camp.

Being able to share this experience with Jordan is something that made it even more special. While I was leading girls, he was leading guys and there's something so special about serving together. 

I can remember saying goodbye to these girls as they headed off to college and feeling almost like a Mom saying goodbye to my own kiddos. I was so excited for what they were going to do but so sad to see them go. These girls took hold of my heart and I miss them dearly.

That next Fall, I started with another group of amazing girls. I can remember our first meeting too. I remember that same nervousness. Walking up to Papa Haydn's and hoping that this already formed group would be happy to have me. And they were, and the feeling was totally mutual.

I have loved these past two years with them. Pumpkin patch trips, yummy dinners out, and bible studies at Starbucks. Now these girls are ready to head off to college. And I can't believe its that time. How did I get so blessed to know this amazing group of girls.  I have seen God do amazing things in their lives and I know that He isn't finished with them yet. And neither am I.

These past five years with Young Life has taken me from a 25 year old young married to an almost 30 year old mother of two. So much has happened and so much has changed and I have had the privilege of sharing my life with these two groups of amazing girls. When I think about Lu and Jacksen and pray for their futures, I hope that they have someone who keeps showing up for them. Who meets them where they are at. I know it won't always be me but my hope is that it will be someone who loves Jesus and uses that love to love them too.

Lake Oswego Young Life has given us an amazing community of friends. People who love us and love our kids and who we can share our lives with. This coming year we won't be leading anymore and I'm super sad about that, but I know its the right time to change things up for our family. Young Life's tag line, is "You were made for this." And I totally believe it.