Back at the end of July, I went to the Abide conference for youth in Cincinnati. I was asked to help and be a small group leader. I started out thinking, "I'm just a small group leader. What in the world is so monumental about that role?" I wanted to do something bigger. I've been struggling with the fact that I am no longer the youth minister, or person in charge, and that I'm a volunteer. I feel God calling me to lead, but I don't know where or how. There's been a lot on my heart over the summer and even now.
Anyways, I got my list for my small group and I was instantly ecstatic! I knew my kids were into their faith and sharing it.
And you know what? Over the course of the week, they taught me a lot. They taught me it was okay to start off awkward and move to a place where we were good with each other. I wasn't really in charge, God was. Every time I tried to be in charge, nothing went right. When I surrendered, the Holy Spirit flowed.
I got some lessons from Jim Beckman on how to pray over my teens. We were open and honest with each other. I was definitely praying hard for them as we went to talks, out in door-to-door ministry, and at Night Fever. I felt like we found family in each other. By the end of the week, they were calling me Mama Randi, which honestly, I didn't know what to think about at first. Then Bridget said, "It's because you're like our spiritual mom." I melted. How can you not love them and call them yours after that??
My favorite moments of the week were (in no particular order):
Anyways, I got my list for my small group and I was instantly ecstatic! I knew my kids were into their faith and sharing it.
And you know what? Over the course of the week, they taught me a lot. They taught me it was okay to start off awkward and move to a place where we were good with each other. I wasn't really in charge, God was. Every time I tried to be in charge, nothing went right. When I surrendered, the Holy Spirit flowed.
I got some lessons from Jim Beckman on how to pray over my teens. We were open and honest with each other. I was definitely praying hard for them as we went to talks, out in door-to-door ministry, and at Night Fever. I felt like we found family in each other. By the end of the week, they were calling me Mama Randi, which honestly, I didn't know what to think about at first. Then Bridget said, "It's because you're like our spiritual mom." I melted. How can you not love them and call them yours after that??
My favorite moments of the week were (in no particular order):
- When we huddled up to pray before going out door-to-door
- When we had an intense 30-40 minute prayer session at the end of Saturday night
- Dancing the "Watch Me" dance at the talent show on Friday night
- Praying over each other
- Jack's comments
- Bridget's "It's because you're like our spiritual mom."
- My talk with Catherine
- Jim Beckman
- Evan
- Andrew taking in depth notes at all the talks
- Hearing my small group talk about how much more the youth ministry was reaching out to their families.
- Hanging out with Rhonda
- Rooming with Michelle
- Praying over Claire with Zack Hinger and some other teens
- Seeing my husband Ben when he came for lunch and Night Fever
- All the priest, seminarians, and religious that were with us all week
- Mass and Adoration
No comments:
Post a Comment