Young Life Camp

On Friday, a group of people ranging from seniors to 33, who love God and teenagers, headed off to the Leaders Retreat for Young Life at Rockbridge.

The weekend was packed with information, food, celebrations, games, etc. But, what wasn't on the schedule was the friendships that were started, the shared laughs, the triumphants over fears, 15 girls sharing bunk beds who now know each other, savoring nature's beauty, sitting on a porch and rocking away, touched/inspired lives, and breaking into the hot tub.Me waiting at the end of the Blob...to fly into the air...

Michelle jump off the podium to blob someone...

Me being 'blobbed'

Mandy and I ziplining down the mountain into the water...

Rockbridge

To close, we had to discuss how the weekend had impacted us. Many were encouraged to do more to help youth, many were inspired to stand up more in their faith, while I was touched as well. I was affirmed. 2 months ago, I was on my knees trying to figure out my conviction for the next year. I learned that I was supposed to follow God and 'be the change I wish to see in the world' (thanks Ghandi). Now, I find myself teaching at the school I went to, coaching with the coach that coached me, and now being a leader in Young Life because I didn't engage fully in the youth programs for various reasons.

On a side note, I want to affirm Ellen who led high school girls during college. I am just beginning this journey and I am so grateful to have a friend who has already walked a similar path to lean on.

Moral of the Story: It's not going to be easy to listen to God's call. Your insecurity, your self-doubt, and your great need for affirmation make you lose trust in your inner voice and run away from yourself. But you know that God speaks to you through your inner voice and that you will find joy and peace only if you follow it.--Henri Nouwen, The Inner Voice of Love