It's finally starting to sink in. This reality. And it's really hard. Because even whilst I've been telling everyone that I'm moving - it hasn't really seemed real. Or seemed like it was happening to me. And now that it is, I don't know quite how to feel.
I was thinking today about the farewell party and quite a few people mentioned how they were amazed about how many young peoples' lives Jay and I have touched. But to be totally honest - I feel like it's the other way around. It has truly been a privilege to have teenagers come to me and open up about where they're at.
I was so proud of my girls - Bianca, Lily, Laura, Alarice, Karalee & Jenai. When you all got up and spoke I saw courage and honesty and your beautiful hearts and I was just blown away. It is quite scary to get up in front of over 100 people and speak, especially when you are feeling so vulnerable and sad and I felt so blessed to be the recipient of that. Girls, I am so proud of you all. You mentioned that I had helped shaped you into the people you are but man I totally see the opposite ha. I definitely have seen God shaping and moulding you and have been lucky enough to ride along for a bit but it goes both ways - you all have really challenged me and given me confidence as a leader.
The first time we hung out at Tin Cup, you were all babbling on about things at school and laughing your heads off and I walked away feeling like man I just don't know what to say to these girls - I felt very inadequate. But the next thing I knew, you all wanted to meet up again and I was so surprised as I didn't know that I had much to offer haha. But from your confidence in me, this incredible friendship has grown and I am so blessed. You girls are gonna make some boys feel like they're the luckiest guys in the world ha and I'm just a phone call away for tips and advice. But until then you don't need boys - stick with your girl friends :)
Braydon and Mike - ha you guys cracked me up and made me tear up at the same time. Pretty powerful stuff- that guitar and voice of yours. Seriously though, you guys have made Young Life so much fun - never knew what was gonna come out of your mouths next. And you guys give the best hugs ha - but seriously it has been really cool to see you guys mature in your faith and give more stuff to God in your lives and it's a working progress (for me as well) - that sometimes you'll be super strong in your faith and sometimes not so much but stick with God cuz he's given you guys so many talents and it's cool when I've gotten to see you use them for Him.
Nate the same goes for you - with your talents and your creativity and your leadership and also the way you call leadership out of people. I really saw you call leadership out of Jay and it was something I had been praying for and always assumed it would be an older guy that would call that out but you really have been that in Jay's life and I really hope you and Willem make it up in the summer cuz Jay and I would be so floored.
Alex - you and Jess - you girls are something special . I know this is crazy busy year for you girls and I just wanted to encourage you - that when your faith feels a lil shaky or you feel alot of pressure, just surrender it to God and He will get ya through it. I tend to hold onto stuff thinking I can handle it but it gets worse and man you girls are always so upbeat and that has been a real encouragement - if I felt insecure leading songs or lacking energy- I could just catch either one of your eyes and my energy and confidence just bounced back up again ha and that was the best feeling!!
I can't name everyone - or this post would be as long as a blog, but seriously - to the kids who made it to our party AND the kids who couldn't make it - I really love you guys and you have really challenged me in my faith to really live what I'm saying. I so admire those of you who have been really searching to know who God is and not just letting life pass you by without thinking deeply about these questions we put forth at Young Life. Young Life impacted me so much as a kid in high school and it has been so cool to give back in this way. You guys are the best and Sarah and the other leaders are so lucky to be able to spend so much time with you all!!
Keep me updated all of you - on your lives and where you're at and if you have questions ha and all that good stuff :) - lovelife082@hotmail.com or fb me :)
P.S
James (Triny) - I packed that killa sweet hat in a box but when I get to Slave Lake, I'm gonna pull it out and take some gangsta pics for ya lol
I was thinking today about the farewell party and quite a few people mentioned how they were amazed about how many young peoples' lives Jay and I have touched. But to be totally honest - I feel like it's the other way around. It has truly been a privilege to have teenagers come to me and open up about where they're at.
I was so proud of my girls - Bianca, Lily, Laura, Alarice, Karalee & Jenai. When you all got up and spoke I saw courage and honesty and your beautiful hearts and I was just blown away. It is quite scary to get up in front of over 100 people and speak, especially when you are feeling so vulnerable and sad and I felt so blessed to be the recipient of that. Girls, I am so proud of you all. You mentioned that I had helped shaped you into the people you are but man I totally see the opposite ha. I definitely have seen God shaping and moulding you and have been lucky enough to ride along for a bit but it goes both ways - you all have really challenged me and given me confidence as a leader.
The first time we hung out at Tin Cup, you were all babbling on about things at school and laughing your heads off and I walked away feeling like man I just don't know what to say to these girls - I felt very inadequate. But the next thing I knew, you all wanted to meet up again and I was so surprised as I didn't know that I had much to offer haha. But from your confidence in me, this incredible friendship has grown and I am so blessed. You girls are gonna make some boys feel like they're the luckiest guys in the world ha and I'm just a phone call away for tips and advice. But until then you don't need boys - stick with your girl friends :)
Braydon and Mike - ha you guys cracked me up and made me tear up at the same time. Pretty powerful stuff- that guitar and voice of yours. Seriously though, you guys have made Young Life so much fun - never knew what was gonna come out of your mouths next. And you guys give the best hugs ha - but seriously it has been really cool to see you guys mature in your faith and give more stuff to God in your lives and it's a working progress (for me as well) - that sometimes you'll be super strong in your faith and sometimes not so much but stick with God cuz he's given you guys so many talents and it's cool when I've gotten to see you use them for Him.
Nate the same goes for you - with your talents and your creativity and your leadership and also the way you call leadership out of people. I really saw you call leadership out of Jay and it was something I had been praying for and always assumed it would be an older guy that would call that out but you really have been that in Jay's life and I really hope you and Willem make it up in the summer cuz Jay and I would be so floored.
Alex - you and Jess - you girls are something special . I know this is crazy busy year for you girls and I just wanted to encourage you - that when your faith feels a lil shaky or you feel alot of pressure, just surrender it to God and He will get ya through it. I tend to hold onto stuff thinking I can handle it but it gets worse and man you girls are always so upbeat and that has been a real encouragement - if I felt insecure leading songs or lacking energy- I could just catch either one of your eyes and my energy and confidence just bounced back up again ha and that was the best feeling!!
I can't name everyone - or this post would be as long as a blog, but seriously - to the kids who made it to our party AND the kids who couldn't make it - I really love you guys and you have really challenged me in my faith to really live what I'm saying. I so admire those of you who have been really searching to know who God is and not just letting life pass you by without thinking deeply about these questions we put forth at Young Life. Young Life impacted me so much as a kid in high school and it has been so cool to give back in this way. You guys are the best and Sarah and the other leaders are so lucky to be able to spend so much time with you all!!
Keep me updated all of you - on your lives and where you're at and if you have questions ha and all that good stuff :) - lovelife082@hotmail.com or fb me :)
P.S
James (Triny) - I packed that killa sweet hat in a box but when I get to Slave Lake, I'm gonna pull it out and take some gangsta pics for ya lol
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