#15 Working with the FFBC Youth

 Note to any readers still checking in: Sorry for the long pause in my blog posting.  We have had a crazy July with friends and family visiting, swim lessons (for Landon, not me), Sports Camp, and Darin being away at school.  However life has now settled down and I'm going to try to get back on track with blogging...

As I've mentioned in previous posts I loved my time in the youth group at Fairfield First Baptist.  My time in the youth group had made such a huge impact on my walk with Christ and when I graduated I knew I wanted to help other teens grow in their faith.  So my sophomore year of college I started helping with the youth group.  Working with the students at First Baptist  was such a rewarding experience for me. There is something amazing about pouring your life into these teenagers who are so hungry to learn and grow in their faith.

During my time as a youth helper I got to help plan activities and lead a weekly small group Bible Study for an amazing group of high school girls.  I enjoyed all the aspects of helping but the small group was by far my favorite.  Each Sunday night I got to meet with Beth, Kristina, Megan and Erin.  We had so much fun studying the Word and talking about life. They were real and honest and I think I probably learned as much or more from them as they did from me.   These young women were like sponges, so ready to soak up what God was trying to tell them through the Word and if you've ever taught Bible Study before you know that having people there who want to be there makes a big of difference.  I didn't get the typical blank stares, they were engaged and actively participating in the study.

Beth, Kristina, Me and Megan in Australia!

I also really enjoyed getting to have a close friendship with these girls outside of Bible study. We would go to lunch or see movies together.  I helped Kristina get a job with me at Payless, which was really fun to get to work with her.  Also my manager loved that I helped him find a reliable employee.  Beth and I got to live together for a year or so when I stayed with the Whites.  I remember many late nights where Beth, Amy and I would sit in one of our rooms talking and laughing about things that were happening in our lives.   I also got the opportunity to take three of these girls with me on a mission trip to Australia.   I'll talk more about all that later, but it was so cool help these girls that I had had the privilege of discipling every week  get to experience doing ministry in another country.  I'm so very proud of these girls and how they have continued to serve the Lord in their lives.



Another wonderful friendship that came out of that small group Bible Study for me was the
friendship I developed with my co-leader
Tracy.  I don't think I knew her super well before we started but it didn't take very long before we were close friends.  Tracy is an amazing woman of God and a wonderful encourager.  College was a pretty confusing time in my life, there were just so many decision to make, and it was so nice having a more experienced friend to be able to talk things out with.  I remember many long lunches and phone conversations with Tracy where I would just pour out my heart to her and she was such a great listener and encourager.  Another great thing about Tracy is that I think she is one of the most empathetic friends I have ever had.  She would be so very excited with me during my high moments and it also seemed like she experienced  my heartbreak with me during my more painful moments.  It has been a true gift to have a friend that is able and willing to do that.  That is one of the reasons why she was  a great person to have as my wedding coordinator because she seemed almost as we excited as I was about the big day! 

I also loved helping plan activities while I was helping with the youth.  This gave me the chance to be around some of the other amazing students in the group, like Amy Moon, Josh, Ashley,  Danielle, and all the other wonderful students that made up that special group.  Some of the highlights for me were the Sock Hop and the Spring Girls Retreat.  I'm blessed to have been able to work with such a great group of students and adults.  It is so cool to see how so many of those students have gone on to serve the Lord in various ways.  I don't think there is anything more rewarding in this life than when you see people that you have invested your life in go on to help expand the God's kingdom.  I'm so thankful to have had even a small part in their lives!