weekend recap

i just wanted to pop in and say a huge thank you to all of you who prayed for/encouraged me this weekend as I led the middle school girls in our Youth Retreat. IT WORKED.

The girls were just plain adorable and so much fun. We danced to Taylor Swift and took silly pictures and had some serious discussions on which nail polish colors would match their outfits. And we even talked about Jesus and how much He loves each of them.

We were all on the bus on our way home Saturday night and they were all laughing and pulling pranks and I realized how much I love these kids.

 I have never loved being a youth pastor's wife. It was a hard role to transition into. But for the first time, I didn't feel like I was just getting through another youth event. I was having fun. I was teaching them about Jesus and, really, teaching myself. I love each and every one of those little boogers. Even the boys who spit tobacco juice by my feet and accidentally step on my toes in their big cowboy boots.

I never figured out how to fit into this culture that rides bulls and wears confederate flag t-shirts. I just don't get it. But I do get that God has an incredible purpose for each of them. And at the end of the day we all need the same God, the same grace. Rebellious teenagers, rednecks, a youth pastor's wife in nude heels--we're all kind of the same.

I've mentioned it a little before, but we are not planning on staying here much longer. We're feeling called to something we never could have imagined for ourselves a few months ago, and we're preparing to move forward. This was probably our last major youth event. And I'm so grateful that I was a part of it. So grateful for all they taught me.