Well I had an amazing weekend with my youth. It is truly a blessing to be working with the youth that I have. On Saturday night, usually I have to pray with a few youth after a moving experience. This is really not my strong point. What I mean by that is that I am not someone who expresses my emotions outwardly. This can make it somewhat awkward to be praying with youth who are crying their eyes out. As I sat with my youth on Saturday, I watched as many of them began praying together. I sat back and saw God moving through them in a way that I hadn't seen before. I got to witness an outpouring of community that I hadn't seen in a long time. It was truly a blessing to be about to go and pray and supplement what was going on, but on the whole I let the youth do their own thing in caring for one another which was truly powerful.

On Friday, I had my first day of fasting during lent. It wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it might end up being. There were a few times where I got a little bit testy... but mainly because it was late and after 5 hours of driving and nearing 30 hours with no food it gets a little difficult to not let your emotions get the best of you.

When I woke up on Saturday morning I really had this somewhat amazing feeling deep within me like nothing could stir up my soul. We began Saturday morning with communion, and to me, the first day of trying this Lenten discipline out was really highlighted by the fact that I was able to experience a moving understanding of Christ's sacrifice. It was an amazing way to start this all off.

Of course I have one more trip to camp 2 weeks before Easter in which I have to do the same thing of fasting on Friday and then head down with the junior high group. That one should be interesting as well. In a lot of ways that will really be a time for me to bond with our junior high group. I spend a lot of time with my senior high as they have the ability to get around and come in more often, but my junior high doesn't have that opportunity nearly to the extent of the senior high. I'm excited for that to happen because I've been to camp 4 times now with the senior high and only once with the junior high. It should be a great way to grow deeper with them and get to know them a bit better.

Well back to confirmation prep. It has snuck up on me and I have LOTS to try and get done today. I already know I will have youth in my office tomorrow afternoon so I need to try and get a lot done today. Woo hoo!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 1:16 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.