the cedar point start

We just got back from our first youth group weekend and it was awesome! Despite the youth pastor who forgot to tell anyone we were sleeping at his church before he took off for vacation, despite the kid who we lost 5 minutes before leaving the park to go home, and despite the only ride I really wanted to go on breaking down 10 min before I reached the front of the line--it was awesome! (seriously; no sarcasm included in that, since you can't hear my voice)

We had 14 kids go, which was more than we expected with such a small youth group and it was my first real chance to hang out with them since moving. Drew was being spoiled by grandparents in Ohio, so I was mama-free for the few days and able to be more involved. We planned the weekend as a joint activity with the CCC youth group, and I was a little nervous with how the two groups would connect. They didn't actually meet until the first night but right away they were having fun together, even plotting pranks against a certain youth pastor, so no worries there. I loved being all together because I can be so shy around new people (even as one of the adults!), but this gave me the comfort to just be myself. It's like going on a blind date, but making it a double date with your best friend. :)

Speaking of friends, it was a ton of fun to spend two days with our friends, Jon and Bekah. I really look forward to being in youth ministry at the same time; to encourage each other along, learn from each other's experiences, and plan more events together! Again, I am so thankful for the past few years at CCC because not only did we have a great time hanging out with friends, but we have all of these connections with other people our age in some kind of ministry or supporting us in ministry. God knew we needed that refresher to our spirits before we could be ready for any of this.

my yummy Walmart lunches

our good friends and fabulous youth workers, the Biggs