Tonight I am so excited! I got to spend the evening with some amazing people who shared and expressed God's love in great ways! Their eagerness to learn, to act on, and share God's lovee was truly inspiring to me. It just so happens that they are in 4th and 5th grade.
I got to attend a retreat for 4th and 5th graders with a theme of "fruit of the spirit". This was a great thing for several reasons. I can see the potential of the young kids as they near my youth group, I get to connect with them as we start to focus on a tween ministry, and I get to be a participant instead of being in charge of things. But, besides those obvious joys, there were the moments. One boy was there who I hadn't seen for quite awhile and he was so excited to help in any way he could. Another boy was new to me and also jumped at the chance to be helpful. One girl gave me hugs whenever she was near me. When we made pizza's, I came in late since I was getting something else ready. She quickly invited me to join her in making her pizza. As they started writing in their journals, they were frantically writing, drawing, or thinking about what they had learned. And, when asked, it was obvious that they had learned. Later, 9 kids were intent on creating their mural to share with the congregation what they were learning.
As I left for the night, they asked if I would be back in the morning. Definitely! I can not think of a better way to start my morning than hearing about their retreat experiences!
I am blessed as a youth leader to have a strong foundation of kids younger that are coming into youth group soon. I am grateful for the woman who is so experienced and dedicated to the children of the church and sharing God's love with them! Seeing her focused on the retreats throughout this week has just reassured me even more that I am where I am supposed to be and she is where she is supposed to be. And for that, I am grateful to God.
So, where was God today? He was in the hearts and minds of those 4th and 5th graders, and in their leaders.
blessings,
Jennifer
I got to attend a retreat for 4th and 5th graders with a theme of "fruit of the spirit". This was a great thing for several reasons. I can see the potential of the young kids as they near my youth group, I get to connect with them as we start to focus on a tween ministry, and I get to be a participant instead of being in charge of things. But, besides those obvious joys, there were the moments. One boy was there who I hadn't seen for quite awhile and he was so excited to help in any way he could. Another boy was new to me and also jumped at the chance to be helpful. One girl gave me hugs whenever she was near me. When we made pizza's, I came in late since I was getting something else ready. She quickly invited me to join her in making her pizza. As they started writing in their journals, they were frantically writing, drawing, or thinking about what they had learned. And, when asked, it was obvious that they had learned. Later, 9 kids were intent on creating their mural to share with the congregation what they were learning.
As I left for the night, they asked if I would be back in the morning. Definitely! I can not think of a better way to start my morning than hearing about their retreat experiences!
I am blessed as a youth leader to have a strong foundation of kids younger that are coming into youth group soon. I am grateful for the woman who is so experienced and dedicated to the children of the church and sharing God's love with them! Seeing her focused on the retreats throughout this week has just reassured me even more that I am where I am supposed to be and she is where she is supposed to be. And for that, I am grateful to God.
So, where was God today? He was in the hearts and minds of those 4th and 5th graders, and in their leaders.
blessings,
Jennifer
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