Memories.....

Tonight was our last youth service. It's still fresh in my mind so it's sweet yet painful. I wanted to capture my thoughts before I forget them.

We have so many memories - some bad, but most of them good. We got to see 2 whole classes all the way from 7th grade to 12th grade. It's hard to leave some of them at the beginning of their senior year.

Tonight, we had one last time of praise and worship together. Of course, we sang Montana (I think that's how it's spelled) - the spanish song about how our faith can move mountains and everyone gets to dance. How many years have we done that song??? And we did History Maker, which now holds new meaning since it talks about being a speaker of truth to all mankind. We're on a mission to be truth speakers, you know.

Jeremy Lopez spoke some encouraging things to the teens. Then they were supposed to have a roast, but I don't think any of those teenagers were old enough to know what a roast is. So instead, they all ended up speaking loving words, special memories, funny stories, and reasons why they loved Pastor John so much. I know he's not perfect - he knows that too - but he really does love those kids. And they know it too. It was hard not to cry as big teenage boys got up and spoke about how they had never had a father figure in their life until they met John. Or when a girl would say that he was the reason they started coming back to church. And it was amazing how big a role fine arts played in so many of their lives. I don't think we even realized it at the time.

I hate goodbyes and I wish we could just skip all of this part really. The hugs are good and you want some last memories, but it hurts too much. Part of me just wants to pack it up and go right now so all of this hard part can be over.

I can't imagine what our lives would be like if not for these seven wonderful years we've had here with our "kids". They've frustrated and exasperated us time and time again, but eventually it's always worth it when you see what wonderful people they become. Not that we get to take all that credit. Some of them have parents that played a big role (although it's sad how many of them do not have parents that are involved in their lives) and of course there's God. But just to know that we had some part of what they have become and are still becoming is a good feeling.

Ministry is so hard. Lots of times it stinks. The money's not great and the hours are ridiculous many times. People are always at your door or on your phone. You're not allowed to be human, and if you are then people are offended. Then there's the people who don't think they can be your friends because you're the high and mighty, holy and anointed youth pastors. (Ok, that's just funny. Do you know what youth pastors do? Have you seen the games we play???) The point is, it's not easy. BUT....

I wouldn't trade these seven years for anything else. We have grown. We have found beautiful friendships. God has blessed us in so many ways that it's hard to even think about the hardships of it all. It's so worth all of it. John has said for seven years that he has the best job in the world. I often just looked at him like he was smoking crack. But he was right. We really did have the best job in the world. What wonderful memories we're taking with us.......