Our “Youth Family” is more than just a group!

just a few words to describe them -

Amazing,

loving – “Your love for one another will prove to the

world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35

wise, Christians, lovers of God, genuine,

transparent, strong,

humble – “Humble yourselves before the Lord,

and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10)

obedient (to God)  – James 1:22 “But be doers of the word,

and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

followers (of God),

worshipers – “For God is Spirit, so those who worship him

must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24

teachers, preachers,

leaders/examples - 

 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth,

but set the believers an example in speech,

in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

kind-hearted, awesome kids…..

who are they? They’re our church youth family & I am so blessed to know them and be allowed to walk beside them as they grow closer to our God!

The world may think we’re weird but we’re told to be different.

The world may think we’re boring but we have tons of fun!

The world may think we’re going no where but we know where we’re going!

The world may think we think we’re better than them but

we know we’re just forgiven and only by grace are we saved.

The world may not want to get too close because they

feel guilty about how they live but we’re not perfect either.

The world may try to detour us from our path with God

but God is our G od P ositioning S ystem

(no irreverence intended)

and He will never steer us wrong!

God gave me a heart for these dear, young people a while back but He’s drawn me even closer by showing them they can trust this adult. The fact that they feel so comfortable sharing and sometimes even pouring their hearts out to me assures me they know I love them but better yet – that God loves them and it’s easy to see their amazing futures as followers of Christ. They will turn the world upside down! I pray I’m here to see it but if not then I know one day in heaven I’ll get to see them get their just rewards.  They are so much stronger of a Christian than even I was at their young ages. They have a hunger for the Word, a desire to see their friends and families saved and they know who they are, who they serve and where they’re going! I continue to learn from them and consider it for my greater good to gain from their outlook, their wisdom and their stories. God will use their journey on this earth to reach people in their world who I would never be able to reach & I thank God for these youth!  They already know how much they mean to me and that I’m always here for them but they just don’t realize how they’ve ministered to my needs too!

I thank Him for putting me right here, right now, in this time, with this youth family! You guys and girls are always such a blessing to my life! Thank you!

Phil. 1:3
“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.“

New Living Translation

Smiles for the Teacher

Full of Life!

It amazes me still, after all this time, how a certain group of teens can bring such laughter and joy to my heart everytime I’m with them! Sure, they’re loud,  busy

Texting is like breathing for them

and rambunctious but they’re part of my world now and they make me smile! There are few things that put that expression on my face lately, since Scott lost his job, but these guys manage to wake up the hope and joy inside of me because of theirs. First and foremost, they’re Christian teens who love the Jesus I do and that makes a world of difference. They’re also leaders and examples to my son who is a preteen or “Tween” as they call it these days and they’re doing a great job there too! I know they’re lives aren’t perfect either but they share their hearts with me, their sense of humor and their friendship, which I’m sure is odd – me being an adult!

Facebookin' all night long

They bring so much to my life but mostly it’s the smiles that show me their acceptance and love! They’re so real and that part of my reality is great! Can you tell I’m proud of them

REACH Teens (yearbook staff)

and consider them a blessing in my life? I do! I have to thank them for including me in their world and allowing themselves to care about a 40 something teacher who might embarrass herself here and again but I know they’re laughing with me, not at me, right guys? To my Yearbook Staff: You’re all a very positive part of my life and an awesome part of my weeks – I look forward to Thursday because of YOU! I love you guys!

Please let me challenge each of you with the following verse:

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Love,  Mrs. L (“Mrs. Lele”)

Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God upon every
remembrance of you,”

In case you’re looking for a link to a devotional web site for teens:

http://www.devotional-reflections-from-the-bible.com/ChristianTeenDevotionals.html