Ryan and Lauren's baby girl Olivia may just be the most facial infant I've ever met. She had all of these different emotions in a matter of seconds last night. I think it was the camera light that flustered her, but usually she's quite smiley.
Last night was special, and not just because I got to eat the most glorious meal of my life from carried in Maggiano's (bruschetta, avocado cob salad, fettuccine alfredo, pesto sun-dried tomato ravioli). Last night was special because it was our third annual Young Life Christmas party. This year our whole committee, their families, YL staff, volunteer leaders and HS leaders gathered together out at the barn. It's rare that we're all together at the same time. I'm pretty sure this is the only time it actually ever happens. And I love getting to see all of these people at once.
The goal of the night is to celebrate together. We know how to do that well. We filled nearly a dozen tables with new and old friends and devoured all the food from our overflowing plates. Michelle wanted everyone to get to play a game together so I got to teach them how to play the Airport Waiting Game. I loved seeing Jim Devoe and Jay Cowan racing around or when KCraig and Bo tackling each other to get a chair.
Then everyone dragged their chairs to make one giant circle. Just like last year, we took the time to share why we're each thankful for Young Life. Listening to the perspectives of adults and HS kids, parents and teachers, junior high students and committee members wove a really intricate look at our community. Each person has a story of how they and their family have been touched, a story of a kid that knows God because of Young Life, a friend that has found joy and friendship in this place when they felt so alone before.
Some of my thoughts on this year with Young Life--
God is in this. It's so easy to see his enormous blessings as we continue to see growth and numbers that we can't take credit for. He is at work in kid's lives and it's because of him that we have so many kids at both Young Life and Wyld Life on a weekly basis and that both camp trips filled in less than a day.
It's not about the numbers. Because we've had incredible turn outs from the start, I fear that people may think that's how we judge success. But as KCraig said tonight, if we were doing all of this for one kid it would still be worth it. I think success is measured in the depth of our relationships, in the transformation of a kid's heart when they accept Christ, in their willingness to serve others and in the longevity of their faith long after they stop coming to YL.
If we're called to live life to the full, lives bursting with purpose and meaning, then I'm confident that this is that place for so many people. We were made for this.
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