"I pictured a lava lamp."

The first Wyld Life Campaigners of the year!!!! Our leaders were so excited. 

The kids were so excited. 

Rebecca was so excited.

There was no way we wouldn't have an awesome night together.

Adult and HS leaders met together first-- we talked about our testimonies and how it's not the "story of your calendar" but the "story of your soul." We thought through some questions and started thinking about sharing our stories in our teams.

For the first time, we're going to have a rotating Campaigners location all year. This week we were at Sophie Sam's house and we took over the cul-de-sac and street as kids arrived. It looked like we were having a block party.

I love the start of any event when friends reunite and leaders greet their kids with hugs. Everyone belongs here.

Brad and Justin are leading Seniors and 8th grade guys together and they're pumped about already having a year of friendship with these dudes.

Everyone squeezed together down in the basement... the space is huge but there are a lot of us. 

We're singing along to music videos of worship songs right now with words on the screen-- it actually worked so well last night.

In our small group teams we dove into the Bible together to learn more about what the Bible even is and some of the names that get used for the Bible like word of God, righteous law, instruction, lamp and light, mouth of God.

Tonight I was so proud of how Wash, Meric, Maddie, Mayson and Hannah directed and loved these girls-- they're mature and smart and becoming more confident in their faith.

I loved seeing these 8th grade girls be so excited to be here. They bring enthusiasm and questions and genuine care for one another. I love that we get to do this with them.

Caitlin, one of our adult leaders, posted this picture with some of her new 7th grade girls and leaders tonight and captioned it, "I have a feeling we're going to be great friends." She's so right and I'm so glad that this is a ministry built on relationships.

"I'm just so thrown. Wow you love people love me. I actually cried real tears and I'm not a crier." YL Senior Night

SENIOR NIGHT AT YOUNG LIFE!

Our last Young Life event of the year is always a celebration of our graduating Seniors. The consistent week to week kids are there and we're always excited to see Seniors that have been busy with sports or other stuff but make it back for this event. 

We have graduating Seniors sit in a panel upfront and ask them questions-- the audience chose from this list this year:

1. What is one thing you would NOT want to see changed in our Young Life club?
2. How has your time in YL prepared you for next year and beyond?
3. Because of Young Life and your faith, how are you or your life different from now you expected to be at the end of High School?
4. What was it that helped you best connect in Young Life?
5. Describe one of your best YL camp experiences (YL, WL or Wilderness).
6. Was there anything in YL that made you feel uncomfortable or discouraged?
7. What did you find to be most encouraging thing about YL?
8. What was a YL Club that you’ll never forget?
9. What advice would you give to your younger self about getting involved?
10. How do you hope HSE Young Life and Wyld Life are different 4 years from now?

Juniors-- celebrating Isaiah's birthday and ready to be Seniors.

Sophomores-- with a whole slew of potential WL leaders for next year.

Freshmen-- a force of enthusiasm and curiosity this past year.

Wyld Life-- we love these kids and can't wait for the 8th graders to be part of YL next Fall.

Alumni-- they just keep coming back because this place is always home.

It was our second year of this tradition-- a giant sheet of paper on the wall behind each senior. We fill up the space with adjectives that describe that person and the impact they've had on all of our lives. 

We end the night by praying for our Seniors and sending them off with all of our support, love and encouragement. We've got so much faith in you and what God has for you ahead.

"I'd have peace if I found a girlfriend. I mean, it would be nice."

Mondays are for Young Life. We've got a beautiful rhythm these days of kids showing up who represent so many different groups of friends and types of kids. Leaders had a conversation tonight about the culture and sub-cultures of Fishers. We talked about the make-up of this community and then how we're not yet representing all of those groups in our YL club... and how we can be intentional about making sure that happens. It was challenging and eye-opening and thought-provoking. It was a conversation that we'll continue to have dialogue about. 

I'm so thankful for the few but mighty Seniors who continue to show up week after and week, year after year. They are leaving a legacy of dependability and commitment and growth over time. I'm proud to know them and proud to call them my friends.

p.s. Check out Ryan using Portrait mode that he just discovered-- he's really into it.

Tonight in our Fruit of the Spirit series we talked about Peace. It's something we crave, something we need, something that is often in short supply around us.

Some of the responses I heard tonight from girls about where they find peace...
-watching the sun set over the water
-being in nature totally by myself
-in my music room playing and singing at the top of my lungs
-falling asleep at night
-any time I don't have my phone
-being in a room full of my family

My hope is that we'll always know that true peace is found in Christ-- that He doesn't just give us peace, but we realize that He is peace. I pray that we'll be intentional about living a life where we seek that out and where we bring peace to others.
"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14

"Now I know if you pursue God, you'll see how he's been pursuing you."

This is Alex. She's awesome. This weekend, we get to go on the Grace Church Girl's Retreat (that her mom is running) with a whole cabin of YL girls. We're pumped. This weekend totally has Alex's name written all over it. 

Every Monday night I'm thankful for our Young Life community. Going into our 6th year, I'm still so aware that I'm part of something really special. I write about Young Life often, but I love when kids articulate their faith and their view of Young Life.

I used to think that I wasn't good enough for God, but now I know that anyone is good enough for Him. 

I used to think that the Bible was a rule book to get in to Heaven, now I know that the Bible is a tool box for your spiritual journey.

I used to think that God didn't see me, but now I know that He's right beside me every step of the way. 

I used to think that God wasn't answering my prayers, but now I know He is using situations to strengthen my faith. 

I used to think that God was optional, but now I know he needs to be the number one priority in my life. 

I used to think that a relationship with God was unattainable, that it was only for "special" people and that I'd never be able to have one. Now I know that God is for everyone and if you pursue Him, you'll see how he's been pursuing you. 

Young Life is for everyone no matter what. Race, social class, even religion doesn't matter at the barn. 

Young Life is for everybody. If Jesus can love everyone, so can we. 

Young Life is for students across all spectrums looking for answers and community. 

Young Life is for every single person on the planet. 

Young Life is for the person who feels like they don't belong anywhere else.



God has been teaching me that I don't need to worry about my future and major events in my life because all of my days were written in His book before I came into the world. 

God has been teaching me to love everyone and show kindness to all because we won't know if that was the only act of love that person had that day. 

God has been teaching me to appreciate the present. 

God has been teaching me that there is good in everyone and it may take time to find it. 

God has been teaching me that comfort isn't key. It takes change and new situations to grow in faith and life. 

God has been teaching me to be patient with the unknowns. 

God has been teaching me to focus on Him instead of getting caught up in trying to do things by myself. 

God has been teaching me to be patient with life and to look at the bigger picture. 

"You make the party so much better and spice it up a little."

"All I want in life is for when I go for God to say, "Well done good and faithful servant. You tried so hard and I was jumping up and down for you the whole time. I have been so proud of you."' - Aarti Sequeira

I'm thankful for girls who are so proud of their bibles and carry them around like the treasures that they are.

I'm thankful for freshmen girls who feel at home here at the barn on Monday nights and say that this is the best part of their week. 

I'm thankful for connections between kids and leaders. These friendships that have been built over time via shared experiences, real conversations and the act of showing up.

I'm thankful that it's a part of our culture to sing together. We look forward to lifting our voices and singing with gusto.

I'm thankful for back row boys who keep showing up in this space-- these young men who are growing up to be Godly men who love the Lord. I'm thankful for the adult men who are pouring into them.

I'm thankful for stories of transformation, of God at work, in the lives of our friends. I've known Chloe since she was a 7th grader and feel so honored that I've been able to walk with her through so many seasons of her life. Tonight I loved getting to sit and listen to her share her story with this crowd.

I'm thankful for girls like Cass and Maddie and Mal and Wash who are like family to me-- the "puppies" as Shauna Niequist would call them-- who have knit themselves into my heart and my life.

I'm so thankful we get to be part of something bigger than ourselves, something focused outwards, something that matters.

What I wish everyone knew about Young Life

I've been part of Young Life for many years-- in three areas, with Wyld Life and Young Life, visiting 7 different camps and getting to know hundreds and kids and leaders. Through all of that I love Young Life more and more. But I know for people who have never seen this community in action might not have a full understanding of what we're about. These are some of the things I wish everyone could know.

There is room at the table for everyone and you are invited. We're going to be real with each other in this space. We're going to expect that no one is perfect-- I'm not, you're not and nobody else is either. If we ever get to a point where it seems like nobody is messing up and we're all completely comfortable then we're doing something wrong. Jesus came for everybody and loves them just as they are in the middle of their mess.

When we say that Young Life is for everyone, we really mean it. On a normal night you'll find kids not only from HSE and Fishers, but also from Lawrence North and Cathedral High School. The Barn will have kids from every grade of HS. And there's not one type of kid who comes to YL-- there is space for you here.

There really are guys at YL. It's harder to get pictures of them because HS boys don't like to pose and I think I've had exactly 0 boys ever ask me to take their picture in the last five years. But sure enough, these guys and their leaders show up every week. This past summer, Beesley and these guys climbed a mountain together and it impacted them in a profound way. When you see them all get together you can't deny that they've got a special bond.

Young Life can be your "thing." For so many kids who are part of our family, Young Life is shaping who they are and their time in HS. Just like your other passions and interests become a huge part of your life, being part of this community will shape how you spend your week and who you go to for support/fun/encouragement/adventure/prayer. Our hope is that YL will always be life-giving which means that you find peace here and that you're filled up with life that only Jesus can provide.

We're so excited to point you to Christ and to walk alongside you as you learn-- but this isn't church. Young Life is an awesome place to grow in your faith, ask questions and learn more about God. But Young Life is not a religion in itself. We want all of our kids and all of our leaders to be involved with the local church just like God has called us to do. We believe that being part of the greater church body is something that we should be doing right now and in every season of our lives.

God is at work in your story. Last night we shared Cardboard Testimonies-- brief stories of how God has taken the old and transformed us into a new creation. But the truth that I'm learning over and over again is that God's work is never done. We'll have so many different story lines woven through our life and it's beautiful to see how He is moving. "God is honored when we live & believe that He is present & active, even when the evidence of his activity is hard to find." -Andy Stanley

I'm so proud to be part of this community and want others to experience what I've found here. There is room at the table and you're invited.