"The world needs more generosity and people who are not afraid."

I'm thankful for 8th grade girls from the Clubhouse who are just so much fun. 

I'm thankful that tonight we got to sing at the start of Campaigners with our special guest Ryan.

I'm thankful for sitting in circles talking with new and old friends about Jesus and stuff that really matters.

I'm thankful for the anticipation of what's to come-- more WL events together, playing at Camp T together in just a week and a half, and growing in friendships.

"When someone calls me on the phone it just feels so aggressive. If you need me in a crisis, I'm your girl. But if you just want to go get coffee, well, that's just too much."

Kathy Craig had a dream. She dreamed that not only would HS Juniors and Seniors show up to help at Wyld Life events, but that they would have an adult leader who loved them and pursued them by meeting with them regularly to help them grow in their faith. That dream is coming true my friends. All 35 of our HS leaders are partnered with one of our 8 adult leaders. I love the consistency of meeting with the same group of girls, doing Wyld Life ministry with them and getting to watch them grow and take ownership of their faith. I love getting to live into this dream. 

My life got SO MUCH BETTER today at approximately 11:36 am. I had just gotten my blue tray from the cafeteria, was headed to eat with the English teachers, when I spotted the one and only Gracie Burke working in the dish room. I LOVE THIS GIRL. Gracie has been part of the YL fam for years and always greets me with the best hugs. Today we had to exchange a couple high-5s over the counter, but I'm thrilled to know she's working here every Tuesday.

On this #tecumsehtuesday I was reminiscing about the glory days of summer. Hands down, this was one of my very favorite moments from the summer of 2017. Friday night, week two, end of Session 1. I'm not sure how it started, but suddenly I was part of a dance party meets songfest in the middle of Main Field with almost all of the Longhouse girls. I remember thinking in that moment, "This is why I do what I do." I miss these girls so much and can't wait to get to see them in December at our reunion.

My morning started at 6:13 with the WL leaders, I taught at school for 7 hours and then for the first time ever in HSE history, we had Junior High Parent Conferences for the next 3 hours. THEN I had to be back at school by 6:30 for our final Camp T training meeting. I was exhausted (mostly mentally) and needed dinner and a new lease on life. So you know what I did? First I went to Dairy Queen and got a mini blizzard and a hot dog (my favorite) and then I went to Chik Fil A and got a kid's meal. Sometimes, we just have to live life on the edge. I felt reckless and alive and so happy with my culinary choices.

The Camp T meeting was grand, our counselors are awesome, Cecilia celebrated her birthday and we still got out and headed home by 8:30. Plus, everyone is pumped that our school will now be doing Archery instead of Canoeing while we're at camp. Boo-yah.

"I was an impromptu kid."

Young Life starts at 7:32 but you can bet the first 15 minutes of the night looks a lot like this-- kids climbing out of their parents cars or parking on the far side of the circle and walking across the yard. Polar Pops and slushies in hand. Hugs all over the place. Leaders greeting kids when they appear after leadership upstairs. Ryan tuning his guitar. Friends finding a spot on the rocks or steps together. Lots of laughing and smiling. This place is home. 

Tonight Mal surprised me with a canvas-- arts and crafts are absolutely on my love languages list. Maddie is one of the 50 people who are stoked about the new HSE Young Life t shirts that Cassidy Ogan designed. 

Tonight felt pretty magical. We sang outside on the front porch, which we'll only be able to do for a few more weeks before it gets too cold. Then we heard from our new friend Kristin who is from Uganda and one of the kids sponsored by Village 2 Village. She has completed medical school and is returning as a surgeon to her community. Tonight we heard her story and about the work that we can support in Uganda to make a difference in the lives of kids and their families.

"It's not a religious school, so you can't shame them."

Highs of the weekend:

Pizza party with Justin's family

Playing basketball with Nick in the driveway

Hanging out with Emily and her friends

Cross Country Flash Rock Invitational at Northview

Making signs with Lucy and Maddie for our friends

Listing all the ways that cross country is the greatest sport of all times

Cheering on our pals Fudge, Brookie, Sami, Lulu, Brynn, Grace, Maggie, Caroline and Ellie

Running into Camp T pals from other schools-- Ellen and Annie from NC, Meredith from Guerin, Mary Katie, Annie, Sarah and Kendrick from Cathedral and Ella from Zionsville

Lunch at Patachou-- our favorite salads and drop biscuits
Being totally surprised when an HSE family a few tables away paid for our whole meal
Making Christmas best friend necklaces with Maddie and Lucy


Wyld Life Christmas in September Club Saturday night (which was brilliant because we had so many decorations since they weren't currently being used at someone's house)

Wyld Life leaders are killing it-- they're on time, helpful, taking initiative, getting to know kids, quick to jump in and focusing on why we're here-- I'm so proud of them

Playin with Bailey and the rest of the FCJH gal pals

Watching everyone play out in the field before Club officially started

I think we've found our next Christmas card picture-- Merry Christmas from all of us at Wyld Life!

Snow shoveling...

Snowflake catching....

Johnna's Club Talk was fantastic, "I want you to know one thing--God loves you so much, different than anyone else loves you, and loves you with no strings attached. And God says, 'Come! Come hang out with me, come be close to me and get to know me.'"

Hanging out on the porch of the Barn long after Club was over with the Myers, Justin, Wash and Maddie
Enneagram researching
Sunday morning at Northview-- Relationship Goals Trust
Working out and getting to swim after a few days away
Dinner date with Maddie while Jack and Justin had their own
Hanging out with the Halkyard family

"Kale tastes like paper, but in a good way. Yeah, it tastes like paper towel... but I like it."

One thing to know about me: I LOVE birthdays.

I love my birthday. I love celebrating other people's birthdays. I love mailing birthday cards. I love birthday posts. I love birthday cake. I love every last bit of birthdays.

I think every single day is worth celebrating but we should all probably just stack hands and agree to celebrate the heck out of birthdays. Are you with me?

Birthday Phase 1
Today when Cass showed up to cadet teaching my 6th period kids sang Happy Birthday to her (maybe in the quietest voices at the slowest temp you've ever heard, but they did only meet her yesterday). I strung up birthday signs and had cards from her brother and Wyld Life girls.

Lucy and Holdie signed out to SOAR at the end of the day so they could party with Cass. Cass headed home, but FBC partied hard. We had nearly 90 girls today (deep breath) and we played Cups! and worked on making the V. I couldn't handle this many girls the whole year, but for right now it's real fun.

Birthday Phase 2
Johnna, Morgie, Mal and I picked up Cass from her house in the mini-van (she only thought I was coming). We surprised her with a culinary trip to the one and only Taco & Burrito Place.

The only thing better than a birthday party is probably a birthday fiesta. It was a good time with lots of laughing, dancing and sharing what we love about Cass and what we think it means to be 18.

Birthday Phase 3
Mal and I drove Cass to Maddie's house where she was surprised by Maddie, Olivia, Gidget and Katie. We had pizza on the porch, kale caesar salad and zebra cakes (Cassidy's fav). It was a mini Pits reunion (Meric and Jayla you were missed!) and we were right back laughing like we did at TWL.

Birthday Phase 4
Maddie took us out on her family's boat on Geist at sunset. Oh my, talk about beautiful my friends. I often forget that Fishers has a lake because I don't drive by it often, let alone live on it. But tonight felt extra special and celebratory.

I hope that we are always intentional about loving our friends well-- on their birthdays and all the other days. Friendship is one of the best gifts we're given here on earth and we'd be fools to not embrace it.

Cassidy Lea Ogan,
Thank you for being unique. For thinking outside the box. For knowing what you want and going after it. For showing up for your people. For appreciating the underdog. For loving people with your words and your actions. For being weird. For always being down for a dance party. For living out your faith. For your character and heart.

Birthday Phase 5
Cake and the funniest card that you ever did see. The only thing better than birthday candles? A zebra cake topper. Here's to year 18 Cass-- you're going to live it well.

Honorable Mention Blog Titles
"Cass, you're dreamy."
"Diving lessons are like $100 a week. But it's ok because we're going to go to the Olympics."
"Wait. Do I have to wear my shoes on the freezer?"