Here and Now.

Kacie and I on My Wedding Day.

Kacie, Me, Ava and Mo on Avas Wedding Day. The Original 4.

Kacie, Hayley, Andrea, Me, Sheridon on our Afternoon off at WHC

When I was in High School I had an awful experience with my youth group. Needless to say, I had to leave and find something genuine. My parents stood behind me and supported me. I hunted for church after church, alone. It was hard, and I found nothing. Ava, my current sister-in-law, brought me to Young Life.

Thier Vision

Every adolescent will have the opportunity to meet Jesus Christ and follow Him.

Their Mission

Introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. We accomplish our mission by ...

• Praying for young people.
• Going where kids are.
• Building personal relationships with them.
• Winning the right to be heard.
• Providing experiences that are fun, adventurous and life-changing.
• Sharing our lives and the Good News of Jesus Christ with adolescents.
• Inviting them to personally respond to this Good News.
• Loving them regardless of their response.
• Nurturing kids so they might grow in their love for Christ and the knowledge of God's Word and become people who can share their faith with others.
• Helping young people develop the skills, assets and attitudes to reach their full God-given potential.
• Encouraging kids to live connected to the Body of Christ by being an active member of a local congregation.
• Working with a team of like-minded individuals -- volunteer leaders, committee members, donors and staff.

This is what they are all about, this is what the leaders were for me and others like and unlike me. This organization was the most incredible thing I have ever come across. In our young life group would be the popular kids, the geeks, the loners, the invisibles and the goths. All kids coming together, to have fun, and to learn about Jesus. I couldn't believe how they would take in people who didn't even know Jesus. I couldn't believe they wouldn't try and chastise those who had other beliefs. They Loved. They loved, and had compassion and a PASSION for ALL children. Just like Jesus does. For those who had Christ as their savior, and needed more, they had small groups called campaigners. This was literally a Godsend for me. Kacie was my Leader. She is one of my top people. I love her to death. She was there to offer encouragement and instruction of the Lord when my Moms words would just go in one ear and out the other (sad, but true.) I grew a passion for this ministry. I grew to LOVE it in every form. So I became more involved as a "Student Leader". After I graduated high school - I applied to be a leader. I went through the entire process and discovered it wasn't the right time for me. That I wanted to be more grounded before I led. In 2006 I applied to be a "Summer Staff Leader" at WildHorse Canyon in Antelope Oregon. The summer of 2006 I was "The Bead Cart Girl". I was teaching and helping kids make gifts for themselves or for others. We did hemp jewelry, and jewelry with wire and beads. At this particular job, I learned soo much. I was most often with the rejects. I was able to talk with them - one-on-one and encourage and lift up. I was able to listen to their hurts. I was able to laugh and be silly with them. We had bible studies, we had worship nights. It was the most amazing spiritual month in my life so far. It was hard to go home after but I felt soo refreshed. Winter of 2008 my husband and I moved to Maui to be selfish and enjoy each-other. Our landlords we found out are believers and go to Kumalani Chapel - (a Christ the King of sorts). They also hosted the local Young Life Club! One night, during club, I went over and introduced myself and helped with the food. Another week I went over and joined in a game and listened to the short sermon (more of a personal life talk by an individual of their experience and then verses or a story in the bible to go with it.) I was beginning to long to be a leader again, although It still didn't feel like the right time. Chris and I just got away from everything, it was poor timing. Now, reading "A Woman and Her God" I am in the chapter called "Ministering Like Jesus." I totally got my craving to get involved in YL Ministry. Beth Moore quotes John 4:35: "Open your eyes and look at the Fields! They are ripe for harvest. ....How can you think of food at a time like this?" She says "If you have a vision for the lost, you tend to loose your appetite, because your vision leads to passion." She asks when the last time you ached over a lost soul was? AH! I thought this was SUCH a good question. I have a massive list. I cannot tell you how I hurt for people out here. There are SOO many people that are just unsatisfied with life and empty. So Chris  and I are not able to go to church that much because of our conflicting schedules. I have never felt convicted for not going to church. I always WANT to go, but it just doesn't always happen. Beth wrote something that expressed how I feel about this. "It isn't where you worship and it isn't how you worship; it's who you worship that matters. And you must worship in spirit and in truth." She finishes by saying "Now it's your turn. Your a woman who Jesus loves and calls to minister to the lost. Start your ministry. Just start right where you are. The mission field is literally right between your own two feet at any given time." This is the reminder I needed. Since now is not the right time to be in Young life, and I know so many that are lost, I can just be all that I can in Christ and try to minister as I go about my day. Thank you Lord for showing me this through Beth. So excited to get going and see what opportunities you have for me!