5

I read a statistic that stated adolescents need 5 adults in their life to help shape their character and make it through those tough years.  YL leaders want to be one of those 5!  I got a text from a YL kid who has heard me quote that statistic...

"Merry Christmas Tracee!  You have been such an impact on my life and I wouldn't know how close I would be with Jesus without you.  I love you and am so thankful for you.  You have no idea.  I need you to be 1 of my 5.  Always if you would...  I hope the Lord answers all your prayers this year, I love you!"

Young Life is up and running strong at Lee's Summit North High School and Lee's Summit West High School.  YL Club is once a week and a chance for kids to be kids and play games, dance, sing, and hear the gospel in a relatable way.  LSN has grown by 60%, LSN is reaching over 75 kids through club and campaigners, our last club of the semester we maxed out at 90 kids!  LSW is reaching roughly 100 kids through club and campaigners.  God is touching kid's lives and they are coming to club to have fun and LISTEN to the truth of Christ.  Kids are coming to campaigners to go deeper in their relationship with Jesus and share their highs and lows of life.  God is moving in LS! 

We just had our 3rd Wyldlife Club.  WL is our middle school ministry and is off to a great start.  We are currently having club for WL once a month and about 12 high school YL kids lead and run that club.  It's a beautiful sight to see high school students give up their Saturday night to hang out and share Jesus with middle school kids. 

Right now we are running into constraints.  We want to continue to grow and get in every middle school and high school in LS.  YL and WL are both non-profit ministries and operate solely on financial support.  Sadly, we are facing deficit at this time.  If you are able to partner with us financially we would be extremely grateful.
If you are already donating- THANK YOU!  If you would like to meet with me to discuss YL or WL, please contact me at traceecobb@gmail.com.

May Christ bless you and love you beyond what you could imagine.

Reunion

The Gore Cabin from YL Camp 2010 reunites.  Pizza, catching up, Plaza shopping, Starbucks- oh what a day.  This I can say something magical happens at camp.  Friendships form that last.  Bonds and memories are created and it takes 20 minutes before we all feel like we are back in Colorado again.   Favorite memories of mattress surfing, random injuries and dry heaving (that would be me), hot tub talks, YL club, horseback riding... and giving God our story.  Times that will always be remembered!
I love you Gore Cabin girls. 

Did you see God today?

Sometimes I lay in bed and ponder my day in hope for sleep.  A question I tend to ask myself is where did I see God today?  Where did I see Him working, moving, blessing, in the little things?
Today and the day isn't over mind you....
-I saw Him in a cup of coffee and my delight to have one.
-I saw Him in my jump drive being found by a friend on the sidewalk after it had been missing for a week.
-I saw Him in a good nights sleep.
-I saw Him in a meeting with Daniel (LSW team leader) and Charlie ( our committee chair) and the dialogue that happened and honesty and love spoken
-I saw Him in a phone call from a best friend
-I saw Him in love from my husband
-I saw Him in planning campaingers (small group) for tonight
-I saw Him in the faces of students at LSN
-I saw Him in a text from a student thanking me for the verse of the day
-I saw Him in a text from a student asking for prayer for her health
-I saw Him in Brooke's smile and perseverance

and the day isn't over....
"God is continually drawing us to Himself in everything we experience."  Gerad Hughes

Firework

I'm loving this new song that seems to be the buzz song with high schoolers right now.  Firework- by Katy Perry.  One i'm impressed she actually wrote something with meaning and two I often think of it's lyrics and how spot on it is with how many high schoolers and even myself feel.  Check out the words and see if you can relate.

Firework- Katy Perry
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep?
Six feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's still a chance for you
'Cause there's a spark in you?

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause baby, you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, oh
As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go, oh
You're gonna leave 'em falling down

You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow
And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause baby you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, oh
As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go, oh
You're gonna leave 'em falling down
How many days do you feel like your buried deep and no one can hear your screaming?  And we are called to be that light and find Christ in that time.  I don't know it just resonates with me. 

Good Morning!

Today I woke up to a message on Facebook from a YL kid that made me stop and say:  It's all worth it and I'm forever grateful for kids like Trevor. 

Here is the message:
"It's truly our honor to have someone i can trust and talk to that will listen to whatever i need to say with out judgement. Some i know will accept me for who i am, not matter who i am. I am honored to have some who i know will help me get through the bad times and celebrate with me during the good. Someone in my life who loves jesus and me enough to share his message with me. I am honored to have you and all the young life leaders help me find my way to God. I am honored to have role models like you in my life.  thank you for young life and helping bring my relationship with God, my holy father who loves me no matter what together. It feels good to know there is always some who you can go to."

Thanks Trevor!!!  You are a blessing to us!

Honored

I'm honored to be considered a friend by YL kids.  I'm honored to be an influence in their lives.  I'm honored to hear the details of their day-  their highs and lows.  I'm honored to know them.  I'm honored to be in their story, to be accepted by them, and to love them as they are.  I'm honored to sit beside them at basketball games and see them every day at school.  I'm honored to give rides and have long driveway conversations at the end of the night.  I'm honored to love Jesus along side of them.  I'm honored to be called and texted.  I'm honored to write recommendation letters.  I'm honored to be one that listens.  I'm honored to be known as one they can go to for anything.  I'm honored to hear about their boyfriends.  I'm honored to know their families.  I'm honored to have earned the right to be heard.  I'm honored to read the Bible with them, to pray over them, to cry with them.  I'm honored to be a YL area director. 

Did that Just Happen?

Well I made chilli last night at midnight bc I couldn't get my energy level to go down after LSN Club.  Last night we had our last club of the semester.  We tried out something new:  Bring Your Parent to Club... and threw in the theme of Ugly Sweater Club as well.  It was our best club yet.  We had about 90 kids show up and about 15 parents!! Packed like sardines in a 3 car garage we did Club like we do every week and let the parents see first hand what YL is about, what it teaches, and how we are pretty much crazy alongside our high schoolers.  From skits to songs to youtube clips and crying with laughter to a serious talk on receiving the best gift ever- a relationship with Jesus.  LSN YL Club was blessed and amazing.  I love this job!  My parents and best friend came and got to see first hand one aspect of this ministry- and left encouraged and more motivated to follow Jesus.  Here is a clip from the movie Amistad that we showed and does a great job of recapping what we have spent a semester sharing- the best story ever- the story of Jesus.

Amistad Clip: The Greatest Story

Monday

So what does an area director of YL do on a typical Monday morning...

-woke up
-met with mentor Lindsey for coffee and discussion
-came home wrote a paper on discipleship and question asking to turn into my leadership class
-ate w/ a friend
-went to store and bought a card and balloon for one of our YL kids in the hospital, made her a cd
-visited Brooke in hospital and tried to provide comic relief and listen
-was more encourged by her perservernce than my own, and her desire to make it out of the hospital in time to our last club of the semester this Wed.
-made phone calls w/ leaders, donors, committee chair, and an other AD, texted back in forth w/ kids about campaigners and life's issues.  texted out verse of the day
-came to office spoke with a woman here who is struggling- gave her my devotional
-made copies for campaigners tonight
-grab some food
-head to pick up Taylor
-go facilitate campaigners (small group) at Claire's house
-take Taylor home
-be at rest

Well I guess that's not a typical day, they are all different.  But it's my job to love on kids and leaders, to encourage and uplift and point all to Christ.

Why does YL work?

YL works because...first and foremost God is behind this ministry.  He has grown it, called others to it, and changed hearts using this ministry.  Why does YL work in LS?  Again- numero uno- God.
Secondly- because of the backbone - aka- the YL Committee of LS.
Charlie and Terri Caby
Keith and Lisa Ehrhard
Rob and Robin Todd
Jim and Margie McCoy
This committee supports the vision of reaching teens in LS.  They are my backbone, my constant encourager, and my support.  They carry burdens, carry the load, and bring them to Jesus.  Committee I cherish you and am so extremely grateful for the 100 ways in which you love me and our leaders and help this ministry.

Third- our YL VOLUNTEER leaders.  These are people who are full-time college students or young professionals who volunteer to be a part of this ministry.  They sacrafice their free time to spend it earning the right to be heard w/ teens of LS.  They are making the ministry... and they don't get thanked enough- THANK YOU leaders!!!!

Paul Moore                
Taylor Kaleikau
Grant Guevel
Whitney Curp
Abby Sharp
Katie Welch
Dillon Kinnison
Andrea Larson
Daniel Cummings
Hattie Cummings
Jared Bailey
Hartzell Grey
Nathan Manley
Josh Fuller
Sydnee Mela

Last, YL works bc of you... LS.  Because of your partnership in prayer and bc of your donations!!

Last night we celebrated the first semester of YL and the coming of Christmas.  What a joy to be surronded by life in these amazing people.  From the bottom of my heart- Thank You.  Waiting and watching in hope for all He has for us!

ABC's

So last night was YL Club... LSN meets in 3 car garage at a kid's house.  Somehow we made a freezing 3 car garage a place where you could warm up... and actually people were sweating.  That took some song singing and dancing and a lot of people to fill the space and I'm thankful.  Last night I had the privilege of giving my favorite talk at Club... How to Follow Jesus.  Using the analogy of my marriage vows and that commitment- A- admitting I desire and need my husband. B- believing he is who he says he is, which is loyal, honesty, and humble (love you babe).  C-committing myself to him in relationship.  It is the same with Jesus.  ABC.  A-admit you need Jesus bc of our sin, and brokenness.  B- believing He is who He says He is- God and He died for us and rose again for us to live.  C-committing our entire story to Jesus.

So last night in the midst of craziness kids listened for 20 minutes and heard the invitation to Christ.  What an honor to be involved in what God is doing in this city.

Today I read two posts on facebook:
1.  Give God your story
2.  I'm giving my life to the only one who gives me hope when I have none.

AMEN.

truth from a kid

So to connect with kids.... we are on facebook, phones, texting, and g-chatting... I came across this on one of my campaigner girl's facebook- on 30 random things about herself.  Caught me off guard and was encouraged and blessed- thanks K.

5. i go to young life, and i love it. and i dont care if you think its a joke. i enjoy it.

25. i love God. i try to live my life to glorify Him. but i fail at that most of the time, it's hard. but i'm working on it and i'm working on my relationship with Him.

10 minutes

You don't think 10 minutes matter, but they do.  I go up to LSN high school for 10 minutes almost everyday.  I stand in the lobby after the bell and talk with kids I know and meet others I don't know- aka- contact work.  Last week- I missed going on Thursday.  Thought no big deal (nbd-text language) and I didn't go, I made other plans.  I was missed.  I got 4 text messages asking, "Where are you?"  Kids want constants in their life.  We go I read a study that stated an adolescent needs 5 adults in their life during those years to shape them to whom they are created to be...I wanna be one of those and so does every YL leader. 

Hit by a log...

Was in Wichita...and this will probably my most random post but here goes: An old man blocked off half of the road to cut up some tree to make firewood.  He just stuck out two saw-horses and I guess thought that would close the main road in front of his house down so he could work.
Well I was following my friend Nicole, and she just went around the baracade slowly so I proceed to do the same.  Well Mr. Grumpy Pants gets in front of my car and starts screaming at me.. "What are you doing (add curse words) can't you see I am blocking the road, you are going to hurt your car driving over these branches."  I only had seen some twigs, all the main logs and tree branches were by the blocked off part.  So I realize Mr. Grumpy needs me to move.  So after he yells at me for me possibly hurting my car, he get this... throws a LOG at my car!!!  Seriously.  Fight or flight.  Well I was so calm and went out and hugged him and told him about Jesus and he had me in for coffee.  Just kidding.

Uhm in my defense here is what has happened... He:  1. tells me I'm gonna hurt my car.  2.  curses at me  3.  then actually throws a log at my car.  So I jumped out of the car and screamed something like, "What are you doing?  You just through a log at my car!!!  You are crazy!"  He tells me to prove the damage and cusses me until I back up down the street to find a new route.  What would you do if that happened?  I couldn't believe I jumped out and yelled at him, but it happened.  Not my proudest moment... but was hit by a log.

Meanwhile, Nicole called the police and they came and he yelled at them and the police asked what I wanted and being a previous 3rd grade teacher for 10 years I said, "I would like him to say sorry b/c he hurt me feelings."  I was partially kidding but honestly wanting that.  Bizarre world... a problem happens in a 3rd grade classroom and we figure out what happened make them own up to their mistakes and say sorry.  Real life, real world... people throw logs and then call the cops and then yell at the cops and I just think wow, life was easier in 3rd grade. 

Verse of the day...

Each day I send a mass text to YL kids, friends, and family of the verse of the day.  Maybe it's the only time they read the Bible... but what it has done is given me a reminder I need the Word and I need it in my life.  So verse of the day:
1 John 5:11-12
God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has life.

Translation by T- I am more thankful today than yesterday.  I have life in Him period.  I am allowing Him in every part of my story. 

I'm Thankful for...

• having a job that is my total passion
• high top shoes
• YL kids that I can share life with
• text messages that wake me up from a YL kids (Laura) saying, "I wouldn't know what I would do without you.  You have impacted my life so much.  I am thankful for you."
• an amazing family and group of friends
• for my best friend, who I have watched unfold in beauty as she has accepted Christ 7 years ago say, "I was your first YL kid."
• my twin sister
• my caring, always learning husband
• my YL committee that knows me and loves me and is my foundations
• Skip-Bo with the family
• friends all over the world- Brills, Hirsts, Beyers, Thai friends!!, Amy
• YL kids opening up and sharing their heart and wanting Jesus
• emails from my dad that say...
  
  Hi Tracee

  found a quote from my devotional thought you would like..."Unless a life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile"    Mother Teresa

  Proud of you,

  Love Dad

   

   

  
  

Word to Build a Life On... by Mike Crawford

our last campaigners with YL (JR/SR) girls we listened to these amazing lyrics and asked what is God trying to tell you?  so i ask you... do you consider yourself blessed?  are these your words?  how does this apply to your life?

These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine

Blessed are the poor
Blessed are the weak
Blessed are the ones
Who can barely speak

Blessed in your hurt
Blessed in your pain
Blessed when your teardrops
Are falling down like rain

Blessed when you’re broken
Blessed when you’re blind
Blessed when you’re fragile
When you have lost your mind

Blessed when you’re desperate
Blessed when you’re scared
Blessed when you’re lonely
Blessed when you’ve failed

Blessed when you’re beat up
Blessed when you’re bruised
Blessed when you’re tore down
Blessed when you’re used

These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine

Blessed when you’re heart broke
Blessed when you’re fired
Blessed when you’re choked up
Blessed when you’re tired

Blessed when the plans
That you so carefully laid
End up in the junkyard
With all the trash you made

Blessed when you feel like
Giving up the ghost
Blessed when your loved ones
Are the ones who hurt you most

Blessed when you lose your
Own identity
Then blessed when you find it
And it has been redeemed

Blessed when you see what
Your friends can never be
Blessed with your eyes closed
Then blessed you see Me

These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine

Blessed when you’re hungry
Blessed when you thirst
Cause that’s when you will eat of
The bread that matters most

Blessed when you’re put down
Because of me you’re dissed
Because of me you’re kicked out
They take you off their list

You know you’re on the mark
You know you’ve got it right
You are to be my salt
You are to be my light

So bring out all the flavor
In the feast of this My world
And light up all the colors
Let the banner be unfurled

Shout it from the rooftops
Let the trumpets ring
Sing your freaking lungs out
Jesus Christ is King!

Jesus is my Savior
Jesus is divine
Jesus is my answer
Jesus is my life

These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine

Give us ears that we may hear them
voice that we may sing them
life that we may live them
hope that we may give them
hearts that we can feel them
eyes that we can see them
thoughts that we may think them
tongues that we may speak Your words

These are Your words I want them to be mine

Blessed are the poor
Blessed are the weak
Blessed are the ones
Who can barely speak

Blessed in your hurt
Blessed in your pain
Blessed when your teardrops
Are falling down like rain

YL Video

This is us... YL.  Greater things are yet to be done in this city.  Watch this video and see...

http://vimeo.com/17132468