text me

Every year for the past 6 years I get a text from a former YL kid, Will, on my birthday.  I've come to anticipate it with excitement.  My head thinks....

I wonder if he will text this year?  Is he too busy?  He's a grown adult now.  Surely he won't remember this year.  Maybe his faith or feelings have faded. 

However, Will never disappoints.  He has even been texting on Mother's Day, Father's Day, and the births of each of my sons.  They are texts that I cherish and I save for years.  They remind me that kids are worth it.  That YL is making a difference and leaving a legacy.  That students deserve to know who God is and how HUGE He loves them.  That they want to be heard, and known, and loved by caring adults.  That they want purpose and life to the full.  That YL camp is really the best week of many of their lives because they found the source of LIFE... a relationship with Jesus Christ.

You see Will and I sort of have the same birthday.  On my birthday 6 years ago Will said YES to a relationship with Jesus.  He came to life.  I don't know why God allowed me to be there, see it, and be a small part of it, but it has been one of the best birthday gifts I've ever received.  We got to walk beside him as his faith grew thru the ups and downs and curve balls.  We watched Will become a leader, have a depth of faith and compassion for others that is unmatched.  We watched him play collegiate sports and be a light in dark places.  Every year I am reminded of His goodness and my love for Will and kids like Will.

This is the text I received this year:

"Tracee, it is so late, but I couldn't let the day go by without telling you happy birthday, and thank you for the boldness, and courageous opportunities you have taken to share the Gospel to me and probably thousands of kids and because of you Jesus is being proclaimed and His children are coming to know Him!  I am thankful for you and Young Life, and because of this ministry 6 years ago I made the best decision of my life to follow Jesus, and here I am doing ministry for a living.  Never would've saw that coming!  I hope to come back to KC soon and visit!  I hope you, Billy,  Otto and Jude are doing well!"

-Will

young LIFE

We Back.

Life happened.  YL claims that students will have the best week of their life at YL Camp.  How does/did that happen?

1.  Kids... let's real... our teenage friends are kids.  They got to be a kid.  They got the chance to be carefree, irresponsible, disconnected from their device and comparison trap on social media and be present and be a kid.  They got to throw food on their YL leader, jump off a rope swing, scream, dance, play, sing, and take the weight off their shoulders for a week.

2.  They found adventure.  Campers experienced so many firsts.  First time to paddle board, first time to challenge themselves with heights and fears and complete a ropes course high in the sky or zipline through camp into a lake.  First time to spend 15 min alone under the stars, first time to talk to God, first time to share their story.  They also found adventure in octoball, volleyball games, go carts, and rock climbing floaties.  

3.  They found deeper relationships.  Camp is all focused around relationships.  Students grew in their friendships with one another.  They got a chance to be real, honest, share their heart and their friends and leader listened. I mean really listened.  Like no phone in their hand, no interruptions, but with eye contact and an open heart listened.  Those deeper friendships will help carry them through the rest of high school.  Those friends will be go to's when life is hard or throws a curve ball.  They grew in relationship with their YL leader.  They know, that they know, that they know their YL leader loves them no matter what.  That we are here for them in LS and at camp.  That we will be beside them as we all do life together.  They grew in their relationship with God.  Some said YES to life with Jesus for the first time.  Some said I want more in my walk with Jesus and are diving in deeper.  YL will continue to live out our mission statement- "introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow deeper in their faith."  

The best week of your life.  

John 10:10  Jesus says, "I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full."