Re-Living 16

My weekend started at 6:30pm on Friday night. It "ended" today at 9:30am when Luke, Emily and I drove ten 16 year old girls to church and released them back to their parents. It was fun, exhausting, exhilarating, giggly, God centered, silly stringy, worship packed and I loved every second!

The focus of the weekend was, "The Good Fight." We focused on the relationships we have with our parents and how a positive relationship with them is worth fighting for. I learned so many things this weekend, that I could not even begin to unpack it all and put it in this blog. However, I will tell you of a few of them and hopefully, do them justice.

I learned that everyone has issues with their parents, even the "good" kids.

I learned that being a teenager is still tough, and I'm glad that part of my life is over.

I learned that having 10 teenage girls in my home is exciting, and I absolutely loved being considered one of them.

I learned that there are 10 really amazing young women in my Sunday school class, and I am blessed beyond measure to know each of them.

I learned that things haven't changed a lot since I was a teenager.

I learned that my pastor's wife is a really great friend of mine.

I learned that said pastor's wife and friend can be intimidating when woken up at 1:30am.

I learned that my husband gets the "Mommy's mad" look on his face when said friend is yelling at us, along with 10 teenagers, to be quiet.

I learned that my kids will be teenagers way too quickly, and I need to cherish their childhood more.

I learned why my other youth worker friends are addicted to teenagers.

I learned how important a good relationship is with my parents and that I need to build a bridge.

I learned that it's okay to "go back" to my own teenage years, dig up the painful memories from behind a buried wall, and allow God to heal me, from the inside out.