You Know When You Grin

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when you just can't stop grinning and your heart just wants to burst!Last night at HS Youth Group, one of our youth had the opportunity to lead worship for my husband, Pastor Nate. Pastor Nate took a back row with his guitar and let this young man take center stage.

It wasn't the smoothest or most polished worship set I've been able to participate in, but it was beautiful.  Even with the false starts, missing song lyrics and do-overs...it was beautiful, and I couldn't stop smiling.

To see students using their gifts and talents to serve others and worship God, to be brave and bold, to take a risk in front of their peers, to make mistakes and keep on going, to lift a voice with confidence in praise--truly beautiful.  

To see the rest of our youth worshiping in the moment and allowing this 'first time' to speak to their hearts was a gift for everyone in the room.I think God was smiling as well.

You Know When You Match

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when you wear matching outfits with an 8th grader...on purpose.

You know when you're the wife of a youth pastor when you feel like you must explain certain outfits to the ladies at morning Bible Study, "I have youth group tonight, that's why I'm wearing...." Not that I've ever done this....

A few weeks ago, one of our students told me, "I got new Converse--they are orange!" I told her, "I have orange Converse!" Then, it was almost as we didn't even have to finish our thought--we both knew we had the same t-shirt...and we knew what had to be done. "Let's Match!"  Yea! It was fun and I felt special and loved. I hope she did, too.

You Know When You Adult

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when you go to an adult Sunday School class...for the second time since You were in highschool yourself!
A few years ago, I signed up for an Adult Sunday School elective class and I was absent from the High School class for about 8 weeks. It was my first time to be with peers in this setting since I was in higschool! It was refreshing, challenging and I really enjoyed my time reading, thinking and sharing thoughts through a book on missions.
A few weeks ago, I was asked by the leader if I would consider joining the elective class again--this time for a book on prayer. It had been a few years and he told me he appreciated what I brought to the discussion. 
I was excited to attend, but also torn to leave 'my girls' I see on Sunday Mornings.  After talking with Nathan, I decided to attend half-time for the next 13 weeks of the class.  This way I can keep a foot in both worlds.  Turns out, Nathan appreciates my comments and input in his class as well.  
I saw a few high-school ladies before Sunday School and I told them, "I won't be in Sunday School this morning, so if any of you get boyfriends between now and youth group tonight, you have to tell me."  Deal.  
I think it will be ok if I branch out for the next few months.

You Know When You Get a Massage

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when you consider a shirt-signing as good as a professional back rub.

Not that I have much to compare with. I've had one professional massage and I won it through a TV contest.  I had an amazing massage with a nice masseuse who was a also a mom and Nathan got a didn't-know-he-had-such-a-small-personal-space massage with a crunchy lady named Luna. But, that's another story.

Last week I was on the High School Mission Trip to Bliss, Idaho. We headed to this tiny town, population 318 (including the cows and goats from what I hear) to put on a "Mega Sport Camp" with soccer and VBS.  It was an amazing week with more stories of God's goodness than I could ever record. (Come this Sunday, July 24th, to the 6pm service at EBC to hear some of them--and to see photos!)

Here I am at my 'post'

My 'post' during the club was the registration table and as I was working on the slide show to view at the final closing, the teens started signing camp shirts.  Since I was on a short time allowance and I still had to still trim 23 minutes down to 6 (hey--I started at 56 minutes and was making good progress), I kept working on my slide show while the youth swarmed around me with Sharpies.  It wasn't too long until one came my way--"will you sign my shirt....can I sign yours?"  Absolutely, yes, I will sign yours.

Now, you'd think it would be easy for me to want mine signed in return...but with a stash of 15 mission trip tee's, I actually have always avoided getting my shirt signed.  Not really sure why--maybe it's the whole idea of writing on a brand new tee, or maybe I'm weird about being touched so much....not sure...I'll have to think more on why.

But for the first time, I thought to myself, 'really Kelsey, what's the big deal? Let them sign your shirt.'

So, it started.
And man, oh man.
Why have I waited so long!?
It was like a mini-back rub--that kept coming and coming. 
It felt so wonderful.
Ahh.....
yes, please sign my shirt.

Bummer, I should have started 15 years ago on this shirt signing thing.  Step aside, Luna!

PS-I did finish my slide show and "Mega" (aka Tyler) helped me trim it down to the right length!

 See, everyone is smiling!  It's a good thing!

You Know When You Play

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when even a family trip to the local children's museum becomes a scouting expedition on ways you could improve the youth building.

How cool would this carpet be?  If a spot gets stained...just peel it out and put in a new one!

And a MAGNETIC wall!?! What?!  Way too fun!

You Know When Barbie is Along for the Ride

You know you're a youth pastor's wife when Barbie has been riding along in his truck for a month. 

Our Junior High Youth Group has a strange tradition.  It started years ago and has continued on--some memories are hard to shake!   When we take our group to the snow, a Barbie head always comes along.  She is our 'target' at the bottom of the sled run and sledders aim to knock her over when they get to the bottom of the hill.  Weird, I know--but at least the tradition with the hot-dogs and bananas has been laid to rest--it could be worse.

It had been a year or two since we've had the chance to aim for Barbie (two years ago, Barbie had been lost and last year we had no snow!) but this summer, my son found a Barbie head at a garage sale.  $.25 later we were back in business!  Barbie successfully completed her 2016 mission and has since been riding around on the floor of my husbands truck.  It might seem odd to have her there, but until he takes her out, there she lays.  When I ride along, and see her grinning up at me, I'm reminded of fun times and the power of tradition!

You Know When you live in Reality

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when you live in alternate realities.

This last weekend, I had the joy of spending three days with 41 JH Students/Cooks/Staff on a Winter Retreat. It was a blast!  We had one of the greatest group of kids one could imagine--no drama, no dating couples (yeah--that could have impacted the drama level), great attitudes, intense questions and meaningful conversation...I could go on.  But back to the reality part...

People say that working in youth ministry keeps one young.  I'd like to think this is true.  Friday night a few of the girls asked how old I was and I replied, "I don't tell my age, you have to guess." When they guessed my age (based on my youthful appearance of course) a decade younger than my actual age, I hugged them and claimed them as my new BFF's.  One blissful night of living in my alternate reality.

Then. Saturday came.

I heard the voice of a JH boy from across the room, "Mom!.....Mom!...."  I ignored it. Surely, that voice wasn't calling for me.  After all, I recognize the voices of my own children, and that was not either of mine that were there (not that I COULD have my own children in the JH group--you know, being in my 20's and all).  AND I was still reveling in a blissful reality of endless youth...it just wouldn't be possible to have someone to need me as a mom or to call me mom.  But...."Mom!" still came.  Yep, it was for me.  I was needed. As "Mom." It made me smile and I realized, I was perhaps even more happy to play the role of "Mom" for this student for the weekend than to maintain my false idealization of unattainable youth.

Sometimes reality isn't so bad after all.

Here am I participating in a youthful activity this weekend.

Our amazing group!

 With the staff--all young at heart.