this past wednesday i was mentally exhausted from all the emotions
surrounding virginia's funeral
i was tired of sitting in a car all day
& listening to my thoughts knock around inside my head
but i knew that evening there was only one place i wanted to be
our church has an AMAZING program for the middle schoolers
it stands for living under grace
the purpose is to teach our kids about the amazing love
our heavenly father has for them
make sure they have nailed down in their hearts
at such a pivotal age
that we have a holy god
who is full of grace
& is wildly crazy about each of them
somewhere between 800 and 1000 kids meet up every wednesday night
eight hundred to one thousand
seriously
hilarious skits
amazing teaching
worship music that would blow your mind
& sweet sweet small group time
during group time the highschoolers teach the middle schoolers
pouring back into the next generation what they've been taught
beautiful!
i am privileged to be the adult facilitator for the group savannah leads
most weeks i sit and listen to them
i usually get all choked up
i'm so proud of these girls
wednesday night they spontaneously began encouraging each other
every one of them
picked out a character quality about another that meant something to them
over a dozen 13 year old girls loving on each other
priceless
when we come back together
all 800-1000 of us
we worship
talk about worship
these kids love the lord unashamedly & with a pure devotion
part of me felt guilty that night
sitting with my daughter
while my friend had buried hers just hours before
but during worship that night
while all 800 to 1000 of us worshiped
i knew viriginia
was
doing
the
very
same
thing.....
so very wonderful...
ReplyDeleteI think that is a perfect way to heal--to work with young people and bring them closer to God.
ReplyDeleteYour family and your friend's family are in our prayers.
when i read about all the wonderful activities your church offers, i feel a little jealous. i know that virginia was worshiping along with you. in a much more powerful way. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteindeed she is......and she knows Carter!
ReplyDeleteteary. makes me want to pack my bags asap and move to georgia. what I wouldn't give for my girls to experience all that. especially the worship. that's how i grew up. hands thrown in the air, tears streaming down my face...loving my lord unashamed. as it should be!
ReplyDeleteThis sound amazing. I gasped at the number and thought "what?" and then you said "eight hundred to one thousand
ReplyDeleteseriously" and I laughed because it was like you heard me. What an way to experience God and all of His glory...a true blessing. And yes, I'm sure Virginia was dancing along :)
Paige
ReplyDeleteI'm absolutely amazed and in awe of your youth group. I truly have never seen such a large group of kids come together in His name on a regular basis. It makes me so happy to see this. Looks like fun too.
Oh paige, this is beautiful. I am so sorry for your loss. I am just catching up on blog-land, so I apologize for the tardiness of my sentiments, but pray that you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteBe thankful that your family has found a church home that puts so much importance on kids and their relationship with Christ... it's a beautiful thing!
what a perfect night!
ReplyDeleteand yes..i noticed the chick fil-a cup;-)
it was fabulous chatting yesterday!
xo
And I know that Virginia was looking down and smiling.
ReplyDeleteWhat if Heaven was that close. That it was as if a wall of air that we cannot see. To have our family that near, that loved. I know that with your big heart you loved on Ginger well and that if the life situation was reversed that the one place that she would be is singing songs to her Father in Heaven.
I love Savannah. My first little girl. I see her and my mind quickly goes back to the day she was born and these moments of her being a toddler or young teen. My Sweet Savannah is lovely and I am so proud of the Mamma that she has that is beautiful too just like her daughter inside and out. Love you all! Mwahhhhh!
I have heard about Grace's amazing youth program from many people. How awesome to be such an integral part of it!
ReplyDeletegod always reach out for us......in different ways...
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeleteTammy :-)
This sounds like balm to a wounded soul.
ReplyDeleteJust what I could use this week, myself.
I wish we lived closer...
Hello Dear Paige...
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to visit in a while with everything that has been going on in my world. But I'm glad I came tonight...you always inspire me. Thank you.
xoox
Wendy
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ReplyDeleteit's saturday morning.
ReplyDeletei just got back from our first of two soccer games for the day.
i sat down for 10 minutes of looking at blogs.
and i'm crying.
love this post.
love your church.
love our God.
Hi Paige, this is such a wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for entering my giveaway, I threw the Paige-notes in the big bowl, fingers crossed!
Have a happy happy weekend, the first weekend of FALL! xx
An amazing church you have, Paige and so wonderful to see these young girls in worship together, praising God!!
ReplyDeleteThis and the previous posts were very moving.
ReplyDeletePrayers for you and your friend's family.
Cathy
I would struggle too. I'm so thankful you have the blessing of this amazing youth group - it sounds like it really ministered to you. Yes, Virginia is worshipping and she is absolutely basking in the glory of God!!!!! I will continue to pray for her mom, I cannot even imagine.
ReplyDeletebeautiful. beautiful. photos,
sending hugs & prayers.
I forgot to say THANKS! for replying to my question about the slipcovered sofas. I haven't decided what to do yet but it makes so much sense to have sofas you can sit on without worrying! I love your house, it is totally beautiful and calming.
ReplyDeleteIs that you up there on stage? This is awesome Paige. Will goes to two youth groups each week at church. And I am so grateful that he has that.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely
ReplyDeleteprecious, Paige!
You are right,
MS is such a
pivotal time.
This program
sounds amazing
and I wish our
church had one
this strong.
Still praying
for sweet Virginia
and all who loved
her.
xx Suzanne
what a wonderful place to be with your daughter and to take part in that with her
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your friend's loss as well as yours too with Virginia
Beautiful ~
ReplyDelete