LNO Retreat

This past weekend Ladies’ Night Out went on our annual Love Retreat! We headed out to Camp Carl to give the girls a more rustic experience. They seemed like the cabin minus some feared being by woods and Amish people.. 

The retreat was filled with food, activities/games, lessons, and crafts. We had two lessons. The first we talked about what love actually is verses the love they see around them and on TV. Jamey, a leader at LNO, led the second lesson on how we give love to our friends and those around us. She walked them through the story of the good Samaritan. The girls really connected with the story. I felt like they were able to connect so well because the violence that some of them have been exposed to. They were pretty honest about situations at school where they have witnessed themselves and others “pass by” the hurting. 

One of the favorite parts of the retreat was an activity where we had one girl sitting in the middle of the circle and then gave 2 students and 1 leader an opportunity to say affirming things to her. I realized quickly when many of the girls got teary eyed (and some even vocalized) that they don’t hear encouragement very often from the people around them. It was such a unifying experience for them. 

I am really looking forward to follow up conversations and seeing how the trip has  bonded the group closer together. Thank for you the prayers! God is doing so really cool things in the hearts of the girls!

Flexible Week

In response to the week of prayer First Glance had two weeks ago, the FG staff had a “flexible week” last week. This looked like being flexible in ministry to whatever we felt God was leading us to do. It was pretty awesome experience!

One of my experiences was early on in the week, I got to take 2 girls out for lunch. They helped me do some shopping for Ladies’ Night Out, and then we painted Emery’s dresser. Katie* and Kayla* have been coming to LNO now for 2 years. They are two of my youngest girls that I actually found out were sneaking into FG in 5th grade. God has been showing me how the younger girls at FG are some of the girls that I can influence the most in my ministry, and I need to be investing in them. Unlike some of my older students, they aren’t stuck in their ways. I was excited that I got to have a good conversation about church and family. Kayla’s dad recently told their family he wanted them to start going to church all together. I realized through our conversation that both Kayla and Katie believe in God, but aren’t acting on their belief and are content where they are at in their faith. I desire for them to wholeheartedly pursue Jesus and for them to find their worth in Him. I am looking forward to more conversations with them. Thankful that they were vulnerable about life and asked a lot of good questions. Please continue to pray with me for these girls. Please pray for the Ladies’ Night Out Retreat that will be having a week from today! 

*Students named changed to protect their privacy. 

Ready to paint!