Single-handedly changed my life

I've been a Young Life leader for 4 years now. I remember the first time I walked into the middle school cafeteria and I remember having to pick a table to sit down to and start awkward conversation with 12 year olds. I had no idea that day would be the beginning of a beautiful transformation.

A year later I had a solid group of 8th graders that I had taken to camp. They would literally run out the doors from lunch to greet me. I could see their sweet faces smushed up against the glass as they watched me approach through the courtyard. Occasionally I'd stay 20 minutes after in hopes of seeing some of the 7th grade girls I had met through some club kids.

I met Brianna that day. I remember thinking "wow, she is so beautiful and super stylish for her age." I was drawn to her too, since she's mexican and so am I. I recognized her from club a year ago too. She recognized me too. As she ate french fries off other girls plates, she would tell me about her day and the current drama amongst friends. As the weeks went on, we really began to bond and I invited her to camp. I remember she came to the last club of the year. The 8th grade send off club. In this special club, Brianna witnessed a handful of her peers share how WyldLife impacted them and how they learned about Jesus. At the end of the club she came up to me crying and said "I am so sorry I haven't been coming longer. I want this in my life."

She signed up for camp that day. Lucky for her that year we were going on a special outdoor, 8th grade backpacking trip. Every day was a new adventure watching Bri completely embrace and jump feet first into all the activities. Hiking, Kayaking, Jumping off cliffs, sleeping outside, exploring her heart and asking some of life's biggest questions. She didn't even hesitate to pull anyone of us leaders/guides aside to say "how did Jesus impact this part of your life?" or "what does the Bible say about this?"

On the day we peaked a mountain, we took some time of silence near this mountain top lake. Brianna's life changed here. She prayed,

"Thank you Jesus for including me in your family."

Her freshman year of high school started and Bri began asking questions. "Hailey, what does the bible say about sex? What does the bible say about modesty?" My heart soared as I directed this girl to the truth in God's word.

Months went by, second semester comes around. "Hailey, I'm sorry I've been avoiding you and going to Young Life, God hasn't been a priority and I want to change that." She faithfully started coming to club by herself, no friends. I invited her to Campaigners. Every week she is on the edge of her seat eating it up. The conversations, the questions, this girl loves it. 

Last thursday I get a text from Bri "Hailey, I don't have a ride." Half of me was bummed I had to drive 15 min to get her but I felt the Spirit nudge, "she needs this." I picked her up and Campaigners was pure holiness. 15 year olds talking about being a light in their school and asking hard questions. Then pairing off to dig a little deeper. My heart almost burst overhearing conversations and just feeling the Spirits work.

I was so excited to drive her home and debrief. She went on and on about wanting her dad and brother to know truth and live it out. "Hailey, I try so hard to tell them about Jesus, they just dont' want it." I felt the Spirit nudging me to encourage her and explain the power of prayer. 

She lost it. She cried and cried ... "It's just .... it's all SO TRUE."

As tears streamed down my face, I gave her a huge hug and watched her walk back into the battle field.

The entire drive home I cried. "What did I just witness?" "Who am I to be the one to participate in that beautiful conversation she was having with her Creator?" I could hardly breathe I was crying so hard. The Lord's words burned through my soul "I am holding her, Hailey. I see your tears and I hear your cries for kids. I love them. And I love you." 

After having an incredibly discouraging week of losing the house and feeling like I'm losing kids to the world I was reminded that it's not my job to hold all things together. It's the Kings!

And this, this is all WORTH IT.