Boarding

How was the ski trip? We had a great time! We all met and took the train to Liptosky Mikulas… a little Slovak village where a mountain with two rope tows were waiting for us! We did not waste any time. All of the seventh and eighth graders gathered their belongings, dropped them off at headquarters, and grabbed their gear for the mountain. Off we went. The first two days were pretty icy- I’m sure everyone’s legs still reveal black and blue marks- I know mine do! I was primarily with two of my crazy eighth graders the whole time- “the boarders.” Guys, I have never prayed so much for wisdom and safety while riding on a rope knot up a mountain with two adventurous teens in my care. They opened up to me quite a bit and I soon felt like a big sister to them, which was really special. We had a fantastic time together.

There were times that I had to sternly correct them and remind them that I truly do have their best interest in mind…even if it means playing the bad guy to keep them safe. Deep down, I know they appreciated it.
Because of a HUGE language gap, I observed and prayed a lot of the time especially during night meetings when I had no idea what was being said. This was a good trip to just watch and pick up on nonverbals.

On one of the last nights, I went into the room of some of my seventh grade girls… we did makeovers! Well, out of the blue one of them asked me, “Do you believe in God?” I replied and asked her the same. She nervously replied, “I tink it exist, but no more.” See this special girl has had a very difficult life and has been put in compromising situations with and without family. In her eyes I could see how she might see that God did exist to make the world, but later took a “hands off approach.” After all, where was He when she was young? Picking up on her nervousness, I sensed that now was not the time. She was not ready. However, I am convinced that one time; during another point in her life… she will wrestle with the same questions again. A short "boxed up" answer will no longer sustain her and she will need a true response. Oh, I hope so much for that day to come quickly. I desire for her to feel at rest in the arms of Christ.
However, patience comes with that. As I was writing this a parable came to mind about a son who chose to take a different path than what was desired of him. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him, he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” This is such a beautiful picture of Christ, our father who does embrace us if we are willing. I couldn’t think of a sweeter place to be- not at the top of a snowy mountain, not in my bed safe asleep, or even with a group of my closest friends...only safely held in the arms of my Father.