Youth work weekend

It’s been one of those weekends where I have only a few and short moments to sit down and just relax.

So right now I feel rather empty and tired, even thought the days have been good (most of the time).

Most of my waken hours and commitment went to happenings at church. The youths gathered on Saturday for several hours, to prepare for Kirkens Nødhjelps fasteaksjon (Norwegian Church Aid’s annual fundraising campaign) that we’re having this coming Tuesday – and to prepare for a youth service today (as part of their Confirmant year here in our local Lutheran churches). To keep 32 youths active and happy for 5.5 hours does take some energy, to put it mildly, but we have the best youths so they really were good campers. Sometimes I wonders how much they learn, but hope that something of all I say and all we do stays with them. If nothing more:  that they are loved by God (and us) just as they are.

MT got to spend his Saturday with uncle O and family, so he was over the top happy. It was such a nice and warm spring day so they were outside most of the day, walking in the woods, playing games and having a barbecue. I’m so glad he got to spend his day with family when I was so covered in youths work. (Thank you so much uncle O and aunt GH. We love you!)

Today was another early morning for us. We used the Pearls of Life as the theme for our service and there were lots of details yet to prepare. So I wanted an early start to get all accomplished by the time the service started (come to think of it, that is always a goood plan! lol.) We learned about the pearls throughout the service and for each new pearl the youths lit a candle, read a text from the bible, read about that pearl and sometimes they also read a prayer. We sang plenty of songs as well and a couple of the youths played instruments. It was amazing to see and hear the youths, some had taken extra care to learn their little tasks really well – others not so much – but they all did such a good job non the less. Makes my heart warm and I hope the parents also felt really proud about their youths.

After the service we gathered together to eat cake and talk for a little while. So grateful for those working in the kitchen this day! There were a lot of great conversations going on around the tables. A lot of happy Sunday smiles.

Then I had a few (many) things to clear away and put in order for next week, so it got pretty late before we were ready to head back home. After a quick look at the time I asked MT if he was up for a pizza? He was. Especially for a pizza with lots of chili So we placed our order and went in to pick it up a little bit later. We decided to eat the food outside, since this too was a nice and warm summer day (although not as sunny as yesterday). So we brought the pizza with us to a table next to the water and had a nice relaxing time just enjoying the food, the company and (later) MT got to throw rocks in the water – his favorite thing (at least to do when he is by water of any kind…). I’m so glad that we took time to do this in place of rushing home. This gave us some time together. I got to be outside. And I really weren’t up to the whole making-dinner-thing anyway after such a full day. The pizza was good too – and so were the company!

When we got home MT started drawing. I think he kept going for almost an hour and never asked to go and  see some TV instead. I’m so happy for his drawing, because it makes him slow down and reflect. It gives him a way to express himself as well as a time to gather some energy. And I, I went for the computer. Like a total geek And hopefully I get I got this post posted by the end of the day….. I’m so grateful for that the blogging thing is back in my life.

Wish you all a blessed Sunday!

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