If only I could put into exact words what these girls mean to me. This picture was taken in October of 2006 at that time they were 7th graders. These beautiful girls are now 10th graders!! This was my first group of girls to teach in Sunday School when we came to FBC. I taught them in 7th and 8th grade. For 2 years we laughed together and at times cried together.
This picture was taken on a day I had invited them over to our house; we grilled hamburgers, played games and rode 4 wheelers in the woods. First off you have to know I am a CITY girl through and through. When I had invited them over I had just planned on eating and playing games, but they thought it would be fun to take a walk through the woods behind their houses. At this time we were renting a house in the same neighborhood where Ryane and Livi lived. Behind these beautiful homes is nothing, but woods! I left Brian at home with the boys and us girls headed out! I am NOT an outdoors person, but whatever it takes to get to know these girls, right? We walked and walked and walked! (the entire time we were covered in mosquitoes......I just knew I was going to get sick with west nile!) After a little while in the woods Livi informs us we are lost! I'm thinking how am I going to call these parents and say I took your kids in the woods and we have no way to return home....we are lost! Thank goodness for cell phones because I called Brian and said WE ARE LOST!!!! Livi was screaming TYLER!!!! Hoping her brother would hear her and rescue us....no luck. Once Brian was convinced the girls and I were not coming out of the woods he, Tyler and several other boys got on 4 wheelers and came after us. Oh my! That meant this city girl had to hop on the back of a 4 wheeler and ride through the muddy woods to get home. Of course Brian and Tyler drove through every mud puddle they could find to ensure I was a muddy mess. I nearly had a heart attack that day and the girls REALLY got to know me! Ha! They still tease me to this day about freaking out in the middle of the woods thinking we were going to be left to die! We bonded that day. :)
I have taught these girls in Sunday School, roomed with 3 of them at camp, led them through a "girls only" bible study, gone on many youth trips with them, but most important I have watched them grow in the Lord. I think about and pray for them each week! I will always wonder how their doing and wish only the best for them! I told one of them the other day I will be back for their graduation and I fully intend to! You see we all had this little plan that I would be their Sunday school teacher until they graduated,(they never wanted to promote) but a certain youth minister made them promote after 8th grade. Shame on him! lol! In 7th and 8th grade we would talk about their senior year and "their" senior beach trip and all though I won't be here for those things I will keep in touch. Thank goodness for Facebook!
Girls, My advice to you is to stay involved in church! Stay true to yourself. Never stop growing in the Lord. Keep you daily time with the Him top priority. Speak words of kindness to others and share the love of Jesus with all! I'm only a phone call or text message away! Love you girls!!!
