NEW SEMESTER!

HIKING IN LAGUNA

BIG BEAR LEADER RETREAT!

Hello friends and family! I don't think I can ever thank you enough for supporting me in Young Life! It was a great past semester and I am so excited for this upcoming semester to start! During the winter break our area went on a leader retreat up to big bear! It was a great time of fellowship and replenishment for myself and all the leaders. I never have come out of a retreat feeling so connected to the leaders, it was great family time!

At the retreat, one of the nights we had prayer stations. At the prayer stations there were different topics like a mourning wall, praise wall, idol wall, communion... etc. One of these stations was an encouragement station. At the encouragement station I picked up a rock that had Romans 8:27 on it, "And the father knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

As I was looking at all the stations it made me reflect on the past seasons in my life and how the Lord has been so faithful throughout these past years. I was so encouraged and knew at that moment what it meant to take delight in the Lord. That night, before I go to bed I always open up my quote book. The quote that I got from the day was "Don't be scared of your greatness." Meaning don't be scared of the potential you can be and of blessings the Lord will give you. I was journaling my prayers before I went to bed and then I just new I had to read Psalm 37. "Take delight in the Lord and He will give you your heart's desires." On the side note on top of that verse i wrote previously "Don't be scared of your greatness." and a side verse i wrote was Romans 8:27! I WAS SO EXCITED after this but the main thing I realized that when we take delight in the Lord, the Lord gives you your heart desires but you desire God more. I was so encouraged after this retreat!

I have been feeling anxious about the upcoming semester. With school and young life approaching I have been feeling excited but overwhelmed. This past week I had an experience I know it was from the enemy. I had a peace about it and confirmation that I am to just Trust in the Lord. I am so thankful for all of your prayers.

Here are praises and prayer requests I would love if you kept in mind!

PRAISES:

- The Lord provided a handful of NEW LEADERS for our area!

- New groups of kids have been formed for the new leaders

- Replenishing retreat for all the leaders

- 2 of my girls are going to Oakbridge for a Jr Leader retreat next weekend

- Contentment on my heart with the season in life I am in.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

- Continual encouragement

- That kids will start signing up for camp. I am praying that my girls will go a second time around again along with new girls that didn't go last year.

- That God will keep molding my heart and that I will desire His will for me.

- That I will not fear and be anxious

-Spiritual balance in my weekly schedule

- Pray for the kids hearts that every kid will have an opportunity to make a connection with a leader and make that commitment to Christ.

-Pray for male leaders for freshman boys.

- Pray that junior leaders- Holly and Lauren and Corin will be protected and keep thirsting for more of God.

Thank you so much!

Love,

Lauren