The Recovery

It was 1 am before I finally stumbled into bed this morning. After driving the teens back to church, taking a couple of them home, and then kissing my four sweet children and getting myself ready for bed. I was exhausted. It doesn't help that I have had some sort of horrible summer cold all-week, or the post-camp sickies from being at camp last week with the teens.

It was worth it though, every minute of walking, of eating food that is completely not good for you, of driving home quickly but not too quickly while straining to stay awake, of agreeing that even though you would like to leave early to stay until the park closes. I rode rollercoasters, I love rollercoasters, but not as many as I would have liked to of. I do however draw the line at the Windseeker, see above picture. I am all for bonding with my students, but there is no way I was going on that thing.

I did do things I didn't want to do. You know those aweful buckets that go back and forth across the middle of the park? Somehow 7 of the teens talked me into getting on them. I did however keep my head low, eyes closed, and kept a tight grip on the pole in the middle. A few of the teens and I spent an hour in line for a ride that then broke down and we had to leave.

But it was fun, I had a blast, despite the fact that I felt like my head was going to explode from being stuffed up all day. And the teens had fun. They got to know each other better, they talked, laughed, took pictures, and just had a good time together. Drama was at minimum thankfully, you never know with teenagers, and no major fights errupted.

We are left with memories to smile about and stories to tell. I had lots of interesting conversations with teens, with parents, and with other youth pastors.

And today, yes today, today I am thrown back into life. Kids fighting in background as I try to get work done. A nasty cough because all of the congestion that was in my head has moved down and settled in my chest. Sore legs, because even though I'm not lazy, that was a whole lot of walking. Tired eyes because moms rarely get to sleep in, and even though my husband tried to let me, my internal clock said WAKE UP!

So, I will drink another cup of coffee, we won't talk about how many I have had today, and smile to myself because I know how important building relationships is in ministry. I will say I will go to bed early tonight, but that doesn't really ever happen, but there is always that chance that at some point this evening I will sit down on the couch and one of those sweet kids of mine will cuddle up next to me and we can take a short nap together. It doesn't happen very often anymore, but I take it when it comes. And I will remember how blessed I am to do something everyday that I absolutely love!