Youth Conference

Back in February, Ryan got a call from our new First Counselor in the Stake Presidency of our church.  He wanted to meet with us that evening. We were really nervous to meet with him mostly because we knew it would mean a calling.  We got to his house, and he told us he would not be issuing a calling- what a relief.
And then he asked us if we would be willing to accept an assignment: to be the leaders of Youth Conference.
Apparently the difference between a calling and an assignment is that an assignment does not need to be sustained, we just had to accept.
And of course we did.
And after many months of preparing, planning, meetings, and a mix of emotions, we pulled it off.  We decided early on that the day would be focused on service projects- service projects where the youth would have the chance to see the reaction of those they were serving immediately.  It made for a really powerful day.

On June 30, seventy-five 14-17 year olds gathered from all over Westchester County and served people in the area.

The back of the T-Shirts

Ryan speaking

Our car...PACKED!

There were 6 services projects split between 8 groups.  Some groups went to nursing homes and played bingo, others painted an entire building.  Some shoveled rock into potholes, others made teddy bears at Build-A-Bear and brought them to children at a children's hospital.  Groups went to the Bronx and gave hand-written notes that said things like "you have a great smile" to random strangers walking the streets.  Youth picked up garbage, washed cars, did family history, and visited members in a rehabilitation clinic.

It was an amazing and rewarding experience to see all of these youth so willing and happy to serve.  Our theme for the conference was "Arise and Shine Forth" and these youth exemplified this theme so well!  After the service projects, we asked many of them how it went, and not one hated what they did. They all said they enjoyed it- even those collecting garbage at train stations all along the Bronx River Parkway.

We ended by going up to a camp about an hour away to have a great dinner, a slideshow of all the activities, and of course, a dance DJ'ed by Ryan D.

It was exhausting, but so exciting at the same time.  So happy we had the opportunity to plan it.  It was an amazing experience.  The youth in this church are so great!  We are so grateful to work with them!