Emily, I have always admired people who volunteer for these kinds of jobs. This last summer I was living in Los Alamos, NM and I was a sort of "counselor" for a youth program that ran all summer. You're right about the constant struggle it is, but there were also a few rewarding moments as well. Did you ever figure out how to deal with the bad situations your girls would tell you about? I once had a boy tell me all about his mother who abandoned him and about how his grandma that he lived with ignored him. Sigh, it's so hard.
Emily, What a heart-wrenching experience. I'm sure those girls will never forget what you did for them. My heart really goes out to the struggling youth that comes from difficult situations at home. Sometimes simply having someone to listen to them is what they the most. Names are so important. I'm impressed you were able to memorize names for a whole group of girls in two hours. I was and EFY a couple of times, and it definitely took me more like 2 days to do that. Wow!
Emily, What a great example of getting outside of your comfort zone and serving in a position that originally seemed unappealing. It takes a truly mature individual to put ourselves in those situations to foster growth without having to be forced into them by our loving Heavenly Father!
Emily,
ReplyDeleteI have always admired people who volunteer for these kinds of jobs. This last summer I was living in Los Alamos, NM and I was a sort of "counselor" for a youth program that ran all summer. You're right about the constant struggle it is, but there were also a few rewarding moments as well. Did you ever figure out how to deal with the bad situations your girls would tell you about? I once had a boy tell me all about his mother who abandoned him and about how his grandma that he lived with ignored him. Sigh, it's so hard.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteWhat a heart-wrenching experience. I'm sure those girls will never forget what you did for them. My heart really goes out to the struggling youth that comes from difficult situations at home. Sometimes simply having someone to listen to them is what they the most. Names are so important. I'm impressed you were able to memorize names for a whole group of girls in two hours. I was and EFY a couple of times, and it definitely took me more like 2 days to do that. Wow!
Emily,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great example of getting outside of your comfort zone and serving in a position that originally seemed unappealing. It takes a truly mature individual to put ourselves in those situations to foster growth without having to be forced into them by our loving Heavenly Father!