by Lisa Prasse, Youth Director

As I reach the end of my time as the youth director at Trinity, I am overwhelmed with fond memories. The past six years seem to have flown by, and there are so many precious relationships that have been fostered in that time. I thank God for the opportunity that I was given and the giant responsibility with which I was entrusted. I have been asked to reflect on some of the highlights of my time as youth director and being at Warren Willis this week, and with Youth Week on the horizon; this was an easy task! In an attempt to “good-bye well,” I’ll list just a few highlights here.

Beyond a doubt, my favorite times were those spent with “my kids”/your youth. It didn’t much matter what we were doing—I just love being with them. All of them. Even on the tough days. Your kids are tremendous human beings. Every mission trip—working hard with Servants in Faith and Technology (SIFAT) in Alabama to Eleuthera in the Bahamas—we were learning one another. We were growing our relationships with one another, our relationships with God, and sharing His love with the world—what a life-giving treasure. We came together to work, sing, and dance during VBS. We came together to play—riding roller coasters at Rock the Universe, snow skiing on ski retreat, and playing in the waves during beach retreats. We would go hungry together during our 30-Hour Famine events, we studied the Bible together during Wednesday night Bible Studies—even via Zoom as we rode out a global pandemic together; and we shared meals, games, and stories together during UMYF. We went through years of summer camp and exciting Youth Weeks together; we schlepped trees, celebrated holidays and major youth life events (confirmation, graduation), we laughed and cried together, and we grew (often far beyond our comfort zones)—together. During a particularly difficult time in my recent life, a dear friend reminded me, “We grow through what we go through,” and that’s what I was fortunate enough to do with your children these past six years. I wouldn’t trade one minute of it, and I’ll carry these memories in my heart always.