Class of 2007

So, this year is different for me in a lot of ways. This senior class was the first class I ever worked with here at NMC. I can't believe it's been that long working in Student Ministries! I started with this class as a small group leader for many of these girls when they were first entering 7th grade. I stayed with them their 8th grade year & then reconnected with them a their small group leader their 10th grade year. As my first class graduating from NMC, I have a lot of mixed feelings...sad, excited, & blown away by some of their stories & how far they've come.

As I was reminiscing, I came across some quality pictures...

Another cool & exciting thing about this class...

Yep...my little sis is graduating! That was her as a freshman! Isn't she so cute...umm...I mean cool?! It's so CRAZY!!! I couldn't be more proud of her & more excited for what's next in her life! For any of you who've had the privilege to get to know her, she's one pretty cool girl! Though she may not be a girl of many words, when she speaks, she's got some incredible stuff to say!

There are two incredible pictures that stand out in my mind as I think back on her time here in Senior High Student Ministry.

1. I remember seeing the coolest picture of her when she came back from SEMP in 2005. I wish I could've been there to see it for myself, but this picture tells the story better than I ever could!
The team spent an afternoon out at a park or something just having conversation with people, getting to know their story, & talking to them about Christ. For those of you who know my sister well, this is something that would completely freak her out & pull her out of her comfort zone. Notice in this picture, she the only one sitting their talking to this woman...she initiated it...she stepped out! Awesome moment!

2. I had the privilege of going on IMPACT with my sister in 2006 to the Dominican Republic. You can read about the trip here and here. Anyway...our last two days of the trip we spent debriefing our experience. We're all sitting around in a huge circle sharing what we learned & I'm sitting there just kind of watching her face as it gets closer to her turn to share. Like I said, she's not big on the whole share in front of a group sort of thing...or so I thought! She blew me away in that moment...just in the confidence she had as she was sharing & the content of what she shared. I sat there amazed at how much she's grown in her faith & in the confidence she has in herself & in who God has created her to be. It was definitely a proud sister moment.

I'm excited to see what's next for each of the students in the Class of 2007. My hope & prayer is that they continue growing & taking steps forward in their relationship with Christ, making it truly their own, & recognizing that this thing is not about them...it's about HIM!