I realize we’re only two weeks into hosting our High School Youth Group meeting on Sunday nights, traditionally known as “Huddle” around here. But still, I can tell this is going to be a pretty great part of each week.
How have I come to this conclusion? Well, maybe it’s how appreciative the teens are for the food I cook, and how sweetly they tell me how much they love it (while they’re coming back for thirds). Or maybe it’s because they’re all so respectful of our home and yard and trampoline. It could be because when we asked them each to rinse their dishes after the meal and put them into the dishwasher, they’ve all complied cheerfully – making clean-up a cinch for me after they leave.
But I think the main reason I’m excited to be a part of Huddle this year is because of the sweet Spirit that fills our living room after the meal, when we’ve all come together to sing songs of praise and to share a devotional thought and discussion. We’ve let them choose the songs each week, and when they began to sing Holy, Holy, Holy in four part harmony last night, I was unable to hold back the tears. Beautiful.
I’m so grateful that our oldest son is a part of this group. I’m even more grateful that this group meets in our home so that we can be a part of these kids’ lives. Bring on the teens, bring on the food, and bring on the singing. It’s going to be a great year.
**Logistical Huddle “stuff” you might be wondering about: Each kid brings $3 to pitch in for the food – very helpful. There are three other adult couples who join us to offer a nice balance and great mentorship for the teens. There are about 35 people at Huddle each Sunday night. We meet from about 6-8 pm. Anything else might you be curious about?**
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Love it!! You and your family are such an inspiration to me. Thanks for all you do.
I’m very thankful for your blog which has inspired my Mom to rework our favorite recipes and make them healthier.
My husband and I are youth group leaders at our church and I love it for many of the same reasons you do! Nothing touches my heart more than 30+ teenagers worshiping God and singing about their love for Him!
I am definitely looking forward to when my kiddos are big enough to be in youth group! It was such a huge blessing in my life!
This brings back such good memories for me as we used to do this in the homes of various youth group members. Our youth now do it at our Pastor’s house along with several other church members. It is great fun and such a sweet time for the kids and adults alike.
YAY for kids choosing great music (Holy, Holy, Holy) and singing in 4-pt harmony! (Can you tell I’m a music teacher?!)
Laura, thank you for the way you open your home and model hospitality. You are making a huge difference for eternity in the lives of these young people. I recognize a few in the picture. I will pray that God give you strength and great wisdom as you host these young souls this year. GIGATTAATTGIG
This is the epitome of what family ministry should look like. You are modeling that for your family and those teens you touch each week. God Bless
Oh to be a fly on the wall and hear those teenagers sing praise to Jesus! I bet that was a beautiful sound to hear. I know they are so happy to be in your home…what a wonderful thing for you to open it up to them so graciously.
What a blessing to be able to share your home and your family the way that you do! How wonderful to have such a group of teens getting together for fun, fellowship, and worship.
What a wonderful group!
More kids need this!! I was wondering how do they all behave with each other? Do you have to deal with any flirting or anything like that? I don’t have any experience with this type of ministry so I’m very curious!
You know, I have been very thankful to see that this group is VERY appropriate with their behavior – guys and girls respect each other as Christian brothers and sisters. They have fun together and seem comfortable in their friendships. This has not always been the case in every youth group we’ve worked with, but thankfully in this group, they do great!
Oh that is great and wonderful to hear!
God Bless!
That’s awesome. I would looove to do that. Unfortunately, my husband is a former believer and my house is very very very tiny…
But God could fix either one of those problems, right?! In His time, God willing, in His time.
Yes, praying for you. :)
It makes me so happy to see you doing this. I was part of a similar group during my early college years. Your picture brought back memories of sitting around the living room of a wonderful couple and having discussions, prayer, and just a wonderful time of fellowship. Such great memories, and an awesome way to be encouraged as a young person.
Godly, respectful teenagers are such a blessing! Such an encouraging post. God bless you!
My time spent with my youth group growing up was the best part of my week!!! So thankful for the adults who mentored us!!! Sometimes I wish I could still go to one… :-)
I am so glad you host this at your home. Some of my favorite memories of high school were meeting with our youth group. The adults were supportive, non-judgemental and a real asset to our budding faith. I still hold them in VERY high regard and greet them with a hug!
That’s awesome that you guys are able to make an impact on those teenagers. I loved my youth group growing up and those relationships I had then are still the ones that are the strongest today. What an amazing opprotunity.
Since we found out yesterday that baby #3 (due in Feb.) is HEALTHY and a GIRL, we are so very thankful to God! =)
Such a wonderful blessing you and the other couples are providing to the next generation. Seeds are being planted :)
I am thankful for you and your website. Thank you.
Oh Laura! What a beautiful post. Of course the young people would totally embrace that delicious food you make! You are making an impact on their lives in many ways, from devotionals to the fellowship and also to the cooking! I worry so much that since even the grandmas these days seem to have stopped cooking unless it comes from a box, that these time honored skills will be lost. Definitely the kids eating at your table will see that great stuff doesn’t have to come at a drive thru or in a microwave! God is speaking through you in many ways! Also, I love that the youth are SINGING! I was a big part of our youth group when my kids were at home and we just could never get them to sing! GREAT JOB! Keep inspiring the rest of us! I do think that everything moves in a circle. The more families cease cooking and gathering for fellowship, the more kids will gravitate on their own to good wholesome activites that feed their souls!
So glad to hear it’s going so well! And I’m a numbers gal so I appreciate the logistical info at the end lol
And maybe you’re so filled with Gratitude that your hunky husband is involved, leading the pack? It’s fun to see him in the photo, very heart warming! (My hunky hubby is a junior high school teacher and coach and I just melt watching him work with the teenagers, making such a God breathed impact in their lives!)
Yes, I love that my husband is as involved in this as I am – SO thankful!
I would so love to have that many people over on a regular basis! I just love cooking for a crowd. I have 4 coming this weekend, but they are VERY pickey must have meat and nothing weird sort of people. Not sure what to make them, they read my blog and have said more than one eeeew lately. Any suggestions?
Lasagna and sloppy joes are winners everytime for me when I host picky guests!
I am thankful for the opportunity to teach my 5 year old son’s Sunday School class at church. I was hesitant to do it at first, but it is so much fun to hear their thoughts and ideas and to share God’s love with them. Their prayers are just precious!!!
I would suggest that you not wash the disposable dishes in your dishwasher. I know that the heavy weight disposables do wash well enough to be used more than once, but they are not made to go through the high temps of the dishwasher. It breaks them down and releasing chemicals in the air and compromises the sanitation of the dishes. If you feel you must reuse them, hand wash. From a food service point of view, it would be safer to buy some inexpensive dishes that are meant to be reused and keep them for the teen dinners.
Thanks for your concern and suggestion. Those plates do look like disposables, but they are actually meant to be reusables and are dishwasher safe (I checked before I bought them in the clearance aisle!) I was thrilled when I found them, knowing I’d need something we could reuse every week.
I love hearing about teenagers being involved! Keep doing what you’re doing! :)
I love the idea of linking up for GratiTuesdays. I’ve been doing this on my blog but I’ve got Thankful Thursdays…so I hope thats ok?! Thanks for sharing!