Tonight I sit on my bed humbled and sad, filled with pure joy and abounding love for a special gift God has granted me over the last four years. That gift, my youth group at Sunnybrook Christian Church. The last four years have been amazing and tonight was my last Wednesday night YG. Tonight we welcomed the upcoming eighth graders and said congratulations to the seniors. At the end of the night once everyone was introduced, the seniors gathered in a circle and were surrounded by the other YG members and were prayed over. Now I knew at some point I was going to cry, I had been holding off tears all day, but when Seana, my small group leader of the past six years began to cry as she prayed for our futures, that's when it got to me and when I basically lost it. Even though I'm not physically leaving, but still 'leaving' the place I've called home for the last four years is really hard. Driving away from the church tonight was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Over the last four years Jesus has given me so much in the form of knowledge, teachers, and friends from YG and it is a sad thing to no longer be a part of it. It's funny, because I'm not leaving Sunnybrook, heck I'm not even leaving my home town, but I'm still sad to be leaving this part of my life behind. Even through my sadness I know God is working within my heart, and I'm still incredibly thankful for my time in YG so below are some special thank you's to some pretty awesome people who over the years have loved Jesus and somehow decided to love me too.

Bennett,

Thanks for being the cheesiest non-stereotypical cheesy youth pastor possible. Thank you for answering my endless questions and encouraging me to use my leadership for the glory of Christ. I have loved learning from you these last few years, thank you for speaking the truth into my life.

Seana,

Thank you for sticking with us through all these years. You've brought so much into my life and I'm so thankful for every time you sat and listened to me cry or gave me advice about friends. You have set a wonderful example to me and all the girls that have come through our small group the last six years of what a women of Christ truly looks like and I am so blessed because of it. I love you.

Missy and Melissa,

Thanks for hanging out and doing high school with us. You are two unbelievable women that have blessed me in so many ways. I'm so thankful that I have had the opportunity to have you both by my side as I wandered and stumbled my way through high school. To Missy, thanks for all the college advice and constant encouragement! To Melissa, thanks for always sharing an awesome view point in every discussion and always being a smiling face and kind heart to talk with. I'm blessed beyond measure by the footprints you both have left and am excited to continue to walk with you throughout my life.

Natalie,

You just had to go and move to Wichita. Just kidding! I am so thankful for the love and support you gave me over your two years as a small group leader and discipleship person. Your joy for Jesus and love for Him encourage me everyday and I'm so glad God placed you in my life even for a short period of time.

Rebekah,

You are wonderful and I am so blessed by your love and excitement to love the girls at Sunnybrook. Thank you for loving me, listening to me and helping me grow closer to Christ but also for encouraging me to love each and every girl in YG. You are always missed.

Morgan,

Your love for the Lord inspires me everyday. Thank you for pouring into me, listening to me when I come and cry in your office, and simply loving me. Your passion to serve others and speak truth into the lives of everyone around you has taught me so much about what it means to be a follower of Christ.

Kenley and Mac,

Never one without the other. You both have blessed me in ways I never imagined possible. Thank you for letting me hangout with you, eat lunch in the hallway with you and simply love you. You are both wonderful human beings and awesome sisters in Christ. I can't wait to watch you navigate high school because I know you will do amazing things. I love you both and thank you for making my senior year just that much better.

Avery,

My friend, what a ride we've had. By the grace of God we made it here to senior year. We're almost there but my road to this point wouldn't have been anywhere near complete without you on it. You walked with me, sometimes guided me, and always encouraged my to pursue Jesus with my whole heart. Thank you for setting a great example of what it looks like to love and follow Jesus on a daily basis. I will miss you so much when you go to JBU but I know God has some unbelievable things in store for you. I love you sweet friend.

To everyone that I didn't mention, you have played a vital part in my walk and I'm just as thankful for everything you've brought to my life. Tonight I am sad, but I know God has things set out for me that I haven't even thought of yet. So pray that I continue to listen to Him and walk the path He has laid out for me. Tonight yes, I am sad but I'm also blessed. Tonight I meditate on the words of Proverbs:

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Tonight I am blessed because of the gift God gave me through my youth group. I praise the God who gave me a heart that loves people, and gave me people to walk with on my journey towards Him. So tonight I'm sad, I am blessed, and I am thankful for a God who loves me enough to fill my heart to the max. I am excited for the future and for what God has up next.

With a thankful heart full of joy and much love,

Kaitlyn