Few moments like this

You know how there are precious few moments that you experience in your life that always stay with you. Most people would say their wedding day or birth of a child. I have ones that seem so quick, so small but I carry them close to my heart always. 

Like today. Today I had one of those moments that I will lock away in my heart my whole life to bring me joy. It lasted I think 5 seconds.



You see 15 years ago there was a sweet girl in our youth group in California named Heidi. She was one of our best youth leaders who was totally in love with the Lord. She grew up to marry an awesome guy named Joel and they have been serving as missionaries in Berkina Faso, West Africa for 7 years now and have two adorable little boys. They came to visit us over the past 2 days and it was just wonderful. She is individual one in this special moment I am about to share with you.

Individual number two is Katie, who now prefers to be called Caitlyn as she has grown into a beautiful woman. She was our sweetest youth leader in U-turn our youth group here in New Jersey 8 years ago. Caitlyn is now working as an Urban Missionary with The Relief Bus. Both have traveled the world, both are really strong women of God who are creative, kind, and up for any challenge. I consider them both my spiritual little sisters.

Today, they met. That moment for me, mixing from two different precious segments of my life, two girls whom I have poured my life into and whom I love and respect was wonderful. When they met today at the Relief center and hugged as they realized they had something in common, Juan and I were their youth pastors. Yes, at different times and on different sides of the continent but they had something else in common, they loved us and we loved them. There they stood connecting, smiling, understanding the deep level of relationship that we share with both of them.

Then they hugged. That was my moment. That short but meaningful 5 second embrace was like watching two sisters meet for the first time. Two young girls now grown into women following the Lord, and I was able to be a part of their journey.

I think the most rewarding part of my life (besides my family) is the time I spent and still spend pouring into hundreds of younger women's and men's lives. Heidi and Katy represented to me, a job well done. Not that I have much to do with the amazing women that they have become, but I do believe in some small way, that Juan and I were able to impact their lives so that they could do the same for others. What an honor it has been to know these two girls and to share in their amazing lives.