PRACTICUM FINAL REFLECTION PAPER

This semester has been one full of learning experiences. During the practicum that I had with Lakeview Wesleyan I was exposed to a lot of new things that go on behind the scenes at a youth group. One of the common events that I went to was, obviously, youth group on Sunday nights with all of the teens. During these nights it was very interesting to watch the leaders interact with the students. I was not always impressed with the intentionality of the leaders with the students but I was able to take away different “dos and don’ts” to tuck away for future reference. Also during this experience we met with the leaders and were able to discuss different aspects of ministry.
During these supervised hours we talked a lot about scheduling and when things were going to take place. Each week talked about how youth group went the previous Sunday. Each person had usually been the leader of a group and we found out how each of those discussions went. It was during this time that Matthew told me he had a couple of girls he wanted me to invest in. This is when a major part of my “youth ministry practicum” took place.
Over the past month or so, my roommate and I took on the titles of leaders in a Bible study. We meet with 4-5 high school girls every week and talk about all sorts of things. My youth pastor told us at the beginning that he wanted us to really invest in the group and not just sit around as a “practicum” student. I decided that I really wanted these girls to know that someone was there to love them no matter what the circumstances!
Overall, this experience has been one I will not forget. I have learned and grown over the past few months. I have realized the true importance of keeping up my Spiritual walk and having intentional conversations with people. I really feel like I have grown when it comes to leading others in Spiritual matters. The small group that my roommate and I have started has really helped me in that area. I really enjoyed this experience and can’t wait to see what happens next semester!

oops..I did it again! The blog below should be for WEEK THIRTEEN.

WEEK TWELVE

This was the last of my practicum experiences for this semster. Tonight, Bethany and I were able to talk to four high school girls about Heaven, Hell, Salvation, and all sorts of these types of things. It went really well. Before hand, Bethany and I sat in our room trying to figure out what approach to take and how we should go about saying some of the things we really wanted to get across. We both were extremely excited to see what the Lord had in mind for tonight and we were not disappointed! All the girls listened really well and were engaging in our discussion. It was really good to hear about where all of the girls are right now in their walks of faith and to see what could be on the horizon. Overall, this group has been such a blessing and we let the girls know that tonight. We also said that we were sad we wouldn't see them for over a month but that we would stay in contact. I have loved getting to know these girls and figuring out what being a leader means and what I am supposed to do a lot of the time. I know I have a long way to go but I am so thankful the Lord has opened up this opportunity to learn from and grow with all of these girls!!

WEEK TWELVE

This was the last of my practicum experiences for this semster. Tonight, Bethany and I were able to talk to four high school girls about Heaven, Hell, Salvation, and all sorts of these types of things. It went really well. Before hand, Bethany and I sat in our room trying to figure out what approach to take and how we should go about saying some of the things we really wanted to get across. We both were extremely excited to see what the Lord had in mind for tonight and we were not disappointed! All the girls listened really well and were engaging in our discussion. It was really good to hear about where all of the girls are right now in their walks of faith and to see what could be on the horizon. Overall, this group has been such a blessing and we let the girls know that tonight. We also said that we were sad we wouldn't see them for over a month but that we would stay in contact. I have loved getting to know these girls and figuring out what being a leader means and what I am supposed to do a lot of the time. I know I have a long way to go but I am so thankful the Lord has opened up this opportunity to learn from and grow with all of these girls!!

Oops...the blog below should be for WEEK ELEVEN.

WEEK TEN

This week was a lot of fun! I went back to youth group after being gone for awhile because of Christian Nationals and Florida and got to see some of the kids that I hadn't seen in quite some time. One of the boys came up and had even noticed I was gone..which made me feel good :) That night we had a hilarious dance game and then Greg Osborne talked instead of Matthew. Greg talked about the story of Jonah and I felt he did a pretty good job! He had a good message and kept the attention of the kids. Afterwards we I took a group of the girls and we talked about who we were in the story which was interesting to listen to. Overall, youth group was fun to be at and I'm glad I was able to attend again.

Also this week, I met with my small group again for the first time in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately it was only a couple of the girls...but we still had a great discussion. Bethany and I were asked about relationships and were able to share our insight on healthy Christ-centered guy/girl relationships. I really think this hit these two girls hard and we were glad at the response. We also were able to talk about how we keep our devotional lives "exciting." This was a very good conversation to have because I'm not sure how much the girls are actually into their Bibles on a regular basis. We are meeting again on Thursday and I believe the majority of the girls will be there. I am very excited about it! We already have a girl bringing a friend...the Lord is working!! Keep our group in your prayers please!

WEEK TEN

This week was a lot of fun! I went back to youth group after being gone for awhile because of Christian Nationals and Florida and got to see some of the kids that I hadn't seen in quite some time. One of the boys came up and had even noticed I was gone..which made me feel good :) That night we had a hilarious dance game and then Greg Osborne talked instead of Matthew. Greg talked about the story of Jonah and I felt he did a pretty good job! He had a good message and kept the attention of the kids. Afterwards we I took a group of the girls and we talked about who we were in the story which was interesting to listen to. Overall, youth group was fun to be at and I'm glad I was able to attend again.

Also this week, I met with my small group again for the first time in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately it was only a couple of the girls...but we still had a great discussion. Bethany and I were asked about relationships and were able to share our insight on healthy Christ-centered guy/girl relationships. I really think this hit these two girls hard and we were glad at the response. We also were able to talk about how we keep our devotional lives "exciting." This was a very good conversation to have because I'm not sure how much the girls are actually into their Bibles on a regular basis. We are meeting again on Thursday and I believe the majority of the girls will be there. I am very excited about it! We already have a girl bringing a friend...the Lord is working!! Keep our group in your prayers please!

WEEK NINE

This week was nothing spectacular but I could not get my five girls off of my mind. There was no youth group due to thanksgiving and Bethany and I had not met with the girls for almost two weeks because of Florida and Thanksgiving Break. After talking about it with Bethany we decided to call the girls and come up with a time to meet, hoping that all of them couuld make it to the meeting. I first called Tamara who sounded excited about the group and I asked her to call a couple of the other girls who we have yet to get their phone numbers. Next, I called Hannah. Hannah also seemed excited to hear about group meeting and was wondering if we were going to be meeting this week. After this, I asked her how her two weeks had been and she went into a little bit about that. Then she asked me how Florida was and I told her a little bit about what we did and how we did in our games. This week was nothing super exciting but I feel it had lasting difference. Staying connected with a youth group or small group is so important. Just two days ago, I recieved an email from my youth pastor back hom encouraging me and saying that I will always have a fan in Spring Arbor. These emails from him are things that I save and re-read at times, just because they remind me of what I learned in high school and that someone cares. I hope that these girls will start to feel the same way. I hope that I can begin to show them Christ's love that is unconditional.

WEEK EIGHT
I was in florida all week for Christian Nationals...so I don't have anything for this week. I will be making it up after I talk to Professor Gunsalus about it! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving :)

WEEK SEVEN

This blog is a little late because I'm a bit behind schedule with leaving for Florida. However, this past week of youth group was again, great! On Wednesday night, we didn't have our regular meeting with Matthew, I instead had the second small group with my five high school girls. It was awesome. Bethany and I decided not to have a lot planned but just to ask them who they thought God was and why. Each of the girls believed that there is a God while a few said that they felt He was strict and uncaring. This did not surprise me very much and it was cool to see them open up even though they know what Bethany and I believe. During our talk, I can't lie, I got pretty passionate about Christ and what I feel His love means to me :) I think the girls followed and saw a new side of me that is a little interesting. Bethany and I fed well off of each other and I think were at least able to start them thinking about the whole God thing. For our second small group, we were both happy with how it went.

Youth group was fun this week, we had the annual turkey bowl. This is when the kids throw a turkey down a piece of plastic that is covered in oil and have to try and knock over the bowling pins. It was fun to see all of the kids participate and have a good time. The speaker was a guest this week, but I did not stay due to leaving for Florida and having a lot of things to take care of. Nonetheless, this week was beneficial and I'm excited to finish out the semester!

WEEK SIX

This week was amazing. Wednesday night, we did not have our meeting with Matthew like normal, but I did have my first small group with the girls. Only three of them were there, but it was incredible. They were extremely receptive considering the fact that I don't think any of them know what it really means to have a relationship with Christ. My roomate and I began by asking them what they wanted to get out of the group and they surprised us with answers like, "we want to know how to be 'good all around' if you know what we mean" and "we want to meet once every week, we like that you are younger but older than us." It was awesome to hear those answers coming from teenage girls that don't really know us that well yet. After this conversation, we gave our testimonies. Both of us are pastor's daughters, so I was a little anxious to see how'd they would recieve that, but of course, the Lord used it for His benefit. None of them seemed turned off or bored and asked us questions afterwards. This coming week, we are going to begin telling them about having a relationship with Christ and what that actually means...so these next few weeks could be the most important in their lives. I can't wait to see what the Lord does :)

Youth group was pretty normal. We sang and Matthew talked about what road we are traveling. However, one of the girls in my small group told me she was suicidal, so Matthew and I had to sit down with her and discuss that issue. It was a very good learning experience for me though, just to see how a youth pastor handles red flat situations like that.

WEEK FIVE

This week was so much fun! We had our meeting at Matthew's house and we talked about the kids that were in our group. After we each went through the discussions that our tables, Matthew had us watch a music video by Casting Crowns. It was called, "Does Anybody Hear Her" and was very moving. It talked about the church today and people falling through the cracks. One of the main symbols the song used was about being a shadow of our steeple. After we watched it, we went into a pretty deep conversation about what we thought about the church as it is today.
The part of the week that was really exciting was Thursday night. I was able to have two of the girls I am mentoring to come and hang out on campus for a few hours. One of the girls spent the night. Hannah and Tamara are their names and it seemed like they had a fun time! I talked with them about starting a small gropu with my roomate, Bethany, and they were very excited about it. There are five girls in all that we are hoping to have in the group and are hoping to meet with them tomorrow on Wednesday. I am very excited about this and can not wait to see what the Lord does in their hearts and lives. I do not believe any of the girls have a strong walk of faith, so your continued prayers would be much appreciated! Thanks again!