When our ministry as formal youth ministers ended last November, we continued to work at out day jobs as insurance representatives. We kept in touch with several of the kids in our former ministry, and as you may have read, I was still making plans for girls ministry in the same location but just not under any church umbrella.

Just over a month ago, however, we got the opportunity to take life and ministry (combining the two) and step it up a little. We now work as Resident Counselor’s at a group home for misguided children and youth! Every other week, we work seven day shifts living 24 hours a day with 8 to 9 teenage girls! Sounds crazy? It was at first. Now that I’m getting used to it, though, I’m finding that we fit perfectly for this kind of work. David is more the administrator. I’m more the nurturer. We aren’t these kids’ parents, we’re just overseeing them and guiding them toward a more healthy future while they’re in the middle of family crisis. So, although, we get to model what a relationship between a woman and man should be, we have to remember that their choices are still their choices, and we can’t control everything they do. Besides, the goal, if possible, is to see the girls reunite with their families.

All my girls in the “cottage,” as the houses on campus are called, are between the ages 14 and 17. It’s been interesting for me, because the girls I minister to back home are mostly middle school girls. The new job has validated that I do have the gift to relate with older teen girls as well. (I had started to believe it just wasn’t working for me!) Speaking of my girls back home, what’s been cool is having 7 days off every other week as well to use as I please. Of course David and I are enjoying those days for other goals we want to accomplish or just fun things (like sleeping in a bit!), but we will have the chance to substitute in the local schools, or do like I did yesterday, go eat lunch with them when they’re at school. Certainly, during summer break, I can have day events for the girls in Brevard on my weeks off. (Still working on this project:

No word from the owner yet.)

I’m excited for what’s ahead. And blessed beyond what I would have imagined as far as a job goes! I just feel like I’m doing what I love which makes it not even seem like a job. I read recently, when we were seriously considering applying for this new job, an article by Napoleon Hill called “When a Man Loves His Work,” in which he talks about how much more productive a person can be when they are doing what they love. That fulfillment gives them even more energy! And it’s true. Even though the new job is considerably emotionally draining, I’m not feeling that horrid dread I had awaken to several times while working at my dead-end desk job. All I can say is blessing and favor from the Lord are upon me!