Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Lifestyle

To My High School Youth Group

I would've been lost without it.

Kimi Kiley

Aug 27, 2018

Millennials of New Jersey

145

assets.rbl.ms

When I was 14 and young and naive, I was introduced to a youth group at a church that is basically in my backyard. I'd gone to this church for CCD throughout my whole childhood, I attended mass at this church and saw this church through my bedroom window and I'd open my shades every morning while getting ready for school. But never did I imagine for this church to offer me a group so amazing and so life-changing that it will forever be my fondest high school extracurricular.

People hear the term 'youth group' and immediately get so many different ideas and have so many different opinions, that was once me thinking, "Am I really going to be THAT kid that's in a youth group?". But after my first time going I was hooked. I loved the people, the laugh. the atmosphere and the bonds. The four years in that youth group carried me through my highest and lowest points, and I'll always remember that. Every trip, every meeting, every fundraiser or community service project, every retreat, every play and single thing in between gave me the most unbelievable memories... memories I will always look back on and laugh about and memories that I would relive any day of the week.

My high school youth group provided me with things I could've never given myself and it taught me lessons I could've never taught myself. It gave me something to look forward to every week and it gave me a second family that I loved even in the downs but especially in the ups. And the ups will always be treasured while the downs will be used as experience.

So to my high school youth group... I thank you. Thank you for giving me an escape that I always had as my sanctuary. Thank you for allowing me to meet some of the most amazing people in my life to this very day. Thank you for making me feel important and showing me how to be a leader and thank you for guiding me through my darkest journeys. Thank you for making me comfortable with public speaking and better with an organization. Thank you for everything, I truly don't know what I would've done without you.

Now I'm matured and still learning, but even at 19, I can say joining that youth group truly changed my life.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Entertainment

Things People Without A Typical 'Boy Name' or 'Girl Name' Know To Be True

All names should be "unisex names."

Tulane University

179

There are tons of unisex names that are popular: Taylor, Alex, Bailey, etc. There are also numerous names that are used for both sexes, but they’re not seen as “unisex” yet. People are slowly becoming accustomed to the dual use of these names, but for the most part, in their minds they associate certain names with certain sexes. And that leaves those of us with these names in many awkward situations.

Keep Reading...Show less

unisex names

Lifestyle

16 Secrets Anthropology Majors Never Admit To

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

Washington College

5394

CSU

I'm an anthropology major, and I love every minute of it. I couldn't tell you why, but I guess there's just something about studying different lifestyles that absolutely fascinates me. But anthropology majors definitely have our weird sides, especially when you go to a school that is filled with mostly Business and Bio majors. But us weirdos definitely have a lot in common, specifically these 16 things.

Keep Reading...Show less

anthropology major

Featured

14 Things The Extremely Pale Are Tired Of Hearing

I get it... I'm pale.

University of Vermont

2125

Everyone has insecurities, that's just a fact. You didn't ask to be born this way. You didn't ask to inherit the one trait no one else in your family has. And you definitely didn't ask to be this ghostly white. But as soon as you've learned to live with it for a while (less wrinkles later on in life, right? right???) someone has to ruin it for you. They have to flaunt they're perfectly tanned body from Spring Break and hold their sun-kissed skin against yours. But I've had enough... here are the things that perpetually pale individuals are tired of hearing.

Keep Reading...Show less

pale skin

Lifestyle

8 Stereotypes Sorority Girls Are Tired Of Hearing

We don't buy into these... just like how we don't buy our friends.

Temple University

664

Verge Campus

Being a part of any organization undoubtedly comes with the pitfalls of being grouped into negative stereotypes, and sororities are certainly no exception. Here are the top few things, that I find at least, are some of the most irritating misconceptions that find their way into numerous conversations...

8. "The whole philanthropy thing isn't real, right?"

Emma Stone GIFfrom Emma Stone GIFs

Well all those fundraisers and marketing should would be a waste then wouldn't they?

Keep Reading...Show less

sorority girls

Recommended for you

To My High School Youth Group

I would've been lost without it.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

We don't buy into these... just like how we don't buy our friends.

8. "The whole philanthropy thing isn't real, right?"

7. "I don't need to buy my friends."

6. "Oh, so I'll bet you love to drink."

5. "Can you tell me some of your secrets?"

4. "What do you do at your meetings?"

3. "Do you guys haze really badly?"

2. "Is it just like in the movies?"

1. "Sororities are so basic."

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Lifestyle

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter

6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!