Y the L Not

A lot of people tend to have a misconception about the organization Younglife. Their conception is far beyond wrong.

I got involved in Younglife the beginning of my freshman year of high school. We painted our faces, had random dance parties, food fights, & swallowed gold fish pretty much on a regular basis.

Crud Wars 2010

Growing in friendship and in community. As the days grew longer and months began to pass by, we began to learn what Younglife is all about. Fun and games was just the start of a wonderful journey.

I was pretty consistent in attending my freshman year; however, sophomore and junior year became pretty hectic. My parents started the process of divorce my sophomore year, and piece by piece my world as I knew it began to unravel. Nothing was the same any more. I was confused and didn't really have an idea of my place anymore. A sense of independency overcame me. "Courtney is the only one that will take care of Courtney. Don't rely on anyone to do anything for you." Deep down, as much as an independent person I may be, I secretly always wanted someone to be a cheerleader in my life. That's when the lovely woman, Randi Wideman came in. For the last 4 years, this joy filled woman of God has consistently poured into my

Randi & I
Homecoming 2011

life and the lives of the rest of our campaigners girls. High school is tough! The constant struggle of trying to fit in, making friends, our appearance, everything! And then add teenage hormones into the mix, and it's just awful! Since day one, she has drilled the Bible verse Songs of Solomon 4:7 into our brains! "You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you!" That verse is permanently in my brain for the good! This verse has played a MAJOR role in finding my true identity in Christ! From struggles with my body to pleasing people consistently. I AM beautiful! God made me perfect in His image! She was, and still is concerned with what is going on in our lives, the good & the bad!
My junior year was probably the hardest of them all. I couldn't seem to find the balance between working, working out, and growing in my relationship with God, and it showed! It was also a difficult time because I no longer felt at peace at the church I was at but I tried holding on for as long as I could, mainly because I HATE change. It happens, but I was pretty devastated. Already coming from a hard background I had trust issues, but this just really increased my anxiety.
BUT, through all those problems, Younglife, my leaders, & my campaigners group was always there! Summer after my sophomore year I attended YL camp for the first time at Frontier. I was so stoked and excited! I had heard so much about all the fun and excitement that awaited the best week of my life. Little did I know, the best week of my life soon became the worst. My great-grandfather passed away half way through the week and I was more than heart broken. Literally weeping so hard I was drooling; another little side note, I HATE CRYING! Despite my ugly cries of grieving, my cabin and leaders all took the time and each wrote me a letter of encouragement. One of my other sweet, precious leaders, Brittany Trevatham,

Britt & I
Thanksgiving 2013

quoted the bible verse Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they s hall be comforted." I clung to those words left and right! I had no idea that emotions that would come, days, even months after my great-grandpa's death.
         You see, Younglife isn't just a place of fun and games; Younglife is a group of people all with one thing in common...WE'RE JESUS FREAKS!!! Loud and proud!! And with that in common, we get to do life together, through all the crazy stuff that may happen! Honestly I can say, Younglife is the only reason I made it through all 4 years of high school. I was the only consistent thing I had in life. And now, now I have been blessed with a forever family to come to when times get too rough the and the boat of life starts rocking.

         TODAY; I get to fly half way across the world with my family and make Jesus known! Today we fly to Romania. We will get to love on those who don't get love on a regular basis, and tell them about their Heavenly Father who wants nothing more than to hold them in His arms! I am so excited to take on this adventure with my family!!!

More posts soon :)