Serenity Saturday #4 - 2025 What is serene with 60 tweens/teens around?

 

I really enjoyed the winter youth retreats I went on as a child. So - I thought it would be fun to organize and chaperone a trip for youth from our church. I found myself "camping" with 60 tweens/teens in Wisconsin's Northwoods. Showering while teens run through the dorm building screaming playing "zombie apocalypse" is not at all serene. Trying to sleep while surrounded by rooms full of giggling girls - also not serene. You know what else isn't serene? Flying down a hill on a tube while being "splashed" with snow...then having to walk up the hill carrying the tube to do it again. These things brought me so much joy 30 years ago and yet today, every fiber of my being is aching and I feel like I have a newborn - I'm fully sleep deprived. 

I'm not complaining - I'm really not. I'm just realizing that 47 is NOT the new 20. There's a huge difference between doing these fun things as a youth and doing them as a mom. I need to do a better job passing the torch to the younger moms and younger folks of the congregation. I also need to take off some of this extra weight because I'm positive things would have been easier if I were taking better care of myself.

Now - for the positive part - the kids learned a lot and had a fabulous time talking about Jesus! They can't wait to go again and I'm definitely taking them - although next time, I'll be the driver and I'll choose younger chaperones so I can enjoy some serene moments and a good night's rest.

Today's post was penned by Crystal J. Casavant

Crystal Casavant writes. Everything. If you follow her blog you have likely laid eyes on every thought she has ever had. Her debut novel, It Was Never About Me, Was It? is still a work in progress and shall be fully worthy sometime in 2025. She has written for WOW! Women on Writing, Bring on Lemons, and has been featured in several magazines and ezines relating to credit and collections as well as religious collections for confessional Lutherans. She runs a busy household full of intelligent, recalcitrant, and delightful humans who give her breath and keep her heart beating day after day. 

Crystal wears many hats (and not just the one in this photo) and fully believes in being in the moment and doing everything she can to improve the lives of those around her! The world may never know her name, but she prays that because of her, someone may smile a little brighter. She prides herself on doing nice things - yes, even for strangers! 

May your paths be abundantly filled with lemons, sugar, sunshine, and may you always remember the world is a better place with you in it and it's always a great time for quiet moments alone and a nice nap! 

xoxoxox

Crystal