RYM

Over two weeks ago, I was the adult chaperone for our senior high youth on their summer beach trip to RYM. RYM has been the pinnacle event of the summer for my daughter K, who came home two years ago in a deep depression because it was over. Last year was not quite so dramatic. So I waited to see what the reaction to this year's event would be, especially with me in tow.

What a trip! I think I had more fun than she did this year because it was new to me, and I had no expectations. We got there Monday afternoon relatively early for youth groups. It was me, K, her friend Jamie, Ally, and another chaperone, Maryann in the girls group. There were two youth guys and two male chaperones. Girls and boys had separate rooms, and we settled in very quickly. We had a room with 9 beds, two which were full size, and we knew we'd get roomies. And they arrived very quickly, from New Brauntfels, TX. Thankfully they were nice!

The days were fairly structured but still had lots of room for different activities. In the mornings, we'd eat, then go to two lessons, and then eat again. The afternoon was free time, and then we'd eat again, and have our final lesson. I went to all of the lessons, all of the meals, and participated as much as possible. Realize that I never had this type of activity as a youth. But, of course, I wasn't a youth. Ha.

The lessons were a bit hit and miss. The first class we had on college prep was okay, but not life changing. Could have skipped it. The second class on "Sex, Dating, and Marriage" was actually really great. The teacher was pretty charismatic and had three teenage daughters and knew exactly what he was talking about. I didn't ask questions at all on the first day but of course I did on the second day. None of the kids really wanted to talk, which surprised me, but then I realized...they were youth. And I was not. Ha.

The evening study was, in a word, awesome. We reviewed scripture from Revelation and discussed hope. Why do we hope? What is it that makes us different?

And the afternoons at the beach...you can't get much better than sitting in the sand with a book and just enjoying the waves. The unique thing was that I was surrounded by girls in one-piece bathing suits, which quite honestly is unheard of. Girls don't do that anymore! And getting to know these youth and hanging out with them, watching them play b-ball, get in the ocean, talk with them about deep topics, have prayer time with them and by myself...it was really amazing. Seriously...an unexpectedly wonderful week.