Extreme Teenz

Remember when I said I might have a few pit stops on my way back to Alpharetta?

Yeah. Make that one, big, week-long pit stop. In Nashville, Georgia.

On Friday afternoon, sitting in the laundromat, I got a call from my friend Aaron. His home church in Nashville was having a youth week starting Sunday and was in need of some college aged, SGAUMC-associated workers who would not be gone on Road Rules. Well, I guess I met the requirements because I found myself driving west instead of north eeeeearly Monday morning.

In a word, the week was awesome. I loved Nashville, the youth (aka Extreme Teenz) and their youth director. Nashville (affectionately known as Nastyville or Nashvegas) is a true small Southern town. I am SO much more of a city girl than I ever realized. Examples? I am used to not knowing everyone at the [grocery store/bank/restaurant/etc.]. I cannot drive you around my hometown and tell you who lives in each house. I did not know everyone in my graduating class, or where they went to college, or what they are doing now. It was so fun to be in a town like this for a week! I got lots of tours around town and met lots and lots of genuinely kind and warm people.

By far my favorite part of the week was hanging out with the youth. I got to meet campers this summer at camp, but I was never able to have more in depth discussions with them. But this week, I got to meet some awesome kids and had a real chance to get to know them. I looooved just hanging out with them. We went bowling, swimming, had a water war, [I got dunked in ice water. perfect.] worked at a local service project, and went on a photo scavenger hunt. I got to lead worship, which was a HUGE blessing for me. Even taught a few guitar lessons to some future rock stars! Sang some karaoke. Ate a lot. And just enjoyed my time in Nashville.

The last day, we were playing a game with the youth upstairs when two or three of them went to the bathroom. It took awhile... and was oddly quiet at the bathrooms... but I didn't think much of it. Until we walked outside... and Aaron's car was TP'd. Good work, kiddies. Good work.

SO much more to update on SOON!

For now, love from the Nashvegas traveler!

Lauren