I hope this newsletter finds you healthy, happy and blessed. It is April now, and I'm praying that the character traits of spring and summer start to grace us with their presence soon. I think that it is time already, but that is just my opinion.

Anyway, I have so much news to share with you all so to begin, by the time this newsletter is sent out I, along with five middle school kids, will be in Louisiana doing hurricane relief work. We will be there from March 28-April 4. Please keep us in your prayers. I look forward to see in what ways these individuals will encounter and engage God on this life shaping experience. When we return, I will be sure to host a Louisiana debrief meeting so the kids can share their experience with all of you.

 
Also, just as a heads-up and as an invitation--on April 29 and May 6, Pastor Tobin Wilson and I will be co-leading two Wednesday night Remix classes for children and their families. These classes will focus on the importance and symbolism of the sacraments and baptism. I am thrilled about this opportunity to help lead this class because I remember as a kid when I finally understood; it rocked my world to know how much God longed for my heart. Then, those who participate in these two classes will have the opportunity to be baptized on May 17 and their first official communion will be on June 7. So if you are interested or know some children and families that might be interested, please help to spread the word....

I think this brings you all up to date. Thank you so much for your time and your prayers for me and the little ones that I work with. My job continues to bless me daily!

Blessings,

Fa'ana
 

When people ask me what my goal or desire for the future of the youth ministry is I often find myself talking about how I hope that the youth will become an active and integral part of this church community. I realize that in order for this to happen they will have to become more than "the youth", but individuals. With this in mind, every other month this article will be written by one of the "younger" members of our community. This month Molly Larsen, a junior at Mount Rainier High School, shares how this community has impacted her.

 

Molly's Perspective
Lake Burien Presbyterian Church has been my home longer than I have been alive. The first memory of Lake Burien I clearly remember is getting stuck in our wooden rocking duck that is still in the nursery today. Being active in my relationship with God is the most important thing in my life. Between Young Life, two different youth groups, and Sunday morning meetings, I never fall short of learning and spending time growing closer to God.

However, this relationship did not just pop out of the ground. Since a very young age my parents have been taking me to LBPC where I learned what it was to be a follower of God. Spending numerous hours at church playing games and listening to the word of God gave me a strong understanding of God's story. Growing up in such a family oriented church leaves me with memories of retreats, outings, and just plain hanging out. Throughout my life, the strongest relationships I have built have been with Godly people and from this church.

Next year I will graduate from high school and probably move away, but I will take with me the most meaningful part of LBPC- lifelong family and friends. These people will always be there to encourage me in all the stages and places of my life. I grow closer to God every day through all of the people in my life, even those people I may not always fancy spending time with. God put each of these people in my life for a reason.

My life would not be the same in any manner without Lake Burien. Growing up with a huge family has led me to a strong faith and belief in God that only gets stronger every day.

It is wild to think that spring is already upon us, bringing with it spring break, the upcoming WASL, and thoughts of the end of school and summer. We have enjoyed a fast-paced month to say the least, which is being capped by our trips and camps during the week of spring break. Fa'ana will be taking several students to Louisiana through UGM, and I will be taking 10 students from our program to join 30 other students from the Rainier Valley and White Center at Black Lake Bible Camp outside of Olympia.  Both of these trips represent great chances to spend more time with our students, engaging them in conversations about issues of faith and life, as well as giving them a chance to leave their neighborhoods and experience new areas. We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we take our students on these different trips.
 
As I mentioned above, once spring break is over, our students will be staring down the final weeks of school before the WASL and other end of the year tests. We have seen dramatic growth in several of our students' academics, but realize that much work needs to be done in order for all of our students to be at grade level in their studies before the school year is out. It has been encouraging to see growth happen in several students, but our goal is to make sure all of our students succeed. Please continue to pray for all of our students, their families, their teachers, and all of the people God has called to come around these students in a positive way. It is definitely a blessing to have a church body that will come around these students in such a vital way. Thank you, and God bless.

Alex Collier
Program Coordinator (Youth Services)
Seattle's Union Gospel Mission (www.ugm.com)