Gym Class Heroes

So, this afternoon, I met up with these two amazing kids at the Powerhouse Gym.  I may have positive peer-pressured them into taking the Intense Strength Circuit Training class with me.  It lived up to it’s name of intense and was one of the best classes I’ve taken.  And by “best” I mean I almost passed out a few times while sweat was dripping into my eyeballs.  All that being said, these two were amazing during the class.  They haven’t taken as many classes, (this was technically Michael’s second ever class) and I was thoroughly impressed.  Which got me to thinking about the two of them and how they are just overall incredible and impressive in general.

I’d have to start out by telling you about Victoria.  Because we met her first.  Many, many years ago, when she was in our Jr. High Youth Group.

She was such a sweet girl and we loved getting to know her over the years.

We met Michael a few years later.  His sister Katelyn brought him to our annual Youth Group Christmas Party, and he had no problem jumping right in.  And in a pair of silver, size 11 ladies shoes, no less.

Michael is the youngest of the Einfeldts.

  A powerful youth group family trifecta of sheer amazingness.  We seriously love them all so much.

It’s been so cool to see Michael grow into this amazing, hard working, fun and funny guy throughout the years.

And all the while Victoria was being her amazing, smart, fun and funny self as well.

And at some point in the past year or so, the two of them decided to start dating.  I distinctly remember having the privilege of encouraging them both along the way.  I gave them my infamous dating speeches (because I care) and thankfully it didn’t scare them away.  And all that being said, I just have to say that they have continued to be amazing and incredible, but now just together.

One of the things that I’ve appreciated about their dating relationship, is the way that they still maintain their individualities, which is kind of rare in the teenage dating scene.

They are as comfortable apart, as they are together, and it’s a very encouraging and healthy thing to see.

And so even though I don’t usually single our teens out, I thought I would write tonight because I think they are just kind of amazing and throughout our years of working with teenagers, they have been a bit of an inspiration to me.  Jeremy and I have been blessed to know them, not simply just as our youth group students and friends, but also in the many ways that they have grown as an important part of our ministry.  They are both involved in so many ways, in their school, in their community and in many of our other church ministries.

Victoria and Michael, not only are you my gym class heroes, you are also my real life heroes as well.  Thank you for living life well and for being incredible individuals, but also incredible together as well.  I pray that you both would always love Jesus first and that God will continue to richly bless you both and that he would bless your relationship and all that you do.