Megan's prayer: Darrell Evan's "Trading My Sorrows"

I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down 
For the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down 
For the joy of the Lord

And we say "Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord.
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord.
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord. Amen!"

The ProLife trip in 2005 was the first time that I ever did anything with a LifeTeen group. It was the first time I had been around a lot of teens that loved God, and the first time I was really introduced to christian music. This song was very popular on that trip, and played multiple times a day. While it's an easy song, and I picked up on it quickly, I didn't join in singing quite as loud as everyone else, and I definitely didn't do the hand motions that go with the song. I was a very shy kid back then, and was just trying to fit in and not be too awkward. I thought that partaking in the hand motions would cause me to be an outcast among those around me, and especially around my friends back in St. Louis. I went through the trip, just barely giving any effort. In the end, the trip didn't have too significant of an impact on me.

Fast forward to 5 and a half years later. Again, I am in a position where I am surrounded by teenagers, and singing lots of christian songs. At first, I thought about just taking the same approach as 2005, sitting back and just singing, not putting myself out there or being silly. It is easier that way - no one can really make fun of you. 

This was my plan, but before the first night of the trip was over, my attitude had completely changed. I could sit back, and just watch, and just be a chaperon for the trip. Or, I could jump in, do all the silly hand motions, sing my heart out, and in return, deepen my faith and play a part in deepening the faiths of those around me. 

I'm glad that at age 22 I was finally able to not be worried about what teenagers think of me. My faith has grown because of it.