I Get Down

“I get down.
He lifts me up.
I get down.
He lifts me up.
I get down.
He lifts me up.
I get down."

I sang these words loudly and enthusiastically from the auditorium aisle, dancing without reservation.  All the small group leaders had rushed out of their seats to pump up the kids at Lutheran Youth Day during this high-energy worship song.

Though some got up as early as 4 in the morning so they could start assembling a balloon arch at 5 (which looked fabulous!), and almost all of us got up a little bit earlier than on a usual Saturday, we all seemed able to retain our excitement throughout the day.  This was vital, since the kids at Lutheran Youth Day, who ranged from 6^th to 12^th grade, were sometimes shy and quiet and needed a bit of coaxing.   

During the first morning session, the small group leaders got to make a dramatic entrance that I think really set the tone.   When the kids cheered, we rushed out from the back of Stretansky Concert Hall and from the stage.  Then we threw candy into the audience. The kids got a ton of candy.  We did this again when starting another large group session.  I only hope I didn’t hit too many people in the head!

When we weren’t in great large group sessions, led by either musician Rachel Kurtz or a praise band of SU students, we were in small groups.  I was co-leading a group of sophomores, juniors, and seniors (some of whom were probably as old as me).   Our sessions included some icebreaker games, looking at Bible passages and discussing them, and viewing and discussing this great video about the woman at the well.  They were a bit reluctant to talk at times, but I hope they all got something out of our sessions. Personally, I had a blast and fully intend on participating next year.

Later I went to Air Band, where fraternities and sororities dance to a mix of songs. It was really fun, and I cheered my loudest for all the Alpha Phi Omega girls who were performing (they did great, of course). I was in a section with a bunch of people from APO, and we were all wearing white T-shirts with gold, spray painted Greek letters. I really felt like part of the organization. I’m so excited that Wednesday I will finally be initiated! Anyway, Air Band was really entertaining. The frats, especially, had very funny performances.  There were Justin Bieber impersonations. And spears. All sorts of craziness.  It felt so college.

And that blasting music really made me want to get down, in another sense of those words.