The Life Teen Leadership Conference was AMAZING!

Every year there are a handful of teens who are selected for The Life Teen Leadership Conference or LTLC. This year, nine amazing teens entered into this weeklong journey and found an awe-inspiring passion for Christ. Not only that but they realized how much God truly loves them. Every week we will post a new testimony from one of the teens to share with you how this journey impacted them.

Thank you for your support and prayers for our incredible teens! —Scott Bagshaw

Nicole Nieto: When I was first invited on the Life Teen Leadership Conference, I was elated! I thought, yes! This is going to be awesome! All of my friends who went on it last year said that it was life changing. I am so excited! But, as the time grew near, I became very apprehensive and started second-guessing the whole experience. I was terrified that, if this is such a life-changing trip, I’m going to have to give up everything for God. I’m going to lose who I am. I gave up who I thought I was though, I found the true me. This trip opened my eyes, and for the very first time, I felt God’s presence. He was right next to me and I had been striving for that feeling all along. I felt him during one of the nights we had adoration. Before, I had always dreaded adoration. I felt I gained nothing from it. That I was just looking at a piece of bread and that was supposed to be God’s body? It baffled me; I wasn’t open to the idea. That is what held me back. What I’ve realized is that you have to want the feeling before you receive it. When you receive it, be submissive. Open your heart to God and he will come. So, I did just that, I completely surrendered. I held out my hands, I sang, I closed my eyes; I became comfortable with being uncomfortable. God came to me, and at that moment, tears ran down my face. The feeling of him next to me and about 500 other kids my age praising him, and singing around me made me emotional. It felt so surreal, to know that he was actually there. I didn’t realize all this was what was happening to me until we shared our day to our parish group, who I feel is my second family. I closely connected to each one of them within a matter of two days. They are the truest of my friends. Our talks were so authentic and raw that they completely drained all of the tears from our eyes. There was no holding back from anyone. We completely trusted each other and poured out our hearts. It felt so good to know that everyone was there to comfort one another. It is true; this was a life changing experience! I met some amazing people from across the United States, encountered God, and had an amazing time! Scott and Natalie made this all possible! I am so privileged to have been able to go! Thank you guys so very much, I don’t know where I’d be in my religious life without you! I’d like to thank my family as well for believing in me, you guys are my everything! To Nick, Kyle, Nick, Ian, Becca, Emy, Sarah and Shannon, thank you for making this trip memorable! Go God!