You smile, I smile

I want to start off by saying that I am not writing about this so that I can be praised for helping out. Instead, I am writing this to tell how God touches our hearts right when we need it. Monday night, I went to Haven of Rest with my parents and another family from our church. We had to set up for dinner. Everything had to look just right so the people coming would feel like they're in a good place. Us workers had to wear gloves, aprons, and hats to keep our hair back. We also had to make sure to wear long pants and t-shirts. On the way there, I was very uncomfortable in my clothes, but I felt this peacefulness wash over me when I realized that it wasn't about what I was going to have to do or wear. It was about putting a smile on their faces and showing them love, God's love. My favorite part is handing out the food. Most make sure to say thank you and some even say God bless or say how grateful they are. Monday, while looking down the line at the many more people waiting, I had a huge urge to just smile and show them I care and that God cares. Everyone needs love, but so many of us are scared to love the broken people.  

Forgiveness and Responsibility lead to Restoration

Sometimes friendships get tested and no one knows how to save the friendship. Whether it's a fight or the silent treatment, either way, something wrong has been done from one person to the other. In my Bible, there is a page called "How to Restore Relationships." I recently needed advice on what to do so I turned to my Bible and read this:


"When God gave Moses the Law, he instituted a system of restitution: Anyone who injured another paid the price for what was stolen or destroyed and added 20 percent to the value. We may think of restitution as justice for the wronged party and punishment for the offender. But restitution offers more: It builds a bridge between the two parties, paving the way for relationships to be restored." This paragraph stood out to me because for the past few days, I have been contemplating over and over how to fix one of my friendships. Another point that stood out to me said:


"Forgiveness from God coupled with responsibility toward the other person are key to restoring relationships." It then goes on to say:


"If someone has something against us, he calls us to go and make it right (see Matthew 5:23-24). If we have something against another, we're responsible to take the initiative to settle our differences with them (see Matthew 18:15). It's not always comfortable. But it's always the right thing to do." This was just the thing I needed to hear and knowing it came from God, made me feel much more willing to do the 'uncomfortable thing' to fix  a friendship. I'll leave it at this, the last thing it said to restoring relationships:


"Consider what needs to be done and take action: Repay the debt, replace the item and apologize for a wrong. Do whatever it takes to restore the relationship. Do it because it pleases God and because your relationships will be richer for it." 

Coming Home

Coming home from youth group trips has always been one of the hardest things for me. I get used to hanging out at night in hotel rooms and the next day getting to see my friends right away, all day. I always tend to take it for granted when i'm on a trip. On the mission's trip to Pittsburgh, I was able to see my friends any second I wanted. Also, working together with them was an amazing thing. I became friends with people I had never really been close to and I became even better friends with the people I already hang out with. That had become my life for a week and I loved every minute of it. I had to keep in mind that I could feel that close to God at home too, that serving God could be done anywhere. Instead of feeling sad that I had to leave, I kept in mind that great things are still waiting to happen.

Mission's trip

This past week I went on a mission's trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my youth group. We went back to help a church that we had helped in May for Global Impact. Originally, we had planned a mission's trip to Tennesse, but it didn't work out. Being in Pittsburgh this week made me realize why things don't always work. God had a bigger plan for us. I went on this trip expecting to help Cityview Church, but really so much more happened. One of the nights, we had a cookout and we were able to talk to a lot of the little kids that came and played games with us. We took God's love out of the church and down the street to the broken people. The best part was seeing these adorable kids smile and have fun with us. We were able to really connect to the neighbors. Mission's trips don't have to be across the country. You can serve God in missions right where you live or even just a state away. We didn't go on this trip so that people would praise us for doing good work. We went to glorify God's kindgom because that is what it's all about. 

Crazy, Fun Week

This past week every night from 5:30 - 8:30, we had vbs at my church. One of my good friends, Jess, and I taught 1st & 2nd grade. We had signed up to teach 1st, but on the first night there were only two 1st graders & two 2nd graders, so we combined the kids. We started each night with dinner. Then, at 6, we would go into the sanctuary for opening time. We sang and danced to all 7 songs we learned and then an adult from my church talked to the kids about our mission for the week - to bring in money, toys, and clothes for the little kids in Peru who live in dumps. The 1st & 2nd graders made sure to bring in any change they found and they even brought in two bags of clothes and toys. It was a huge blessing to be able to teach and to be able to be a leader to the young kids. Although there were some complications, it all worked out and this week we had up to 40 kids, which is more then we've had in the past 2 years. We couldn't have pulled it off without the help of Jamie, who organized it all. I want to thank God for giving me one of the best opportunities so far in my young life.