Hey y'all!
I'm heading home! FINALLY!! Mission trips are so amazing, especially when they are situated in the deep (well, what I consider deep) South, in the cutest, sweetest little town ever! I'm very exhausted, emotionally and physically, but I figure I should type out my thoughts before my mind gets crowded with other stuff and I forget.
First off, can I just say that God is legitimately the most powerful and incredible guy ever? This past Thursday night, I got to view God at work in one of the biggest ways I have ever seen. People were pouring their hearts out to God, accepting forgiveness, GIVING forgiveness, and praying over broken hearts. Much to my amazement, I had the great privelage (sp?) of being an encourager that night. Letting God use you is pretty much the best thing in the world! I learned to just stop talking to God (for once in my life-to STOP talking!) and let Him tell me what he wants to tell me. Unbelievable.
Family is cool. Um... did I just say that? Yeah, I guess I did. My parents PROMISED me that they wouldn't act like my parents on this trip. No checking up on me, no random hugs or introducing me to every adult they meet, and I held them to that promise. Yet I was the one who kept accidentally calling them my mom and dad (although calling them by their first names was extremely amusing) and introducing my friends to them. I had some kids come up to me and say "Your mom is the happiest person I've ever met!" and I was just like "yep. that's my mom." And whenever I saw my dad up front or walking around doing his staff duties, I'd point him out. "Look, that's my daddy!" Also, I listened to stories of some other people's families and realized my parents are seminormal, and THANK GOD (literally, I did) that they're not all that embarassing. And my brothers!! I think my BIG big bro deserves a hug when I get home, as a thanks for feeding my parakeet and cleaning the kitchen while we were gone! My LESS BIG big bro was willing to hug me this week, which was cool, plus I'm very proud of the way he was a leader within our group and used his talents to organize group devotions! I love my family.
I had some really fun times at this mission trip. Singing, messing around with paint, relentless teasing, ninja and bunny-bunny games, and laughing at stupid little things. I had some good growing & learning experiences too. Being forced to be more outgoing, viewing poverty up close, talking with kids from different parts of the country, having deep conversations about God and the universe, powerful worship times, and caring for other people above myself.
Other things that I learned but couldn't exactly fit into a coherent paragraph:
-It is possible for it to rain and be warm at the same time.
-God WANTS us to rely on Him.
-People love "christian" behavior.
-The true test of character is how you respond under duress.
-80 degrees is NOT hot.
-You can't put limits on God.
-Prayers are answered in God's time.
-Even if I've gotten over fear of singing in front of 20 people, it's still nervewracking to sing in front of 400...
-"Y'all" is easier to say than "you guys"
-They don't have chipmunks in Florida, or at least not many.
-Possessions and happiness do not display positive correlation.
-I know EVERY SONG on Wow 2008 disk 2
2 Timothy 2:22
"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart."
Luke 9:24-25
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?"
James 3:17
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then PEACE-LOVING, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
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