My Week Away

It almost feels like a dream. Day  one of getting back into the swing of a normal routine is over halfway over. I keep finding myself thinking back on the last week of my life, looking through pictures or videos, and remembering funny stories. I think about the people I went with, the ones I met for only a day, or had the privilege of spending the whole week with in NYC. 

I've been on many mission trips as a youth myself, but this was the first one that I was able to go as an adult chaperoning the youth I've been around for the past 3 years. I've been with these young people since the 6th grade and so I thought I knew what kind of youth I'd be in charge of for 8 days. I was wrong. Once arriving in Harlem my idea of what i was about to experience changed. I watched youth that never volunteered for anything take  initiative and have the "no problem" attitude we as leaders encouraged them to have. They jumped in and helped when anyone would ask them to, loved on children that probably don't get loved on often, and were always ready for the next task that was ahead of them. They amazed me and that was only during the day. But during our evening sessions where a Biblical lesson or challenge would be placed before them mixed with a worship service, I witnessed hearts being open to the molding and transformation that The Spirit had for them. I saw them cry out unashamed and hand lifted high for the Spirit to pour into them. I witnessed them praying for one another, for the leaders, and for God's will to be done in their lives. I saw The Spirit convicting them of certain sins and in the same moment the confessing and repenting of those sins. I was humbled in those moments that The Lord Almighty would allow me, a lowly sinner, to experience a great movement with the upcoming freshmen class of Westside Church. 

It was confirmed in my heart that Youth Ministry at Westside Church is where I'm suppose to be. That in times where I may feel that what I'm doing isn't important that I'm reminded of  this week.

To all who prayed for our safety, for the movement of the Spirit, or for just an overall great experience, Thank You. I wish there was a word that could mean more because Thank You just isn't enough. I know this blog only scratched the surface of what the week away meant to me, but I hope it gave you at least a little glimpse of what Father, Son, and Spirit can do if we just offer ourselves.  

Lessons I've learned

Here I sit just a 2 months away from turning half way to 50. I know that majority of my friends have already hit that mark but I want to take the time and share with you all some of the inside scoop that I've gathered in theses 24 years &10 months of life. I know for most of you, you could careless about what I'm about to say but for those of you looking to kill some time, this is for you. These lessons arn't in any particular order and some may be more important than others but all are worth learning.

1) Life changes. All kinds of changes. Jobs, relationships, addresses, cars, and even you. Once you really grasp the idea that everything normally ends up changing and life does eventually go back to a somewhat normal state of being, the change becomes that much easier. People get different jobs and move away. People just move away because nothing is really anchoring them to the place they are. Trust me, you learn to handle the changes like a champ and the feeling that your whole world has been completely shaken doesn't last as long as the last time. 

2) It takes two to make or break a relationship. I say relationship because this lesson holds true for every relationship you are apart of. I once thought of this, in order for a relationship to with stand it all you have to allow the other person to be as selfish as they allow you. I know that relationships aren't suppose to have selfish foundations but hear me out for a minute. We have all had that friend that we can't spend more than one mealtime a month with because its always about them. They never allow you to be the topic of conversation. It's always them and what horrible thing is happening to them. Something is always wrong. But then think of the friends that you enjoy to e around the most. It's easy peasy to talk with them, to share your struggles, to tell them what's really on your mind and visversa. 

3) Don't waste your time that the good Lord has given you. Invest in other people. Learn an instrument. Do the spontaneous adventures that someone suggest. Just don't sit around wishing you were doing something, do it. 

4) Have "me" time. Take yourself on a date to a movie by yourself. Go to the park alone and nap or read a book under a tree. You need to discover who you are without others around. Those of you know me, know I most of the time love people. But for those of you that REALLY know me know I love my "me" time just as much. Learn to do things alone and I think you will become someone that does group settings even better. 

5) Have friends of all ages. There is something about befriending a youth. They keep you young and they think you are super cool. We all need that ego boost every now and again.  Befriend someone at least 10 years your senior (ten years older). There is knowledge that they can give you that you won't read about in a book. 

6) Drama is stupid. Surround yourself with people that engage in it daily and it will eventually wear you down.  Positive people have more fun anyway. 

7)Find a band on noisetrade and download their music based solely on the cover art. You may just find your next favorite band. 

8) Last but not least, learn the little things about people. Their favorite fountain pop, ice cream flavor, candy, or coffee order and one day when they text you the middle of the day and tell you that they have had a crappy day, surprise them with it. It's the little things that add up to be the bigger things. 

In my many days of living I've learned a lot more than this but these are just a few things I thought I would pass on. Thanks for reading.