The Things That Changed My Life

I should start by saying, this could get real cliche, because I've seen a few other people post things similar to this, but I wanted to share a part of my own story. With that being said, I'll explain what I am talking about.

Three years ago yesterday, I was getting on a plane with a few people I met at the Milwaukee airport that day, heading to Estes Park, Colorado for training for a summer job. Three years later, I have completed 3 summers working with Group Mission Trips, numerous volunteer events, met a lot of incredible and inspiring people, and been a part of an amazing ministry and organization. My theme this year has been about appreciating and being thankful for every thing, little or small, and its the huge amount of little things that I have been introduced to because of Group Mission Trips that makes it a huge, life-changing thing. There are three major ways Group has change me:

First, the ministry. I had opportunities to watch youth and young people grow, learn what serving means, as I was called to do just that every day, even when it was hard, and I didn't want to do it. I learned so much more about what it means to be a part of a ministry, and how the little things such as being goofy holding up a huge yellow sign that says "welcome" can make an impact. 

Second, the people. The full-time staff, my crews, the youth leaders, service project contacts, and even inspiring youth are just a few of the people I've interacted with. There are great summer staff that Group hires each year who have been incredible to hear their stories, and connect with them. Some of them I still keep in contact with, and I look forward to the times I get to skype with them, catch up, or even hang out at a Group Conference or event. Behind these summer staffers is an incredible team of full-time staff who encourage and believe in the young people who run the camps. We couldn't do what we do without the vision and hard work from the full-time staff, who care endlessly to see youth encounter Jesus. 

My crews. My word, I can't say enough about the great people I have had the opportunity to work alongside for three summers. With Taylor in Cincy, Erika in Charleston, and Leah and Laura in Nashville, these women have really impacted me and have made me learn so much more about not only myself, but how to love God and love people better. 

People from the projects. I have met some incredible people who work and serve people every day, and are truly inspiring. People who work with youth, refugees, people without homes, those with Alzheimer's. Week after week, we would work alongside incredible people who have stories to tell of inspiration and the front-range work of caring and loving people. It is people like this who remind me of my humanness and how futile and selfish I can be.

Thirdly, the opportunities.  Where else would I have the opportunity to stand in front of 600 people, and speak to them how God repairs and renews? Where else would I find an amazing church to intern with and learn about worship ministry so I can finish my degree program? Where else have I had the opportunity to travel the country, and get paid to do it? Where else would I go out of my way to make it to Columbus after having money stolen, and not having a debit card, just so I can volunteer at a youth-ministry conference where God had plans of transforming me in an unexpected way? The stories are endless, and the impact is life-long. I celebrate and rejoice for the time I have had, and the time that is coming. God has used Group to meet people, find opportunities, and move in my heart in ways that will be lasting for the rest of my life. It's not over, and it simply is just begun. 

My charge to you? What little things or big things do you have in your life that you could consider to be life changing? How have these things been put there, and what impact have they left in your life? Sometimes it becomes easy to get caught up in the day to day, and forget God's promises that are life-long. It may take some digging, but they are there. Practicing thankfulness and opening ourselves up to all that God can do, opens us up to greater fulfillment and joy of life. 

If you want to read more about this, check out Ann Voskamp's One-Thousand Gifts, and find what are your moments of grace to be thankful for. One of mine is:

20. Meeting people and finding opportunities through Group

Looking forward to a more full and fulfilling life.

http://onethousandgifts.com/

http://groupmissiontrips.com/

Colorado is amazing

So now we are about two thirds done with training.
Yeah sorry, haven't updated on what is going on.  But it has been very busy figuring out training, moving to Estes Park Middle School, and adventures (of course) on the weekend.
I suppose I should say where I am going.... Charleston South Carolina!! I am really excited, and my partner and I seem to get along really well.  I am excited to see what kind of things will happen this summer.
There has been a lot of adventures already.  My fellow project leaders are awesome.  We did the wobble together for a talent show, they're so great! And they're all doing well in their job.
This weekend we did a lot of fun stuff.  Friday evening we just hung out in Fort Collins, walked around, got free coffee, and enjoyed hearing people yell out of cars.  Saturday, I went on a hike in the Rocky Mountains, and it was so fun and beautiful.

Me and two other trainers on the hike near a mountain river!

We went up Trail ridge at night and it was sooo beautiful.  I don't have many pictures from it though

Then most of the group went to the Rockies game, and we got rained on, but then it turned out alright. Sunday we had our picnic at Lake Loveland and then had to head back to the middle school.  It was good for relaxing a bit as Monday morning we hit the ground running.  So now, we're finishing up training.  Yesterday we traveled to Group and had dinner, and today got our vans and loaded up.  It is just a matter of time before we hit the road for Charleston.  It is going to be a crazy ride, but it is all happening.  I'm praying that God will begin to move in the hearts of the campers that will come to our camps.
God has been good, and will be good, I just know it.

Up on trail ridge road. Photo credit: Kyle Castellanet

In 3 days time...

Just a quick update on what's been going on lately.  I know it's been forever since I've updated.  But it's summer, I've completed my sophomore year of college! Crazy stuff.
So my summer plans are to work with Group Mission Trips again with their Week of Hope program.
www.groupweekofhope.com

I plan on updating here again as I did last year as often as I can.  I don't know yet where I'll be spending my summer, but I'll find out when I get to Colorado for training. And what's great about that is I leave in 3 DAYS! It's going to be an early morning as my flight is at 7 in the morning, and stops it Texas, but it will be an adventure.

What is new about this summer is that I am going to be a trainer this year, and so I go a little bit earlier.  This new responsibility is a bit nerve-wracking, but I'm sure it will be good experience and God will teach me through it.

So I'll be updating again as soon as I can with more about my summer and training, in the meantime, I cannot wait to meet my fellow staffers, I know they will be a huge blessing to me this summer!

And also, check out the info page I added to my blog!

The Adventure Has Only Begun

I've spent my first week in Colorado.  What am I doing here? Training for Group Cares, where I'll be working with their week of hope program to do short term missions.  That's just a brief overview of it.

My first day was long, but as the plane descended into the Denver airport, I caught a small glimpse of the majestic mountains.  And this was only the beginning.  It was awesome and odd as we met in the airport with the other summer staffers.  But it didn't take long for us to make good friends.

We started training on Sunday, and began meeting everyone.  Sunday night we sang some worship songs and then found out our crews and where we would be serving for the summer.  They made it super dramatic and I almost couldn't stand the suspense.  I was hoping I would be put with one of the girls I already met, but God had something better.  I was also hoping to go somewhat out of the mid-west.  Well, God has a way of doing things his way, because he knows it's best.

When I got matched up with my partner, I just knew it was going to be a good match.  Then, I found out I was going to Cincinnati, which at first, I was kinda bummed but now I'm excited for it!  We'll be pretty close to Kentucky and the Creation Museum which is something I've always wanted to go to.  As Taylor (my partner) and I got to know each other more, I realized that this is going to be an awesome summer!  We get along really well, and she's just awesome.  I had been praying for her to be someone that I could grow spiritually with, get along with, and become good friends, and I've seen that God has answered every single one. How great is that?

The rest of the week we stayed pretty busy with training.  It seemed like all we did was training, eat, training, eat,  and go to bed.  We've been learning a lot, and I'm definitely starting to feel a lot more comfortable about this summer.  One day, they had CPR/ First Aid training, and since I'm already certified, me and some of my friends decided to go for a hike.  We had an awful map, and couldn't find what we were looking for, but ended up having a great hike anyway.  It was such a beautiful view from the top. Here are the girls I've come really close with.  We do a lot together, and they're basically awesome!

Friday, we moved from the YMCA of the Rockies to Estes Park Middle School.  We then had some time off and could explore a bit of Colorado.  The time off was great!  Last night, we hung out in Estes Park, and went geocaching.  I actually found it, and it was really exciting! Today, I hiked a mountain.  A large group of us summer staff went into the Rocky Mountains and went on a hike.  It was so amazing because just when I thought the view and the mountains couldn't get any better, they did.  God just showed me how big he is.  And along with that, I was reminded that I shouldn't have to be by the majestic mountains to do that.  When we got to the end, we read some Psalms, enjoyed the beauty of Emerald Lake, and sang a few worship songs.  It was so much fun, it took us around 4-5 hours, but was totally worth the sweat, heat, and cold snow.  There were a few parts where we decided to "hike up the cliff" and it was really fun.

This is Emerald Lake, even though you can't really see the lake here, but it's down there, I promise. (:

Tomorrow we get to go to church in Loveland and hang out by a lake, and have a picnic.  And then it's back to training!  It will go by fast I'm sure, and then next Sunday, I leave for my trip across the US to Cincinnati.  Me and Taylor are really excited for this summer!  Thank-you all who are praying for me in this endeavor, and I hope to update again soon!