"I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not."

Many people crave the same thing: to be seen as normal.  In order to achieve this, you need to figure out the definition of normal.  One technical definition is confoming to a type, standard, or regular pattern.  Today, teenagers view "normal" several different ways: having many of the greatest possesions money can buy, having a very physical relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or hanging around the coolest people and going to all the right parties.  We all know who the "cool" crowd is, and there are a lot who want to be assosiated with the them, the "normal" people.  But why?  Why do we call them normal?  In reality, no one is normal; we all have our unique idiosyncrasies that set us apart from everyone else.  That's the way God intended it to be, so why do we all try so hard to fit in?

In society, everything seems black and white.  People can take one look at you and label you.  The thing is, God created us in His image so we are so much more complex than one word.  Judging someone before you even know them creates insecurities and unhappiness.  You may miss out on befriending a wonderful person simply because of the way they look or the "group" you think they fit into.  Sure, we do tend to hang around people that are like us, but that doesn't mean we should label. In one given group, each person may possess one thing in common. After that, each person may be slightly different than the next.  If you look at all their differences rather than their similarities, the group is so diverse that it is impossible to label.   

Each person is so incredibly unique, so be yourself and hold true to your values and ethics despite what the "normal" people say.  Don't give up on yourself just yet.  Keep pushing forward and never live a lie.  And never understimate the talents and characterisitics God gave you because being YOU is worth so much more than you think. 

I'm Running to Your Arms

Well, it's over. MFuge 2011 has come to an end, and I am very depressed. Yes, I am excited to get home, but I will miss being surrounded by hundreds of people like me. Amazing isn't even a word I can use to adequately describe seeing hundreds of hands raised, praising our wonderful creator! There was a specific song we sang that had the lyrics "I'm running to your arms"; this was my personal favorite because I know that whatever is happening I'm my life, good or bad, I can run to the Lord's merciful and loving arms. I have cried more times this week than I have in a while.

Yesterday at site my close friend Lexi and I gave the Bible lesson. We gathered the kids around and told them the story of David and Goliath. As we went further into the story, the kids started asking questions about God. Though we only planned to tell David and Goliath, we also told them about Jonah and the whale and Adam and Eve. They continued to to ask questions, so we told them about how to become a Christian and what it means to be a Christian. One little boy in particular asked if believing Jesus came to save us was the only way to get to Heaven. It touched my heart to hear him say that because I knew he had been listening and paying attention. We were the first group to go to that site, so it was the first time some of those kids had heard anything about Jesus. I just pray that weay have planted a seed in these kids hearts.

God has humbled me and spoken to me very much this week. God has given me this opportunity and experience for a reason. When I get home, I will not stop serving and helping. He put me on this earth to praise, worship, and tell others about His love, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

Be the change you want to see in the world!

I apologize I didn't post yesterday; I'm a little wiped out. Anyway, yesterday was good, but today was great! Yesterday, only about ten kids showed up to te park, but we played with them all the same. I got to play soccer with a couple of amazing boys. No, we didn't talk much, but it just gave them someone to pass to rather than having to kick off the fence. I am not experienced at all when it comes to kids, but I know enough to see that they were so happy that we were there to play games with them. To them, knowing we'd be back again tomorrow was the highlight of their day. I felt honored that they enjoyed it that much!

We get to out site today, and the number of kids that came was double that of yesterday. First off, they get out the Connect Four game and start playing. It amazed me how easily these kids were amused by just a few toys! I began helping with lunch, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, then hand them out to the kids. There were a bunch of little kids running around asking for more chips and sandwiches, but one little girl in particular stuck out to me. She was a small Hispanic girl who came over with her older sister. The sister said she wanted more chips, so I hand the little one a napkin. She looks up at me with these huge, innocent brown eyes as I give her the chips, and her face just lit up with the biggest smile. My heart just melted to see how happy this young girl could be with just a few potato chips. I wondered why I can't be a happy with what I have. I seem to alway want more and better, but there are people out there that have no idea what it's like to have something thy can call their own. Sometimes, they want is to be loved. As I lay here in bed sleep-deprived and thoughtful, I wonder why can't I be content and thankful for the blessing God has given me. I don't deserve any of them, so I need to use those gifts to reach out to people who aren't fortunate enough to experience God like I have. I hope to walk away this week completely having changed a child's life, simply by playing a few games with them.

The First Impression

Finally, we are here: MissionFuge 2011! I am on the campus of Charleston Southern University, waiting to go eat the first meal at church camp. We've been here for a couple of hours, and already the councilors seem amazing. Tonight we learn what tracks we'll be in for the rest of the week. I'm ready to meet a bunch of new people and experience things I've never imagined. God is going to work in so many ways, and my heart is open to it all.

Church Camp 2011

Tonight at 3:00 am my youth group and I are leaving for Charleston, SC for MissionFuge church camp. I am hoping and praying that I may touch someone's life with God's words and love. I have never been to a camp quite like this, and I have to admit I'm a little nervous. However, I know that God will put me where He wants me to be. I hope it will make me step out of my comfort zone to witness to these people and children. They deserve to have God in their life, and I may be te only person able to give that to them. I also hope that not only will these people's lives be changed, but mine as well. Please pray for us as we set out on one of the biggest journeys of our young lives, and that we may fill someone's life with the amazing love of God!

I'll try to keep you updated throughout the week as God works in my life!

There's a Song for Everything

Every time I think about what life would be like without music, it hurts my heart a little.  My favorite part of music is there's a song for everything.  Some days, I play music with piano or good acoustics.  Other days, I blast some sort of song that I can dance to.  I even just pick up my guitar and strum some random chords.  When you can't find the words to express what you're feeling, there's music.  When you just want to be alone, there's music.  When you want to dance around your room with friends, singing at the top of your lungs, there's music.  There are times where I would not be able to make it through the day without music.  There are just things that you have such a deep longing for it, music speaks the words you wouldn't be able to say.  I'm not even talking about the lyrics, but the simple sound of great instrumental pieces that are so beautilful, breathtaking, and awe-inspiring.  Whatever songs or music inspires you, always keep that close to your heart because the are only a few things this world can never take away from you: God, love, and music!        

"I" Could Change the World

According to the Oxford Dictionary website,  I is the top most used pronoun in the English language; it falls before you, he, or their.  Out of close to a million words, I is in the top ten most frequently used words.  Simply tagging on a "love you" to the end of I could change the world.  Today I challenge you, whoever may be reading this, to sincerely say "I love you" or "I care for you" to three people in the next week.  Then challenge them to do the same.  By this time next week, I expect for more people to know that they are loved.  You may be the only hope someone sees in their life, so make the most of it.

Just Write and Move On

This is my first blog, so bear with me.  I have opinions, and this is where I share them.  If you don't have the same opinion, just commment and tell me.  I am different than you, and you are different from, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  I tell what is on my mind the only way I know how: writing.  I have feelings so please respect them.  I will not post routinely; I'll just write what's on my mind at the time.  I may also post a poem or two.  Enjoy!