Joy!

I just recently went to Ecuador on my very first ever mission trip! It was AMAZING! God wrecked my life while I was there. He showed me kids who had nothing, but were joyful despite all odds.

This thought hit me when we got back from the trip. It made me think twice about what I said and did. If those kids who live in broken down houses, have one pair of shoes, get 2 meals a day can be joyful, then wow I have a lot to learn.

I so often find myself sad when my mom makes something for dinner that I don't like, and I realize that that is not sadness!!!! That is the least of the world's problems! I need to be joyful, EVEN when it's hard! That's what its all about. Joy comes when you know God and follow what He has in store for you.

Someone said to me that I looked different when I came back from Ecuador. And I knew it was the joyful smile that I had on my face more often that was making me look different. That was making me beautiful.

I want to be joyful ALWAYS! I want to train my brain to stop myself from saying negative things. I want to train myself to reach out to people more. Those kids in Ecuador reached out to me and would hug me, and they don't even know me! So why are we so scared to smile at someone we don't know and spread our joy?

Well, from now on, I'm not going to be afraid to be joyful always. I've seen how it changes my life, and other peoples lives. I want to be joyful, because those kids in Ecuador are, and it impacted me. So maybe I can impact others.

Joy. Try it sometime :)

A GREAT mentor

One thing this year that God has really shown me is how important the role of a mentor is in my life. God has blessed me with so many amazing women of God to model my life after.
God has refreshed me so many times by my amazing youth group leaders! He has allowed me to meet new role models and stregthen my relationships with old ones. :) I don't care if my hair is messed up around these people, because I know they won't judge me and love me for who I am.

This year at church summer camp one of my favorite people, Hannah Dean, my youth leader and mentor went as a camp leader. And I must say she made it the best year yet! She encouraged me, laughed with me, did crazy fun things with me, helped me grow my faith, and loves me no matter what. That to me are the signs of a GREAT mentor.

Last year God blessed me with getting to know the fabulous Laura Milner. I would have never met her if she would have not decided to help out in our j-high youth group. I'm so thankful God put her in my life. She is such a blast! And a great voice of wisdom in my life.

I want to be a great mentor like these ladies. I pray and strive to be like them. What qualities make up a great mentor to YOU?

Do Hard Things

I've been reading a book, called Do Hard Things. This book has been challenging me to do hard things for God. I realize that by doing what God calls me to and doing difficult things, I can have true beauty.

This book has challenged me to really be bold and fearless for God's glory in EVERYTHING I do. I have realized God is working in me and convicting me to sit next to that person who always sits alone at lunch, to not be afraid to worship, and be different in the way I do things because I'm a Christian. I want to do big, hard things to please God.

Once I started to do hard things, I noticed it slowly becomes easier. And is much more fulfilling than ignoring what God wants you to do! I learned to not put it off, to jump in and be bold for God! And when we do this, God will use us in amazing ways and let our true beauty shine through!

Tell me what hard things you are doing for God? :)

Audience Of One

I went to an all day Christian dance workshop a few weeks ago. And I was inspired by what they had to say!

They focused on performing for an audience of one, God! Don't perform for the fame, applause, and glory for yourself. Do everything you do for the fame, applause, and glory of God.

That day when I performed I didn't care if I messed up a dance move! I knew the ONLY person I was performing for was God. We should not only glorify God in dance, we should glorify Him in every way we can! We should perform for an audience of one every day wherever we are!

Are you performing for an audience of ONE?

AMAZING women!

Having a good role model and Christian example in your life is amazing! I have been so inspired by two incredible women God has brought into my life.

God has blessed me with two youth leaders at my church, Laura and Hannah. They have really helped me to recognize what true beauty looks like in someone's life. You can just see God shining through them!

I can ask them to pray for me about anything! And they are always encouraging me with Bible verses. I want to be like Laura and Hannah when I get older; they really do show what it means to love God and love people. They love me like I'm their own sister. And I am so thankful for them. They make me feel so special and loved, I hope I can do that to other people too. :)

A Joyful Heart Shines Bright

I don't know about you but I'm not a big fan of Monday mornings, going to school, waking up early, and getting back in routine for the week. Not my favorite.

But the other day I woke up a little earlier in the morning to do my God time, instead of having it at night, and I felt so full of God. And so happy and joyful ALL day. It was the best Monday I've had in a long time. :)

God gave me the joy I needed to rock Mondays! Now I look forward to waking up earlier than usual and having my God time everyday. :) Try it, and watch God rock YOUR Mondays too!

Operation Beauty

I recently heard of a project called Operation Beauty. This idea is so unique! I love it!

What this girl started doing is putting post it notes on women's bathroom mirrors and other places that said sayings like, "You are beautiful!", and "God made you beautiful and special!"

I love this act of encouragement! It definitely inspired me to do random acts of unknown kindness and encouragement! God wants us to encourage and let others know He loves them.

I know I will leave post it notes random places! Will you? :)