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 :)