Service A couple years ago, I went on the mission trip. The whole experience was absolutely amazing. Each day, we woke up and got ready for the busy day ahead of us. We would have breakfast with the people we were serving and then split up into our groups to get ready for the day. Most days, I was at VBS helping kids learn about their faith and having a whole lot of fun while doing so. We danced and sang and praised God every day. I loved seeing the joy that radiated from the younger kids. They had boundless energy that reminded me of how we should praise God every day. Another day, I helped build a bench that would eventually be placed near the shrine that we were all working on creating. Being a part of this long-lasting project also felt fulfilling because I was working on something bigger than myself. Being in service to others helped give me a purpose. I hope that all of you will someday be able to go on the mission trip if you haven’t already because it is the epitome of service: you go in expecting to help others and you leave realizing that they have helped you just as much, if not more. While serving on the mission trip, the people of Laguna taught me how to be thankful every day for each little blessing. That lesson is something I’ve carried with me since. In serving the community of Laguna, nothing truly felt like work because it was all done with joy. That’s the beauty of service. Spending time to help others doesn't have to be an arduous task. If you put your whole being into it and work hard to be present in each moment, you will find inexplicable joy. Helping others truly can make you happy because you are doing something for someone other than yourself and contributing to a larger cause. It gives you a feeling of satisfaction and joy in knowing that you bring others joy and that you are part of something bigger than yourself. Service truly is loving others. That’s why it strengthens our relationship with God. You don’t have to do something big for it to be considered service. It can be anything that you do to help others in some way. For example, washing the dishes so someone else doesn’t have to can be considered a service because you are helping someone else. If you rewire the way you think about chores and do them out of love instead of obligation, you might find them easier to do. Spring break is here, and with that, you will (hopefully) have more free time. Throughout the week, try to serve others in some way every day. It doesn’t have to be something big. It’s simply a way to strengthen your relationship with God by sacrificing your time to help someone else and, through that, showing your love for them. “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.” - Hebrews 13:16
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AuthorYour confirmation teachers - Kathleen, Eric, Sophia, and Valerie, and with contributions from 410 alumni Archives
September 2021
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