Love Shake Down My Walls

 Honestly, I don't even know where to begin.

So I guess I'll just start.

On July 5th I left my small home town to go on a mission trip to the land of Ireland,  and I just returned 2 weeks ago.  I went with a wonderful team of 12 people that I had never met before, and by the end we became a close family.  I wasn't really sure what I was expecting when we got over there, but I know what happened on that trip I wouldn't change for anything.

I've heard people say before that when someone goes on a mission trip, usually they are changed and effected more than the people they went to go help and share Jesus with.  I wasn't sure if I believed that before I left, but I certainly believe it now.

From the minute my team and I arrived, I think I then began realizing how much I need to just put my trust in God and not in myself or in my plans.  For an example, I knew we would be sleeping on the floor, however when we arrived at training camp they informed us all that we would be staying in one of the pastor's gardens.  Until we arrived, we had no idea that in Ireland, the people call "gardens" what we would call "yards."  This was not my plan, but it was God's plan.  And I just had to live with it, and guess what! I loved it.  We all loved camping in the garden.  It was beautiful and so much fun.

While in Ireland helped with  two kid's clubs and lead a drop-in center for youth.  The experience was amazing and lovely.  The people in Ireland are wonderful, and I loved getting to know them and getting to hang out with the youth there.

I think this trip not only helped me grow so much closer to God and just be in awe of how awesome He is, but it also helped me come out of my shell.  I'm so much more comfortable talking to people now, people I know and people I am just meeting, and I enjoy it!  Realizing that God is in control of EVERY circumstance and has a plan for everything and everyone, helped me calm down and just surrender to Him.  I still have panic attacks on occasion, but I don't worry as much because I take SO MUCH comfort in knowing that God has my back. :) And this is so nice knowing with college about to start!

All in all, it was the most amazing experience I had ever had. This trip made me realize my love for the world, my love for art, and most importantly how extreme God's love is for every single person.  JESUS IS AMAZING.