Woahhh!! It is so hard to believe that it has already been six and a half weeks, since I have embarked on this nine month journey and only three days until I’ll be in Guatemala!! Also, hard to believe that this is my last blog post in the United States until May, when I come back to Georgia for final debrief!! These past two weeks have definitely flown by even with them being jammed packed!! These past two weeks the girls on my squad and I, as well as the girls on k squad, partnered with Excel college to help them serve their community of Black Mountain, NC. One thing my team leader and God had emphasized to me those past two weeks was to find joy in the mundane. At first glance, joy and mundane are the completely opposite things because joy is “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness,” while mundane is defined as “lacking interest or excitement; dull.” Looking from a perspective that I had before coming on the world race, finding great pleasure and happiness in something that lacks excitement and pleasure, is something that is nearly impossible. However, by the grace of God and the Holy Spirit working through me, I was able to find joy in mundane things that I would have normally complained about such as:
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weeding
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raking
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mulching
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setting tables
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organizing silverware
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Polishing glasses
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Scraping food from pans
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Folding pillow cases & towels
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Picking up sticks
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Organizing a closet
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Painting a deck
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Weed whacking a field & a ditch
Reflecting back, these things that seemed mundane helped create in me a unique sense of gratitude. At the end of the two weeks, I was grateful that I was given the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. They also helped me put into perspective what I was doing and reminded me of the lesson God taught me after my senior mission trip to St. Louis, MO, which was “that I am making an impact on people whether or not I see it directly”. Overall, I found joy in the mundane, knowing that I was blessing and making an impact on others even if I felt like I was doing small, meaningless things at times.
Blessings & until next time,
Hope 🙂
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Hello sweet Hope!!
Thank you for your update and insight in to where you are on your journey, both location and in your heart! We are praying for you and grateful for technology and communication!!! Stay well, stay safe, know you are loved and doing amazing things in the world!!!
Mr. & Mrs. Szymanski
May God continue to bless you and your group on your journey.
I love how you’ve embraced each aspect of your journey so far. You’re focused on the things that will remain for ever. You’re experiencing the joy that comes with obedience to the Lord. I pray that you will continue to be filled with the Spirit of joy as you continue on your journey and service to others across the globe.
Well Hope, you’re finally leaving the U.S. and heading to your 1st country on your would tour. My hope and prayer is that you embrace this challenge with the power of the Holy Spirit that resides within you. See the vision of what God can accomplish through human hands and hearts. Bon Voyage!
Hello! I loved reading this comment! I appreciate the prayers & well wishes!
Mom & Dad, thank you so much for the constant encouragement!
thank you so much!