And now the stars aren't out tonight: "You are the light to my soul. You are my purpose...you're everything."

I miss my summers, especially my mission trips. My summers before this one and lasts always consisted with adventure to other countries, I miss that. I miss going to a different country and getting your expectations of what it's going to be like crushed, and than made new and better than you could of imagined. Just before my sophomore year of high school I experienced my first mission trip to another culture and country. Guatemala. I got my passport and I was on pumped about going on a mission trip. It was exciting and new, and I couldn't wait. Everyone was focused one thing, serving the Lord with their whole heart. It was my first summer I worked at Barakel too, which I was also excited about but this was different kind of missions.

Guatemala, was amazing. I couldn't of had a better group and leaders. Sarah went with me, that was a condition my parents made before they gave me the ok to go. Which I am glad she got to go with me, especially when I got sick at the end of the trip which wasn't that awesome. Anyways we were based in Chichicastenango, the heart of a busy Guatemala market town. The goal of the trip was to build two house for two widows and her families, but we did so many other things too. We help build another house that was located in ChiChi more as well as go to a feeding program to help serve food the the children. I loved every minute of it. I love the feel of experiencing new things and places, but mainly the love of God that I saw and felt in Guatemala.

The love I saw in the teens that made up that team. That took ten days of their summers to go and serve others and their God. I saw love in the eyes of the widow and her family as we gave them a house they could call their own. Love in the eyes of the many children because we took the time to just play with them.

I've gone on two missions trip, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Both trips while I was in high school and I came away with so much from each. I learn to love God and show love to others. I was thankful, oh was I thankful for the life and things of it God blessed me with. On missions trips it's so easy to focus on God, he's all around you and His presences is clearly their and pointed out. It's hard coming home and knowing deep down your flame is going to dye down no matter how much to try and say it won't.

I'm trying something new. I'm going to try and rebuil

d that fire I felt my sophomore year of high school. I've been unsure about my future in some areas and not knowing what I really want, but this I know without a doubt. I want to be on fire for Jesus Christ. I want to make that flame burn stronger and longer. I want to love Him even more because he is my best friend and always there. I want to give it all to Him because His plan and timing is soo much better than mine could ever be. I want to love God with all that I am.

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. -C.S. Lewis

First, I love C.S. Lewis. He was just an amazing man. I love this quote of his, it's perfect and so true. I feel like this is what mission trips are all about and the life Christians should lead. We should show others God's love by being love. Because then if other see God's love in us, even just a little bit, it opens their eyes. It opens their eyes to see and question the world and views that they believe to be true. People in Guatemala might not of accepted Christ as their Savior right then and there, but it open their eyes to see something bigger than themselves. The love we as believers showed them could of opened their eyes just a little bit to the love of Jesus Christ.

Anyways, as it's very late and I should of been sleeping hours ago. Oh well. As I finish typing this the song Everything by Lifehouse has been on my mind. Such an amazing song, I truly love it. So, goodnight, and remember to love God and show His love to other.

Guatemala 2006