There are so many things to do and experience in the world. So many places to go and people to meet. Before I found the right youth group...I had absolutely no interest in doing the things that I have done. I know that it can be hard being a Christian in today's world. But being a Christian in high school, well that is just crazy difficult. Trust me, I know. Not only do you have to face the cruelty of some people, (I am not at all saying that non-Christians are horrible people, I promise!!) but the partying, and temptations of being a teenager are always surrounding you. But the benefits of being apart of an amazing youth group, far outweigh your everyday struggles. So I am not getting into the whole religion thing...I am going to talk about the family aspect of a good youth group. After reading this, if you watch the video below and look through some of my pictures, I really hope that they will make you smile or even laugh and encourage you to find your own second family. Finding the right group of people is so important, throughout the past six years I have gained another family by attending my youth group. But along with that, I have had so many amazing adventures and met some pretty amazing people along the way. Before this was apart of my life, I never would have dreamed of spending a week in another country without my parents...or going five days without showering, and loving every minute of it. (I will explain that a little bit better later) Anyways, I fell in love with traveling and helping people, and studentLife gave me the opportunity to do that. Ever since I was in 7th grade I have traveled to Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Detroit and Guatemala for mission trips. In Muskegon and Grand Rapids we spent 4 days cleaning and reorganizing thrift shops that supported those in need throughout the communities. While were were in Guatemala we traveled 2-4 hours every day (one way) through the mountains to get to feeding centers. The people that we met while serving would go a week on less than one meal a day, if not less than that. So, seeing the looks on the mother's faces when their child got a full meal, and ran around playing with a bunch of teenagers that just wanted to love on them was life changing. While in Guatemala we faced so many struggles, including the water pipes in the home we were staying at breaking...hence the no showers for five days, and several students getting sick. Yet, we made it through and I gained a new perspective on the world and the way I have been living my life. Lastly, my trip to Detroit...it was honestly just as life changing as the trip to Guatemala. You don't need to leave the country to be able to help those in need. While we were there, I got to meet so many amazing young kids. They just wanted someone to love on them and talk to them about the things that they love. I got to help the kids with their art and discover that they really can do it and that they all have talents. At the end of the week the kids got to preform in front of the community and their families/friends. Everyone from studentLife left that room with tears in their eyes. The mission trips are just a small part of the craziness that goes on. We have also traveled to Tennessee for a week over summer break in 2014. We spent that week driving and hiking through the beautiful Smokey Mountains, learning more about ourselves and the people we are going through life with. I seriously cannot stress enough about the importance of finding the right youth group to spend your time with. Lastly the video below is from last years winter retreat to Cran Hill Ranch in Rodney, Michigan. Each year we all ditch our blood families for a weekend to spend time with amazing leaders and our second family. Sleepless nights, AMAZING food, and lots of laughs. All in all I am so thankful to have such an amazing group of people to spend every Sunday night with. Sincerely, Abby
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