Monday, September 2nd, 2013 "Wow, school already starts tomorrow. Time goes by so fast, but God has done so much this summer. On the last day of 7th grade, June 26, 2013, we had just left New York on a plane to Minnesota. I hated the idea of moving. I thought it would ruin so many things, but then my mom convinced me & told me to just trust God with this. She believed He has plans for us here... I went back to New York for camp at Word of Life. I learned so much more about God and it encouraged me on living my life for Him and unshamefully telling others about Him. Well we found out after camp was Vacation Bible School at my church, and God was able to cancel my flight that day so I could stay for VBS. I felt eager going around, inviting kids in the neighborhood to VBS and passing out flyers and volunteering as a helper. I was so happy that I could do this for God." Tuesday, April 4th, 2023 Wow, I graduate college in August. Time goes by so fast, but God has done so much in the last 10 years. The summer after high school ended, in 2018, I left Minnesota on a plane back to New York. Sometimes I think about what my mother said, and what God's plan for us was in Minnesota. The drive for serving that stemmed in the summer of 2013 followed me to Minnesota. I would frequently involve myself in any service acts I could as a middle/high schooler. This included many hours volunteering at a Prop Shop which was an organization that served families in need, packing food with Feed My Starving Children, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, and being a verified active listener to teens who were struggling with depression, stress, and anxiety with the organization 7 Cups of Tea. I was so happy that I could do this for God. As I finish my college years, my love for serving has not ceased. Today, I am back with the same church from 2013. As part of the church's worship team, digital team, and youth group, I now see what God's plan is for us. It is energizing the congregation through leading worship service. It is using digital skills to make nostalgic and entertaining videos. It is opening our homes to host youth group growth meetings. It is visiting the local nursing home. It is volunteering at a homeless shelter. It is hosting easter activities for the children in the neighborhood. It is influencing our community with joy through spreading God's love.