Excited and scared - Emma

I have had the amazing opportunity to go on every mission trip that Good Shepherd has been on; Yakima, San Diego, San Francisco, Vancouver B.C., and now Denver. I am super excited for this upcoming trip because I am thinking about all of the funny stories that we have from the past trips and I can't wait to have new ones to tell my family when I get home.

Before every trip I get nervous because I don't know exactly what to expect. I am a little scared because I will be out of my comfort zone; but having experienced the same feelings before, I know that once the car leaves Good Shepherd's parking lot and we are on our way to Denver, I will be at ease and I will have a lot of fun.

I also really look forward to these trips because I like to meet all of the people and explore with my closest friends the cities that we stay at. The best part about going on the mission trips with the youth group is that it makes us all closer and it truly is like a family.

I know that going on these trips, if I go in with an open mind and open heart, I will get the most out of it. Sometimes you find God in the place where you least expect it and sometimes a simple act of kindness can change someone's life in ways you can't even imagine. I always find these trips to be a humbling experience. I have learned to look at life a different way. The examples that are set by the youth leaders and mission coordinators helps me realize how important these trips are.