Never Apologize

I've been in Tahoe City, California for a week and a half today. I'm here on a mission trip- very first one. I already feel at home, mostly because of the staff of First Baptist of Tahoe. Debbie Wohler is my wonderful, supportive supervisor; Ms. Nell works here as pretty much everything from a mom to a secretary; Leana Greene is fun loving children's minister; Mrs. Mo is such a sweet and hardworking lady who loves the children; and Julie Williams is part of the staff here who works as one of the teachers and she is awesome in a mentor/best friend kind of way. They have all made us feel right at home, even though the reality is that home is 2,162 miles away. That thought doesn't make me upset until I really start thinking about it. I'm not upset because I know I'm supposed to be here. My relationship with God wasn't right being home. I began to feel bitter about things and the first thing to go out the window was my relationship with God. This mission trip is the first thing I feel that I've done right. 

My first real teaching opportunity is next Wednesday when Big A starts. Big A is a summer program put on by First Baptist of Tahoe every summer. It is somewhat like VBS except it is all summer long so I will have the same group of kids every day, Tuesday through Friday. I was assigned the Little Lions which are the four and five year olds who aren't going to kindergarten in the fall. I'm excited to meet my kids and to just love on them. I want more than anything for them to learn that God loves them for who they are- shy, outgoing, loud, obnoxious, rowdy, reserved- and that they do not have to change for anyone. God made each of us special and we should embrace ourselves.

I think this is something that I'm still learning. Being here around eleven different girls and eleven different personalities makes it hard to not evaluate yourself. I think it's natural to want different things for yourself or to want to be a different way, but God doesn't think that. God doesn't make mistakes and He doesn't want us feeling that we are a mistake- that our personality doesn't match up to someone else's. 

I'm learning that we should never apologize for being who we are. You should never let the actions of others pressure you into changing. God made you shy for a reason. God made you a people person for a reason. God made you special. Don't be sorry because you didn't speak up at a meeting. Don't feel guilty because you sit on your bed and read instead of go out. Don't feel bad because you think that you never shut up. Never apologize for being you. You may not see it now, but you are beautiful. God knows you're beautiful. Be your best self.  

This is a song I came across a few months ago. It's called Lovely by Sara Haze. It talks about loving who you are and not changing for the people who feel that you need to change. You don't. You're lovely just the way you are. :)