Memphis

I've been back from Memphis for almost a week now and I've had time to reflect on my time down there. I was hesitant going down, not knowing what to expect. I had heard they were going to split our group up so we were working with different people. I didn't want to do that at first, I wanted to get to know all of you who came down with me! But in the end God knew what He was doing. It's funny how He does that huh?

The group I worked with was great, hardworking and respectful. But even better, the groups that the other teens from Epiphany worked with really came together and brought the best out of each other. In the evenings we had a chance to share and hangout as a youth group and it was absolutely amazing to see how each and every Epiphany teen was growing in one form or another.

Now that we're back to the daily grind it is easy to let the lessons we learned at Shine fade into a fond memory. But I want to encourage each of you to hold onto those lessons and really start living them out here. Remember you are Christ to those around you! Even your friends back in the good ole Bloomington-Normal.

And for the rest of you, I want to share with you the best advice and the most important thing I took away from Shine. It came from Katrina as she was sharing her own experience on Shine and quoting the moving "Facing the Giants", she said to "Give God your very best." Its so simple, but so true. I know it inspired all of us to work harder at our mission sites and I want it to inspire all of you who weren't able to join us. Give God your very best and you will be amazed at the things you will acomplish.



God bless,



Jim