I know I didn't post the last day, but I figure I'd update here, and give some final thoughts on this amazing trip.
The last day we were there, we got to sleep in (thank you God) and then we did a final sacred space with our families. Keeping up with the sacred space book is a great way to add scripture and prayer into your life. Read and reflect on what each passage is saying, both literally, and how to incorporate it into everyday life and keep up the radiant joy we had all week. After we did that and had breakfast, we went to Holy Family, to play with kids who had been neglected and abused in their homes. It was so sad because they thought no one loved them. But by playing with them for one day, we put a smile on their faces, and allowed them to feel loved, even if it was only for one day. We put on a BBQ for them and played basketball, ultimate frisbee, and face paint. The kids totally enjoyed all these activities. My little brother got hurt so i kept him company. When we got back, we started a volleyball tournament with all the families. Mine lost first, and congratulations to Marvin Williams family for winning! We cleaned up, and the graduated seniors and college kids went out to dinner to celebrate and give them advice on going to college. When we got back, we met with our families one last time, to talk about how we can continue the Joy and how to keep the "Jesus High" going once we get back. We then packed up cleaned up and went to bed.
We woke up bright and early and headed to breakfast, then to the cars. We were out on the road by 7:45. Colette and I kept each other awake on this drive home. We had a great time and great conversations. We were the first back into town and then proceeded to wait for the other groups at North Pitt. Once all 22 vans, our car, the big luggage truck, and Ruffalo's Van were all in line, we caravanned to the church...we had a police escort (NBD). All the parents were there to welcome us. We had a final blessing and unloaded the truck. All the kids went home and it was over.
My final thoughts on this trip: It was amazing. I had no idea what to expect and it was a millions times better than I expected. I want to thank Joe Farris for allowing me to go on the trip. I want to thank Colette and Lisa for putting on a wonderful trip. I think that this is the best experience I have ever had. To think that we affected over 7500 people while we were up there, blows my mind. The spirit of these teens amazes me because they love to help. So many places we went, the people were like "where do you find teens like this?" It was absolutely awesome to see these teens do all this work through Jesus Christ, with so much Joy and Love.
I prayed so much on this trip, for obstacles in my life, and answers to questions I didn't know the answers to, or how to handle things. I want to thank Father Justin and Elaine Hughes, for talking to me and helping me find some answers. I really appreciate it. I prayed for each of the teens, that they continue their faith and spread joy throughout their daily lives.
St. Peter's is so blessed to have teens, adults, and families that go on this trip every year. However, one man makes this trip mean so much more. Father Justin, thank you for coming on this trip. Thank you for listening to teens confessions each day, staying up till 3 in the morning some days. Thank you for your wonderful homilies. They help us to relate to our lives, and learn so much more about our faith and your love for Jesus, and how we can be more like that in our lives. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you for coming on this trip, and I wish you the best of luck in Rome.
The kids made this trip so much better. Their faith, loving, and willingness to do work with so much Joy and little complaining. I had so much fun.
1 week. 127 teens. 27 adults. 5 college kids. 1 mission. 7500 people affected. 1 wonderful priest. 1 faith. and last but no least, MANY changed lives.
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