Mission Trip Day 2: adding laughter to joy

Adding laughter to our lives to make us mor joyful. That was one of the main themes for the day. The first thing we college kids got to do was wake up the teens. They were not too happy with us but we were the brightest we could be to add joy to their lives that early in the morning. Ten we gathered for breakfast where Patty Bloom saved the day giving me one of her diet cokes and buying me an SD card for my camera! Thanks!! Then we all walked together to St. Paul of the Cross Monostary Church. The church and monastery we are staying at is the founding for the Passionist Priests in the USA. It has beautiful pictures stain glass and paintings. There was a beautiful mass said and it was a great way to start our morning. After mass we walked back and had lunch. I had a cheese sandwich cause I had no desire to eat a hamburger after not even remembering the last time if ever having a hamburger. Soooo immediately after lunch we left for Sandcastle water park! I got over some fears of heights and got to talk with some of the adults I haven't really met before. I know at least that I was radiating joy being at the park and seeing all the kids having a blast! We left the park and had dinner which was tacos. They were very good! Then the kids had free time and I played volleyball with a large group of teens and hurt my wrists...but I'll be okay!! Then came time for the daily program. It was a comedian Judy McDonald who is a catholic comedian. She put on an amazing show for us and made us laugh till there were tears in our eyes and cramps in our abs. She really did an excellent job in showing us how laughter can be the best medicine and help us find comedy in tough situations to be joyful. We met with our families to go over important reminders and to make lunches for the next day. Tomorrow we start our work in the community. Each group will go off to a different location and do a certain job whether it be paint, or chop trees, serve food to the homeless, or visit with the orphanage or elderly folks. I'm not 100% sure on what we'll be doing so make sure you stay tuned!! Thank you for praying for us and please continue throughout the coming week! God Bless.