There's always room for ice cream

It's almost summer; can you feel it? Final exams and those last homework assignments are looming on the horizon; and even though snowflakes still flutter in the air, the promise of warmer weather, sunshine and lakes is there. I thoroughly enjoy summer, and I think part of this enjoyment can be attributed to the two summers I spent serving congregations on summer teams through AFLBS. During my second summer, I had the privilege of serving on the North Barnabas team - without a doubt, one of the most amazing summers ever. We climbed mountains, hiked through woods and swamps; we taught VBS and ministered at family camps; we camped during an intense rainstorm and weeded gardens; we canvased neighborhoods and witnessed to people on the streets . . . The opportunities of service we had that summer were such a blessing to me; as well as the memories we made that stay with me to this day.

My teammate Heidi said lots of things that summer - but two phrases in particular have stuck with me throughout the past two years. The first is this: There is always room for ice cream. For those of you who have served on a summer team, you know that you eat well . . . actually, beyond well. Many times, when it was time for desert, I already felt like a beached whale. But, Heidi encouraged me to eat the ice cream, because "there's always room" for it. I like this mantra and still practice it today. :) The second phrase that has remained with me is this: My life should be a summer team. Every minute of every day while serving on a summer team is spent in service; whether that service is through teaching VBS, counseling teens at camp, weeding gardens, hearing people's stories and encouraging them in the faith, prayer . . . The list goes on and on. When serving on a summer team, or other ministry, we are so intentional about what we do and how we invest into other people. Why should our everyday experiences be any different?

Over the past month or so, I've been reading through 2 Corinthians, a book I read during that summer of service on North Barnabas. Several verses were underlined, specific encouragements to the Corinthian believers as well as to us to make our faith and love known to those around us. As I read through the book, I was reminded yet again that my life is to be a summer team; my life is to be spent investing into others, to ministering to their needs and encouraging them in their faith. I am not to do these "servicey" things only when on a team or with a missions group; as a believer, I must be doing them every day! May these verses encourage you to remember these truths as well, to not wast the precious time the Lord has given to us.

"Openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you." - 2 Corinthians 8:24

"Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:13-15

"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgement and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another . . . Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ . . ." - 2 Peter 4:7-11