A Year of Service for A Lifetime of Change

"But I want you to continue to follow what you have learned. Don't give up what you are sure of. You know the people you learned it from. You have known the Holy Scriptures ever since you were a little child. They are able to teach you how to be saved by believing in Christ Jesus. God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing." (2 Timothy 3:14-17 NIRV)

Today is my last day in Belfast. So when I woke up this morning I turned to my daily devotional app and a verse from this chapter turned up. Now I am not filmilar with this book of the Bible so I read the whole chapter. It seemed appropriate for what I needed to hear today. In this section Paul's words are meant for Timothy but I found them inspirational to me as well. This passage raised the question "what have you learned this year?" I realised that instead of me focusing on the fact that I'm leaving this passage reminded me of why I came in the first place, to learn, to help others, and to experience life. I wanted to do the YAV program because I wanted to learn more about myself through discernment but also learn more about the world around me. I want to make a difference in the world so the first step is to learn more about the world. I have learned a lot this year. It truely has been a year of service for a lifetime of change. 

As I look back on my year so much has changed. I started this year working at Dundonald Methodist and DFCI and I finished this year at Dundonald Methodist and Friendship House. At both sites I have had a wonderful experience and enjoyed the work I did and the people I met. 

At the beginning of the year I was unsure of who I was, now I know who I am. ( I may not know what I'm meant to do or who im meant to be, but I know who I am.) I have gained confidence in myself, gained perspective and have grown in my faith. But most importantly I have gained community. 

The friends I have made here have had such an impact on me and they probably don't even realise it. They have changed me for the better. They make me believe that I can be the person I want to be and they challenge and inspire me to become that person everyday. So to them I say thank you! I really appericate all that you have done for me this year. I want you all to know how my I have enjoyed getting to know you! You all have really made me feel at home this year. You accepted me and made me feel apart of your lives from day one and for that I am truly thankful! I have had such an amazing year thanks to everyone! I have gained so much from this experience! I will truly miss you all! 

Finally, I have a few quotes that you may have heard before but have really struck home with me this year. 

Be the change that you wish to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. - Mother Teresa

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness. – Mark Twain

Once a year go someplace you've never been before. - Dalai Lama