The Best Weekend I’ve Had In A Long Time

In the past few days, I experienced four things that I hope I never forget:

Being Ridiculously Proud of My Wife
On Monday, my wife picked up a piece of paper that tells the whole world something that I already knew: That my wife is the smartest person that I know. I am so proud of my beautiful bride. She has officially completed all of the coursework and internship requirements for her Master’s Degree from Stetson University. How unbelievably cool is that?

Seeing Students Step Up In a BIG way:
On Friday, the students of the Attic Student Ministries at White Chapel Church of God showed their maturity and focus in a huge way by helping sort and count thousands of toys and bicycles for our Toy and Bike Giveaway that was held on Saturday. And what makes this even more remarkable? It’s the fact that these students actually had a half-day of school on Friday and chose to spend their afternoon serving rather than playing Nintendo (I know, I know. I’m old). These students are incredible.

Realizing the Needs of Our Community
Starting as early as 8:30pm on Friday, members of our community started lining up outside our doors for a Toy and Bike Giveaway that wouldn’t start for another 12 hours. Now, I’m no stranger to need, but it always hits home when I see people willing to sacrifice and endure unfavorable (to say the least) conditions just to see their children have a happy Christmas. Although it was (and always will be) our goal to find ways to eradicate this type of need, I hope I never forget the look in one lady’s eyes as she was waiting to receive gifts for her six kids.

Serving Christ through Serving Others
Probably one of the coolest things that I saw this weekend was how 50+ students and volunteers came together to help the less fortunate of our community. Altogether, we gave away roughly 1,700 toys and 70 bicycles to 117 families (that included almost 400 children). I have never been more proud to say that I am a part of something. On Saturday, I was proud to be a part of the Body of Christ, and it’s because of people like the students of the Attic Student Ministries and the volunteers of White Chapel Church of God that I can say that. I am blessed to be a part of such an amazing group of people and even more blessed that those people chose to serve God through serving the community.

And, if you want to see a quick slideshow of some pictures that were taken at the event, just click play below: