Heyy Y’all,
This week one of the places that I was blessed to serve at was this wonderful place called McKendree Village which is an elderly folks home. It was so special to see just how big of a difference a small smile and a conversation can make in their lives. The precious SLAM (Student Living A Mission) kids that I got to serve with were such a blessing to them. Watching them give their all, whether it was to help move one of the residents from one apartment to another, painting some of the ladies nails, playing games of Uno with them, or just talking to them, it was such a testimony to what the Lord can do in the life of a young person who is humbled and ready to serve.
This week so far has consisted of a lot of busy and late nights that have made us all kind of tired but watching the joy that those kids brought to the situation and being able to join them with the energy that we receive from being in the presence of God was so exciting. I know that there will probably be even more busy and later nights on this trip but I feel like I am being prepared to turn to the Lord first in every situation.
Through this week I am really learning and being prepared to endure this summer. I know that there will be so many moments where I will be tempted to give up or feel like I just can’t do something anymore. I know that there will be challenges but I also know that the Lord is my strength. There was a moment this week where I was really struggling with some health issues (Don’t freak out! I’m feeling good now Praise the Lord! 😉 but I had some wonderful friends and mentors that encouraged me to go to the worship night that night and I am so so glad that I did. I was so moved and filled with all the energy that I needed to make it through to the rest of the night. I was amazed at how, once again, spending time in the presence and word of the Lord gave me strength when I didn’t have any.
That is something that I am going to be clinging to this summer. Trusting that when I am weak, He is strong, and when I abide with Him, I can find the strength and joy I need to carry on. There have been so many wonderful testimonies and I know that there are bound to be so many on this trip that I wont even be able to count them all. I am so blessed, grateful, and excited to see where this summer is going to lead.
I love you all!
Anthem Bloyer
I,II,III, <><>

