A Day at the Soup Kitchen

This year, because I'm just a little bit crazy, I conned my friend Coleen into joining my mission to revive the youth group at our church.  We're not alone...  A sweet older couple who have been in charge of the youth for a loooooong time are still very much involved, but have asked for help with organizing events on a regular basis.  

I'm not sure if it was the promptings of the Holy Spirit or just my tendencies toward overbooking myself, but either way, for the cause of the youth of our dear parish,  my friend and I stepped forward. 

So, Sunday afternoon, 7 middle and high school kids and I loaded up after Mass and trekked to our city's soup kitchen to volunteer.  The kids served food, chopped veggies, and helped wherever needed.

My daughter Joy, her good friend and I went across the street to clean the homeless shelter (which is closed on Sundays).  Oh my.  It was dirty.

All the kids want to go back.  I do, too.  It is just really good to step outside your comfort zone, to get perspective on the little things that seem like huge problems but really aren't, and to do something for those less fortunate.

Another perk was getting to know some of the kids a little bit better.  Christian community is important.  I feel super-blessed to have spent a few hours with these neat young people.