I learned a lot on the trip to Chicago and I am so grateful for all the support and prayers. I grew a lot closer to God on this trip and I feel like everything we did down there was stretching for me to get out of my comfy cozy world.
One of the things I learned on trip is to have faith in God. Always be willing to do the things God is telling you to do. In Chicago we went to this ministry called Sling Shots. When we were there I met this adorable little six year old girl named Sandra. We had a blast playing all the games, playing band with the guitars and braiding hair. While we were playing a game she came up to me and excitingly whispered “See, There is no bad words here!”
Without God I definitely wouldn’t have said anything after that, but we had some amazing conversations about her life and my life. That made me think about all the stories we all have. We all have some good ones, some bad ones but, God gave them to us to learn and grow closer to him.
THE SOUL GARAGE 
1 Peter 4:10 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen”
Gabrielle…There is no question that if we as Jesus followers are going to grow and mature into Christ-like character, we must experience progress in the giving of ourselves in ministry to and for others. The opportunities you experienced in Chicago are an inspiration for us to read. Your response to a God-given moment…. of “get (me) out of my comfy zone” is stirring. Your attitude to lean in and give……may we all be motivated as a result of your wonderful transparency and submission. May we treat and see our own home stomping grounds like we are on a missions trip and every morning we wake up in a daily response to the God prompts He gives to us “to get out of our comfy zones”. May we always (always) be willing to “let go” to where God points and lose our indifferences to the everyday casualness we may fall into, even for the small things. Especially for the small things. It is the small things that will make the changes that lead to something even bigger. Listening and interacting (as you did for sweet Miss Sandra) is one thing many may deem an ordinary thing but as God showed us through you and the Chi-town trip, it does lead to Godinary-possibilities. You gave God the story to write and you willingly became the writing tool. May the power of the spirit move you forward in this beautiful bent He has given to you now and always. Thank you for sharing the exquisiteness God is breathing into you.