The past week at Chicago was so amazing. It was such an eye-opening experience for me, especially since I had never visited Chicago until the mission trip. The first thing we did in Chicago was go to Taste of Chicago. I had never seen so many people in my life. To be completely honest I was freaked out, because there were so many people and so much diversity. It was something that I’m not used to seeing considering that I live in Haugen, WI (population 287). I had to trust that God wouldn’t let anything to happen to me :), and at the end of the night I had a lot of fun. After that, we got ready for VBS and once the week started I thought that I was so prepared for all of the kids and all of their energy. I was wrong. You see, when you get 6hrs of sleep and you are leading 20 kids, you have to trust that God will give you the energy to go crazy for the next 3 hours.I honestly don’t know how I did it. 🙂 It was a lot of fun though.
I was able to have spiritual conversations with some of the kids, and I talked with one of the girls about her baptism. Another girl was Catholic and she shared some of her beliefs with me too. In past Vacation Bible School’s I have never had the opportunity to have those kinds of conversations with the kids. It was so much fun to be a leader and to participate and do all the activities, because who doesn’t wish they were little enough to be in VBS?!
Throughout the week I also got to grow closer with youth from COSC and some of the people from our youth group. A couple of girls that went on the trip with me I didn’t really know, and I am so happy that they went on the trip because I learned that they are amazing people. I felt our youth group grow a lot closer, and I am sooooooo glad that everyone who went to the Chicago trip came. I really got to know people, and I think that that was one of the best parts of the trip. Thank you to everyone who supported us on the trip it was a ton of fun.
Sincerely,
Katie Cox! 🙂
THE SOUL GARAGE 
Psalms 25:5 “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all day long.”
Katie…..thank you for sharing straight from the core! Thank you for being a shining example of a heart that desires God all…day…long!! And then rests in God all…day…long. Even though crazy energy was needed…yup…that is God…you rest in the crazy energy from Him because He has endless crazy energy to give out in the asking! Doesn’t make sense how it works…but it does and that was what Chicago gave first hand to you it sounds like and an infectious enthusiasm for us read about and to seek from Him too!!! When you get to be His hands and feet…it is exactly as you state…exciting. Nothing better than being in the center of what God has planned for the day…all…day…long!! Just nothing. May the power of the Holy Spirit move you forward in this each and every day and always!! Thanks again for sharing!!