Wow!  How time has flown by with these amazing people.  I can't believe that I have been here for a month.  Let me first say this: God is present everywhere and has intentionally placed the members of Team Manna and my squad in my life. He knows exactly who will challenge me, comfort me, and-- when needed-- convict me.  

Team Manna:  Jett, Lauren, Marly, Hallie (our team leader), me, Liz, and Ali. 

      So, we are basically finished with training in Gainesville, Georgia, and we (along with other teams) are doing mission work near Black Mountain, North Carolina, for a few weeks (some teams are in Kentucky). This involves everything from cleaning, staining decks, pulling weeds, raking leaves, and sharing Christ with college students whenever we get a chance.  Of course, our discipleship training within our team and squad continues---I am learning so much and growing like no other time in my life.  With that said, we can get very tired sleeping in tents or in a room full of people (see the picture below).  This closeness is great at times (a ton of laughing and bonding) and challenging at other times. It is this challenge and how God is convicting me that I want to blog about today.

We got to sleep inside--elbow to elbow!!

 A work day in North Carolina---I'm waiting on the fashion police to show up! 

Success!!!

A little Irish jig!

Snippy

   The other morning, I woke up not in the best of moods.  It happens--right?  Throughout the day, I could tell that I was being short with sweet team members and and the squad because "I wasn't feeling it" and, as my mom would say, I was simply being "snippy" with the very people that I have grown to love.  Later in the day, I felt the need to spend alone time talking with God to get my head on straight. During that time, I was drawn to Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."  Make no mistake, this entire verse spoke to me about MY actions--not those of my team and  squad. They have been nothing but supportive and loving.  But, because of my mindset that day--my bad mood--my  attitude--I was snippy. I also knew that I needed to ask for forgiveness from them for my bad attitude. Because of their extraordinary grace, they all said they understood or that they didn't even notice; however, I knew what was in my heart.  I noticed. 

Change

       As I was praying, I remembered a song by the rap artist NF (it is not my intentions to discuss NF's theology) called "Change."  In that song, NF made the point that, the "World don't stop because I'm in a bad mood."  He concludes that he needed to make a Change in his life, stating "This year, I might do something different like talkin' to God more."  On this point, NF is right.  Talking to God provides a lot of answers and can fix any bad day or attitude.  God doesn't say love your friends on the days you are in a good mood or feeling good. Anyone can do that---that's easy.  God doesn't give us a pass on the days that we are in a  bad mood.  On the contrary, He commands to do His work every moment of every day.  We control our moods and how we treat others. Easier said than done--huh?  How do we do that?--spend time with God, asking him to "change" our attitude and how we approach life on those difficult days.

      During my alone time with God, He reminded me that many people in the Bible had bigger reasons to be in a bad mood than me.  Paul had a thorn in his side and Jacob walked with a limp.  Most of Jesus' disciples were scorned, imprisoned, and died horrible deaths. Yet, they were faithful to Christ.  Don't forget the number one example of suffering--Christ Himself.  He had a day that the sins of all of our bad bad days were placed upon Him--yet, He remained faithful to our Father for our sake.  That is true Grace.  Isn't there a lesson to be learned here?  Think about this--Do we turn to God more on the days that our lives are filled with rainbows and unicorns--everything is going our way--OR, do we lean on God more when we are burdened and having a bad day?  When I am having a "bad day" from now on, I pray that God will "change" my attitude and force me to lean into Christ. When I do "share" my bad mood with others--and I will, I pray for the wisdom to correct it and to reach out for forgiveness. We can change how we deal with those bad days--LEAN  INTO CHRIST.  

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.  Our squad leaves for Cambodia on August 15th!

Cheers, Sasha

1 Peter 5:10

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.