Saturday my team, Coram Dio, reported to the church a half hour before the other teams because we were assigned to volunteer at the Homeless Breakfast out by Manatee Memorial Hospital, while the other teams did Adopt-a-Block. I was pretty nervous since I haven't had many encounters with homeless people before, but the others who had volunteered there before assured me everything would go smoothly and I would actually like it. Just in case it did get awkward, I made sure I worked the food table, handing out plates, napkins, forks, and a banana to each person. I figured it would be an easy way to greet each person and still avoid any awkward communication because they would be moving through the line. It turned out to be really fun!! Most of the people who came through the line were either surprised and grateful that the food was free or were just happy to see us! Many of them were energetic, asked us how we were, and approached us in conversation instead of the other way around. My team and the other Bayside volunteers did an awesome job walking up to people and just talking to them about simple stuff like the weather, their favorite foods, etc. and the people really responded well. Some people were overwhelmed by the kindness they saw that day, some people acted indifferent, some refused to allow us to pray for them because they don't believe in God, and some people looked and acted no different from us. It was so easy to build relationships with them and they told all of us that they couldn't wait to see us the next time we came by! I found myself thinking on the way home that I can't wait to go back, call the people I met by their names, and meet more people.
We had several hours of free time before we had to be back at the church, so what does everyone want to do? Go to the gym. It's so crazy that I actually want to work out on my days off. So my group and I went to the gym and worked out for a while, then my friend Naomi and I went to my home sponsors' to swim. Church that night went well and Pastor Randy preached an amazing service! And as an added bonus to an already great day, Justin dismissed me early so I could go out for a birthday dinner with my parents. We went to Outback and had the most delicious food I've had in a while. :)
Sunday morning I served in Hospitality for both services. I found out that once the services were over my team and another had to serve Consequence Time by doing yard work around the church. It actually wasn't bad and the weather was perfect for being outside, so besides a few problems we had with the guy directing our work, it was a good, productive few hours. Later that night I went to the Discovery Seminar, where you learn what your motivational gifts are and how they are applied to or displayed through your life. My top gifts are Perceiver, Compassion, and Administrator. The seminar was really interesting and it helped me to understand how I think and react in certain situations.
And today was pretty calm. Got up early to finish some schoolwork due by noon, went to work with my mom, was treated to an awesome lunch at Shake Pit, swam laps at the Y, and now I'm just chilling at my home sponsors'. I am SO grateful for an easy day and the opportunity to go to bed at 6pm if I want! :)
One of my friends who lives here actually has a grandma that lives in Bradenton (small word, huh?) and she always tells me GO TO SHAKE PIT! And I really want to go, but Josh the Meanie has never taken me to the beloved Shake Pit ):
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