84/365 Included

When that summer ten years ago was over and life went back to normal, I had a hard time figuring out where I belonged. I was still in college and no longer worked at the church. But my heart was there. I volunteered there every week, sometimes more than once or twice. I missed being a part of the daily functions. I felt left out, not a part of things. I found myself dealing with hurt feelings when I was informed of a meeting that had happened after the fact. 

Logically, I understood. I had my job to do - work, college, life - they had theirs to do. But I wanted so much to be a part of that. I found myself wondering if the summer was a one time thing, if that was as close as I'd get to being a part of that bigger picture. 

But then, a few weeks back into real life, I was extended an invitation. It was to join the rest of the children's ministry staff along with other staff members and a few key volunteers to a one day conference in Broward (about an hour away from us). The conference was being done by Willow Creek - soon to be nicknamed "the Mother Ship" - and was a chance for other churches to see how they did things. 

I was excited to be going and learning something new, but even more so, I was thrilled to be included.