Love Week

      As a part of Elevation Church, I have had the opportunity to get involved on so many levels.  I remember our first Sunday morning going Pastor Furtick said, "If you don't get involved you won't stay". About 3 weeks later our church did an amazing thing called Love Week.  For a full week (Sunday- Sunday) we were encouraged to sign up for an event or activity that would directly impact our community. The events went on through the day, so you were sure to find something that fit in your schedule.  Andrew and I were so excited to actually get started and make a difference! I have been involved with Community Service ever since I was little.  My parents have always taught myself and my brother to help others, and even if you don't have much yourself, you can still make a difference.  I have always believed this, and got to see it come to fruition this week. 
   When registering for the events I wanted to participate in, I could not believe all of the great opportunities we had going around the city.  From cleaning up parks, teacher appreciation for schools, donating clothing and shoes, blood drives, pampering teen women with children, soccer camps, and so much more.  As a teacher with a 7-5 job, I knew it would be hard for me to find something that I could do, and still be with my family.  My first project I did along with my husband.  We volunteered at the Crisis Assistance Ministry of Charlotte.  As their website states: "It is our mission to provide assistance and advocacy for people in financial crisis, helping them move toward self-sufficiency.
It is our vision to inspire our community to justice and generosity as we provide help, hope and understanding to people struggling with limited financial resources."  Andrew and I scrubbed floors, painted walls, and moved furniture.  What an amazing chance to have some fun, and spend quality time with my husband.
    Next event was actually the next morning,  my entire family participated in a 3 mile run/walk for Samaritan's Purse.  This symbolized the need for water filtration in Africa, since the closest water source in many small villages is 3 miles away.  After both of those events I wasn't sure what else I could do.  I knew I had school, and the other events went through the week.  I decided to bring my students into the next project.  Hope Cancer Ministries is a Christian Organization who provide love, support, and encouragement, to those who have/are suffering from cancer, their caregivers, and those who are grieving.  My class of 21 first graders made butterflies out of tissue paper to send to Hope Cancer.  Hope Cancer then gives the butterflies to those going through treatment as a sign of encouragement.  We made about 40 butterflies to pass along to those in my community suffering.  My students were so excited about this, and wanted to do more.  Seeing them want to give up recess (whoa!) to make more butterflies was such an inspiring thing for me.  It let me know, through my actions I was making a difference, not only for the ones who would get the butterflies, but for the children making them. They still ask me all the time if we can make more butterflies.
      I am so thankful I was given the opportunity to participate in such an amazing event! I encourage everyone to get involved and make a difference in their communities, and see the difference it makes in you.  Check out the website to see more from Love Week at Elevation!