But the greatest of these is love

There's a reason I look forward to Kentucky time every summer. 

I am in love with the kids.

Over the past six summers that I've spent time helping serve at camp and put on a Bible school in the backwoods of Kentucky, I've always come home missing the place that feels like home and the kids that fill my heart with joy.

This year is no different.

This past week has been nothing short of incredible. God is moving in that place; He has grown and continued relationships, built and strengthened trust between us and our Kentucky friends, and has used those kids to bless us and give me a greater understanding of God and His crazy awesome love for us.

So these kids... they completely stole my heart. 

One of the little boys, a towhead with the most positive, happy demeanor and joy for life (and the cutest southern accent), constantly ran up to me and gave me great big hugs. 

Another of my little buddies only came one night. But we bonded on the playground and his big brown eyes and toothless grin melted my heart. 

I was reunited with "my hugging buddy," one of the young boys I'd met several years ago who would randomly come up and hug me. 

Perhaps the biggest blessing for me this week was a breakthrough I had with one of the kids after some frustration and feelings of hopelessness this week.

My boyfriend and my brother taught the K-2 class for Bible school. They ended up having twenty crazy, energetic youngsters in a classroom smaller than my bedroom (bless their hearts, they did an awesome job). To say there was a lack of focus from the kids is an understatement. So there's this little boy in their class, around seven or eight years old, who is a handful. He was disrespectful at times, he didn't pay attention to the Bible story, and he longed for attention. Noah had to chase after him multiple times during the week when he spontaneously sprinted off into the woods to "chase Bigfoot". Braden chased after him and found him in the pool of the water slide, and during the singing time he always preferred to play with the inflatable palm tree instead of singing and doing the motions to Bible school songs.

Throughout the week, he was a constant topic of conversation. We wondered how we could possibly make a difference in the lives of kids like him who didn't listen and didn't seem to care. It seemed that all we could do was pray for him and hope that something from the week would stick with him, and leave the rest up to God.

Then came the last night of Bible school, the night the kids put on a program for their parents and we celebrated with a cookout. Before the program, the kids spent some time with their teachers in class. For some reason, I was hanging out with the kids in their classroom at the beginning of class time. This little boy was there, and the room was buzzing with noise and a bunch of young kiddos. I knelt down and began talking to him, then asked if he wanted to crawl on my back to be as tall as his teachers. His answer was a quick "yes," so I hoisted him up onto my back.

We went outside to play a game, and aside from peeking when his eyes were supposed to be closed, he was so well-behaved. No one had to run after him into the woods.

When they returned to class, I had to leave to prepare for the program, and he wanted me to stay and sit by him, but I promised him I would see him in a little bit. When the kids came into the chapel for the program, he saw me and waved. Once the kids made their way onto the stage for their performance of the songs they learned throughout the week, the music started, and my little friend kept his eyes on me while doing all the motions. The same kid we had worried might run off the stage and escape during the program was well-behaved and did an excellent job on stage. 

After the kids were done and we were ready to go eat outside, I found my little friend and he asked if he could eat with me. We got our food and ate together. What happened next made my week.

One of the boys from our group walked over to us and asked him what his favorite part of Bible school was. Without saying a word, my new friend pointed to me. 

That had to be the most encouraging, fulfilling moment of VBS for me. Because even if that kid doesn't remember a single Bible story from class this week, he will remember us and the love we shared with him. He will remember the attention, the hugs, and the time Noah and Braden gave him. He will remember the times they chased after him on his Bigfoot-hunting excursions. He will remember me spending the evening with him playing on the playground, wiping spilled noodles off his shorts, and playing pool with him even though neither of us had any idea how to play. I pray that he will remember God's love that shone through us, so rich and pure and true. A love that won't leave him, even when the love of others is conditional and disappointing. A love that is perfect and life-giving.

It's eye-opening and humbling to see some situations other people are in—broken homes, drugged parents, lacking adequate food and shelter... We are so blessed, people; so blessed. 

Wherever you are, right now, say a prayer of thanks for your family, your cozy home, and your dinner, and the love of God. Not everyone is as fortunate as us.

My time in Kentucky reminded me what life's all about. 

Distractions are a waste of time; Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook aren't fulfilling; it doesn't matter if my hair isn't straight of if I'm not wearing any mascara; worries are pointless because God is in control and worrying doesn't help anything; love is what matters; God's perfect, freeing, amazing, forever love. And sharing that love with others is what brings me true joy.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; 

but the greatest of these is love. 

 1 Corinthians 13:13

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: 

just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, 

if you have love for one another. 

 John 13:34-35

My two cents (But first, let me take a selfie)

The time has come! The selfie phenom that is taking over our modern world is finally addressed... by me. So if you are a lover of selfies, an active selfie taker, or are completely for this worldwide craze, I'm sorry if I offend you. That is not my intention. 

My intention is to blatantly put this fad into perspective via a semi-annoyed monologue (rant). Here we go.

Okay, first of all: What is the point of a selfie? Seriously? It's literally just a call of attention to one's self. Selfies scream Hey, look at me! The only reason to post a self-taken photo of yourself for no logical purpose (i.e. A drastic change in hairtyle, a shocking injury, the addition/removal of braces, witty humor, etc.) is to show off your face to your follower base (which may end up shrinking if this practice becomes a habit) in hopes of receiving likes, compliments or a little confidence boost in return. 

If you really think about it, the concept of selfies is just really weird. Here I am, holding my cell phone camera up to my face and taking a picture of myself. Hey everyone, look! Do you like this picture of me? I dunno about you, but something about that just weirds me out.

Secondly: If you're gonna constantly post pictures of yourself up close and personal, let the photo speak for itself. I don't see the need to compose a flowery caption that acknowledges your love for the Lord, your evening plans, or a deep inspirational quote. I've never been able to understand the connection when someone posts a selfie along with something like this:

God is so good.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else. ~Judy Garland

If you want something you've never had, then you've got to do something you've never done.

Going to the movies! 

If you want to praise God, great. I'm just not sure how that goes along with a picture of your face. Inspirational quotes are nice and all, but are we interested in motivating others or just making us feel good about ourselves?

Three: Selfie Sunday. Apparently the fourth commandment has evolved into "Remember the Sabbath day by posting a picture of yourself in your cute dress you wore to church." Sadly, as I scroll through my feed, I see everyone and their brother (or sister...) posting a picture for the weekly fad.

The bottom line is this: We shouldn't be looking to others for approval, whether that's dressing to impress or posting for likes and gushing comments. Flattery can bring false joy, and when it comes down to it, selfies really are pointless. Now maybe I'm completely wrong (I don't really think that's the case), but I think there's more effective and purposeful ways to be making good use of social media. Take it or leave it, but maybe next time you'll think twice before posting a selfie.