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What We Can Learn From Children

Good things come in small packages.

Nov 14, 2016

This past summer I had the privilege of going on a mission trip out of the country. This trip was not only one of the greatest eye-opening experiences, but it also taught me so much about how much children can actually impact someone’s life. The trip was about going and proclaiming the Gospel to children who do not have the religious opportunities that we as Americans have. We went and did our best to teach on what was planned in a way that these kids could understand. I was prepared to encounter various bugs and new foods, but I was not prepared to find out how these small kids would teach me what I believe are some of the greatest things we could have as humans.

They taught me encouragement.

The days were early and they were so long. Constantly being on your feet takes so much energy out of you, but arriving to see the kids smiling and waving and wanting to see us so badly made everything seem so little. Every morning we would drive to the schools and instantly be greeted by every single little one and it made everything so worth it.

They taught me patience.

In a place with a different culture and different ways of living, patience with your neighbors is difficult. You are with your team 24/7, and sometimes your buttons get pushed. The kids were so patient, and it made me want to be more patient as well.

They taught me gratitude.

Seeing where these kids came from and how they lived showed me that I had so much to be grateful for, even for just the little things. They constantly thanked us for being there and it was so clear that they meant every single bit of it.

And lastly, they taught me love.

Coming into these villages as an outsider, you think that the people are going to treat you differently than they would their own people. That was not the case at all. I have never experienced so much love from another human than I did with these children. They would hug us, and treat us as members of their families; that feeling was one of the most comforting I have encountered.

Kids are not only little and full of spunk, they also carry so much of the greatest qualities on the face of this earth. They are truly the things that make this world go round. Without children, this world would be a very terrifying place and having kids here makes it such a rewarding place. Our lives truly would not be the same without them.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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What We Can Learn From Children

Good things come in small packages.

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The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

1. People asking if you're mad at them.

2. Those people who hand out flyers don't always try to stop you.

3. Creepy guys telling you to smile.

4. "I thought you were a bitch when I first met you."

5. People telling you you'd be "so much prettier if you smiled."

6. Doing your makeup and looking great, which somehow intensifies the bitch face.

7. Regularly explaining "it's just my face."

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

That moment that someone you never looked twice at suddenly makes you do a double take out of no where.

But you can't have a crush, that's outrageous. It's all in your head.

Because you don't have a crush, there's no reason to tell anyone about anything. Right?

But then they do something irresistible and you start to lose it.

Now accepting the fact you have a crush, you have to keep it under control.

Then there's the part where you tell your friends who will claim they called it.

They'll be excited and cheer you on. That's until they realize that your crush is all you'll be talking about.

Your obsession has become so bad, that your Facebook stalking is getting out of control.

But your friends will try and help move things along any way they can. That doesn't mean it will be any helpful though.

As time goes on, you start having fantasies about the two of you and it's starting to scare you a little.

You can't focus on anything because all your attention is on them and everything they do.

Anybody who comes near your crush is now an enemy, and you are willing to fight for your crush.

When you see them, you act like an idiot. Trying to hide your feelings may not be as discrete as you think.

Keeping your feelings inside will start to be harder and harder until you can't keep it inside anymore.

Who knows, maybe it will work out? Take a chance.

Everybody hurts sometimes.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

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3. Senioritis is more real than ever.

4. You may feel a little down sometimes.

5. Fear of missing out won't be as real.

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8. You're happy you're still in school.

9. You feel like a guru.

10. You continue to grow.

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