Growing up, I learned that helping others was the best way to be happy. I've found this to be true. Helping others has shaped me into the person I am today, in addition to effecting change in my community. In elementary school, canned food drives were one of my favorite memories. In middle school, going to Harvesters on a Saturday morning made me happier than a five-year-old on Christmas morning. In eighth grade, the thing I most looked forward to in high school was the mission trips I got to go on over the summer.

However, the most eye-opening experience for me was the summer going into my freshman year in college; I had just graduated high school and couldn't wait to be an adult. With 100 other high school youth, I traveled to Colorado to help the flood victims. During the week, we helped a man rebuild his house after the flood that went through his property and many other's. He had just lost his wife to a natural death, and was working alone to rebuild his house. With our help, he had the house done in four days. Although this experience made me realize how good I have it, this was not the only thing that changed me as a person.

On these trips, we were put into small groups so that it was easier to keep track of everyone. In my group, we had a girl with special needs. At first, I was worried that it was going to be hard to have a good time, but that perception quickly changed. Not only did she change my perspective on life, she helped me appreciate the little things. Her favorite activity during the week was throwing rocks into the river outside of the man's house. Everyone assigned to that job complained, but she had a smile on her face the entire time. With this, we formed a bond that I never expected to have. At the beginning, I was worried that my last mission trip wasn't going to be fun. By the end, I had realized that she is the reason this trip was the best mission trip I had throughout all four years I participated.

If you take anything away from this article, take this: God works in mysterious ways. Whether he helps a loved one beat cancer, thrive after a serious trauma, or open your eyes to the little things in life, he has a crazy way of changing your life. Without this trip, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I wouldn't be eager to help when I see a stranger or acquaintance struggling and I wouldn't look at things in such an optimistic way. I strongly encourage you take my advice: live optimistically, and you will see that you don't need money to make you happy, all you need is good faith, family, and friends. Without this experience, I would have gone to college not caring about anyone but myself, my social life, and going out with friends. I thank God everyday for the opportunities I am given, and encourage you to do the same.