hands on manila

Lately, my mind has been thinking about checklists. 

Checklists that I have thought about for years. Checklists that I want to make happen sooner rather than later. 

Having the opportunity to serve Filipino families was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever done on my checklist. If someone gave me the chance to relive this moment, I would quit my job, put school on hold and pack my bags and leave tomorrow morning. There is just something about these people, the place and this moment that I yearn for. (And yes, that is me in the middle of the picture above. Don't mind the awkward pose and smile. Just keep reading and move onto the pictures below).

I miss it. I miss it more than anything in this World. I miss seeing the faces of these beautiful children every morning. I miss playing kickball and soccer with them during our free time. I miss coloring and reading them stories during naptime. I miss their laughs, their hugs, and most of all, 

i miss their beautiful smiles. 

There is something about being outside of your comfort zone in a place where you know no one and nothing that brings a sense of peace inside you. 

A peace that forever remains. 

I wish everyone could experience the ability to travel around the World. To visit different countries and be apart of service programs where you get to see the poorest of the poor. It humbles you for life. It changes your perception the way you see and treat people that builds a lifetime of gratitude. 

 It opens up your heart to love. To love these people that share completely different backgrounds from you. To love people no matter what age, race, gender and social background they come from. 
To love diversity within the World. 

It helps you find a part of yourself. A part of yourself that you thought you could never find if you hadn't gone through an experience such as this.

You are getting more out of these people and these moments than what you are giving. I wish I could go back to these days more than anything in this World right now. Who knows, maybe something will work out soon enough where I am able to have this experience again. And as for you, I hope you are able to experience what I have and find yourself searching for opportunities to travel and do service. It will change your life and be one of the most rewarding experiences you could ever encounter.