Moments into Memories

As this weekend approached I wasn't really sure how I would fill my time, what I would do? where would I would go? It seemed as the weary days of rain kept on coming, I was going to be stuck inside wasting away the days. Luckily it was sunny, beautiful and warm and whether that had me springing from my room and dancing in the sunshine. I was so happy to get outside, go for a walk along the beaches, paint my toes on the deck and celebrate that the sun had come out to play.

On Saturday, after I slept in and woke without an alarm, I got ready and went for a walk. I walked through neighbourhoods where kids played, families gathered in the lawn, and elders sat on their porches. Some mowed grass, others puttered in the garden and one little kid was learning how to blow bubbles. I strolled through a park where kids played baseball and families cheered them on. Parents pushed kids on swings and youth played frisbee in the grass. All of these precious moments that are key to summer fun. All these moments families, youth and children are building that will be stored away and looked back upon.

As I walked I was reminded so much of my childhood, the memories I built with friends and family, and thought about the day I have my own children and the memories I'll build for them. Its crazy to think that each day we learn something new. We meet new people, hear different words, and see different sights. The next day its a memory. No longer a moment, but the past, a memory from the past.

Throughout my journey of The GO Project, I have had so many amazing memories already built. Memories of coordinator training, program development, theme brainstorming. Worshiping with the General Council Office and participating in mission. Through the airport, flights and packing, homesickness and reuniting of communities. So many moments even in the past 5 weeks. I am excited for the more that will come. It's only a couple more days of program planning and then the site staff arrive. I am so looking forward to finally meeting them, building friendships, getting to know one another, and diving deep into our little travelling family.

So many of us get caught up in the everyday life. We drown in work, cleaning, household stuff, activities, shopping, laundry etc. that we forget to take time to build memories. Moments that we will look back upon with many smiles and warmth. Moments that will help transform us to be better people, that will shape us into who we are, that will give us strength to carry forward. So this week and for the remaining of the summer, it is my goal to live in the moment and create lasting memories, because you never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.