Grace & Efren

On this date 10 years ago, I embarked on a commitment.

It was to give the best years of my life to God. To somehow “repay” Him for giving me a new start in life. A second chance to tackle life with a laser like focus and an all encompassing passion.

It was something I thought would only take up a few of the prime years of my life, and then I would kind of “move on” to something else.

But here I am, 10 years later. Still committed, still focused and still passionate but in a wiser, more mature way. (Thank God for personal growth!)

So on this day, I look back and reflect. On all the crazy places God has taken me. All the life long friendships that have been formed. All the challenges and hardships that have turned me into someone I can say,  isn’t half bad.

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned through this commitment to being a Missionary, is to treat every year like it’s the best year of your life. When you can do that, you start to believe it. When you believe it, your spiritual life isn’t just a bunch of hopes and dreams. It becomes reality, and when it’s real it becomes faith. Because faith isn’t some sort of lofty God concept. It really is your beliefs made physical and tangible through action. After all, you really aren’t what you believe, you are what you do.

So on my 10 year anniversary, I propose a toast! To all of you, who don’t just do good but do their best;  to those who turn tragedy into triumph; to those committed in everything that they do and to those who give constantly of themselves in their own way to something bigger than themselves.

Cheers to you!