God has gifted us with a certain restless curiosity and longing.  We are searchers.  We seek to understand the world around us and its meaning.  However, most of us need a purpose in life to keep us going.  Even more so, though, I believe as humans we need love and acceptance foremost. 

Within the last two years, God has really opened my eyes to the emptiness, or a kind of hole, in the heart.

This began two Thanksgivings ago, when I went with mi madre to help pass out lunches to the homeless.  During that time, we met a homeless man who had recently emigrated from Morocco.  He was having a tough time in the U.S., and he was without family.  And, as distressing as his struggles had been, the thing that saddened me most was his loneliness.  He was terribly lonely.  He told me he had been searching for God, but couldn't find him.  That broke my heart.

Since then, I've seen that same loneliness- almost a kind of emptiness- in my friends and family who don't know God.  And, I've realized before I became a Christian, I had it too.  I believe we were designed to have a relationship with God.  And, so many people don't, while some haven't even been introduced to him.  We all have a space in our heart that only God can fill.  He is the only one who is, always will be, and always has been there for me and for us.  His infinite love constantly amazes me.  I'm so thankful that he has brought me to him.

And, I'm so grateful to be going on the trip with you all this summer!  I'm praying that God will give us eyes to see the lonely.  I'm excited!  J