In the summer of 2005, Jody and I moved to Katy, TX for his “first” job after graduating from Texas Tech in May. The minute we walked into Katy church of Christ after moving there, it felt like “home.” While there, we met an awesome couple, Jeremy and Regina Ross, who quickly became our “family” and soon they shared with us the news they were expecting. We loved getting to share that exciting time with them: preparing the nursery, baby showers, eating Mexican food, and walking around the mall so that Regina would go into labor :). That child–has now grown into a beautiful 15-year-old young woman with a servant’s heart.
Below, Charis, that beautiful young woman, shares with us a glimpse of just one way she has chosen to serve. What an encouragement to see the “next” generation be His hands and feet.
Charis–“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” 1 Timothy 3:12. Proud of you, sister.
-Leigh Ann
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an
opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another,” Galatians 5:13.
As a Christian woman, having a servant’s heart is a big part of my life. One of the
ways I serve others is by partaking in American Heritage Girls, a Christian-based
girl scouting program. AHG’s mission is to “Build women of integrity through
service to God, family, community, and country.” I have had the chance to be an
American Heritage girl for 8 years. There are multiple levels to the program;
Pathfinder (ages 5-6), Tenderheart (ages 6-9), Explorer (ages 9-12), Pioneer (ages
12-14), and Patriot (ages 14-18). Each girl has the opportunity to earn a level
award. The level award I am currently working on is the Abigail Adams award.
Part of that award involves conducting a community service outreach project. I
collaborated with my sister in Christ, Amber Rader, and made Smile Boxes at my
home congregation in Katy. Smile Boxes are shoeboxes filled with goodies and
toiletries that are sent to children in Nicaragua and Honduras. Smile Boxes is part of
the Mision Para Cristo organization which helps children and congregations in the
entire Jinotega, Nicaragua region. I completed my project around Christmas time,
and I loved the thought of knowing I helped kids. I made 150 boxes in total with
the help of the church at Katy and my troop. I wrote a card in Spanish for each
box, letting the recipients know that Christ loves them and cares for their souls.
This project helped me show children in other parts of the world that Christ loves
them. Encouraging girls to serve and help others around them is just one of the
many things American Heritage Girls does.
Blessings,
Charis
