As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
-1 Peter 4:10
Mandy has a gift. She is a party planner. When it comes to birthdays and holidays, Mandy is the best! Starting with a theme, Mandy will not only plan corresponding decorations and food, but also come up with silly activities and suggest appropriate costumes. When it comes to our foreign teacher team, Mandy has planned some pretty awesome parties throughout the year. But Mandy’s real passion is not planning parties, but bringing people together. Her dreams are much bigger than birthday celebrations, but rather, community outreach. As a new mom juggling the daily tasks of life, using this gift for wider purposes has been put on the back burner…until this month!
After weeks of planning, this weekend we helped Mandy to put on a “Mother-Daughter Tea” for the mothers of the English department and their daughters, asking them to come dressed as princesses! The afternoon was filled with activity; beading bracelets, searching for gold coins, “kissing” the frog, and decorating cookies. But it was also a day filled with compassion between mothers and daughters as they shared what they loved most about each other. But honestly, the best part was watching Mandy share her gifts because of the love that was pouring out of her own heart! What a blessing it was to be a part of her vision! What a blessing to be able to help fuel her passion and make this event possible. The event took energy, but with tired feet and a messy room, Mandy’s eyes were still aglow as she stated, “I have so many more ideas.”
What a great reminder that we are called to use our gifts, not to neglect our gifts. Thanks Mandy!
We all have different gifts. Each gift came because of the grace God gave us. Whoever has the gift of prophecy should use that gift in a way that fits the kind of faith they have. Whoever has the gift of serving should serve. Whoever has the gift of teaching should teach. Whoever has the gift of comforting others should do that. Whoever has the gift of giving to help others should give generously. Whoever has the gift of leading should work hard at it. Whoever has the gift of showing kindness to others should do it gladly.
-Romans 12:6-8
Story time with Mandy (in red)
Can you feel the “pea” under the cushions?
Popping the balloons on the castle
Collecting the chocolate-gold coins after the search!
Getting ready to kiss the frog!
And a special Elsa appearance!
The Sundin’s: George, Mandy, and Nora
The Guyuan Foreign Teacher Team strikes again!
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