Howdy folks!

Last weekend we had a serve day, it was the first one in a long time and will absolutely not be the last. I wanted to tell you a bit about our time!

We went to downtown Santa Ana, near the civic center, and passed out sack lunches. I learned something in those 35 minutes that it took do that. The homeless need food, yes, but more importantly they need their humanity restored. These are men and women and children who are without homes and food… they do not have to be without dignity. When we went out there it took 5 minutes to hand out 100 lunches and 30 minutes to learn that we were doing SO MUCH MORE than feeding their mouths, we got the opportunity to feed their hearts. In turn, our hearts were fed as well. It’s a beautiful thing to have a simple conversation with some one and walk away changed.

I met a man named David. He told me that he doesn’t like to be called homeless, as if it’s his identity. He said that he is without a home and is still human. He thanked us for bringing lunches but said that it’s better that we brought joy. People drop off food and leave all the time but few stay and talk. He asked if next time we might bring music. Maybe some games. Sooo… they just want to be treated like whole people? I can do that.EDL can do that. Calvary Church of Santa Ana can do that… Jesus DID that. The love of Christ was revolutionized for me after speaking with David.Loving some one is not necessarily just about digging deep and meeting their most dire needs. It’s about treating others as lovable. Love transcends circumstance, it doesn’t hone in on it. If I just clothe some one and walk away, yes they are warm but they are not loved. We have to allow our hearts to get involved. I know that it can hurt to see others suffering and sometimes it’s easier to meet the physical need and get out before your heart is affected.But that isn’t what Christ did! He invested, he involved. I want to love like that, I want the people in my life to know that I am invested in them and that my heart is attached to every word I speak.

Our next Reach Day is March 3rd. We are going back and we are going to get our hearts involved. I do hope you’ll come. If you have any ideas about Reach Days or would like to know more about what ideas we have for them then come this Sunday at 8:15 to G101! I am going to be hosting a meeting where we will get some plans and ideas in motion. If you can come early please do! I will bring donuts

Katie Mansfield

(inventor of microwave popcorn and supporter of sliced wheat bread)

It’s no secret that I love puppies and anything else cute in nature. So here is something that is currently making my day.

I showed Doug and he said, “I think we’ve just gotten an insight into what you do at home.” It’s true. I just look up videos and pictures of the cutest puppies in the world. I love cute things. Sue me!

I hope you are all having a fantastic week. Enjoy your Tuesday and smile a ton.

Katie Mansfield

Come play dodge-ball with us!

 Come get to know our group and play some dodge ball. Its totally free! Click here for directions, bring your friends to make a team! See you in the GYM

O, Here’s whats going on!!!

Oh, hello! Fancy meeting you here

So a few weeks ago Melissa had us (and by us I mean Doug, Ben, her and me) do this little exercise. We all had to spread out and do something called “downward facing dog.” Just kidding, it wasn’t a physical exercise. It was a mental one that turned into a spiritual one real quick. She had each of us fill out a timeline for 2011 using major events over the course of the year as markers. We were then encouraged to sum up our year into a single word idea. This exercise was incredibly valuable. It forced me to look back over the most difficult year of my life and recognize God’s hand in every season. Amazingly, this caused me to be thankful for the trial, for even in them our God is beautiful, generous, kind, and merciful.

He is never changing and the redemption He has for me is constantly renewing my heart. To this I have clung.

I encourage you to look back over 2011 and sum it up in one word. Look beyond the hurt or the happy and see the Christ of it all.
My word is endurance. Christ’s endurance in His endless pursuit of my heart caused me to endure the seemingly endless hurt that the world had for me. It gave me light when I felt like there was none, provided comfort in the loneliest of places, and brought about joy even when all felt lost.

So, think about your word, find God in 2011 and recognize Him for it. Thank Him for His sovereignty and blessings and redemption. Share your word with us! Put it on Facebook, respond in a comment on this post, tell some one tonight at EDL. Whatever you do, share your heart with your friends and let them know how God was working in your life in 2011.

I fully anticipate you all continuing on in your typical fashion of awesomeness.
–Katie Mansfield
(I have a song in my heart… it’s probably sung by Celine Dion.)

Merry Christmas!

We pray that over the Christmas break you get lots of rest and have a ton of fun!

Here is what is coming up in High School Group when you get back!

January 4th at 7:00pm

We are going to do some sweet 80s roller skating. Its at Holiday Skate Center in orange click below for a map. Wear your sweet 80s outfit and come bust a move. Bring your friends who don’t know about our group!

<<DIRECTIONS>>

 January 8th

We will be starting a new series!

A series where we look at what worship songs and hymns can teach us about God. We are really excited about this new series come learn and worship with us every Sunday and Wednesday starting January 8th

Chance has never had chili, no no… never had chili.

Now that this is stuck in your head, see you tonight!!

A thought that occurs to me quite often: Ya know, giving blood is great because you save 3 lives and all that jazz but more importantly… the snack spread is FANTASTIC.

–Katie

(good at everything)