Since my calling to go to Emmaus Community Church in my hometown, I have been involved, something I wasn't really doing at my other church because of a split.
First, I was setting up for the church services as much as I could, then I became involved in the children's ministry, when a new children's pastor was hired. And ever since then, I've been helping the young people of the church to grow in God and in community.
And then I met a family: Lori, Pete, Stone and Hunter. An awesome Christ-centered family. Lori also helped in the children's ministry, so I often aided her as she taught. And I was able to get to know her and her boys and just have fun and hang out and share life.
When Stone, her oldest, wanted to get baptised, I was very excited to see that. (I was baptised at the same age). And I was floored when Stone asked me to be his mentor this last Spring!! It was awesome! I helped him prepare spiritually, mentally, and every other way. I attended baptism classes with him and I helped him read the Bible and what God expected of people who got baptised and what it meant to be baptised. This was a very unique role for me....as I did not have a mentor of my own when I was baptised and I didn't fully understand what was happening in an indepth description. Going through that class, almost 14 years later helped connect everything together in a way that I hadn't quite connected.
Being his mentor has blessed my life in more ways than I thought. Investing my time in a young person, to help prepare them for a life of Christian living has been something I didn't think was possible for me....yes, I am called to be a missionary, but to do this here, before I move to Idaho, it's great that I can make a difference here, while I am working--while I am going to school, while I am preparing for a bigger picture that I cannot see.
Right now, Stone is that big picture. He's just such a gentleman and yet, still a kid, so sweet and child-like and just such a joy to bring around.
And I am SO BLESSED that God has chosen me to be Stone's mentor, and that Stone and Lori listened to God!!
Father, I THANK YOU for all the joy you have given me and for some reason, during my month of depression, I forgot. I had forgotten the simple, joyous things in life and Father, I ask that you please help me to keep these blessed things in my mind when the devil is trying to take everything away from me. I ask that you please keep reminding me that you are there and please show me all the little things in life that are so precious and so wonderful and I just want to say Father, I love you. And thank you for blessing my life in all the ways that You have and will do. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless you guys for praying and encouraging!
Cody Marie Bolton
