**Youth/YA Mission Trip Forms due Jan 28!

**Kids’ Night Out Jan 19 from 5:30-8:00pm. Ages 3-12, RSVP required. $7/child or $20/family. Lion King-themed dinner, games and movie.

Ever notice how the Chinese New Year is usually celebrated in late January or February? It is Friday, February 16 this year (2 days after Valentine’s and Ash Wednesday!), and it is the Year of the Dog in Zodiac signs! 

Now Zodiacs aren’t something found in the Bible, but Christians should be aware of what 1.4 billion of people created by God prioritize each year.

When I was in Kindergarten, I went to a Lutheran school right in the middle of China Town in Houston! We prayed and learned about people in the Bible. We also snacked on dried seaweed (delicious, trust me!), learned about Chinese culture and found shared interests between American and Chinese culture. My two best friends were even Chinese twins, and they were so much fun!

When we step out of our comfort zone, God reveals fascinating things that you and I need to experience.

The first time I ate at a traditional Chinese restaurant, all I wanted to do was plug up my nose because the smells were weird. The strange foods displayed in aquariums and cases made my eyes wide and my stomach a little queasy. I tried to be polite and taste these foreign foods, but I was a little unsure. And that’s okay!

What are some ways you can s-t-r-e-t-c-h your view of God’s Creation this week? Think of 2 actions you can take this week to get out of your comfort zone. (P.S. This is a challenge at any age, but you can do it!) Trust me, you’ll better understand God and the absolute awesomity of God’s love for God’s Creation. 

• Here are mine:
  • Stop by my new neighbor’s house and bring some cookies to her.
  • Take a tour of The Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of KC on 1/11(10am) or 1/18 (5pm).
    • Wanna join me? Email/text me!

Happy New Year! Hope you find ways to grow and stretch into the awesome person that God has created!

Laurel