a few weeks a go, 180 youth workers and i gathered downtown toronto for our annual eastern regional retreat. our theme this year? joy =)

our main speaker talked about a tragic day in 1998 when a drunk driver crashed into his family van - taking the life of both of his parents and his two younger sisters - and what his journey to finding joy has looked like ever since.

our second speaker spoke about joy, too (that's what happens when you pick a theme), only she spoke about it from a different place, a place of lament; she didn't survive tragedy over twenty years a go, she's living through it today.

both, however, had the same conclusion; whether you've made it through the thick of it or are right smack dab in the middle of it, joy can be found in christ.

now, let it be said that pain is real and often raw, life is hard and complicated, and choosing joy isn't easy. both speakers have had their share of "whys" and "what ifs", "why mes" and "how long, oh Lords", but they'd be the first to tell you that they've had their share of joy, too, proving that it's possible to find joy in the middle of the night.

for me, volunteering (serving) has been a source of joy (and often a lifesaver), which is one of the many reasons why i have decided to dedicate my life to teaching students the importance of giving back to their own community. taking our eyes off of our own problems, and fixating them on others (for a time), not only helps others, but in turn helps us. love works wonders that way. and joy? joy meets us there.

i can't help but think of one students that came through our program this past year as i type this. we had just got back from serving over 300 people dinner in regent park that night. i asked her how her experience was, to which she replied, "never have i felt so happy in all of my life." (if you asked me, i could point out the exact place we were when she told me that.).

never has she felt so alive in all of her life.

and neither have i.

can i invite you to help me spread joy today by being a part of my team?

you can do so by joining me in prayer, running a marathon on my behalf/holding a fundraiser (bake sale, anyone?), or by copying and pasting the following link in your browser (http://www.paulac.yugta.ca/) and following the instructions you'll find there. (donations are tax receiptable.)

let's spread some joy together!

(*disclaimer - fundraising is (very) uncomfortable, but i love my job (even though it feels like more of a calling) and believe in youth enough to accept it as part of my job and work hard at it despite how humbling and awkward it can be*)