For those of you who do not know me, my name is Carly Bryson. I am 19 and
this past year I got the amazing opportunity to spend three months in Kenya.
It's a long story as to how it all came to be, but let's just say God
provides. When I was there I had my eyes opened to an entire new way of
life, a new way of thinking and a new perspective of God.

I was working in a children's home, which meant I got to hang out with these
amazing children all the time. Even though God gave me this great learning
experience, I think that the majority of the learning happened once I had
returned to Canada. My eyes were opened even more to the many faults in our
materialistic, egotistical culture (and I realize that I fit right into that
category).

When I was in Kenya, God was everywhere. It is easy to have a strong faith
when you have the faith of hundreds around you being so incredibly strong,
but coming home I was on my own again. I had to try really hard to find God
in my day to day life. I felt alone and people (friends and family) didnít
understand the experience.

After much reflection and adjusting back into Canada I realized that God
gave me this opportunity for a reason and that I was not alone that I still
had Him with me. Since I have returned God has provided me with numerous
opportunities to discuss and tell others of my experience and although the
others may not truly understand I can do my best to teach them all that God
taught me while away.

And again, God has provided me with a chance to speak so if I can share my
words of wisdom and a few things that God opened my eyes up to. One of the
quickest and more important lessons I learned while I was away was this:

Don't ever let yourself get so busy that you miss those little but
important extras in life-the beauty of a day - the smile of a friend, the
serenity of a quiet moment alone. For it is often life's smallest pleasures
and gentlest joys that make the biggest and most lasting differences.

Keep your eyes opened to all the small things in life and do not rush
through your day. And may God bless you with small but significant and
everlasting joys!

Carly Bryson is 19 and from Hamilton, Ontario.