Teens   teens in Christ's Service! TEAM (Teens Experiencing Awesome Ministry) of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Midwest City, OK packed school kits for Lutheran World Relief, collected mites in a large Mite Box™ after each worship service on LWML Sunday, and distributed Tampa LWML witnessing cards at Rose State College during the annual Global Oklahoma Festival. JEMS (Juniors Enjoying Mission Service) of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City, OK hosted the TEAM group from Good Shepherd at their church, where they learned hands—on about quilting and shared a Bible study together. Do you have ideas you want to share? Do you know what LWML teen groups are doing in your district? Please email us and send electronic photos to dephc@lwml.org Our Readers Share ... What would you like to see in future issues of the Quarterly? Johanna Miller, a 19 year old freshman student at Concordia University, Seward, NE shares the following, "I would like to read something that is realistic and that deals with deep issues such as sex or depression and how to handle those issues in a Christian way and to have some reinforcement that I am not the only person thinking the way I do ... I would like to know what other teen groups are doing and also how to get involved." Journal Gems Topic: JOY Bible Verse: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for that is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Journal Entry: We went to visit Grandma at the nursing home today. I don't like it when we have to go there. I mean, I really like seeing Grandma—she's always happy to see us, and she has a basket of candy she lets us dig in. But, the place where she lives smells nasty and the people there seem so lonely. I don't know how she can stand to be there 24/7. What makes it even harder is that I don't think she should have to live there. Mom told her she could live with us—that's what family is for. But Grandma doesn't want to be a burden on us. "Oh, I'm not always happy here," she said, "but, I know that God is using me as a missionary in this place." Man, what an attitude! She actually lives by the words on the plaque in her room: "Joy comes from keeping Jesus first, Others second and Yourself third." She seems content to stay in that place because she knows that when she dies, she's going to heaven, and she wants to make sure others know that they can, too. Maybe joy isn't the same as happiness. Maybe it's deeper than that. Maybe it's knowing that, even when you're in a situation that doesn't make you "happy," God is still with you and will use you to help others learn about Him. JOY—I sure hope that when I'm stuck in a nasty situation I can have the kind of attitude Grandma has. Prayer: Dear God, thank You for being with me even when I'm not "happy." Help me to remember that joy and happiness are not the same—that You give me joy even when I'm not happy with my circumstances. Use me to share Your joy with those around me. Amen. Questions for consideration: Have you ever been in a bad situation but knew God was still with you? How did that help you get through it? Why do you think keeping the order right in JOY helps you be joyful? Journal Gems: Devotions for Teens, Joy. ©2005 Lutheran Women's Missionary League, P.O. Box 411993, St. Louis, MO 63141-1993 The HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV). Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.