Growing up, I've always lived with my mother and younger sister. My parents divorced when I was really young, so I don't remember my father at all. I never really thought about the fact that I didn’t have a dad. My mother did an amazing job raising my sister and me, and it just never bothered me.
   
When I got into middle school, I realized that my family was different than a lot of other families. I had no dad, and I very rarely talked to the rest of my family, except my grandma. It started to bother me that I didn't have a "normal" family. I questioned families in general, wondering why everyone else's family was "normal". I didn't understand why I felt like I had no family.
   
This was something that I struggled with all the way through high school, and even after graduation.  When I got my call to be on Team, I was most definitely pumped. I was also upset that I would be leaving my mother and my sister. They were, in my thoughts, my only family. My blood, you know?
   
During the four weeks of Team Training, God taught me a lot, and has taught me even more since I've been on the road. I couldn't even list everything for you if you asked (I tried, so don't ask =) ).  Among all of those things that He's teaching me, there is one thing that God is showing me on a daily basis.
   
Just because you have the same blood as someone, doesn't mean that they are your real family. And just because you don't share blood, doesn't mean that they aren't your family. Your family is the people who love and care about you, and only want what's best for you.
   
There have been times, when we're on the road, that I feel like my team is really my family, and I consider them so. Family is so much more than just a "label".  When you have a family, you know that you can go to them when you need to, and they're ready and willing to help.
   
God has put us all here for a reason. We are here to love and serve Him. In doing so, we have this bond that's absolutely amazing. As Christians, we have a family that we can lean on, depend on, and learn from daily. We can teach each other things, and support each other, and most importantly, we can love each other.
   
Each day is an adventure as I travel from city to city. Each day has its ups and downs. You want to know the amazing thing about that? I have a family, in Christ, wherever I go that I can share it with. Your family is there with you, even if it's in spirit. Know that, and remember it.  Family is a gift from God. Treasure it.
 
Trina
 
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