Blog/opportunities

 

My Story - Mia Kaartinen

Mia from Michigan State tells the story of what her Pay It Forward Tour experience impacted her life.

 

Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. Last fall, my life had slowly, but surely, taken a huge plunge downward. I was troubled, lost, and had lost all confidence I had had prior.

One day, though, I was having coffee with a good friend of mine, Caroline. She talked about STLF and told me that maybe I should give it a shot in order to be happy again. Although at first I was hesitant, I decided to join STLF and ultimately, became a bus core member. My fellow bus core members included 3 amazing individuals that were extremely supportive and understanding during times of frustration and stress leading up to the trip.

We spent hours and hours recruiting people and eventually, we ended up with a bus of 24 people. Even though 24 was a very discouraging number at first, it turned out to be the perfect size for our bus. The day the trip arrived was filled with so many various emotions. I was stressed, scared and excited, as I’m sure most bus core members were.

Throughout the trip, I got to learn about so many people I wouldn’t have known otherwise had it not been for this trip. All the participants were absolutely exceptional and very fast workers. We met people along the way with inspirational stories of faith and hope. High schoolers in Shelby, MS were trying to make their educational experiences more satisfactory. They had so much positive energy and determination! When they sang to us, though (mind you, a complete group of strangers), their voices blended beautifully and again, I was inspired. It was also a performance that brought chills down my spine.

Before I rant on more about the trip, I want to thank STLF and the participants. I want to thank STLF for allowing me to find myself again through the experience leading up to the trip and the trip itself. I want to thank Caroline for convincing me to go on this trip.

The participants made it possible for me to open my eyes and restored my faith in humanity. My life is finally coming back together now, mostly due to STLF. I feel so thankful to have had the opportunity to lead a Tour, and I definitely want to next year as well.

Thanks STLF for making these trips happen around the US.  This organization has changed people’s lives (both the participants’ and those at the service projects) one person at a time :)

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