For several weeks, I had the opportunity to serve at the Round Rock Seventh-day Adventist Church Community Food Drive—a community outreach effort dedicated to providing food and hope to hundreds of families in need. This experience was more than just community service; it was a hands-on expression of faith, compassion, and learning. From early mornings to long afternoons, rain or shine, I joined a team of committed volunteers, including many enthusiastic students from the church school, to distribute food and connect with those in our local area.

Each day brought a new wave of people, and the lines often stretched long, a sobering reminder of how great the need really is. I volunteered for a few hours at a time, yet the impact of those hours has stayed with me. The work was hard—but there’s something deeply humbling and beautiful about lifting heavy boxes, standing in the rain, or exchanging smiles with strangers who are simply grateful someone showed up to help.

One of the most meaningful parts of the food drive was connecting with others—both the community members receiving food and the volunteers serving alongside me. There was a spirit of unity and kindness that infused every part of the day. The director, who kindly provided a volunteer log for me to submit, modeled servant leadership in a way that reminded me of Christ’s own example.

This experience has only strengthened my commitment to service. I plan to continue volunteering at this food drive and similar efforts in the future. I am grateful that God provided me with both the strength and opportunity to give back.

As Scripture teaches,

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"
—Colossians 3:23, KJV

And in the words of Corrie ten Boom,

“The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.”

This food drive was not only an act of giving—it was a real-world expression of the values I strive to incorporate into my life and work: empathy, perseverance, and service-driven purpose.

As I continue my journey in instructional design, this kind of hands-on community experience inspires the future I envision—one where learning is not confined to screens or syllabi but extends into real lives and real impact. I hope to develop faith-based and community-centered learning experiences that not only educate but transform—resources that blend spiritual growth, cognitive science, and digital accessibility to meet both spiritual and practical needs.

Service is not separate from my professional work—it is the heartbeat of it.