The truth is the truth is the truth is the truth.

I haven’t posted in a while, but I wanted to share a cool moment I had at Youth Impact 2 weeks ago.

Every semester, the first week we college students are back, instead of having “mission”, or what I would equate to in Young Life terms as “club”, we go out into the neighborhoods where our kids are from. That is a good 5 or 6 neighborhoods in the BCS area where we hang out with the kids and their families, almost recruiting more kids for mission this semester.

A group of us went to a neighborhood where a bunch of the kids I know pretty well are from. What did we find these highschoolers doing? Setting traps for their friends. It was hilarious. Using fine and almost undetectable fishing line, we helped them rig up a trip-wire of sorts that would land you in the soft grass on the other side. Unfortunately the line was too flexible and ultimately not any good for tripping anyone, but man was it fun enacting what we thought a friend of theirs would look like if the line had had less slack.

After we figured out that the trap wouldn’t work, I started asking about other kids in the neighborhood that we could go talk to or hang out with. The predominant response I got from the kids was along the lines of “You’re looking at ‘em. Everyone else here is a crack dealer.” That immediately raised a huge red flag for this girl of safe suburbia USA. I could literally see proposed crack dealers from where I was standing. They were congregating across the street at the park, and though it didn’t look like they were doing anything but talking, I immediately assumed something illegal was taking place as I stood there staring. I pulled another leader over and told him about it, and what he said back to me pretty much changed my life.

“The truth is the truth; they need it, too.”

How embarrassed and ashamed I was! Of course they do! They need the love of Jesus Christ just as much as these kids we’re playing with. They need forgiveness of their sins, just like I do. How self-righteous I had been not wanting to talk with them. Yes, safety is still a large factor, and YI requires every girl that goes into the neighborhoods to be accompanied by a guy, but regardless of whether or not we went and talked to them, my head and my heart had completely been in the wrong.

Thank You, Lord, for the ministry of Youth Impact, for Josh who You used to show me Your wisdom. And a big thanks for throwing some humility in my face. I needed that more than I ever knew.

Contentment

Breakaway, a non-denominational weekly Bible study on campus, ROCKED last night. You know those moments when God speaks directly to you? You there in the maroon longsleeve and skinny jeans with a blond low-bun and a smirk on your face, as if the message weren’t meant for anyone else? That was last night. And the whole talk was about being content in all circumstances because IN Christ we have strength. We have rest. We have peace. My life has seemed to be anything but, lately. But as Paul said,

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this in Him who gives me strength.

-Philippians 4:11-13

I have taken this on as my pre-New Year’s resolution. Because why wait until January 1st when my life can be full of so much more joy right now? My “friends” aren’t much of friends? Be content in knowing that He is enough. My grades aren’t what I want them to be, and this weight takes its form in the opaqueness of my future? Be content in knowing that God always had a plan for my life, and there’s nothing I can do to mess it up.

It certainly doesn’t hurt that the holiday season is upon us! Here’s a little cheer from my home here at school to yours, wherever you are.

Being content in Him, the reason for the season.

Julia

“Thanks for Applying”

Monday was such a great day. Started off with a breakfast of deliciously prepared eggo waffles at home home with Daddy (he’s a pancake artisan, I was just in the mood for some blueberry eggos). We sat in the newly reconfigured living room without the TV on and we talked about anything and everything for about 20 minutes while he did his morning crossword. I love moments like this with him. One of my simple pleasures.

After loading my friend DC’s car with winter clothes and heading out, we talked about anything and everything, too, over the course of the 1.5 hour carride back to school. He’s great. I love getting to know friends better, and carrides are such ample time to do so. After we got back, we unloaded, and got right back in the car to go to class. After parting ways, I walked to the campus building that held an envelope that contained either my acceptance into or my rejection from an organization that I thought I was really passionate about. That letter was the latter…”Thanks for applying…”

And I didn’t mind! I wasn’t heartbroken or even remotely upset that I hadn’t been chosen. I think I’m finally mature enough to still be joyful when things don’t work out because I know and finally trust that God’s plan is so much better. I can’t say I feel that way about all disappointments, but some things are better than none, right? I always come to that conclusion eventually. And what makes it better is that one of my best friends got it! And the joy I felt for her success was genuine and not at all contrived, like such situations tended to render in the past.

So thank you, Lord, for a healthy dose of some spiritual maturity.

a thousand words

I am beyond thankful for these people (+ a few not pictured).

Definitely some superheroes in their own right.

impact

So far this year has been…clarifying. My life up to now has been unnecessarily complicated, but this year I have had the wonderful opportunity to simplify.

College is such a selfish time. I am here to get myself an education so I can get a great job so that I can make a living for myself. Sometimes my classes can oftentimes take precedence over, well, everything else. And I really don’t like that. We have been placed on this earth to live for the Lord, and I have been living for myself for the most part.

This semester I have been working on changing that. I have joined an organization that allows me to get involved in the community on the Lord’s behalf. Youth Impact is a group with the mission of impacting kids from lower-income families for the Lord. It’s tough, and a lot of times you don’t feel like you’re making any kind of progress. Rebellion is so prominent in these kids’ lifes. But the fruit these relationships will eventually bear makes it all worthwhile.

The Lord has been teaching me a lot this semester about being a diligent follower and doer of His works and sharer of His word. Putting these into action in my daily walk is where I am now, and it’s not easy.

This world is rough… good thing I’m living for His eternal Kingdom.

I’ve missed you, T! Real post coming soon.

it’s time for some time-pieces

I have two favorite movie genres - Comedy and Time-Piece, specifically the Victorian era. I’m not even sure that’s a real movie genre, but in my mind, all else (other than comedy, of course) generally isn’t quite as captivating. I think I like these films so much because they take place in time periods so foreign to me that I fall in love with both the simplicity and the intricacies of their daily life.

Classic Time-Pieces:

Pride and Prejudice, with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen

Young Victoria, with Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend

Becoming Jane, with Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy

These are all terribly romantic, and I can’t say I mind that, but sometimes movies that make your heart hurt are just as satisfying. Here’s one I have yet to see -

Atonement, with Keira Knightley and James McAvoy (when you’re good, you’re good)

and last but not least…

The Importance of Being Earnest, with Rupert Everett, Reese Witherspoon, and Colin Firth.

This last movie combines both of my favorite genres with Oscar Wilde’s hilarity taking place in the Victorian era. Both of these last movies shall be watched within the month, I do declare a goal has been established!

“change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.”

I’ve had more fun at home this summer than any summer break I can remember, but I am more than ready for a change.

Isn’t it funny how hanging out with high school friends feels like high school all over again? It’s like everyone’s maturity drops a level or two simply because we’re all together. That’s getting old. Moving back to school cannot come at a better time. New faces, a different pace, college friends… I’m ready for everything. Not to mention I’m moving into the coolest house - take a looksie

My first house, other than the one in which I grew up. Who’s decorating? Me. Who’s cooking my meals? Me. Who’s cleaning? Me. Who’s doing my laundry? Me. New chapter of life begins: now. Not to say that I had all of those things done for me before now, but not all of those responsibilities befell me at one time. Here’s a definite new one - bills. That will be a worthwhile learning experience. By this time next year I expect to be 3209803 times more mature - I’ll keep you posted. 

SERVE

anthropologie:

to be of use; to furnish or supply with something needed or desired