College

 

is wonderful.

 

 

 

Now excuse me as I go do homework.

Next Chapter.

Eighteen years ago I set out on an adventure. A long journey trying to find who I was and what my place in this world should be. I walked confidently at times, and others I barely got by, scared by what this world had to offer. I've fallen, gotten back up, grown stronger. I've looked back and seen my mistakes, my triumphs and the things I still need to learn. I know that this journey isn't even close to being over. Tonight marks the end of one chapter. The goodbyes have been said, the car is packed, my room is essentially empty. I'm stepping out of this wonderful life of high school- the amazing friends I have, living with my family, knowing exactly what to expect. From here on out, I don't really know what happens. It's the end of a beautifully written chapter, and the beginning of one that I'm sure will be equally (if not more!) amazing.



Even though the future is very uncertain right now, I cannot explain the peace I have. I know that I'm where God wants me, that He set this out for me before the Earth was even formed. Each step I take, each person I meet is strategically planned by Him. This is a leap of faith for me-going out on my own and getting a real taste of this world, but I learned a long time ago that if we are not stretched, we do not grow. I'm being stretched to the limit right now so I'm going to run straight into all that I'm meant to learn right now. I'm realizing the amazing comfort that comes from God's promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. I've seen His faithfulness in the past 18 years of this adventure and I know that He will see me through the next chapter and beyond. In the words of my Haitian friends, "All the GLory goes to the Lord!"

So tonight I said goodbye to the life I have loved for this leg of the journey. I’m beyond thankful for the people who have walked in it with me.  Now it’s time to turn the page and begin this next chapter.

Goodbye high school…hello college.

First World Problems

If ignorance is innocence than I'd rather just know it all.

I’d prefer be a mess than to believe this problem’s minimal.

Pristine, overrated, self-serving, overcomplicated

This hyped up American dream isn’t worth the price

When you realize your materialism is at the cost of a life.

Your comfortable, easy, happy go lucky reality

Is forever perpetuating this first world problem mentality.

Open your eyes and see the pain all around you.

See men, women, children on the ground just hunting for food.

We buy meaningless cars, unending riches and

forget to even look at people sleeping in the ditches.

Since when did a church become a place of complacency?

Of telling us what we want to know, avoiding what we don’t care to see?

Well “love thy neighbor as thy self”

Should be heard as less of a suggestion and more a cry for help.

Your purpose isn’t comfort but to bring love to the nations!

Don’t compromise your calling due to selfish motivations.

When politics corrode the generosity in your soul

You’ve got more issues than your debt, you’re about to lose control

Of the things that truly matter, the ones that mean much more

Like peace, love, generosity, those ones you can’t ignore.

Jesus even said if you don’t act out love, your faith is dead,

And it’s tough to share His love when you’re lying comfortably in bed.

So get up, get out, and look outside your own front door.

Allow your eyes to opened and you’ll see more than ever before.

"Ohana means family"

This week my family traveled across the country for my cousin's wedding. Naturally, most of our extended family was there which is ALWAYS a good time. Late night conversations, laughing at Saturday Night Live and embarassing dance moves. Classic. Then we were able to see another side of the family that we rarely get to spend time with! When we first met him, my shy 4 year old cousin asked me "Why are you here?" "Because you're my family!" He ran up and gave me a big hug, all shyness having vanished.

(the good old days)

It was funny when we were there looking at the people around me, seeing how much things had changed since when we were kids. Cousins who had been awkward-looking teenagers were now married, some with babies on the way. Others who played  dress up and house were now at college, enjoying their new life. Even the little ones had grown up so much. Time goes on and life changes. But family remains. The bond that holds us together is stronger than distance or age difference or circumstance. Certain things in life will change but like Lilo & Stitch said "... family means no one gets left behind".

                                         

Proverbs 18:24-Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.

These Dry Bones

This is my favorite song ever written. No joke. The lyrics, music and truth behind it are all absolutely incredible. This should be our prayer 24/7-crying out for God to satisfy us instead of seeking the things of this world. It hit me again listening to it the other day so I thought I'd share. Enjoy!

I love You Lord
But I want to love You more
I need You God
But I want to need You more

I'm lost without
Your creative spark in me
I'm dead inside
Unless Your resurrection sings

I'm desperate for a desperate heart
I'm reaching out, I'm reaching

All that I am is dry bones
Without You Lord, a desert soul
I am broken but running
Towards You God, You make me whole

You are exactly what we need
Only You can satisfy

Desert Soul-The Rend Collective Experiment

*P.S. Check out their other stuff too! Their lyrics are so raw.*

Summer Lovin'

"Little children, let us not

love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth"

1 John three:eighteen

Hope? Hope.



Look at this beautiful city. What once was one of the greatest cities in the world is now criticized for being one of the lowliest. What once was a productive, thriving city is now broken down and abandoned. What once was a sign of hope for people wanting to “make it” is now a picture of despair. This is Detroit. This is my city.

Yesterday, I was part of a group of young people who will be spending a week in Detroit later this summer, spreading God’s love and seeking revival for this once great city. As we looked at some of the issues that it’s dealing with, we were asked to discuss them. What words come to mind when you look at the video of the town? What problems are there? What is going to bring hope to this city? As we began talking in groups it became obvious that some people didn’t really believe it was possible for Detroit to thrive again. People spoke about gang violence, drugs, bankruptcy, failed school systems, all things that Detroit is facing. At one point, someone even said that the Chicago Bulls coming to town was the only thing that could save it. We all live close to the city and have seen firsthand what we’re fighting against. It’s real. Real poverty, real hopelessness, real pain. It’s easy to see how some can get discouraged when they see the list of obstacles that will need to be overcome in order to rise up. We read it in the news, hear it on the radio and see it on TV. It seems everyone believes there is no hope for Detroit

BUT.

I cannot help but believe that there is hope for Detroit. Yes, there’s a mile high list of things that will need to be dealt with. But my God is a God of redemption. He is one who makes beauty out of ashes. It is His very nature. There are broken things in this world as a result of sin but God wants to make them whole and pure again. It seems like I’m constantly quoting this verse but Ecclesiastes 3 says there is “a time to tear and a time to mend”. It’s safe to say that Detroit is torn right now. But a new season of healing and rebirth will come over this city. God is working in the hearts of the people there and in reality, that is what’s going to bring about this revival. Not emergency managers, not a huge amount of money, or better schools, but God overwhelming this city with love through those who love Him. He desires the souls of the people who reside in these broken neighborhoods. He longs for the hearts of the drug dealers and criminals as well as the children who live in fear of them. If the God of redemption is made known in this dark place, big things are bound to happen. When God gets a hold of this city, there will be a revival. And I, for one, do not want to miss it.

"Jesus looked at them and said 'With man this is impossible but with God, all things are possible" Matthew 19:26