Tonight I sit in my apartment pondering my life. Something that I have done quite often over the last few months.

The apartment is decorated for Christmas. Lights hung all around, garland shining, nativity set above the TV, stockings hung from a bookshelf and the cutest six-foot Christmas tree I have ever seen 🙂 This tree has been to three states with me and takes me back to Nevada every time I put it up. The ornaments that adorn it are blue and silver for UNR.

Sitting in my living room like this makes life feel somewhat magical. Sometimes I wish it could be Christmas all year-long (seriously thinking of keeping the lights up…they were a pain to hang!).

Today was an amazing day. Many would probably not understand.

As many know, I moved to Texas January 22nd, 2009. I moved to start a new chapter in my life. And to be a part of something amazing. A church plant.

These last 11 months have been amazing…difficult…tiring…rewarding…a roller coaster. I knew of course coming into this that it was going to be a whirlwind of different emotions, but in the back of my head, and I know I am not alone in these thoughts, I imagined that I would be above the curve and be able to take anything head on and soar over any obstacle with flying colors. God has definitely brought me to a totally different reality. He has humbled me numerous times which is exactly what I needed.

When I left California…I left a part of my heart with some amazing students. Students who allowed me to be a part of their lives and watch them grow not only physically and mentally, but more importantly spiritually. It is at Rolling Hills Christian Church where God showed me a passion and a direction for my life. Student Ministries. When I began to work with the youth I became alive. I felt like I was using my gifts at their best for the first time in my life. Those close to me said they had never seen so much joy in my eyes before. Moving to Texas I had a hope continuing this passion.

Although I knew that my position would look different I didn’t know how different. It has definitely been a struggle learning to be an admin. over an entire church (no matter how small it is) than over just one ministry. And starting a youth group from the bottom up has been even harder. We have some awesome students coming to our group. And I am really excited about what the future holds for them, I just want them to be excited about it as well.

Today we had our first Christmas Service Project. We told the students to bring new sleeping bags, blankets, gloves, beanies, socks, etc. We would wrap them, make lunches, and then deliver those to the homeless in Austin. This is an event that we use to do back in California and not only saw the homeless blessed, but saw a difference in the students who took part in it.

Today Pete (my partner in crime in student ministries) and I were only joined by two students, both boys, one 6th grade and one 9th grade. To many, this could be seen as a failure. Maybe we should have cancelled. But we decided to continue on. There is no reason why we couldn’t still do this and allow these students, as well as ourselves, to bless others; even if our expectations of what we thought this day should look like did not transpire.

We made 100 lunches, wrapped 5 sleeping bags, 3 blankets, 4 beanies, 5 pairs of socks, and 10 gloves. We headed to downtown to only find that another group had organized an event for the homeless. They had soup and presents ready to give. First reaction: what are we going to do? Their taking our homeless people. Second reaction after a moment of process: that is awesome what they are doing. Looks like we are going to have to work a little harder to find people to serve…imagine that.

Pete then took us to a homeless center that he came across last time we did a service project. And you know what. God provided. We were able to pass out every lunch in a matter of minutes. The only sad thing was we only had a limited amount of presents which broke our hearts when some came up to us asking where people got the presents from and if there were anymore left.

Think about it. Four people were able to relieve a need, momentarily, of 100 people in a matter of minutes. And that was worth it. That makes today amazing and all worth it.

To top off the night I sat down to watch one my favorite movies Julie and Julia. I have decided that it is probably in my top 5. Why? Because it is inspiring to me. It is why I am sitting here typing this right now. When I watch this movie it communicates a few things to me. One: Cooking is awesome. I love it and I really don’t know why I don’t do it more often. Two: I love to write. And I need to find any way I can to keep this in my life, to improve my writing, and continue pursuing ideas. Three: It’s never too late to follow your dreams. Julia Child didn’t start cooking until her mid thirties and her book wasn’t published until she was 49. Julie Powell who wrote her blog about cooking through Child’s book didn’t begin her blog until she was 29, and got published when she was 32 (side note: I learned when looking her up that she is from Austin, kind of cool). I am 25. I am young. I have time. But who knows how much time. So, I must make the most everyday.

The future is limitless and I am looking forward to what God has in store.

If you happen to have any ideas for me and my writing please feel free to shoot them my way. I will take anything into consideration.

Sorry about my 1000+ word entry, but I felt like this was something that I needed to communicate.

Until next time…PEACE OUT!