family.

throughout this summer I have become to realize more and more how much I love my family. not just my mom dad and sisters, although those are the ones I probably have missed this most. while living with my grandparents in Kidron, I have also come to love and care for them in a new way that I dont think I would have if i wouldn't have been with them most of this summer. and this past week as I spent time with my dad's side of the family i was also reminded how much I love being around my cousins and grandparents on that side as well. how much fun we have together, and the laughter we share whenever we get together.

 

there is something really special about knowing you are related to someone. a connection you wouldn't necessarily feel with a friend. while friends may come and go, family remains close and steady and they are always there to fall back on. now, i say all that but at the same time i realize that not all would view their family that way. as i've heard the stories and reality of some of the kids i work with in Canton, i realize how blessed i have been. how blessed i have been to grow up in a family where both a mom and a dad are present. how blessed i have been to grow up in a Christian home where good morals and values have been passed down to me and have helped to create a strong foundation.

 

 

you don't always realize what you have until its no longer there anymore.

 

ive really become aware of this reality as i had to say goodbye to my beloved parents and my two bestest friends, my sisters, for most of this summer. it has not been easy for me. and i have to think of what it will be like when i say goodbye in about a year from now as i head off to college. its not easy to leave the ones you feel most comfortable with. the ones who know you best and accept you no matter where your at in life. but ive learned a lot from being away from them. ive gained more independence, and i view that as a positive thing.

 

 

so i encourage you to take time to remember and give thanks for the family members that have helped shape you over the years. we aren't who we are without the help and guidance from those who share that connection of being related with us.

 

 

take care,

lessons learned.

location: Phoenix, Arizona

climate: 112 degrees, dry, sunny

daily routine: breakfast, morning worship, browsing college booths, lunch, seminars, supper, evening worship, evening activities.

people: 4000 Mennos

time period: June 30th--->July 6th

 

i learned....

- that 112 degrees in Arizona feels like a hair dryer blowing in your face.

- that its fun to watch the many different people while sitting in the airport.

- that it takes 100 years for a cactus to grow an arm.

- that you don't sweat when its 118 degrees outside.

- that the floor in the youth worship auditorium is not made for 3000 youth to jump on it.

- that it is important to hold onto something when riding a metro or you will fall over.

- that Chipotle quesarito (quesadilla + burrito) is only sold in the western states.

- that it is possible to fit 20 high schoolers in an elevator.
- that no one will ever beat my daddy's hugs.
- that even though my daddy is 45 years old he is still strong enough to carry me on his back all the way down a hotel hallway.

 

but more importantly i learned....

- that it is important to be a follower of Jesus instead of just a fan.

- that i am proud to be apart of the Mennonite church.

- that it is important when talking to someone of a different denomination to elevate the conversation so that it focuses more on Jesus Christ than on your differences.

- that faith is reasonable, logical, and sensible.

- that forced love is abuse.

- that testimony can be described as the ways our stories connect with God's story.

- that Christian testimony is different from other testimonies because is focuses on how God is involved, a larger purpose is involved in sharing it, that it is important, and can be described as "when God meets us right smack in the middle of our lives."

- that testimony is needed in a world that doesn't follow God' story.

- that God is beyond words, therefore it may take years to share about the ways God has touched our own lives.

- that you know God is real when you put the Bible and your own personal encounters with God together and they connect.

- that where you invest your love is where you invest your life.

- that we need each other. we cannot follow God alone.

- that i am an S in DISC test. which means.....

i take my time to do things step-by-step.

i am dependable and can be relied upon.

i don't rush to make decisions and stick to things i know work.

i go out of my way to get along with others.

i don't create conflicts or make waves and i am accepting of others.

i am easy to talk to, and i have a calming influence on others.

i have a compassionate nature and tender heart and feel others hurts.

i am there when people need me and i follow through on your promises.

- that everyone has strengths and everyone has weaknesses. and we need both to make us human.

- that any strength that is overused or misused becomes a weakness.

- that five practices of exemplary leadership are:

1)model the way (set the course, do the dirty work)

2)inspire a shared vision (the leaders own belief in and enthusiasm for the vision are the sparks that ignite the flame of inspiration)

3)challenging the process (leadership involves a change from the status quo)

4)enabling others to act (the work of leaders is helping people feel strong, capable, informed, and connected)

5) encouraging the heart (a leaders job is to show people that they can succeed.

- that anger is a valid emotion.

- that i am imperfect and i am in need of belonging.

- that i am insecure.

- that i am loved.

- that i have been blessed with a family that accepts me despite my weaknesses.

 

i hope from what i have shared you can gain knowledge and understanding. although my week at convention was challenging, as you can see i learned a lot.

 

take care.