There is value in having friends of all ages. In just this last year, I’ve been really blessed to have friendships grow with people ages 12, 14, 17, 20,22, 26, 27, 31, 38, etc. At the tail end of summer, I found a job essentially being a nanny for a 7 and 10 year old. So for about 12 hours a week I’m around them, waiting at elementary schools and driving to soccer practice. It’s strange to be taking care of kids doing things I did not so long ago. They still giggle about silly words, fight over small things, and try to protect the other from certain subjects. It’s pretty funny when I can have intense conversations about which Sponge Bob episode it was when such and such happened… In about October I began being a jr. high leader at church. I forgot until that first Sunday I helped out that, Oh yeah, Junior High is terrible! I think I blocked out the intense judging, cliques, backstabbing, physical/emotional changes and prolonged absolute awkwardness that happens during those years. Now on Sundays and Wednesdays I have to think back to how I dealt with the same problems. I also love the people in my life that are older and can give advice to me as I attempt to do for the younger. Before this year I think I just secluded myself to people my age because I thought life would be too complicated with friends in different grades because then we’d all be split apart come college and whatnot. Now I realize it’s an amazing privilege to have friends of all ages to see life from different perspectives, on different time lines.
Everyone’s got their own problems and their own ways they deal with it, so it’s ridiculous to judge. Some people can handle everyday pressures and others cannot. One’s home life, friendships, relationships, work, are places that impact all cultures’ daily attitude. A hole in one of these can cause repercussions in every other. People crack under the pressure, try to fix things with dangerous actions, and ultimately make mistakes. E.V.E.R.Y.O.N.E. In no way does that mean they should be shoved aside. In this year, I found a quote that doctors don’t help healthy people, because duh, nothing’s wrong. They take in the sick people and give them a remedy on how to get better. It’s not that hard to take the role of a doctor (or just being helpful instead of an obstacle). On Sunday morning small groups, we discussed the stereotypes people have of Christians. I think we’re seen as people who go out into the world, acting holier than thou, imposing our beliefs on others who are fine with their way of life, and when we come home, feel just so proud of what we’ve done, and feel that’s sufficient so we forget these things as we carry on everyday. What I like about the congregation is, for the most part, we’re pretty open and accepting of all people. It’s been great to learn more about people who accept each other just as they are, right now. Leaders I’ve had definitely influence the way I treat people. In the way I’ve seen them interact with people of all different economic backgrounds and in varied situations, it sounds corny, but it shows me how Jesus would’ve treated people. We’re called to love everyone. E.V.E.R.Y.O.N.E.
Don’t house sit for people you don’t know.
Some of the best fellowship happens on mission trips. I think when a group of people is working towards a common goal and has to work together, real bonding can occur. Both the person (people) receiving the effort and the team benefit. Its money and time well spent when both can be used for someone else. Certain elements have to be in place, like openness of people involved, generally good physicality (or a minimally-complaining attitude... or has to be charming when complaining), and genuine interest in the task. Again, it’s why I like my church because I feel like we take more mission trips than ones to conventions of sorts. There is of course great value in hanging out with friends, going all kinds of places. But some of the best things happen in the simplest of locations.
Yes,
the economy is terrible, but maybe it’ll produce things that wouldn’t have been possible if everything had remained the same. My family’s been hit, and we do have to pull together. Honestly, it feels like finally we’re chipping in, pulling our own weight in the family. Hopefully it won’t be isolated to financial situations, and that things do improve.
Life minus high school equals real and great.
Getting to know
friend’s families is amazing, hilarious, emotional, and one of the greatest things I started working on this year.
My powers? My dreams really do depict situations that occur several months later, and I get legitimate vibes from clothing sales.
Some of my
favorite quotes from this year:
"We can do no great things, just small things with great love. It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into doing it." – Mother Teresa
“If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” – again, MT
“What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?” - George Eliot
Favorite 2008 songs (with help from iTunes play count) :
Rocky Took A Lover – Bell x1 [87]
I Just Do – Dear and the Headlights [88]
You Remind Me of Home – Ben Gibbard [67]
Why You’d Want to Live Here – Death Cab for Cutie [25]
Location – Husband and Wife [56]
Ten Cent Blues – Eisley [62]
Change – Tracy Chapman [48]
Coney Island – Good Old War [47]
Stay for Good – Carly Escoto (off the clock version) [46]
1979 – Smashing Pumpkins [80]
Ripe – Ben Lee [41]
A Praise Chrous – Jimmy Eat World [40]
Penelope – Pinback [38]
Birds/Nicest Thing/Foundations/Skeleton Song – Kate Nash [whole cd is so good]
this past year has been absolutely insane with 3 mission trips, a first plane ride, first throw-up event since i was 12, graduating, mini-road trips, turning 18 in a most ridiculous way, getting my license, many many crushes from the summer to now, countless new, remarkable people and escalating friendships with older acquaintances. thank you all for contributing to everything.
