Happy Monday from Galveston Island!

It's Monday so I thought I'd blog about my time at the beach last Friday. I love the beach. I love the shhhhh of the waves, the pounding presence of the sun, the annoying yet inviting sand, the little treasures on the shore, all of it! It just so happens, though, that I conveniently live in central Texas... Which means actual, authentic beach experiences are infrequent. The closest set up we have is Galveston Island, but hey it's a beach! I'm still in love. 

My baby sister and I made the four-ish hour drive to Galveston early Friday morning. We have Moody Gardens passes that expire in August so this summer we are trying to use them to their fullest. Our first stop was the Aquarium at Moody Gardens. 

 Our next stop was the Rain Forest Pyramid. This is one of my favorite places at Moody Gardens because of the butterfly section. I love butterflies. I always brag on them when people look at me like I'm a little girl for liking them. Monarchs can fly from Canada to Mexico. Can you do that??? Didn't think so.

I was just so satisfied to sit there and marvel at these incredible creatures. 

The next thing to do was check into our hotel BUT I screwed up the booking. We were supposed to stay a night but our plans changed. We just shrugged our shoulders and readjusted our mindset to enjoy the day as well as we could. Then... We headed to the beach!!!!

So here is my Galveston secret. We never go to the beach on Galveston Island anymore. The island is cool for doing touristy things but for chilling at the beach? Eh. We like to go to Bolivar Peninsula instead. There you can drive up on the beach (after you purchase a $10 beach pass at local stores) and pick a spot to hang! You have to take a ferry to the peninsula and sometimes it's busy, but it's always worth it to us. Plus the ferry ride is a fun experience! 

After we got our pass (and I got some drinks) we chose our spot on the beach and enjoyed all the fun things. It was a great day. 

One of the other pluses about Bolivar is that there are plenty of shells on the shore to collect. We love shells. Although the Gulf of Mexico isn't one of the prettiest or cleanest seas, it has a special place in my heart. I still thank the Lord for it :) 

Why I Love My Undergraduate University

The graduating class of Spring 2015 of my college of study.

I'm writing this entirely on my own initiative. I graduated this past May from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, TX, and as I reminisce on what my experience was, I've been overwhelmed with affection for this school (or more specifically, the experiences I had here). Please know, that statement is loaded with a profuse amount of explanation, which I am about to give you. This post is a reflection on my undergraduate experience and a placement of some of the puzzle-pieces-of-emotions I've been fiddling with as I get ready for my next educational journey. 

>>things that sucked

Believe it or not, not everything was magical and dandy.  There are a few stigmas about my university, some of which are definitely true.  It's a private, Christian (Baptist) university in Texas and it's small. The stereotypes and labels nearly scream out at you for that.  Given, there is quite a variety of students here due to our proximity to Fort Hood in Killeen. Still. Here we go.

1. The "Christian Bubble" was dense 

Bible-belters understand this term and outsiders may too if they're victims. There's nothing fun about the Christian Bubble. It's when a group of "Christians" stick only to themselves in as many aspects of life as possible, from campus activities to social gatherings to study groups, etc.  They all go to church together, life group, Bible study, intramural sports teams, become best friends with only other Christians, etc.  I found myself in this type of community over and over again. I grew up in this type of community.  Let me tell you about it--there's a lot of judgement, gossiping, drama, "fun" activities, and very little sharing of the gospel with those who have never heard or want to hear.  I'm not saying a strong Christian community isn't good if you believe in Jesus. By all means, we are SO meant to live out our faith and grow with other people. But this bubble didn't really let in the obviously-broken, required you to hide your brokenness, and was so counter to everything a Christian should be doing. I love my wonderful, godly friends. We quite often, though, did a bad job of sharing the treasure of love that we talk about so much. 

2. The absolute zero alcohol rule

I took this screenshot from the online version of UMHB's 2014-2015 Student Handbook. This rule is extremely obsolete among students at our university. This rule was unfortunate because even if you are 45 year-old student at a restaurant with your family having a glass of wine, if you're caught by the university, you have to pay a fine. Three strikes is out. I would go so far as to say 85% of major campus student leaders consume alcohol on a regular basis while being students at the university. I'm not endorsing drunkenness. I'm endorsing the ridiculousness of a rule that more than half the university doesn't stick to and causes great people to get in trouble for something that isn't illegal. Rant ended. 

(Update as of 8/24/2015--this rule has been changed!) 

A few other things here and there weren't the best, but other than these two major ones, not a lot else "sucked" on my watch. Tuition goes up every year at just about every university. The general university cliches are prevalent at most places. (Oh, our mascot was the worst--the Crusaders--but that's a whole other post in itself). This blog post isn't about the awful things, though. It's about why I love my school and I will always be happy to say I went here.

>>things that rocked my socks off 

1. The people

Without a doubt, this was the best part of my undergraduate experience--the people I met, friends I made, and things they taught me.  It is a fact that you change so much in college.  Who you are when you came in is not who you are when you leave, in a good way.  I've noticed this of some of my wonderful friends and especially with myself.  

My friends were my favorite teachers. I was always so impressed by their ability to love. Each of my friends loved differently and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to love and be loved by them. My roommate since freshman year and one of my best friends Rachel was always challenging me to love better, whether she knew it or not, by her incredible compassion for others. My friend Lindsay taught me to be less judgmental with her admiration for people who other people gossiped about. Lindsay taught me to love in such a rich and deep way that I definitely did not do before.  My friend Audrey taught me to love people where they are and to love them freely.  My friend Beverly taught me to love people subtly, quietly, and fiercely.  My friend Maegan taught me to love people with laughter and consideration.  My friend Rachel Booth taught me to love without inhibitions to my true self. My friend Ashley taught me to love people in a genuine way, embracing the reality of situations and emotions and exploring the depths of honesty. My friend Jessica taught me to love others in color--joy, excitement, silliness, and by resting with them. I could go on and on but I will forever be marked with the sweet imprint of these unique lives.  I love you!

My professors in my college of study were so influential these past three years. Gosh, I love these humans so much. I didn't do that great a job expressing it while I was still a student, but they too have left their mark on my life.  Perhaps one of the biggest things I am grateful to them for is their encouragement of women in my field of study.  They are a force united to empower women in ministry, contrary to many of the influences of the "Bible Belt" and the general belief of many UMHB faculty and students, and IT WAS FREAKING AWESOME! So many people do not understand the struggle that it is to be a Christian woman in the South in the U.S. and they did. Even the male professors. And they enriched my experience with their wit, humor (especially D. Rob), belief in my ability as a student and minister, and their constant encouragement and recognition.  I honestly could have been a better student. But regardless, they took care to make sure we knew we were valued. Thanks to these professors!! I hope to take some of their skill and love into my teaching one day. 

My church community and leaders are so dear to me.  I will always have a special place in my heart for First Baptist Belton.  Although many of the leaders and congregation there don't endorse my view of women in ministry, they still provided incredible opportunities to follow, lead, and learn as a minister. I have been loved so well by this family, and I can only hope I have done an adequate job serving my fellow believers.  This body of believers supported me when Dominic and I took a group of students to India this past December. This body of believers has loved me in my faults and mess-ups. This body of believers has encouraged me in what I love most and I can't be grateful enough for it. I have special thanks for my supervisor Mark and his wife Alice, who have allowed me the freedom to be creative in my intern position. I am so grateful for Colton and Katy who have loved me profusely while serving there.  I also LOVE Karen and Jesse, who do so much for our church body and who also mean so much to me. The Holy Spirit is at work in this church body, and I am thankful for how the Lord has used this community to shape me. 

2. The city

Yes, this is in Belton.

Belton is a tiny little city and most people would rather go to Austin than spend the weekend here, but I love this city.  It has offered so many fun experiences! There are tons of trails and places to hike here.  There are two gorgeous lakes where you can swim, kayak, have a bonfire, stand-up paddle board, and simply enjoy.  I've also had a lot of fun in and around Nolan Creek. I LOVE the coffee shop Arusha's downtown. Haytem is all about the community of Belton and I will never forget my long conversations with Jacques (and my short attempts at conversations with him in French). Belton has a lot of fun thrift stores and antique stores. And every third (or something) Saturday there are market days downtown, which I've participated in a few times for fundraisers.  There's also a farmer's market downtown every Saturday. Belton, too, will always have a warm place in my heart.

3. The campus

UMHB that one time it snowed for a few hours.

UMHB is pretty. It's not THE prettiest, but it's beautiful (haha at being a UMHB girl). I loved climbing the tree at Luther Memorial and looking over the city of Belton. I loved the trails next to Peacock ranch and sleeping in hammocks at night there. I loved playing sardines! I'll never forget the ever-present train and its persistence blast.  I'll never forget our football games and how they were only great in the beginning but then stunk after we knew we were going to win, which was always (until the very last game in the finals). I'll never forget my quiet times next to Burt Pond. I'll never forget when the basement floor of Presser was empty and "haunted" and the perfect place to scare wimpy friends.  So many memories. Woo!

This just lightly scratches the surface of my university experience, but I couldn't help but share it with you. For all those thinking about or are already going to UMHB, just know you can have the time of your life.  But here is the real matter of fact: it's always what you make it.  I know plenty of people who hate my university, and I don't blame them, except most of those people didn't really want to love it in the first place.  Your undergraduate experience will ALWAYS be what you make it. And you can make it awesome. I'm overwhelmed with joy at the gift God gave me in my time at UMHB. And for that, I can say I will always love my undergraduate experience at Mary Hardin-Baylor. 

Friedrich Therapy: What I Learned

Life has been hard. It's been very hard. I've made some mistakes. I've lost some precious things. I've realized more and more the rawness of humanity and sin and it hurts. So I went to Missouri.

I hope and pray everyone has people they can cry in the arms of. Part of healing comes with dropping your inhibitions when it comes to crying and just letting your tears fall. To be in a safe place where you know you won't be judged for crying your heart out when that's the way you feel. This is what Lindsay has been for me. 

My dear friend Lindsay. There is something about her heart and her love and in this time of my life, she was the friend I needed. I've had so much joy being with her family here in Grandview. In Lindsay's world there is the joyful evidence of God's redeeming love from our lowest of low points to restored relationships. In Lindsay's world there is this freedom to be human. In Lindsay's world there is the some of the best laughter that ever existed. 

I've learned or maybe relearned or maybe learned in a new way this much: 

1. How to hurt when I hurt

2. That it's ok to dream and dream big. 

3. The journey from immense pain is the best one.

4. There exists out there so much joy that you just want to burst it's unreal.

5. Life is hard. People suck. I suck. 

6. Jesus is worth it. 

7. Being in love is hard but so fun. 

Lindsay and Joel run Café Main. It's such a swell shop and they really are one of the best couples I know. I love them so so much! I praise the Lord for the help he gives in the form of friendship. There is something so sweet when he touches souls with souls and we realize we are utterly dependent on him. I've cried so many tears and I know I have many more to come. With it I sing to a God who is faithful and true. Undeniably good. 

Adventure Diaries: Audrey, Broods & One With Nature

Friends. Where do I even begin. And no, that's not a question.  

Last semester I decided to be more active in living my life the way I want to.  Sounds kind of funny to say, but check out my explanation blog (which includes a lot of rambling, btw) here. Now that I look back, it was mostly an attitude change.  Here is where it has me now:

People.  People are what I'm about.  Exploring their histories, pains, joys. Exploring with them this wild thing we call life.  I learn the most from people--what they've been through, what they like, what annoys them.  

SO. This weekend I took my dear friend Audrey to Miller Springs.  It's a wonderful world of magic right here in Belton (except if you go there for a date on a perfect Saturday, you're likely to run into people you know. Just ask my friends Ciera and Matt who caught me taking their photo as they were in their 'own world' haha). We brought with us ambitions to be beautiful and enjoy beauty. I think we exceeded our expectations. 

Being with Audrey is like looking into a mirror through the eyes of my soul (insert hashtag deep here). I kid you not, though, we share pieces of each other that just absolutely feed who we are as humans.  I'm comforted in her company with the stories she shares of her wild past and her stories of how the Holy Spirit is moving in her life right now.  She's genuine in her opinion and I can literally feel her love with the bounce in my step when I'm around her.

She was reading freaking Hemingway. Of course she is my soul sister.

While we were being super explorers in our hammocks we set up over a section of the creek, most of the people walking by couldn't resist taking note aloud. We heard things like, "Oh look, there are people in hammocks" or "You guys are too cool" or "Oh! Oh my gosh, look at that!" The funniest thing we heard was a mother's reply to her son. He said, "Look momma, people are sleeping in those!" to which she said, "Yeah, that's how they become one with nature." I highly encourage setting up a hammock in an obscure public place.  Take a journal and write down what you hear when people think you aren't listening.  Oh and bring food, too.  That's the one thing we did wrong on this adventure.  Always have food.  

You wanna do cool things? You wanna be loved? You want to feel beautiful and known? You wanna live life fully? My advice is just do it.  Literally just go buy someone flowers or bring your friends tacos or call your uncle. Ask your friend who has a nice camera if they'll do a photoshoot. Have a spontaneous dinner. People always want food. God gave us people who are our friends, family, mentors, peers.  He also gave us the command to love our neighbor as we love ourself.  Put two and two together and start being awesome. 

 Oh and the "Broods" part of my post title is because I was singing a song (don't remember which one) and Audrey started finishing the lyric and we were both like "YOU LIKE BROODS?!" So now we're going to see them in Austin in April, booyah.  You should listen to them. They're super and they're from New Zealand. My current favorite is Pretty Thing. 

World Wednesday: How to Love the World

Most people associate me and many of my friends with "the world."  If you walk into my apartment, you're sure to see a multicultural array of relics, a globe, maps, etc.  I have had the opportunity of traveling to a few countries and other parts of the U.S. while in college, and it's very true that I enjoy traveling "the world."  My current internship is focused on "the world." In part, people have me labeled as a "world girl." 

This got me thinking.  It's true I have a heart for "the world." I just got back from India two weeks ago in an attempt to better learn how to love another culture.  I realized, though, that in our day and age, it's really hip to love the world.  Travel is très chic, globes are a must-have home accessory and Instagram photos of rustic maps are sure to get a solid amount of likes.  But what does loving the world truly look like? What does it actually  look like besides maps on your wall and stamps in your passport? I really can only speak for myself, so here is what loving the world looks like to me:

Prayer
I truly believe there is no better way to love the world than to pray for it.  Why? Because we live in a big world. There is always something to pray for.  You may not be able to touch every life with service, but you sure as heck can pray for God's power to do so for every life.  Prayer keeps your focus on the bigger picture of what the Lord has done, is doing and is going to do in our world.  Prayer is the precursor for action. God hears and answers prayers.  I use several tools to practically pray for the world, one of which is the book Operation World. This book is so useful in not only guiding you in prayer but also in teaching about the world. It contains so much information on the political, religious, demographic, etc. make-up of each continent and country. 

Laying Down My Own Culture
I am a born and raised American.  Not only that, I am from Texas.  I love my country for the opportunity and freedom I have as a citizen.  I love my state in part because my state loves itself... but also because it's a good state. I've had a great time living in Texas.  The trap that is easy to fall in to, though, is being culturally snobby.  If a person of any country is not aware of just how many other cultures there are in the world, then it becomes easy for him or her to view their own particular culture in a glorified manner.  I do not wish to glorify my own culture above any other culture.  I choose to understand that there are so many cultural differences, (not bad things about other cultures but simply different things about other cultures), and that mine is not special in any way. This is my own choice. This is how I choose to view my culture in light of others.  It has been hard in some instances to set my culture aside.  I've been in countries where I was frustrated at their lack of customer service or at their different understanding of what being pushy in a bus stop meant.  But I have seen over and over the value of learning and accepting culture differences, especially in light of living out the gospel.  Across the board cultures have different understandings of personal space, comfort, religion, money, etc.  It does me no good to view my U.S. culture in a manner higher than other cultures.  I am very grateful for my country. I'm also keen on learning about other countries and learning how to respect other cultures and religions.  

Learning
Which leads me to this aspect of loving the world: learning about it.  What good is a world traveler who knows little about the world? What good is a world traveler who thinks they know everything there is to know about this big, vast world? What good is a person who loves the Lord and His creation and does little to learn about it? These are all questions I ask myself. This is one way I practically love the world.  When you meet an international person in the U.S., it means a lot to them if you know something about their home or if you're interested in learning about or visiting their home. 

The way I learn about the world varies. This semester I'm taking two classes related to understanding the world through the lens of the gospel. Learning world history is another practical thing. Keeping up with the news from different types of sources is another. I read books and watch films of other cultures. There are so many ways to learn and even more things to learn. We will never be finished learning. 

Going

This is the funnest way of loving the world—traveling it. I'm no expert on this stuff. I haven't been to a whole lot of countries. I don't know five languages. I'm not unlike most people my age who have ambitions to travel. I'm no special thing. But this is my heart. My heart is going and experience other cultures, being challenged in my own, laying down comfort and convenience, and living out the treasure of the gospel amongst other peoples. I don't travel just to travel. It's fun and enlightening sometimes, but the world is about a lot more than me, and I'm learning not to be selfish about it. I also know the world is all around me. Sometimes going to the world doesn't mean hopping on a plane but it means visiting my Indian friends in the next city over and learning their language while sharing a meal. Sometimes it means going to a cross cultural event and learning something new even while still in Texas. What?! Yes. 

This is not an exhaustive list. It's a big world!! In what ways do you love the world? In what ways can you challenge other people to better love the world? Let me know! I'm eager to know :) 

-Leah 

Raw Thoughts Over Black Coffee

It really is quite a trip sitting in a coffee shop. There is something about coffee. Something about having a cup of it or some other version of it or tea and just existing with other people. I suppose that's how it is with drinks in general. But coffee is something special. (So is tea, but for the purposes of my current culture...) 

Right now I'm sitting in an old coffee shop on Georgetown square. This place used to be something else. It used to be owned by this dynamic family, run by dynamic people and with the aesthetics of a truly unique shop. Now it's sort of...mainstream (and I use this word lightly, not in its typical sense.) It has a lot less uniqueness. Cool thing is, though, it hasn't stopped being an enchanting place where memories are made over a muffin and a cup. 

Right now as I sit in this coffee shop, there is a girl and a woman to my right talking about college. Talking about housing, what to major in, what to expect, and all this other stuff. And it's probably one of the most frustrating things ever to me. Why? Because it reminds me of when I was in the same boat. I hardly knew what I was talking about or what I was going in to. I was uncertain about so many things. I had so many incorrect premonitions. And looking at how far I've come, I'd hate to be in that place again. This conversation is frustrating. 

I suppose it's also a sweet reminder of just how far I've come. I'm in a different place for sure. But then... I suppose I'm also in the same place as this girl, as I was before. I graduate college in May 2015 and I don't know where I'm going or what I'm doing or what I want to do. At least this girl to my right is hashing it out with someone. I'm almost afraid to.  I'm almost afraid to think about the future because when I start aligning options, it becomes more real. And right now, I'm so content where I am. 

But I'm not. This past semester has been the best one I have ever lived. I am so full of joy when I think of the memories I've made. And part of me doesn't want this crazy, special undergrad college time to end. Another part of me can't wait for the adventures ahead. A part of me does think about the future and dreams of all the possibilities and is always telling myself not to let them slip away. Don't stop living this life you love, no matter where you are. 

My thoughts jumble. Some guy just walked by and called me my sister Kymbrly. It makes sense—this is her hub and we are basically twins. My thoughts jumble. This girl has already graduated high school? I'm confused. My thoughts jumble. I have a page of writing I've left unfinished to write this here blog post. My thoughts jumble. God? Hello. Hi. Here we go. 

The ghost of a good conversation amongst friends, this the empty table at a coffee shop. 

What Are You Waiting For?

I like to think.  I like to share my thoughts with the Lord and see what he thinks, too.  One time I was thinking, and something hit me (I usually get hit by thoughts – not tapped or nudged, although that does happen sometimes, too. Actually, maybe some thoughts sneak up on me also… so never mind). But yes, a thought hit me – what am I waiting for? What am I waiting for???

We’re always waiting it seems! We are always waiting for the next milestone – graduation, next vehicle, next paycheck, next sport event, next relationship, next house, next job, next pay-raise, year, child, class, birthday, wedding, you name it! We’re waiting for it.  Sometimes the wait is simply normal, like waiting in line at the DPS office to get a new license or waiting to have enough money to make a down payment on something. Sometimes, waiting isn't okay.  Sometimes we wait until graduation to start living like there’s a real world out there (speaking for students of all ages). Sometimes we wait until the morning-of to study for a test (guilty a hundred times over).  Sometimes we wait until the work-day is over to start enjoying the time we have. Sometimes we wait until we are in a new relationship to start actively working on the character flaws we know we have to wrestle with.  Sometimes we wait until we have our first child to start seeing humanity as precious and valuable. 

I looked at all these elements of waiting and decided that I don’t want to wait. I’m done waiting. I’m done waiting to take charge of my attitude and development as a person until I’m…what, more grown? A wife? A mother? A grandmother? When do you start making changes and growing? Yes, I know that each of those times of my life will bring each their own lessons and seasons of growth that I can’t experience right now.  But I don’t want to go into those times unequipped, having waited until I’m in an intimate relationship with someone to practice far-stretched patience or profuse forgiving or self-sacrificing. I don’t want to wait until I’m married to start taking constructive criticism seriously and delicately.  I don’t want to wait until I have an “official job” to start doing what I love. The time is now.

I've heard that phrase over and again, too.  The time is now. It never really got to me, though, until recent thoughts hit me (hahahahaha). So here is one of my new mantras I've been sharing with those close to me:

The life I’m living now is the life I always want to live. I’m not waiting to live how I want to live in the future.

What this means to me is not that I’m completely satisfied with where I am now but that I am completely satisfied with how I’m living my life now.  How am I choosing to live life now?  I’m choosing to take each day and actively seek how I can give this life I've been given back to the One who is worth all of my life and so so so so much more.  I’m choosing to live each day in the understanding that I have so much more to learn about life and God and loving his world.  I’m choosing to laugh more, care more, give more, adventure more, fail more, cry more, celebrate more.

I’m simply saying that I’m not waiting until the bad times, rough times, odd times, emotional times or whatever have passed for me to start being better for Christ. It seems almost absolute to say I’m completely satisfied with how I’m living my life now. It isn't though, because my understanding is that I’m living with the knowledge that I have so much farther to go – and that’s why it’s important not to wait. We’ll always, always have room to be better, to grow more like Christ, to love people more. So why wait? Why wait and fall behind? Why wait and watch the excellent life pass you by when you can hop on to the excellent-life boat and sail through life in excellence? Does this sound cheesy? Maybe it is. But it’s real. And it’s now. I want to be on that excellent-life boat. I know the waters will get rough sometimes. Shoot, I’ll even get knocked out of it every now and then. Other times, though, I’ll see the most beautiful things on the journey. I’ll feel the winds of life rushing along with me. I’ll see the power of God and how he is constantly in motion. And I know deep down inside, I’d much rather be on the boat of excellence, excellently giving my life back to the Lord for his glory alone, than to be on the shore wishing I was.