I LOVE the Wii Fit!

Okay, so I must admit, I have a new addiction.

Even worse, it's an addiction to a video game.

But not just any video game; one of the hottest video games on the market, the Nintendo Wii Fit.

This game is incredible! It offers games and activities in aerobics, strength training, balance games, and yoga for multiple players. The game can track your BMI and weight, calculate a "Wii Age" that fits a body test, and offer you fitness tips. You can even set and track weight loss/gain goals with the program!
Although I haven't quite explored the yoga exercises, I can't help but try to break records in the other areas. I currently hold a record for the tightrope and ski-jump balance games. In the strength training exercises, I've challenged my "trainer" to push-ups or jack knife exercises. My favorite games are the aerobic exercises. In fact, I'm excited to share that I proudly hold the hoola-hoop record of over 3,300 hoola hoops on the ten minute challenge!

Okay, okay, enough boasting, I understand!

You can just bet, though, that I'll be playing this game as much as possible while I'm here! It's a great game to play individually and especially with family! This is definitely a game that I'll be looking out for when I can afford a Wii of my own!

Explore the site and take a look for yourself!

Christmas Time

With Christmas passed, the weekend over, and New Year's right around the corner, I've reluctantly accepted that my relaxing time with family, games, and lots of food is coming to a close. This Christmas has been one of the best that I can remember. Whether surprising both sets of parents with family photos, playing hours of the Wii with my brothers, or spending time surrounded by extended family and friends, I realize how very blessed I am.

One of my favorite memories this holiday came as a request that my mom had for one of her Christmas presents. Her desire was for us, as a family, to serve others somewhere on Christmas Eve. And so, Christmas Eve began with some exciting adventures as my mom, brother John, and I set off in the late morning to volunteer our time at Boyertown Salvation Army serving community members at the Christmas Eve dinner.




It was easy to sign up to serve. We simply contacted Boyertown Salvation Army, asked about opportunities, and were marked on a list to serve from 11am-2pm. The meal began at noon, in which many members from the congregation, elders, and friends gathered for a free dining experience. A youth lounge area was decorated with dozens of tables set for eight, placed with candy-cane goodies and holiday decor.

All the guests enjoyed themselves. And for us, the experience was unforgettable.

Although we felt a bit out of place at first because we had no idea what our roles were nor the people with whom we were serving, my family and I quickly hit it off connecting with others. I was pleased to chat with several people; one young woman who recently has graduated from college and now teaches in the elementary division, two people whom graduated from Eastern, a youth minister, one individual going to seminary, a student at PV West in the 7th grade (my brother Thomas's school and grade), and even a twenty-one year old girl from Malawi, Africa. I collected cards, names, exchanged stories, and even was extended a job opportunity!

In addition to connecting with the volunteers and staff members, I loved conversing with the community members who came to enjoy the meal. As I was "assigned" to offer drinks to people at their table, it came easy for me to begin conversation about simple things; sports, school, Christmas plans, etc.! Some of my favorite points of conversation were with some older gentleman about football, movie collections, and old television shows. One teenager girl explained to me her Christmas t-shirt of "I want a cute boy for Christmas." One older gentlemen even asked me where the wine was, since Jesus drank wine at his dinners!

People are incredible, aren't they?

It's so silly how I sometimes-often- so easily pass over the individuality and uniqueness each single person has to offer.

Come 2pm, my family and I were sad to say goodbye to our new found friends. We shouted that we hope to see everyone at the same time and place next year. I collected Mwai's full name so that we could become official facebook friends and keep in touch. Even my brother John (who usually lacks expression for most family outings) talked about interesting parts of his experience on the ride home.

I think our family's found a new Christmas tradition.
(At least I hope!)

It's so amazing how contributing even just a few hours around the holidays towards serving others can help remind you of Jesus's most important two commandments: to love God and to love others.

• 29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12: 29-31)

Sometimes, it's so easy to get caught up in doing things for ourselves around the holidays, even if that just means "relaxing with family, games, and lots of food." Of course, so much importance lies in spending time with family. Yet, why not try some ways to spend time with family, whether immediate or extended, by serving others together? Find a way to make a tradition for loving others; whether it be around Christmas or year-round. You may be surprised at how close it draws your family together.

I've included a few sites below that are excellent sources for serving opportunities. Take a look!

• Central PA Food Bank: http://www.centralpafoodbank.org/
• The Salvation Army: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf
• Habitat for Humanity: http://www.habitat.org/

Eternal Life

Something serious has happened in my family today.

My father is one of seven. He has three sisters and three brothers. When he was young, his youngest brother died as a teenager. Just two years ago, his older brother died from liver failure. Today, my father spent the evening with his only remaining living brother.

Today, my father told me that his only living brother has three months to live.

My uncle, my dad's last living brother, is dying from cancer.

Dying.

Seeing that it's almost Christmas Eve, I realize how the holidays are always a time to embrace family and close friends. I'm constantly reminded of how joyful my friends seem when their facebook status reads "home with the family" or "there's no place like home" at this time of year.

Family, family, family.

I myself wasn't always one who viewed family as a priority, until my dad began to hassle me about it when I was a teenager. I frequently remember him telling me, "love your brothers, because they'll be some of the closest friends you'll have."

Now, only 22, now, as I begin to "jump into the real world," now, as I watch my family mourn over broken relationships, death, and regret, I cannot be more thankful for my father's instruction.

Family is so important.

Friends are so important.

People are so important.

And yet, relationships are risky.

Yet, why does death have to hurt so bad?

Why is it so difficult to watch the tears in my father's tears eyes and not wonder why this pain has to exist?

At what point did God see it as essential to end the lives of what He's created?

To think, that one pours so much time into loving someone else; spending time with them, helping them, listening to them, creating memories together, to one day have to either leave them emotionally, physically, or in both ways.

But, Jesus is all about relationships.

Isn't it interesting how Jesus calls us "follow him" into one of the most risky investments that we can make? Jesus calls us to love others, full well knowing the pain that it can cause when we're separated from those relationships.

I wonder if Jesus ever had to watch 3 of his brothers die.

I wonder how Jesus felt while looking into the eyes of those that battled death.

I wonder how Jesus used the sorrow and compassion that he felt for others for something better.

And then there's this offer of eternal life.

Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life"
(John 5:24).

Eternal life.

Family.

Dying from cancer.

My dad is spiritual giant and someone I deeply admire because of his relationship with God. He's often challenging my family, particularly my brothers and I, to treat each other well. He often hopes for opportunities to hug each of us, no matter how embarrassing it may seem. He always speaks to us with guidance, wisdom, and love. So, today, naturally, when my father shared his news, every ounce of my insides were bursting to cry with him and hold his hand and tell him, "everything will be okay! I love you, dad! Trust the Lord!"

Yet, I couldn't.

It was too uncomfortable.

Instead, I choose to sit and listen to every word or thought or story that my dad wanted to share. I offered to do the dishes with him. I chose to spend as much time as possible around him.

Good, I thought. But not great. Why didn't I cry with him or hold his hand?

I don't want to ever loose my family members and friends and then regret that I didn't spend enough time with them or that I didn't know them well enough. I especially don't ever want to regret sharing the news of receiving eternal life with them. This past week in church, a video of Penn from magicians Penn and Tailor was shared. Penn, an atheist spoke on the topic of sharing one's faith, posing "how much do you have to hate someone to not proselytize?" (Note: proselytize means to introduce someone to one's one religious faith. It had me guessing for awhile!)

I like to think that I don't hate anyone.

But sometimes-lots of times-proselytizing, like embracing family members, is uncomfortable, even with those that are closest to you. Listening and spending time with people will always be ways to show them love. I hope, though, that I can somehow be brave enough to risk the discomfort of embracing them and telling them, "I love you! I love you!" so that I can show my family and closest friends the most absolute love possible while spending time with them one earth.

And then, if my family and friends whom I love are not believers, perhaps my love for them will open doors for them to consider Jesus's invitation to everlasting life.

Perhaps then, one day, my friends, family, and I will all be able to embrace everlasting life, just as Jesus promises.

[This is an annual Christmas Tree Cutting picture from 2006 with both my dad and my uncle. Please ignore the stubborn child in the front left. He did not approve of the Christmas tree.]

USA TODAY FIRST TEAM ALL ACADEMIC AWARD

I recently was nominated for a "USA Today First-Team All Academic Award." It's an award that recognizes the top 20 undergraduate students in the United States for the academic, intellectual, and societal achievements that they've accomplished. I was encouraged by many professors and administrators on my campus to represent Albright (and myself, of course) for the award by submitting an application. Come February, the winners will receive their pictures and biographies in the USA paper and a $2500.00 cash award.

Naturally, the application process for such an award was rigorous; asking for multiple explanations of academic, leadership, and professional experiences. Recommendations were needed from multiple venues. Most important (and most challenging), each student was expected to write a 500 word essay on his or her "most intellectual endeavor" throughout their undergraduate experience. The endeavor was judged on difficulty, uniqueness, and whether it benefits society.

Throughout my essay and as I describe my most intellectual endeavor, I wrote of the importance of discovering a passion to love and serve people. In one paragraph, I specifically state: "I aspire to one day continue communicating my desire for all people: whether women or men, young or old, that their value lies not in artificial assessments, such as academic achievement or popularity, but in understanding and loving themselves and others."

I've discovered a passion.

A passion in which I aspire to communicate to people that their lives are not based upon artificial assessment, such as academic achievement or popularity, but in understanding and loving themselves and others.

What a wonderful aspiration.

Yet, ironically (or probably not so much), after completing my application and finishing the semester, my challenge for others and "mission" for myself as stated above was tested as I anxiously checked my fall semester grades online.

After receiving my very first A- last semester, dropping my perfect 4.0 GPA to a "not uniform" 3.987, I convinced myself that my grades were no longer to identify me. Rather than measuring my self-worth on a 4.0 scale, I was to instead adopt a mission loving and serving people; finding my value in a love for people rather than an artificially assessed number.

Stubbornly, I still anticipated nothing short of a 4.0 for the semester.

Can't I believe all that "mush" about myself and still get nearly perfect grades?

Apparently not.

What I saw instead was another "not uniform" GPA, this time, a 3.976. I had received another A-, this time in my psychology senior seminar.

Apparently I wasn't the only stubborn one.

And so, when discovering my less-than-perfect-even lower than before GPA a second time, I cried.

Balwed, actually.

All day long.

In fact, I cried so much that I began to feel completely incapable of anything. I concluded that because I had received a 3.97 GPA I had "failed." That because I now hold a 3.97 GPA, I will not academically "stand out" on job applications. That because I've dropped to a 3.97 GPA, I was stupid, ugly, and friendless; anything but valuable.

Ouch.

It wasn't until I had an experience with my brother and a conversation with my boyfriend did some sense knock into me.

I thought that after my first A-, I had accepted myself with my imperfection of a 3.987 GPA. However, what I realized upon receiving my second A- was that I had not completely accepted that reality. I still had a "conditional sense of value" for myself; a value dependent upon my achievementd with grades.

Yet, after tutoring my twelve year old brother with his math homework, I felt refreshed of why I so boldly stated that loving and serving others helps me feel most alive. And after listening to Adam, I was reminded that in a world that is filled with poverty, hunger, divorce, rape, war, disease, and inequalities, we serve a God that cares about people, not about GPAs.

You see, because if you really choose to make your life about others, like Jesus, becoming obsessed over little things like GPAs don't exactly fit the "loving and serving others" description. Of course, working hard, performing well, and learning through academics is important and it can help others. Yet, there is a line that can be danced around by certain over-achievers in which the choice to "achieve As" becomes an unhealthy obsession of artificially loving and serving no one but one's self; falsely stating "I'm important because I earned an A, and I better keep it up, or else..."

I'm not sure what sort of grades or GPA Jesus received when in school.

I'm not sure if today he would make the All-USA Today Academic Firs Team with his picture in the newspaper and a cash prize award.

I am certain though that we don't know his grades for a reason.

That's not what defined him, and that's not why he's remembered.

Jesus was transformational because of his love for others and service for people.

Heck, if he won the award, he'd just end up giving the cash prize away anyway.

Christmas Eve Services

Looking for a church where you and your family can celebrate Christmas? Check out the Christmas Eve services that are being offered at Christ's Church of the Valley in Royersford, PA!

John 666: Don't Leave

That's the official name of this year's Pennsylvania Christian Teen Convention (PCTC) theme:


John 666: Don't Leave. The description given on the official PCTC website (mypctc.com) includes the following:

• John 6:66-69 "From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 "Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
  
• John 6:66 represents the saddest verse in the Bible. Many who came to know Jesus decided that what He asked of them was to much to handle and the deserted Him, never to walk with Him again. The question Jesus has for us is the same one Jesus asked the 12 after the others left Him - will you also Go away?

PCTC has been a conference that the youth ministry at my church, Christ Church of the Valley, has been attending for years. Teenagers and youth leaders alike look forward to the wisdom and insight that is offered through speakers, worship, workshops, and bonding time. I attended my first conference as a student in my senior year of high school (2005) and have returned each year since as a youth leader for middle school girls.

I'm inspired and encouraged each year by the sermons, workshops, and themes that are addressed at PCTC. Oddly enough, every year without fail, I recall my heart burning with passion when listening to an inspirational man or woman talk to students about their journeys with Jesus. I often react by touching my chest and thinking, "Here comes that feeling again. I know I could do this one day."

Two years ago, after hearing a young woman deliver a phenomenal presentation to teenage girls about body image, I was hopeful that I, too, could perhaps speak at PCTC. I remember leaving the conference last year professing to my middle school girlfriends, "I'm doing it. I'm leading a workshop next year." Regardless of when or how it could happen, I knew it would be an incredible experience and opportunity to set a foot in the door for speaking engagements.

Just a few days ago, I contacted my old youth pastor, Matt Silver, who serves on the leadership board of PCTC. Remembering a conversation that we had a few years prior, I serenly asked him (via facebook, of course) if there was any chance that I could possibly lead a workshop; no expectations, of course. To my surprise, he immediately answered the message with contact information for someone further involved in the selection process; Greg Smedley! Greg told me he has "one last spot to fill" and informed me that if I fill out a leader questionnaire with some information about the workshop I'm hoping to lead, I should be good!

I couldn't believe it! What an opportunity! And to think, what if I didn't ask?

Needless to say, I'm busy praying and thinking over topics that are of student interest. I've got a few ideas in mind, some specifically for girls and one just for sponsors. I've thought about issues concerning sharing one's faith, gossip, identity, relationships, and building relationships with teenagers. I'll be hard at work next youth group time collecting answers from students. If any of you readers have ideas, I'd love for you to share them!

When thinking of this PCTC experience, I'm reminded of the verse in Ephesians 5:15-17 that reads, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. "

I definitely want to make sure that I'm making the most of every opportunity as I'm searching for God's will for my life. I belive that one way of being wise is learning that it never hurts to ask about opportunities; after all, I'd rather risk asking "a silly question" than miss an opportunity that could lead to greater things. I think many would be surprised at just how many opportunities are waiting for people passionate enough to reach out.

I can't wait to explore what else is out there!

The F Word.

I used to be inspired by the word future.

So much lies within the future.
There are so many possibilities!
Dreams can be accomplished!
Anything is possible!

Now, a senior at Albright, I loathe hearing, thinking, or speaking the word. It's all everyone talks about. "Oh, you're a senior, what are you doing next year?" "Oh, ready for the real world?" "What are you future plans?"

In fact, Adam's restricted my use of the F word around him. I think he finds it appauling.

In a desperate frenzy to try and fill in the blank that lies at the end of my life equation come May 24th, 2009, I've found myself CONSTANTLY thinking about the future. [Will I be a teacher? Will I be in ministry? Where will I live? How often will I move? Will I change my job? How often? Will I ever travel? Where? When? How?] You see, for so long (so long being 16 years of my educational career thus far), I've been able to solve my "what's next equation" with a new semester schedule, a listing of classes, or a new club that I'm hoping to join. My "what's next" question has always been answered, as long as I was returning to school. Now, approaching graduation and not sure of what to study in graduate school, I'm faced to make a decision farthest from my most adored "career" yet; student life.

Thinking about the possibility of work, living arrangements, and marriage, I'm overwhelmed with postulating ideas of how to pursue my passions and interests while upholding the value of my family, friendships, and relationship. Not positive that I can promise a commitment greater than a year's time, I'm searching for experience in any of my areas of interest to help me focus my direction of vocation. In preparation for the months' experiences that lie ahead, I've been constructing several resumes; one geared towards teaching, one geared towards ministry opportunities, one geared towards public speaking venues...it doesn't help that generally, I have a resume with over four pages of experiences, extra-cirriculars, and skills! (Okay, so maybe it does help, it's just a lot of work!)

So far, here are some of the [F-----] options that I'm considering:

• Traditional teaching in a school district K-6th grade. I'll be graduating with my elementary education certification after completing my student teaching in January in the Reading School District (5th and 6th graders). I'm eagerly awaiting this experience to contrast it with several of my other interested career aspirations. If I enjoy my inner-city experience, I'll look to apply to similar placements. By teaching in a title once school district (Reading, Philadelphia, Norristown), I can collect sign-on stipens and "loan forgiveness" benefits. Danger: teaching (especially inner-city) calls for a very high burn out rate.
• Teach for America, an Americore sponsored program. Again, considering my passion and gift of teaching, I'll be completing my application for Teach for America, a two year program that places corps members in some of the most educationally underprivledged areas across the country. Because of my close ties to Collegeville, PA, I've requested to be placed in the Camden/Philadelphia region. This program requires a two year commitment (risky, I'm aware) with education requirements during the summer. The program provides employees with stipen, living, and transitional benefits. Loan forgiveness and scholarships towards graduate schools/higher education are also available.
  
• An Intervarsity Campus Ministry internship is another highly attractive option. Greatly influenced and involved with my campus ministry through college, I've learned of the significance of students owning their faith when approaching adulthood. Many aspects of becoming an Intervarsity staff member attract me; its flexibility, room for creativity, opportunity for speaking engagements and conference planning, and close relations with college life. I could be placed at a variety of campuses in Eastern Pennsylvannia, including my current instition. Unfortunately, the internship is unpaid, meaning that I'd need to find an additional job to help support my living needs. Fortunately, I look forward to the possibility of getting a job related to working at a college (my next bullet). The internship is one year long, an encouraging feature; and if nothing else, it will be a great opportunity to continue challenging my faith.
  
• A College Admissions Counselor has been a job that I've been interested to explore since my discovered passion to inspire students to attend Albright as an student ambassador. Knowing my excitement to offer hope, excitement, and opportunities to prospective students, I'm confident that my skills and experience as a tour guide, blogger, overnight host, and conference speaker for Albright overqualifies me for any admissions counselor position at any institution. Albright, of course, is an institution that I'm considering applying to (much depends on if I pursue the Intervarsity internship), yet other institutions offer tuition remission and tuition exchange programs where, if you work at the institution, you can take graduate classes for FREE! Thus, I'm considering employment at other institutions, like Eastern University, which offer possible graduate programs of my interest (not that I can choose just one, yet!). I'll be meeting with a current admissions counselor come January to work through these opportunities.
• Finally, I'd love any job where I can exercise my LOVE OF PUBLIC SPEAKING. Out of all my dreams and passions, I know that speaking to crowds is something I absolutely adore and want to be part of my f-----. Whether speaking about Albright College or speaking Truth to children, teenagers, or young adults, I cannnot ignore my fascination or talent with such a gift. I've contacted one organization, Campus Outreach Services, to gain additional information about possibilities with their programs (thanks, April!), and have entertained my thoughts about a few additional options. Regardless of profession, I'll always be looking for opportunities to speak at events. I'll be pursuing Toastmasters International, a public speaking and leadership organization, for further opportunities as well.

And yet, to think, this is only the beginning! Who knows, one of these options may not even be the one that I'll fall into come May. And so, I've been challenging myself to not occupy my mind too frequently with thoughts and plans of the future. Known as one to "plan and organize" (gotta love those ESFJs), it's very difficult for me to not try and "plan every option" while knowing I'm only a few months away from a completely different lifestyle. I've realized that with so many passions and gifts, I'm driven towards many different professions and opportunities, and I have a lifetime to experience them. This year has been all about trust God with the end of equation, while learning to not get so wrapped up in the future that I can't enjoy the joy of the present. A few verses remind me of how to direct my thoughts about the future:

1. Proverbs 16:3
   Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
   
2. Proverbs 16:9
   In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
   
3. Proverbs 19:21
   Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

It does not take much for me to suspect that I'll be revisiting this topic soon. I promise to keep you posted on the above propositions. And of course, if any of you have advice or futher organizations, placements, opportunities to consider post graduation, I'd love to hear about them! I'm exciting for these next steps, as nerve-wracking as they can sometimes seem. But for now, remind me to focus on the PRESENT while being mindful about the F word.

Blogging is HARD.

I've realized that I'm not very great at this skill of "blogging." Seeing that I haven't blogged since, oh, October, I've taken note to how inconvenient it feels to blog. It's always easier to write my thoughts in a journal where I don't have to worry about spell check or if the message that I'm presenting through my writing is offensive. Often, I find that when I sit to write a blog, I'm spending minutes more than I imagined reviewing and revising my work.

Is that how blogging is supposed to feel?

I've regretted not blogging for awhile. I've often thought about throwing up a new story or an idea, but have been too embarrassed by the wide gap that separates my previous "blogging frenzy" with another wasted web page on the web. Oh well-I admit-I'm giving in. Now on Christmas break, I believe that I've found time to write about my thoughts and I'm anxious to do so, so here I am, once again.

I've thought about changing my blog to write about seasonal topics, for example, my experience that will soon be approaching with student teaching. Yet, I'm afraid that even with such an ambition, I'll once again resort to negligence. I'm searching for ways to discipline myself to write, but I can't help but notice that when I'm limited with my time because of my commitment to my studies and activities at school, I'm over too overwhelmed, exhausted, and preoccupied to dedicate time to establishing a "web-friendly MJ."

And then, of course, I can't help but to admit the benefits that come from blogging: the feeling of accomplishment when sharing sincere thoughts with an audience or the reality of self-reflection that emulates when recording thoughts, feelings, or confessions, to name a few. Not to mention, one can gain a great vocabulary and strength in writing skills, style, and voice from blogging. I say that it's easier to journal, yet sometimes, I find myself neglecting that as well! Thoughts are too precious to be forgotton or sometimes, too inventious to not be shared.

So, for all you experienced bloggers out there, I'd love to hear your thoughts. How does blogging become a priority of yours? It is scheduled? Expected? Do you blog in the morning or at night? Randomly? Perhaps I'll work to exercise some of your suggestions. This blogging exercise is a personal challenge for my self growth, and so, I look forward to sharing that growth with others. I admire bloggers like my boyfriend, Adam Flora, and am inspired by his commitment to consistency. Perhaps one day, I'll master the efforts of blogging. Until then, I apologize for any frustrations with the inconsistent blogging spurts and topics!

Looking forward to attracting an audience once again!