Today I had the pleasure of meeting up to lunch with two of the most inspirational young women I know. It's incredible what a small lunch date can do to change your day.
These women are powerful in their walk with Christ. Their both on a mission to fulfill God's will within their lives. While April raved about her internship at CCV, her success with her recent goals that she set for herself, and interest in living on-campus at Eastern, Mandy talked about her excitement for her campus ministry, small group, and her options upon graduation.
It was such a relief to chat with two girls who understood how it felt to not be sure of what the future holds for us or to not be sure what exactly God's voice tells us when we're trying to make decisions.
Together we spent just short of two hours laughing with each other about our silliness, empathizing with one another over our challenges, and encouraging each other within our journeys through life.
I'm so blessed to have these two girls within my life. Whether we see teaching, ministry, or non-profits in our future, I know that together we'll be shining.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
MEET C4: Sarah Wolf
She's spunky.
She's not afraid to speak her mind.
She's soooo one of my best friends.
Meet Sarah Wolf.
I met Sarah last year when she was a freshmen at Albright. While meeting her at one of the first Albright Christian Fellowships meetings, we immediately clicked, and I made it a personal mission to "take Sarah under my wing"-Junior to Freshmen. As Sarah and I began to hang out more and more, she began to teach me so much more about myself than I believed I was teaching her as a junior. I thought, "this can't be right? I'M THE JUNIOR!"
Ironically, (or not so ironically) Sarah is now one of my four apartment mates. Sarah and I now joke that her major contribution to my learning involve her "domestic skills" and her ability to "teach me to be domestic" before it's too late! Believe me, I appreciate her skills and talents IMMENSLY. (You should taste her cooking!)
Beyond food, however, Sarah has taught me many more valuable truths that I'm not sure I would be able to realize if I never had met her. In fact, some of the things that I love best about Sarah is her outspoken personality. Unlike myself, Sarah is NEVER afraid to speak her mind-and I LOVE HER for it! Sarah's ability to stick to a decision or a passion point motivates me and her bold personality has taught me how to aim to do the same for myself. Beyond her speaking talents, however, Sarah has the soft heart of a loving, compassionate, and generous individual. Her care and concern for others is inspirational and encouraging to those around her.
Sarah's that sort of friend who I can do anything and everything with. Whether it be cooking together and telling each other about our days, going on Walmart trips at midnight, crying to each other in our living room, or taking naps and sleeping through meetings, I've got a true friend in Sarah. She's someone who I'm not afraid to tease when we're "fighting, " laugh with about our stupidity, or push-over when I'm sitting on the couch (believe me, she does WORSE things to me)!
One of the aspects of my and Sarah's friendship that I admire most is our similarity in relationships. Like myself, Sarah is involved in a long-distance relationship with a boy that she is very much in love with. Sarah and I frequently find ourselves talking about our relationships; laughing about the boys, funny things we've done, mistakes we've made, fights we've had, ways we've acted..we can go on forever. I've never before had a girlfriend that I could talk to about my relationship with Adam. As I've watched Sarah grow in her relationship with John, I've been able to learn and recognize things about my own relationship that I want to better improve; how I treat Adam for example, or how I can try and understand things from his perspective. I love hearing Sarah share conversations about her and John's book discussions. Knowing that her and John like to read through books together encourages me of their desire as a couple to learn more about God together.
Sarah is constantly growing. I frequently see her mozying around the apartment with her "metal sheathed" Bible and C.S. Lewis books. When discussing pieces of scripture or biblical topics, she frequently shares a viewpoint very different than my own. I'm so grateful to have Sarah in my life and even more, to call her one of my sisters in Christ.
She's an out-of-this world, no-one get in her way, nonconformist sort of girl. She's incredible.
She's not afraid to speak her mind.
She's soooo one of my best friends.
Meet Sarah Wolf.
I met Sarah last year when she was a freshmen at Albright. While meeting her at one of the first Albright Christian Fellowships meetings, we immediately clicked, and I made it a personal mission to "take Sarah under my wing"-Junior to Freshmen. As Sarah and I began to hang out more and more, she began to teach me so much more about myself than I believed I was teaching her as a junior. I thought, "this can't be right? I'M THE JUNIOR!"
Ironically, (or not so ironically) Sarah is now one of my four apartment mates. Sarah and I now joke that her major contribution to my learning involve her "domestic skills" and her ability to "teach me to be domestic" before it's too late! Believe me, I appreciate her skills and talents IMMENSLY. (You should taste her cooking!)
Beyond food, however, Sarah has taught me many more valuable truths that I'm not sure I would be able to realize if I never had met her. In fact, some of the things that I love best about Sarah is her outspoken personality. Unlike myself, Sarah is NEVER afraid to speak her mind-and I LOVE HER for it! Sarah's ability to stick to a decision or a passion point motivates me and her bold personality has taught me how to aim to do the same for myself. Beyond her speaking talents, however, Sarah has the soft heart of a loving, compassionate, and generous individual. Her care and concern for others is inspirational and encouraging to those around her.
Sarah's that sort of friend who I can do anything and everything with. Whether it be cooking together and telling each other about our days, going on Walmart trips at midnight, crying to each other in our living room, or taking naps and sleeping through meetings, I've got a true friend in Sarah. She's someone who I'm not afraid to tease when we're "fighting, " laugh with about our stupidity, or push-over when I'm sitting on the couch (believe me, she does WORSE things to me)!
One of the aspects of my and Sarah's friendship that I admire most is our similarity in relationships. Like myself, Sarah is involved in a long-distance relationship with a boy that she is very much in love with. Sarah and I frequently find ourselves talking about our relationships; laughing about the boys, funny things we've done, mistakes we've made, fights we've had, ways we've acted..we can go on forever. I've never before had a girlfriend that I could talk to about my relationship with Adam. As I've watched Sarah grow in her relationship with John, I've been able to learn and recognize things about my own relationship that I want to better improve; how I treat Adam for example, or how I can try and understand things from his perspective. I love hearing Sarah share conversations about her and John's book discussions. Knowing that her and John like to read through books together encourages me of their desire as a couple to learn more about God together.
Sarah is constantly growing. I frequently see her mozying around the apartment with her "metal sheathed" Bible and C.S. Lewis books. When discussing pieces of scripture or biblical topics, she frequently shares a viewpoint very different than my own. I'm so grateful to have Sarah in my life and even more, to call her one of my sisters in Christ.
She's an out-of-this world, no-one get in her way, nonconformist sort of girl. She's incredible.
She will be in my wedding-I mean, planning my wedding one day.
Sarah Wolf, you're the sister I never had.
I love you. :)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
MEET C4: Nadine Varty
She’s one of the primary reasons why I stayed at Albright, even after being unsure of my acceptance months into freshmen year. After meeting her through a women’s bible study group, she’s gone from an accepting friend with open arms to my roommate for the past two years.
Meet Nadine Varty.
One of the first and greatest memories that I share with Nadine occurred during a Friday night in Freshmen year. We both decided to attend on of the Domino Players’ productions that night and cap off our experience with the “classic” girly sleepover. After the show, we headed off to Wawa to get some snacks (I specifically remember grabbing some ice-cream) and lost track of time as we chatted into the night’s hours about our families, friends, and college experience. I remember waking up at noon the next morning (and Nadine explaining how that’s fairly common because of the lack of light that shines through the slit in the Walton basement window.) Since then, we’ve been attached at the hip. We’ve done all sorts of things from studying scripture together, praying for each other, supporting each other at events, staying in touch over the summer (and during Nadine’s study aboard to Scotland), and now, spending each day together as roommates!
Nadine Varty is certainly one special young woman. Grounded in her faith, she is one that has inspired my walk with Jesus. Nadine's life has been no "cake-walk," yet her struggles have only helped her grow stronger. Her love and mercy for others has opened my eyes to change my attitudes and treatment of others. Nadine’s stories of hope and joy gravitate me when I’m overwhelmed or overburdened. She is one who is always willing to help, listen, offer advice, and put herself before others. There has never been a time where I couldn’t feel comfortable turning to Nadine for a few comforting moments.
Some additional favorite characteristics that I love about Nadine include her sense of humor, kind-spirit, good intentions, dedication, levels of commitment, understanding of self, and priority of family and friends. Nadine’s joy for life shows her constant stride to learn about her identity in God, always thirsting for more and thoroughly enjoying those special moments of “God time” that she gets to share with her creator.
Nadine Varty, thank you for being such a wonderful best friend. You’ve helped me to understand the importance of friendship and the priority it holds in my life. You’ve been one of the greatest encouragers and a friend who’s always cheered for me. Nadine, it’s been such a joy to watch you grow over the past three and a half years, and looking back on my college experience, I look as our friendship as a fairy-tale. I know that our time together here is the just the start of a friendship that will carry us into Heaven.
Thank you for being all that a best friend can be.
I love you. :)
Meet Nadine Varty.
One of the first and greatest memories that I share with Nadine occurred during a Friday night in Freshmen year. We both decided to attend on of the Domino Players’ productions that night and cap off our experience with the “classic” girly sleepover. After the show, we headed off to Wawa to get some snacks (I specifically remember grabbing some ice-cream) and lost track of time as we chatted into the night’s hours about our families, friends, and college experience. I remember waking up at noon the next morning (and Nadine explaining how that’s fairly common because of the lack of light that shines through the slit in the Walton basement window.) Since then, we’ve been attached at the hip. We’ve done all sorts of things from studying scripture together, praying for each other, supporting each other at events, staying in touch over the summer (and during Nadine’s study aboard to Scotland), and now, spending each day together as roommates!
Nadine Varty is certainly one special young woman. Grounded in her faith, she is one that has inspired my walk with Jesus. Nadine's life has been no "cake-walk," yet her struggles have only helped her grow stronger. Her love and mercy for others has opened my eyes to change my attitudes and treatment of others. Nadine’s stories of hope and joy gravitate me when I’m overwhelmed or overburdened. She is one who is always willing to help, listen, offer advice, and put herself before others. There has never been a time where I couldn’t feel comfortable turning to Nadine for a few comforting moments.
Some additional favorite characteristics that I love about Nadine include her sense of humor, kind-spirit, good intentions, dedication, levels of commitment, understanding of self, and priority of family and friends. Nadine’s joy for life shows her constant stride to learn about her identity in God, always thirsting for more and thoroughly enjoying those special moments of “God time” that she gets to share with her creator.
Nadine Varty, thank you for being such a wonderful best friend. You’ve helped me to understand the importance of friendship and the priority it holds in my life. You’ve been one of the greatest encouragers and a friend who’s always cheered for me. Nadine, it’s been such a joy to watch you grow over the past three and a half years, and looking back on my college experience, I look as our friendship as a fairy-tale. I know that our time together here is the just the start of a friendship that will carry us into Heaven.
Thank you for being all that a best friend can be.
I love you. :)
Saturday, September 13, 2008
IMPORTANT POST: HELP!
It has recently been brought to my attention that there is a family in need of some community help! Jim and Sue Umstead, lifelong Perkiomen residents, are being forced to sell their family's farmhouse on nearly 10 acres to build a community park! Ironically, there are plenty of parks already located near the area; Plank Road Park, the Township Building playground/park, the fire-station's open fields, the basketball courts/fields at Cranberry, and Perkiomen Valley School Districts' fields and parks. Jim and Sue are members of our Christ's Church of the Valley family, and in response to this unfair treatment, we are joining together to challenge the township.
If you are interested in reading more information about this story or how you can help, please redirect yourself to the link below. There's still time to make a difference!
Keep on pressin' on!
MEET C4: Ms. Teira "T" Jeffcoat
I call her "T."
T for Teira.
She is one of the most gorgeous young women I know. In fact, I frequently tell her that she should be a model! Her beauty, however, is more captivating than any physical feature can offer. Teira Jeffcoat has the inner-beauty of a young woman chasing fast after God's own heart.
I remember meeting Teira two years ago at our campus' Christian Fellowship (ACF). In fact, it was the first meeting in which Teira and I sat down to talk. Since that first get-together, I remember bumping into Teira in the Mohn residence hall when she would be reading her Bible late at night on the third floor. Frequently, her and I would meet on the ground floor to read together, pray together, and chat about each other's lives.
While Teira was still a freshmen, my friend Nadine and I (to be featured in the next post) sought her out as a roommate for "C4." We wanted her to become a part of a friendship that would carry us into our finals years of college-and beyond.
Having T as a roommate has been one of the greatest blessings for my personal growth and walk with Jesus. We frequently find ourselves stumbling into "serious conversations" with each other-conversations about faith, about what we're reading, about our fellowship, our actions, ourselves, boys, courting, self-confidence, etc., etc., etc. We can find ourselves talking for hours. When we're not chatting, T's great company for watching movies, shopping, and "craftying." She's always got the greatest fashion advice (especially when she saves my life by telling me my legs are blue because of blue jean dye), her "jokes" can have you laughing for hours, and her smile is one of true happiness.
T is a one-in-a-million type of friend; someone whom you can only find few and far between, someone who is enthusiastic, caring, and genuine. Some of the characteristics that I admire most about T are her patience, discipline, great listening skills, mercy, enthusiasm, loyalty, and compassion for others. She's intelligent, trust-worthy, and dedicated to her commitments.
What I love most about T, however, is her unique sense of individuality that she carries for herself. Teira Jeffcoat is a woman defining herself by the love God carries for her. She's confident, yet humble; outgoing, yet striving for independence; she's sassy, and yet sensitive. Teira Jeffcoat knows who she is and isn't scared to show herself to the world. Even if she would argue about that compliment with me, she can't argue the fact that she strives each day to better understand herself through scripture, prayer, and a hard, fast sprint towards God's open arms for her.
Teira Jeffcoat, you're an inspiration. I hope that one day my daughter will transform into a beautiful woman just like yourself. You know your priorities and you're committed to what matters most to you. From you I've learned the fruit that comes when understanding one's self through God's perspective, and have strived to pursue such fruit myself. I'll always remember you-not only as a roommate, a legacy of C4, but most important, as a sister of Christ.
We've got a lot of memories to build together.
Love, MJ
Sunday, September 7, 2008
MEET C4
There's a saying that goes something like: "I came to college to find friends...but I came back with sisters."
I never thought that saying would hold so true-I don't have a sister and I'm not even in a sorority! Yet, the friendships that I've made with my beautiful roommates have proven truth beyond what I first believed about the above statement.
You see, for the past two years, we've lived in the Albright on-campus apartments, known as the "Woods" for its somewhat-distant "woodsy" atmosphere away from main campus. We believe (only slightly biased, of course) that our apartment's number-C4-is the absolute most phenomenal location of the Woods. Closest to the "path" that winds to campus and the laundry room facility, we've got a prime balcony spot open to the other apartment complexes and some of the best neighbors around. We love our "C4" title and we flaunt it! We've got a HUGE homemade C4 banner, roommate pictures, and our own theme song!
In reality though, it's not the "C4" name that we love.
The reason why C4 has become such an affectionate name in my vocabulary is because of the wonderful women living in C4 that have become such an influential part of my life. These girls have become, as quoted, not only friends, but sisters, and someday, future bridesmaids.
I want to take the next few posts to introduce you to three young women who embody the splendor of true friendship. I hope that through this "C4 Series," you'll catch a glimpse at some of the most inspiring, Godly women I know. They've changed my life-and forever will be close to my heart. Nadine, Teira, and Sarah, this series is for you.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
A Good Feeling
And I thought I was getting away from CCV with school!
Let me explain.
Really, what I mean is-that it's funny how God can prepare us for certain seasons in our lives by the experiences that He allows us to have.
You see, this entire summer, I worked with a staff that organized youth group services for both junior high and high school teenagers-about 150-200 of them to be exact. Each service was planned to the "T." From a welcome to worship to the message and a closing, each person involved had a role, knew their role, and as a team, we practiced our roles.
Last Sunday, August 31st, I said "goodbye" to my summer internship. However, what I quickly realized tonight-at my college's Intervarsity Christian Fellowship meeting-was that I'm NOT escaping the "oh-so familiar service format."
You see, for one of the FIRST TIMES EVER, "ACF" (Albright Christian Fellowship-Intervarsity Fellowship) held a meeting that contained ALL of the above elements-in an organized way! It was exciting to see God work as leaders set up the projector, ran through the powerpoint slides, hosted the night, presented the message, and teamed up to take "ownership" of sign-up lists and handouts! Best of all-as we promised our members-our meeting took no more than an hour-we were there from 8pm-9pm! I love being able to keep within the time allotment for the respect of the members that the organization cares for.
No, CCV style has yet to leave me. (Quite frankly, I don't think it EVER will.) I've learned a lot from my internship this summer-and I can't wait to continue to apply the things that I've learned to expand the ministry on Albright's campus.
God's got a crazy way of making things work.
What an encouraging night!
Let me explain.
Really, what I mean is-that it's funny how God can prepare us for certain seasons in our lives by the experiences that He allows us to have.
You see, this entire summer, I worked with a staff that organized youth group services for both junior high and high school teenagers-about 150-200 of them to be exact. Each service was planned to the "T." From a welcome to worship to the message and a closing, each person involved had a role, knew their role, and as a team, we practiced our roles.
Last Sunday, August 31st, I said "goodbye" to my summer internship. However, what I quickly realized tonight-at my college's Intervarsity Christian Fellowship meeting-was that I'm NOT escaping the "oh-so familiar service format."
You see, for one of the FIRST TIMES EVER, "ACF" (Albright Christian Fellowship-Intervarsity Fellowship) held a meeting that contained ALL of the above elements-in an organized way! It was exciting to see God work as leaders set up the projector, ran through the powerpoint slides, hosted the night, presented the message, and teamed up to take "ownership" of sign-up lists and handouts! Best of all-as we promised our members-our meeting took no more than an hour-we were there from 8pm-9pm! I love being able to keep within the time allotment for the respect of the members that the organization cares for.
No, CCV style has yet to leave me. (Quite frankly, I don't think it EVER will.) I've learned a lot from my internship this summer-and I can't wait to continue to apply the things that I've learned to expand the ministry on Albright's campus.
God's got a crazy way of making things work.
What an encouraging night!
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