Up All Night

Volunteering with Jr. High Ministries has provided many a crazy opportunitiy. But none compare to staying up all night, with a ton of kids, bouncing on trampolines, falling at roller skating rinks, nerf wars, hip-hop rappers, 80's outfits, and delusions.

I think I am going to die. Not literally, but close to it. My body aches from all the jumping and falling. My head hurts from no sleep. I'm too old for this stuff.

I kind of feel like the tv show, Up All Night, staring Christina Applegate and Will Arnet. Except minus the baby part.

And that is also why I do not want babies any time soon. I need my sleep! 

A Gift Found on Paper, in Person, in a Picture (Joy Dare)

Joy Dare Day 31

on paper: scripture has been an the biggest gift this month that I could ever think of. It has been a rock, a point of return, and a foundation unlike ever before. Because the waters were raging and crashing, I needed a firm place to stand this month and I found it in the word. 

in person: my small group of Junior High girls. I cannot express how amazing it is to see them every Sunday. They are some of the brightest young ladies I have ever met and they remind me why I love being a small group leader. Many of them are more mature than half the high schoolers and what I love most is seeing how God is strengthen their faith. I was able to pray with some of my small group girls and to see their desire for the Lord to move in their lives, in their friends, and in the world is amazing. I love their passion. 

in a picture: there is a picture in my room of myself, Sarah H., and Sol at FUI back in 2010. I love that picture for many reasons. It reminds me that those two girls are my best friends. It reminds me that their friendship is a gift encouraged by a mission trip I could have easily never attended. It reminds me that they challenge and encourage me no matter. It reminds me of who I can count on and even reminds of good days when life gets rough.

Three Gifts That Might Never Have Been (Joy Dare)

Joy Dare Day 27

the twin: No, this is not my biological twin but Sol and I are more alike than even my own sister and I. But how we met was complete divined by God because there were too many other factors than could have easily led to us not meeting. We did FUI (Fresno Urban Internship) two separate years. I did it in 2007 and she did it in 2008. We came from different schools (Cal Poly and UCLA) that didn't even do things together. But we both decided to come and do FUI staff the same year. Neither of us had to and I don't think either of us expected or planned to. But as so as we started talking, we knew that we were too similar to not be friends. Our relationships is a testament to how InterVarsity brings people together from all over the world.

my roommates: how we ended up living together where we do was a miracle. We all three got jobs in the same school district, unheard of for teachers. We found housing in a week, which was unheard of SLO. We have had very little conflict with each other, which is unheard of in most living situations.

my small group: I am actively involved in my church in Pasadena, which does not leave me much time to have a small group of my own. But my roommate Jessica came to me with this idea of a book study back in October and if we I wanted to join. It was through her church young professional group, which I was a part of. We decided to meet at our apartment. I think how easy it would have been for me not to be involved if it was at a place far away or if Jess had't been so encouraging that I come. But it was a lifeline sent to me from the Lord for a community. I know so many people who have to initiate going to a small group community and I was blessed to have one handed to me.

One Gift that Made You Laugh, One Gift that Made You Pray, One Gift that Made You Quiet (Joy Dare)

Joy Dare Day 17

laugh: our memory book. We have a memory book in our house that shares hour apartment memories. My roommate reminded of the time that I rain straight into our screen door. It was a normal apartment day, I was doing laundry while my roommate was working on the couch. I thought that screen door was pulled open (as it usually is) but it clearly was not and I walked straight into it. It made my roommate laugh so hard and I laughed only after the fact (especially far after the fact.) :)

pray: my small group. My small group is rooted in prayer now. I have been given a gift of being with that small group (especially since I don't attend the church they are based in). But every week we share prayer requests and pray with each other. The group encourages me to pray more and gives a time and a space to pray as well.

quiet: being sick. Being ill has made me quiet because I can't really talk. I was home all day from school and there wasn't anyone for me to talk to all day. This is drastically different from a normal Tuesday when I am talking all day - talking at students, talking to colleges, telling students to be quiet and sit down. But since I was home ill, I was finally able to rest and be quiet in a time where I wouldn't normally be. And while I didn't feel healthy, being sick did give a small mental break.

Three Ways You Witnessed Happiness Today (Joy Dare)

Joy Dare Day 16

Being at BJ's with my small group for Joel's birthday. We started the tradition with my small group that on  a person's birthday, we all go to BJ's together to share appetizers. We started with my birthday and continued it with Joel's. It has been great to see our small group bond outside of study every week and the joy we get when we hang out outside of our apartment. I see lot of happiness whenever we spend time together.

The day off. I love days off from school. It is a major gift from God that in January and February we have at least three 3-day weekends. It gives a break in what could be a very grueling schedule after coming back from Christmas break. The change in pace and schedule is so welcome for me and gives me a small breath of fresh of air. I even noticed how my mood increased with this short time off.

My mom having all of us at home. When my dad bought his new house, I moved most of my high school and before stuff into the room he set for me there. Essentially I moved out of my mom's and into my dad's. But I know that it always brings my mom a little more peace when all four of us (herself, myself, my sister, and my stepdad) are sleeping overnight at her house. I can tell that she is happy to have us all at home and I feel very safe when I am there.