God Doesn't Waste Anything

"Every experience God give us

every person he put in our lives,

is the perfect preparation

for the future"

-Corrie ten Boon

"God doesn't waste anything." I was speaking with someone dear to my heart about if our decisions in life defines who we are as individuals. We came to the conclusion that they don't. The reason being that there are decisions that we may have made 10 years ago, yet we would not make the same ones today because we are different than who we were 10 years ago. BUT it does seem that past decisions do shape and form you into the person you are today; whether good or bad. Yet even the bad can be used for God's glory if we allow him to do so. About three years ago I was in college and in shambles because I had changed my direction of study from Nursing to Communication and I felt as though my world had fallen apart. Yet one sweet dear friend told me "God doesn't waste anything." And I have kept that in my heart and will continue to do so until I'm dead and have gone on to glory. At the moment my friend was telling me this, she was speaking of classes that I had, had to take for Nursing school and what would transfer over to the Communication field of study. Yet she wasn't just talking about classes but certain skills that I had learned while obtaining my license to be a Nurses Aid (which was a part of the Nursing program). The school I attended made sure that we realized that we weren't just caring for a "thing" in order to get paid but we were caring for an individual created by God that needed tender love and the best care possible. And no matter what the task or skill, no matter how gross, disgusting or "low" it might be, we "can do all things through Christ who strengthens us" ("as long as I have my gloves on") as my instructer would say. ;) My friend helped me to realize that those long hard hours, days, weeks, semesters, and years of studying one particular field was not a waste despite the raised eyebrows, questions, and surprised looks by many upon hearing the news.

What I'm trying to say is that we can learn from every single situation we're in; good or bad. Had a bad courting/dating relationship-learn from it. Have a dear friend that you still love but don't really talk to as much-learn what you can from that friendship and how it was beneficial for the both of you. Strayed away from the direction God wanted you to be going-learn from that situation. Were you involved in a ministry that flopped-learn from it. Have you invested in someone to suddenly have them turn their back on you-learn from it.  Had a job you disliked-learn from it. God doesn't waste anything and he is more than able to bring beauty from ashes. He is the potter and we are the clay.

Post 20

This past weekend was draining, but a good draining. I was able to partner with the Admissions Dpt. and put together ENC's first Parent Day in the history of mankind (that I know anything of). It was an all-day event on Saturday which included a performance of the "Messiah" and I was able to attend Sat and Sun performances (I was too distracted to appreciate the performance on Saturday so I went to it again on Sunday and got to sit 2nd row from the front). But here's how the weekend went
Friday night: two friends played the WORST heart-wrenching prank on me that I've ever experienced BUT through the tears, it brought us closer together

Saturday: two friends made me and themselves breakfast (at 7:30 am-so much love!) and helped me set up for Parent Day. Parent Day officially started at 10am and ended at 10pm

Sunday: I skipped church and attended the 2nd performance of the Messiah. AND THEN.....I FOUND A MOUSE IN MY SPARE BEDROOM!   The RA's were having a Christmas Party which included a Yankee Swap so I went into my spare bedroom to find something nice to wrap my present in and here's this small criter looking slightly lost and running back in forth near the window in the room. So I frantically called an RA friend and he came over and killed it (on accident-but he feels more manly by just saying that he killed it). So now I have this terrible vision of me going to sleep and all theses mice flying out of holes in the wall and having a party like on some cartoon that I've seen. But as my RA friend said "as least you don't have rats." So now my spare bedroom door is shut with a towel shoved underneath it while I wait for the Pest Control guy to arrive. That's all for now!

Gone

For many, one of the hardest things to do in life is say "goodbye" to those whom you love especially when you don't know when or if you'll ever see them again. You often feel that those individuals whom you've said "goodbye" to are gone to never again return. Many "goodbyes" leave a void in your heart and in your life that cannot be filled by anyone but the individual that you have parted ways with. But those idividuals who are gone from your life through death or other circumstances are gone physically but are they gone forever? No my friend. Each individual leaves some kind of an impact on your life so much so that the things that you do today, the way that you think, today, the way you talk, today, has been formed by those that have had a part in your past. Remember that good friend you had back in the day or that family member you paid your respects to? Even though you may no longer be in communion with them, a part of them, it could be great or small, is still living through you and other lives that they have impacted.

How are you living through the lives of those around you? Are you the kind of person that sparks a bad memory because of the way you act circumstances out? Do individuals look at you and say "my life is different because this person spoke truth into me...my life is different because this person wasn't nosy and didn't ask a million questions, but they were there.....my life is different because this person let me into their personal space when I had no where else to go and no one else to turn to....my life is different because this person didn't just say they would pray for me but they actually did...my life is different because when everyone else had doubts, this person saw my potential and stood up for me....my life is different because this person stuck by me during my highs and my lows....my life is different because this person allowed themselves to be the hands and feet of God. I challenge you and I challenge myself to not ignore all that those around you have to offer because in order to pour into individuals, you too have to be poured into. What may be gone in the visual is still present in more ways than one.

Post 17

Hello!
It has been a little while since I last gave an update on life. I was able to celebrate a birthday the end of last month so I'm very thankful to be on earth for another year; as I get older I realize even more so how being in my 20's means nothing-death is not defined by age.

This past week has been interesting. I participated in a "walkathon" to help support those struggling with homelessness. But....the "walkathon" was more of a tour of organizations in Boston that minister to those that are homeless. I must say that I had to stop myself at many times during the "walkathon" from laughing. I'm pretty sure my group looked like a pre-school class following around our guide (we all were wearing the same colored shirts (except for me-I was late) and the leader had a big yellow sign with our groups number on it). Oh well....it made a good story. BUT...the church that I have been attending supports social justice so we were able to split up into groups today and go into the community and minister in various ways. My group did a prayer walk around Cambridge which was a blessing to participate in. If this is the church that I'm to be at, I'm excited about the ways I can become involved in it in the future.

God has been giving me the opportunity to invest in the lives of students, which I LOVE! I had a dorm-wide event last week, with the emphasis being on women dealing with fantasizing, porn, and struggling to sustain a healthy mind in a sexually saturized world. About ten people showed up and the lady that came and spoke to the ladies of my dorm did a good introduction session so I'm hoping we can do follow-up ones in the future. One student recently told me that she wants to do a movie night in my apartment with a bunch of ladies, so I'm looking forward to that. I've also been able to cook with a couple of students and show them my very limited knowledge of what can take place in the kitchen (one student thinks that apple sauce is the best thing in the whole world; so I was able to show him how to cook it).

Work does have its challenges. Maintaining harmony amongst office mates can be difficult at times-but we're human so having tention is bound to happen.

A highlight of this month is that I'm going to VA this week!!!!!!! And I'm VERY excited! I need some country air and the fellowship of old friends. :) Well I'm off!

~JGB

Post 16

Here lately I've been feeling like one of those mothers you read about in children's stories, being able to find a biblical application in small everyday events. I even find myself quoting scriptures at students or applying verses to my own life as I experience things that I've never run into before. I'm going to try and enable you to get into my head in what I've been thinking about lately.

With great anticipation I watch my oldest brother on live TV as he's about to enter the octagon for a big fight. He puts on his gear, hugs my dad (yes, I saw my dad on LIVE TV for the 1st time EVER), and gets encouragement from coaches and the like around him. He enters the octagon, fans are cheering like there's no tomorrow. I too start to cheer, even though he can't hear me. My heart rate begins to quicken and I begin to pray "dear Lord, keep my brother safe, enable him from power from within, help him to win, at the very least, do well during this fight." Round one starts and both my brother and his opponent go after it. I pray that God gives my brother an in to take this guy down. Round two; his opponent is pounding my brothers face. I begin to yell at the guy, telling him to punch somewhere else. None the less, my brother remains on his feet, blocking as many punches as he is able. His face begins to swell before the fans eyes, his opponent keep striking. My brother remains on his feet. Round three; same thing takes place only the punches and the kicks intensify. His eyes begin to swell shut yet my brother still remains on his feet; his opponent taken back as to why he has yet to fall down. He eventually puts him in a head lock, my brother bent over, yet still remaining on his feet. Round three ends, my brother's opponent wins yet the hosts of the show are shocked by the endurance that my brother portrayed. They spoke of him as having a "chin of steel and the heart of a lion." His opponent even praised him, saying he doesn't know how my brother stayed on his two feet. 


I'm used to seeing my brother win fights and so are his fans but while watching all of this, the Lord reminded me of something. No matter how hard the enemy attacks, no matter what he throws at me; stand. No matter how simple it would seem to sit down, to give in; stand. No matter how painful the blows are, even when I loose sight as to what is before me; stand and God will see me through.

I love you my brother! I'm pretty sure I would have fallen after the first blow, but you endured with the heart, the will, and the mind of a champion. You are the definition of a fighter. 

100 things I'm thankful for:

1. Family
2. Friends
3. Flowers
4. Trees
5. Clouds
6. Stars
7. Fireflys
8. The Ocean
9. Rain
10. Autumn
11. Sunrise
12. Sunset
13. Children
14. Butterflys
15. Chocolate
16. Peanut Butter
17. Protein
18. My legs
19. My arms
20. My feet
21. My hands
22. My fingers
23. My toes
24. My eyes
25. My eyelids
26. My eyelashes
27. My belly button
28. The ability to hear
29. The ability to see
30. The ability to smell
31. God's word
32. The Father
33. The Son
34. The Holy Spirit
35. Soul Food
36. Italian Food
37. Accents
38. Culture!
39. The ability to think
40. The ability to process
41. The ability to speak
42. The ability to critique
43. Mistakes
44. Unanswered prayers
45. Answered prayer
46. Oatmeal
47. The ability to feel
48. The ability to touch
49. The ability to taste
50. Laughter
51. Tears
52. Pain
53. Joy
54. Morning
55. Mourning
56. Evening
57. Dusk
58. Dawn
59. Deer
60. Dew
61. Snow
62. Speech
63. Actions
64. Love
65. The rich
66. The poor
67. The middle class
68. electricity
69. Running water
70. Cell phones
71. the ability to read
72. Doc and Ms. Judy
73. Corrie ten Boon
74. Elisabeth Elliott
75. Dannah Gresh
76. Shannon Ethridge
77. The Mangan's
78. Marlena and Shawn Graves
79. Crossroads Bible College
80. Cedarvillle University
81. Eastern Nazarene College
82. Carmille Akande
83. Corey MacPherson
84. Jewel Johnson
85. Martin Luther King Jr. 
86. Frederick Douglas
87. Teeth
88. Tongue
89. Christmas!
90. Birthdays!
91. Caterpillars
92. Education
93. Donors
94. Grants
95. Scholorships
96. Roommates
97. Difficult people
98. Clean clothes
99. Chapstick
100. MUSIC!

All these things I am grateful for and so much more

Post 14

Why is New England known for being spiritually dead..........or is America in general becoming spiritually dead (I had church-searching problems in OH too...people weren't as odd though)?

You go to one church and they emphasize the importance of a personal relationship with Christ and why we need to take care of the body of Christ; yet the opportunity to shine the light of Christ to the neighborhood where the church is located in is not seized.

You go to another church and they emphasize the importance of being the hands and feet in the local community, yet nothing is done to nourish those that are within the church.

You go to another church where the people are sweeter than southern style sweet ice tea, yet there's really no meat to the service.

And you go to another church where worshiping God is emphasized yet there is no teaching involved.

And then you go to another service where they teach and preach deep truths of Christ, yet they're as cold as ice at the north pole.

So the question is; where do I go? Do I go to the "sweet" church or the community outreach church and try and find a Bible study elsewhere? Do I go to the cold  but solid church and try to find friends elsewhere (oh wait, one of the reasons I'm looking for a church is to have fellowship and find friends)?

And so my church journey continues. I've been told this process takes about a year. "Lord help me to be patient"

Post 13

One thing that I love about Monday's is that it's the beginning of a new week; a time to start afresh and begin a new. I'm not one to work out like there's no tomorrow but I don't mind exercising. SO this morning I got up a couple hours before work and walked alongside of the beach for about 45 minutes. AND...it was raining. Usually I'm not a fan of being outside in the rain but it was very refreshing this morning. This time enabled me to think on the goodness of the Lord, something I never do enough.

Things are getting busier at work. Students are beginning to move in early and want to talk about life. One thing that is SO valuable that I learned from my Youth Ministry minor is that so many young adults just want to be heard because they have no one to listen to them, no one to glean wisdom from, no one to wrestle through the serious issues of life. I think one of the greatest mistakes many parents make is not letting their children's voice be heard. Yes, a parent has the right to set guidelines and rules and standards and requirements but a child needs to have the freedom to respectfully express what's going on in their head without being cut off and thrown to the side like what they say isn't worth a penny, let a lone a dime. All that to say, I see my job as not only a job, but a ministry and I'm excited for what God's going to teach me and how he'll use me.

On a lighter note, my boss played a trick on me today by putting some flash drive in my computer to make the mouse go crazy and move about without me even touching it. SOOOOOOooooooo.....while he was at lunch I drenched his office in the scent of Amber Romance and then I even had a chance to spray his neck (and ear-but that was an accident). The funny thing about it, he didn't even smell anything until 3 hours after I sprayed everything down. Laughter is good for the soul. Until next time.

JGB

Post 12

Today I've been feeling a little down. I think it's partly because I'm exhausted (and it's only the beginning of August, what am I going to do when the students get here?).

I miss human touch (it's my 2nd love language). So I'm asking the Lord to wrap his arms around me. So I've decided to take myself out to dinner tomorrow.....and maybe I'll buy myself some flowers.

Well I'm going to go get some shut eye so I'm not in the same place around this time tomorrow. But before I go, I've been doing  some online shopping lately and you know how there's now a customer service rep. ready to "chat" with you help you with any of your questions? Well at the end of our little session I've begun to tell people about Jesus. Usually the rep. signs off rather quickly and doesn't respond to what I'm saying. But even though I haven't been receiving any responses I think I'm going to continue because if one person starts to search for the truth, it will be 100% worth it. Until next time! :)

Post 11

Guess what?
I am writing this blog while sitting at my very own table!!!!!!!!! I ordered a Barista Table from Target and it took me about 1 week to put it and the chairs together. But I absolutely love it! I'm just hoping that the screws don't fall out since I'm not the strongest woman in the world.

Now it is time to tell you one of my stories. There's a pastor that I heard on the radio a few Sunday's ago and I decided that I wanted to check out his church. I don't have a car so I figured out how to take public transportation to get to the church (well, so I thought). So I hopped onto the "T" and then took the bus to this church. Well google maps told me that I would only need to walk .4 miles to the church from where the bus stop was. BUT....the only way of getting to the church from where I was located was to walk on the interstate. While I do consider myself somewhat adventurous, I just thought that that would be an awful way to die so I ignored those instructions and attempted to walk around the interstate. And I kept walking....and walking....and walking. An hour later I find that I am VERY close to the church, but guess what? I had to walk up a ramp and there was no way around it (who decides to build a church off of the interstate???). So I asked the Lord to surround me with his angels, I opened up my umbrella and stretched it out to my left (so people would see the umbrella before seeing me) and walked up the ramp. So I finally get to the church (I was 1 hour and 15 minutes late) all hot, sweaty, and tired and I walk in. And guess what kind of welcome I get? Some woman, trying to show off to some man that she just met (at least that's what I concluded) told me that my dress was too short and I needed to pull it down. Since when did a knee length dress become too short (the woman didn't even say "hello" Suppose I wasn't a Christian and that's the welcome I received)? But I tugged on it, turned around and dragged my feet up the stairs to the sanctuary. And.....come to find out that the pastor that was preaching was a guest preacher and guess what? The service was practically over. So after the service was over, I found a random lady and asked her if she knew if there was a bus stop near by. And she told me where one was and when I was almost out the door she came up to me and told me that she could just take me to the train station (the "T"). Now normally, I don't accept rides from strangers but she was older and alone, and I figured she must not be too awful if she just sat under the preaching of the word of God; not to mention that my feet, back, and hips were hurting (I wasn't prepared to walk all over the place) so I accepted. So she drives me to the station and I made it safely back home and I passed out on my bed and fell asleep. And there you have it! I must say that I am VERY thankful for the lady that helped me out. My state isn't midwestern or southern so being nice to strangers isn't exactly normal, so praise God she trusted me and I trusted her. Thankfully, I have a friend who told me that she would go with me to church this next Sunday and maybe we can figure out the predicament of the interstate being in the way of safe walking. ;) That's all for now!

Post 10

You know you're an adult when......you wake up (On Your Own) at 7am, on a weekday, and mop the floors and clean your bathroom-before work). I must say that I surprised even myself and have no idea why I did such a thing. ;)

I'm all settled in my new place.....living "on my own" is interesting, but I enjoy it. I don't come home to a husband, a child, a sibling, a parent, a dog, a cat, a bird, a turtle, a fish, or a grasshopper (my brother's and I used to capture them as pets way back in the day). Even though I enjoy "living on my own" I do not have the desire for it to remain this way for forever as it does for many. Thankfully I have the Lord and since I have him, what can man do to me? I am slowly beginning to understand why it would be hard for someone who has lived on their own for awhile, to suddenly adjust their way of life (habits and schedules) for another. I sometimes come home feeling as though I don't want to talk to anyone yet other times I have all the energy in the world!

Last week I was able to fly out to OH and be in a dear friend's wedding. It's so nice when you have those friends that are more than friends and defines what it means to be apart of a family. Another good friend that was in the wedding as well, is moving over seas for a few years to teach at a school. How can three individuals be so close, to suddenly be scattered across the globe, doing things that have no relation to one another yet have an invisible bond that will never be broken?

All that to say, life is changing; for me, for them, maybe even for you. Ready or not, the present is here and I must embrace it and ask God for wisdom when it comes to figuring out how to drive through it. Until next time......

Post 8 (this one is a little longer than the others....)

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
Around this time last year I was in VA at Aletheia Springs counseling Intermediate Girls Week, eating watermelon, playing with fire crackers, and singing patriotic hymns. Hopefully the same thing will be able to take place next year.

Have you ever wondered how the desires of your heart are "prioritized" (for lack of a better word)? I also sometimes wonder which desires are good and of God vs. just good. For an example, there are some people who want to travel the world, telling people about the good news of Jesus. And while there is nothing wrong with that desire and is a "godly" desire, God might have other plans and would rather that person just stay put where they are and love on the people that are put in their path.

Here are some of my desires: work with troubled youth, get a MA in counseling, continue being a bridge that brings different cultures together, especially when it comes to the church, get married, adopt children, yearly be of some kind of service to Aletheia Springs, move to Montana in my old age, and travel the world. YET! If you had asked me what my desires were 5 years ago everything would have been nursing related and the only things that would have stayed the same would have been Aletheia Springs, Montana, marriage, and adoption. If you had told me three years ago that I was going to graduate with a B.A. in Organizational Communication (and this doesn't mean I'm organized. Think of it as Business + Communication Arts = the boring side of Communication) I probably would have laughed. And if you would have told me 6 months ago that I was going to be moving to MA and working as a Resident and Program Director, I wouldn't have laughed but at least one of my eyebrows would have been raised.

And for all I know I may not go back to school and get a Master's (and I would honestly be 100% fine with that). And if I do get married, maybe I won't even get married until I'm 40 (granted I personally wouldn't want it to be THAT long but who am I to choose when things take place). I guess the conclusion of it all is that everything that takes place now is preparing you for something in the future. And as one wise person once said, everyday is important and in the Christian life, no day should be taken off. And as I always say, make sure you learn to get along with your enemies on earth because God might surprise you and make them your neighbor in heaven. Wouldn't THAT be funny. Until next time!

Post 7

Fact 1: Guess what? In exactly seven months and two days my favorite time of year will be here......CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

Fact 2: Ladies, if you're looking for a good book to read this summer, check this out (men, you can read it too but it's geared toward women)  http://www.goingbeyond.com/blog/life-interrupted.

Fact 3: FYI, my mom sells something called Shaklee. The organization sells vitamins and enviornmental friendly cleaning products. The cleaning products are really good if you have asthma (like I do) in that the smell isn't choking like bleach or ammonia. Some of the products are a little pricey but you get your money's worth. So check out the website: http://zen.myshaklee.com/us/en/ and if you have questions, let me know!

I'm slowly, but surely getting prepared for the big move. I keep forgetting that I need to buy things like a mop, a broom, cleaning supplies, trash cans, trash bags, and all of those small things that you would think would automatically come with a new dwelling environment.
My last work day at Barnes and Noble is coming up in about a week. I am very thankful for the experience and provision but I must say my heart will always belong to the library. Which! I hear is still suffering from low government funding, so remember to support your local library.

God has been reminding me of how important it is to share my faith with those I run into. So, I've been praying that he would open up doors for me. And he has! I have made two friends via public transportation and have seen one of them twice. One guy works in the same strip mall that I do and the other guy was from Morocco and just seemed really excited to be alive and talk with someone. He didn't speak much English so he didn't know what I meant when I asked him if he believed in God or was of a particular religion. But I was able to give both of the individuals a Gospel of John track/booklet. The guy that I saw twice told me that he was able to read it and the other guy will be "looking" for me in the days to come. I sometimes worry that I won't have answers to questions but in the end, all I can do is speak what I know and how God has changed my life.

That's all for now! Another update will be coming within the next couple of weeks or so.

Post 6

It's time to take out a fresh sheet of paper and entitle it: Chapter 22, Years Spent in New England.

I had an interview last week at a small Christian college located in (you got it) New England! This is somewhat broad but if you desire to know where the location is, then ask me and I will tell you specifically. I don't want to be stalked by anyone. But! I have been offered a postion in their Student Development Office and I am VERY thrilled about it (two staff members have already told me that I HAVE to come over for dinner). :) So much so that I was late getting to work at the bookstore because of car troubles and wasn't stressed or worried that I was going to be fired because in the back of my mind I kept saying: I have a job! Thank you JESUS!

I have this saying that all the paths in your life eventually come out to join one main road leading to eternity. So many small things lead to this job, things that the Lord was doing before I even met individuals who were instruments in leading me to it. No one can know the mind of God. He is unsearchable and his ways are past finding out. And I am so thankful that he takes care of me, constantly providing, protecting, and showering me with love.

I ran into two "angels" the other day. I've never seen this couple in my life. But I started chatting with them and before we parted, they shook my hand and put a $100 dollar bill in it. Every time I experience something like this, I ask the Lord to increase my sensativity to his Spirit so that when I come accross someone who needs a helping hand, who needs to be loved, or who may not "need" anything to keep my heart opened and be willing to be used by God, even for a brief moment. "I will bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name."

Post 5-My story regarding race....

My name is Julita and this is my story.

To the public eye, I am what you might call an interracial child. Not by blood or immediate identity, though if you’re honest with yourself, all of mankind is interracial, at the least. No man of present is pure black, pure white, pure Asian, pure Indian, pure Hispanic, etc….But when you think about it, what does that even mean? To be pure of one “race”? I honestly haven’t done enough research to be considered a “credible” source but it would seem that the only “pure” blooded people existed back when the earth was created. But this is an entirely different topic, so let me continue on with my story…. 

I am “black”/brown….I am of French, Irish, Cherokee Indian, African, and who knows what else, decent.  Some members of my family came directly from France back in the 1700’s. But as I was so kindly informed by a college student, “black people do not come from France, Julita.” Really now? Were you alive in the 1700’s my friend?

I have had the privilege of growing up in two different worlds.  Yet at the same time this privilege is cause for much confusion. I used to have a difficult time answering the question, “where do I fit and where do I belong?  I grew up in a white community and didn’t have my first “black” set of friends (they were twins) until I was about 8. Why they decided to put up with me, I don’t know but I’m awful happy that they did. Besides them I didn’t have any “black” friends (that I could hang out with on a weekly or monthly basis) until I entered college. Why is this? Many saw me as odd and awkward. And I probably was to some extent but who really has everything together? I was homeschooled, dressed funny (to some), had short hair, braces, didn’t watch many movies, LOVED to read, played the piano, liked to ride my bike and listened to old style and contemporary Christian music (dare I mention that I would also listen to classical?). Oh! And don’t forget about this….my mother tried (I often times would rebel) to train me to walk straight, talk clearly, use proper English, and respect my elders). Because of this, I was seen as stuck up and snooty………by many in the “black” community.

One “Christian” black woman once asked me, “why in the world do you have white friends, don’t you know what they did to us?” First off, I am a Christian. We are supposed to “love one another as Christ has loved us.” There is NOTHING about race in that passage. Yes, there is a lot of deep rooted racism in the American society but that does not give me the right to go around hating everyone or anyone because of what ancestors have done. We are in the present, we cannot deny the past, but we must act on what is in front of us.  Secondly, you go where you are loved.  I am not going to force myself into a community where it is highly clear that I am not wanted, even if I do and can identify with the people of that community.

One lady once told me “you’re the whitest black person I know.” To those out there who have this mindset of individuals, please don’t stick them in a box and decide in your own mind what they ought to be like. Get to know them for who they are. And remember that within every race, within every community, within every culture, people come in different shapes, sizes, and forms.  Get to know the person, and then get to know how their culture plays a role in who they are. Don’t allow your mind to define how they should be based upon their perceived or known culture.

So at the end of the day, how do I answer the questions “where do I belong?” I answer it by saying, “I belong in the middle.” I love my “black” culture and I am proud that God birthed me into this world thru it. Yet I cannot ignore the rest of the people that live around me. Jesus gave his life for everyone. Who am I not to show love for those Jesus loved and does love, despite the past.  My name is Julita and this is my story. What is yours?

Post 4

What is love?


1 Corinthians 13 says the following:
⁴ Love is patient,- How patient am I with God, others, and myself?
 love is kind.- Am I kind to others, no matter who they are, what their background, what they look like, and how they treat me? Am I only kind to those "deserving" of kindness or am I kind to those who think differently than I do and who treat me like the scum of the earth? And do I define kind under my own terms or the Lords?
 It does not envy,- How often do I become envious of someone who has attained bigger and greater things than I have and not be thankful for that which is right in front of me?
 it does not boast,-Why is it that when I do good I want others to know the good which I have done or all the great things that I have accomplished. Anyone can do good but is the good that is done, done out of a 100% self-less heart?
it is not proud.-Why is it when I see the stranger on the side of the road begging for money that I suddenly become proud that I'm "better" than him, when in fact, I'm not? Or....why do my actions portray that I'm better off than the man or woman working the late night shift as a janitor when in reality, that could be me tomorrow or even later on today.
⁵ It does not dishonor others,-How many times do I dishonor others with my mouth? From the president of the United States all the way down to the local librarian.
 it is not self-seeking-How often do I look out for my own good and not the good of others, placing me before anyone else? Showing the world that I matter, and you don't.....
 it is not easily angered,-From someone cutting me off while driving to having an individual blame me for something I have not done, I'm guilty
it keeps no record of wrongs.-This is HUGE....Keeps no records of wrongs.
 ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.- The truth is what sets us free from bondage
⁷ It always protects, -ALWAYS
 always trusts, -ALWAYS
 always hopes,- ALWAYS
always perseveres. -ALWAYS
 ⁸ Love


never




 fails.

How's your level of love?

Post 3

A week can fly by so quickly. I didn't realize I was due to write another post! First off, I must say that if you happen to comment on my blog but it doesn't show up on my blog account/site, I don't know what to do. I sometime receive emails saying "so and so has commented on your latest post" but I have yet to figure out how to transfer those comments onto the actual blog. All that to say: don't think I'm deleting your comments! ;)

I was reading Judges 11 last night and I realized how amazing of a woman Jephthah's daughter was. If you don't know the story, go ahead and read it, it won't take you but a few mintutes.........Jephthah's daughter asked for permission to go into the mountains with her friends for a couple of months before coming back home and having her dad kill her. I must say that I would have asked for permission to leave and then travel as far away as possible, to never return. Of course there is a great possibility that the Angel of the Lord would have stopped me but I would have tried to escape. I wonder all that went through Jephthah's daughter's mind and if she asked the Lord to spare her life or if she just accepted what was coming to her with no real hesitation. It appears that the only major regret that she had was that she was going to die without being married (even back then, women had a great desire to be married). If you have any thoughts, feel free to post them. Until next time!

Post 2

I'm done with college!!!!!!!!
And I'm SO thrilled! I was very blessed to have a lot of support from family members and friends. Both of my grandma's were there, uncles and aunts were there, my oldest brother was there, Doc and Ms. Judy were there, church friends from IN and MD were there, and my parents were there amongst other individuals I may have not mentioned. There's one thing that I LOVE about college and don't love all in one; so many people from different countries and states all come together at the same institution and they become a family but after a few years they are dispered around the world again. I know people moving to China, out west, getting married and going to grad school. You wonder "how come we all can't just travel around the world together in one giant cluster?" Can you imagine trying to find sister # 587?

So many inspirational things were said at graduation (and the night before) and I wish I could remember them all. The Chaplain from the U.S. Senate was the keynote speaker and one of his main points was to hold on to the hand of God even when you start asking yourself "is it worth it"? Something key that Dr. Brown (the president) mentioned was that we are to never take a day off from being a Christian because we're always being prepared for something in the future and we won't become in the future what we are not becoming today.

All that said, what are my plans?
I don't know. ;) BUT I am excited about summer! I have already has one interview since being home, I have another one tomorrow and received an email warning me of another one to come within the next couple of weeks. Aletheia Springs is this summer, I'll be working at the grand ole' bookstore again, and I'll be in a wedding! And I'm praying that by the end of summer 2011 I'll be on my way to working at a place where I can wake up and be excited about facing the day! So there you have it! If you are interested, I am currently reading a book entitled: Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild by Mary Kassian. Here is a quote that I will leave you with: "When someone has an oppossing viewpoint, look for the truth in it." Until next time folks! Have a delightful evening!

My life is unique

Once upon a time, I used to work at a libary. One day a man came into this said library, asked me if he could charge his wheelchair, and then proceeded to walk towards me (I'm not really sure why he needed a wheelchair since he could walk but that's besides the point). After this man arrived at the counter, where I was standing, he said to me "you're the most beautiful black woman I did every see; besides Tiger Woods that is." (Tiger Woods is not a woman and I am not a man. I don't think him to be beautiful so I'm not really sure why we were compared to each other....) And that my friends is a small window into my life as we know it today!

I have many funny stories up my sleeve along with what some might call "profound" thoughts. The point of my writings is to share life with you and to color your world with something unique amongst a path of normality.