i just need Jesus

Today was a bit of a day... That is to say there was nothing particularly bad about it and there were many things that were good about it. Great even! But still I found myself frustrated by my need for more time in the day, by my weaknesses, by my need to vocalize things, by my need to be straight forward with people, by my need for music blaring in my ears to calm me down... and so on. Which left me sitting in the back room at work, with music blaring in my ears, wishing I didn't have to work so much to afford school and just feeling so overwhelmed. I starting thinking... I have handled much worse than this, much better & with a better attitude.

I thought back to NIKO (a survival camp I went through in CR in April) and thought about when I was going into this thing how stressed I was that I wouldn't be able to sleep without listening to my iPod (having listened to music every night to fall asleep away from home). Thinking back on that unnecessary stress I put myself through, it almost seems comical. I slept perfectly fine the entire time. I was stressing myself out with all of these "needs" I thought I had. And it hit me, how is today any different? I sat there becoming less and less frustrated as I realized (again)... all I need is Jesus. It may sound corny. But I don't care how it may sound, its the truth. I am confident that I am where I am supposed to be, and that God cares deeply about me and will not give me somthing that (with Him) I cannot handle. I do know however (and you may not agree with me on this one) God will give me difficult times if that is what it takes for my stubborn self to realize I cannot live this life alone (without God).

The point of me sharing all of this is, I have been a Christian since I was 14 and today again I realized I just need Jesus. And there is nothing wrong with that, the revelation that comes from understanding more and more about God should never stop, you are never finished learning and growing in faith, this side of heaven. I hope I never become so hard headed to think I can get by doing the simplest things without Him. And if I need to become a little bit frustrated before I realize I need Jesus then I hope to have a wonderfully frustrating life.


Much Love,
-Julie

fall is here! fall is here!

So its finally here! My thesis year of fine arts, I feel like I have been waiting for this since I was a little kid making watercolour paintings at the lake all summer. So this is my lovely little space... its not very well moved into yet, its quite clean and un-cluttered which is sure to change soon.

I am excited to begin this year of school and have the opportunity to paint and create! It is a huge blessing and a rare chance to make a body of work that really speaks to people. I am also taking spanish this year y yo soy muy emocionado para mis classes! (and I am very excited for my classes). I hope to improve my ability to write and speak the most, because for some reason I can understand a lot in spanish... I just can't hold a conversation.

That being said I was a little sad to see summer go, but I had the privilege of witnessing many friends get baptized on a very chilly labour day! It was a great way to end off a summer that went by way to fast.

This past week full of my new normal also was the launch of KOZ & College and Careers joint service at Dakota Community Church. We have worship all together as a youth group and college age group and then split off into our seperate services. It was a great time and I feel like this is going to be a great thing for the young ones and those who might be a little too old for youth group but love being active in discipling the teenagers who are a part of our church. Exciting stuff! Little Nae is a happy camper at her first KOZ ever!

I initially started this blog in order to update people while I was away from home but now I am keeping it around to keep everyone who is now close to my heart but far away, updated! I will do my best to update as often as possible.

Much Love,

-Julie