Where were you on Sept. 11th?

Where were you on September 11th? Everyone has their story. This is mine: 

I was 13 years old. 

We woke up to my mother frantically tuning the radio dial in our 26ft camping trailer we'd lived in for the past couple months. We were smack in the middle a house building project, my baby sister was 7 months old, and I had no idea what Al-qaeda was. I quickly found out and a whole new world of evil shattered another portion of my innocence. 

We didn't have a TV in the trailer. We didn't have much of anything. We were a bare minimum family for a while. 2 years kind of while. I wasn't even allowed to use my curling iron...for a teenage girl, that was just not acceptable. I got over it. Kind of. 

There's not a whole lot I remember about that day. 

I remember it was like a bad black and white movie. Playing all day. In slow motion. 

I remember crying, out of horror for the people in those buildings and in those planes, and out of fear for whatever might happen next. No one really knew. Anything could have happened. 

But when America woke up on September 11th, the world was just as broken and twisted as it was at 8:46AM. But now, now we were reminded of it. All of us. There was no ignoring the blatant evil that parading before our eyes. No, it was real and it staring us straight in the face. 

Now, 10 years later, evil still exists.

In some cases, worse than 10 years ago. But God...yes, even now He is still greater than this. He is still more powerful and He is still good, though it's ok to question. Even the people of the Bible questioned God's presence in the midst of evil and suffering. Here is the dialogue:

David's Questions & Accusations: Why oh Lord do you stand far off?, Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak who are caught in the schemes he devises. He boasts of the cravings of his heart...his victims are crushed, they collapse, they fall under his strength. He says to himself, "God has forgotten [them]. He covers his face and never sees." {Psalm 10:1-11}

The Response: [But] You hear, oh Lord, the desire of the afflicted. You encourage them and listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more. {Psalm 10:16-18}

Let's read that again,

[But] You hear, oh Lord, the desire of the afflicted. You encourage them and listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more. No more. No more. 

For all the injustice that happens in our world, it will come to an end. One day.

My heart swells for the families affected by September 11, 2001. I will be praying for you today. All day. There is nothing we can say to make your loss any less. But we are sorry. So, so, so very sorry.

High School Music Flashback // Writing Prompt

The other day while driving home from Palm Springs, Ty and I made up a new music game. We call it "Flashback." The basic play is each person takes a turn to play a song that anchored them through high school. You can stay on the same artist for multiple turns or switch it up. 

With our five year age difference, it was ridiculously comical. While I was playing Avril Lavigne's These Things I'll Never Say and ZoeGirl's I Believe (yes, I did), he was rocking out to Jars of Clay and Third Eye Blind. Yup. Third Eye Blind. 

So for this week's writing prompt, I though it'd be fun to hear what you all listened to in high school.  
What songs were your anthems in high school? 

Friday Feature: There Once was a Girl.

The once was a girl who flew across the country to go to bible college in a land she'd never known. She nervous about the unfamiliarity yet excited about the adventure and independence. Little did she know just how much those hallways would shape her life and direction. Little did she know just how influential those professors would be in her passion for writing and compassion. Little did she know just how much her career path would become clearer because of the opportunities that seized her during those ripening days.  

2 years later she returned to her alma-mater and led worship for her favorite chapel of the week.

That girl was me and that school is Grace Bible College.

I spent 2 of the most wonderful years of my life @ that school and as I walked about it today all the memories came flooding back. Teachers that I missed dearly, friends I hadn't seen in 2+ years, and yes, even the cafeteria warmed my heart. 

It says alot about a college when student come back with the fondest of memories. Grace isn't a flashy school. It is very homey and down to earth, settled in the old time suburbs of Grand Rapids, MI. But if there is one thing it has on any other school is the world it is heritage. Grace has deep deep heritage that, I believe, has immense influence on the lives of every student that walks through those tan hallways doors. 

I love my college. I love the people I met there. I love what I learned. Even the hard stuff.

Today I am a happy girl, with a smile from ear to ear. 

Happy Friday! 

Love,

**Don't forget: tomorrow's Saturday Obsessions!

Oh Whatta Man.

It's here peeps. It's finally here. This is the song we performed for my best friend's wedding. Joanna {Bride} is in the middle, Emily {Matron of Honor} is on the right, and I {Matron of Honor} am on the left. 


Prepare yourself. This is epic. {And I'm sure we'll laugh harder @ this the older we get.} 





Good memories. 


Love you Jo!


-JM

These College Days.

So many people I know are moving back into their dorms this week. An equal amount are moving into their dorms for the first time. I remember that day. I was both scare and excited about what was to come. The unknown of college life. But I loved it. 

College taught me much more than textbooks and literature.

It taught me the messiness and shakiness of life on your own.

The road less traveled is always funner with the right company {and good music}.

Pranks are always good. 
Both as the deliverer and recipient. Always good. 

I very quickly found out that Freshman class always gets pranked...we're considered the "Grace Babies". Hence, the diapers on the ceiling. I also got baby powder in my blow dryer.

Breakups aren't as hard when you have these goofballs around.

I had just broken up with a guy from back home and they took me to the beach because they know me...Cali girl through and through. Even though it was 30 degrees, it was still sand and water. 

Yes, I can kick a soccer ball away from the goal. 

No, I cannot kick one, into the goal. 

{The beginning and end of my soccer career @ Grace. It was a glorious two years}

If you're nice to your professors, they'll drive you 6 hours to Indianapolis for an NBA game.
True story. John Spooner drove 8 of us students to a greatly anticipated Sonics vs. Pacers game. That's my Pacemate KC. 

Everyone wants to leave their mark. 
You wanna be known for something, whether its as the president of student council or its etching your name with your crushes last name under your bunk. {but i never did that one...}

j

Educational internships are sometimes weird.

Yes, I chased and caught that chicken at a smart kids school in Michigan.

Graduation comes and goes like your birthdays. So take good pictures.

 There's plenty more where this came from. 
 

It's true what they say: 
The friends you make in college are your friends for life.

They'll be in your wedding. 

They'll be the first people you call when you're preggo, or buy a new house, or change jobs, or go through a traumatic event. You're stuck with them for life :) In a good way. 

I loved college. I miss it. But i will forever cherish the memories made.

-JM

PS. Make alot of videos! Those are the best to watch years later :)

A Mint of Reminder

 
Today I went to our local Farmer's Market. The last time I was there was when I came home from college, Summer of '08. I loved it then as I love it now. So many interesting people to watch and talk to. So many varieties of fruits and veggies that I had no idea even existed. Usually I go with a buddy or out of town friend who want the thrills of being touristy in So Cal. But today it was just me. 

I begged Ty to come with me, but churchy duties beckoned him for the morn. I texted nearly all of my friends. The odds were in my favor, but I'm pretty sure the Lord just wanted it to be me, my thoughts, and Him. It wasn't a crazy spiritual experience, nor was it out of the ordinary. In fact, it was just that...ordinary. 

I saw people who made it seem like this was their life. They come to the market every Saturday morning and graze through the plethora of merchants to price out the best of the best. I also saw people who were definitely from the mid-west and the hotter states. With their big funny hats, khaki shorts, and hiking boots. But it was their normal. And of course the So Cal norm is bathing suit top, torn jeans, a bright colored tank, oversized glasses and our signature flip flop {all of which I was wearing}.

We were all in our own ordinary.

As I walked around I knew I had to buy something. I picked up some brightly colored veggies for way below store price. A bag of Chai Vanilla with an "add water or milk" recipe for my dear husband, who will thank me for days...possibly years. An adorably quaint red parasol that I have wanted ever since my mother-in-law got some for our wedding day. And a mint herb plant. 


Now, I am no gardener. I do not pretend to be. The last herb garden I attempted to start fried to death in the trunk of my car due to my absent mind and negligence. But this one will hopefully be different. I told the guy at the market {who ironically was made up of piercings and tattoos} that I was a horrible gardener and have killed nearly everything I have planted. But according to him, I only have to check and water it every couple of days. He's good at what he does. I bought it.

Then I brought home my mint herb plant and set it on the counter, staring at it like a new mommy stares the first time she has to make formula or change a diaper. Or like a child stares at her new birthday bike. How exactly does this thing work? Do I pot it or leave it? Should I water it now or has it already been watered today?

I have decided that my new plant will be my reminder of today. I decided that if I connect some memorable experience to it, maybe I won't let it die. Maybe I'll think of it everyday because I wanted to be reminded of all those people, having a the time of their lives selling, buying, visiting, tasting, and living in the moment. Sure I'll buy that hat, does it look goofy? I'm not really a flower person, but those flowers will light up my house real nice. I've never seen an onion look like that before, I'll take it. Does this dress make my hips bigger? Eh, what the heck.

I'm a horrible gardener, but I'll take that mint plant. 

~JM

Three Wishes

Remember when you were a kid and you sat in your big girl [or boy] second grade desk? It was the first week of school and your teacher was getting to know her classroom full of students. 

She gave you a writing journal, made from red construction paper, for you to decorate with freshly opened markers, crayons, glitter and beads until your heart was content. And inside that journal was what seemed like hundreds of clean white lined pages just waiting to be scribbled upon.

After a while of artistic decorating, she rang her little golden bell, signaling you and your fellow students to wrap it up.

Then the moment came. She began writing a sentence on the chalkboard [a what??]. Yes, I wrote chalkboard. [You mean a white board?] No. A chalkboard.

It said this:

 

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?

Rule: 

*You cannot wish for more wishes.



But for most of us, this question was nearly impossible to answer. How can you only wish for 3 things when there are so many options...especially as a 7 yr. old. 

So I am re-writing that first prompt from Mrs. Shepherds second grade class.

But this time, I needed two categories.

Non-Serious

1. I wish I had a super power [like flying].

2. I wish I would never grow another pimple.

3. I wish I could eat brownies all day every day and never gain one pound.

Serious

1. I wish to have 6 beautiful children [preferably 4 boys and 2 girls].

2. I wish child exploitation never existed or would be brought to justice.

3. I wish I could tell all the girls in the whole world just how beautiful they are.

Have you ever thought why we wish? I mean who came up with all these crazy [but fun] little superstitious ideas about wishing anyways?

You make a wish @ 11:11AM
You make a wish when you blow the fuzzes of a dandelion
You make a wish when you throw a coin into a fountain
You make a wish when you blow out your birthday candles
You make a wish when you break the turkey's bone
You make a wish when you see a shooting star


What are you wishing for?


Naptime,

~JM

The Fab Five

It is crazy to think that I am now of the age where I can say, "Back when I was in college..." This blog goes out to my college girls for life. We only spent two years together but they were full of fun and crazy memories...as you will see. There were five of us and we liked to believe we were hilarious. We were inseparable.

-These girls made me break the dorm rules the very first night of school...we snuck out to McD's for some ice cream...and got caught of course.

-We would watch scary movies and then try to see who could scare the others the most.

-Freshman year, we sat and talked for hours about the boys in our classes.

-We would predict who we thought the others would marry...none of us were right :)

-We would dance all the time, in our rooms and down the hallways.

-Pranks were inevitable, mostly on the freshman. One time they got my room baaaad. Chips in the bed, baby powder in my hairdryer, diapers ducktaped to the ceiling, and a big sign that said, "We love you!"

-When the sun didn't come out for 3 weeks, I began to feel droggy and sad, and they made me a giant sunshine and posted it in my room before I got home from class.

-They took me to the beach [in January] to cheer me up after a breakup.

-We threw each other in the shower...fully clothed. All the time.

-We cheered each other on @ our school basketball and soccer games.

-We went everywhere together...meals, church, classes, chapels, road trips.

-We argued...alot. But always made it through still loving each other.

-We felt the liberty to speak truths into one another's lives.

-We cried together when times got tough and life was hard.

-We laughed with each other about nearly anything and everything.

Now we're all split up in 3 different states, some graduated from college, others still pluggin' through. Some married and some almost married. No kiddos yet, but I'm sure it won't be long. We're all grown up but will never forget those days. [especially after they see these videos :)]


Sleep over @ Amanda's house, in the middle of the country.



Valentines Day/Amy and my birthday celebration. We bought those shorts because we thought it'd be fun...and it was. This is also proof about the dancing part. And note, Hannah's kicking Amy in the face.



This is what people do for fun @ the beginning of winter in MI. We slide on the snow in the parking lot.


I love you So, Amy, Hannah, & Mandie. Always will.

~Julie

My Knight in Shining Armor.

I know this is late, but I was out of contact with all major electronic communication for the past week so today is my catchup day. Sunday was Father's Day and I hope you all had lots of good food and Dad time.

Many of you know my Dad and will agree with me when I say, "He is the best". This man came into my life when I was 9 years old and our great God could not have picked a more perfectly influential time. I proudly call him my first Knight in Shining Armor, because that is what he is.

The list is endlessly filled with things he taught me, grew in me, pushed in me, and showed to me, but here are just a few:

-He taught me how to play the guitar.
-He taught me how to ski.
-He taught me how to drive my first car [an '84 Volvo].
-He goes out of his way to make us laugh until all of us pee our pants.
-He made me breakup with my first boyfriend.
-He taught me that boys only cause girls to be more emotional.
-He cared enough to monitor my wardrobe as a teenage girl.
-He disciplined me as if I were an adult, not a child.
-He trusted me to make the right decisions.
-He taught me how to change the oil in my car.
-He taught me the great treasure of loving Jesus.
-He was always ready to talk when I needed him and bold enough to give me advice he knew I wouldn't like.
-He never shut down any of my crazy dreams and desires.
-He flew with me and my mom to North Carolina for a singing competition I'd never win, just to show me he believed in me.
-He is a family man.
-He never turns his back on his children.
-He built our house with his own hands.
-He never runs out of grace and mercy for us.
-He showed me what to look for in my husband and that "a man tried and true will always rise above the rest."
-He treated us as his own flesh and blood.
-He is a man of his word.
-He taught me what the love of a father truly looks like.

And most importantly,
-He loves my mother.

That is my father. He is a tool, used by God, to redeem our family. As a now married woman, I cannot express the gratitude I have for my father. By his actions, he showed me what a true man of God looks like so that my sisters and I would have a template for our husbands.

I love you dad. I always will. You are forever my first Knight in Shining Armor.

~Your Julie.












My 10th Bday Party.




Christmas Eve 1999.

Our 2 year house-building project. It was a family ordeal.

My Senior year in HS.













One of the craziest moments in my life.

Some Things Never Change

So this weekend I took a bit of a road trip (6 1/2 hour drive) to Mesa, Arizona to visit a recently engaged best friend. You know how you have those friends that are in your life forever? I know especially with girls, our girl time with our girlie friends make some of the best memories in our lives. Well this friendship started the end of freshman year at Grace Bible College and has not dwindled since. She is definitely one who makes me laugh, no matter the situation we are in. One time we ran out of oil on our way to take her to the Chicago airport (3 1/2 hours away), so we pulled over on the side of the freeway, in the middle of the snow and traffic, and changed the oil. We were complaining…yes, but with laughter in our voices and smiles on our icicle faces.

But just like every relationship, there comes a time when conflict makes itself present. And though they have been few, Elyse and I have had our share of conflicts. However, we never let them get the best of us. After a big one, she knocked on my dorm room door and asked if I could help her eat this pint of Dove’s Double Chocolate ice cream. What girl says no to chocolate?? So I did and over that pint of delicious unhealthiness (I’m pretty sure the label advertised for love handles), we apologized, forgave, and laughed until way to late.

There’s a verse in Ecclesiastes (4:9) that says,

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

That is Elyse! In so many ways, she has shown the love of Christ to me. We never have a meaningless conversation. And I can tell the Lord is the center of her life and of her will. We have a freedom in our friendship to rebuke, a love to support and encourage, and the confidence that it is all done with a heart of gold. And so my friends it is my hope and prayer for you, that you would surround yourself with people who love you for who you are. But also, that you would be the friend you wish to have. Is Jesus Christ the center of your life? Is He the center of your relationships? Does He radiate off your face so that others know you are a child of God? Do not live life so busy that you lose time for the friends and family that truly care about you. One day, they may be all we have, and if so, then there is great treasure that needs to be polished.

~Julianna