Tagged - 123 Meme!

Ha ha... unbelievable. It's my political science book. Get ready to jump into the world of international relations... yeeeaah!!

Here are the rules to the game:
1. Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating!
2. Find page 123.
3. Find the first 5 sentences.
4. Post the next 3 sentences.
5. Tag 5 people.

Okay, before I pick up the book, I am going to trust that God will bring out of this something good. I love you Jesus, no matter what... even if it's ridiculous!!! Actually, especially if it's ridiculous.

:)

Here goes:

"When Olympic champions step atop the ceremonial stand to receive their gold medal, their country's flag is raised and its national anthem is played. Furthermore, states are the most powerful of all political actors. Some huge companies approach or even exceed the wealth of some poorer countries, but no individual, company, group, or international organization has anywhere near the coercive power wielded by most states."

States are the political identity for most people.

Let's metaphor-ize:

In the same way, when we "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward" our "identity" is in Christ Jesus. He is the most powerful state and our high priest. Nothing, no principality, no darkness, can ever separate us from the love of God. His power is the biggest out there. None can compare.



Wow, I just want to fall in love with Jesus. He is soo good. Soooo beautiful. What a man. What a God.

Blessings to all.

Pass this on to your friends! :)

I will tag Jourdan, Emily C., and then the rest of the people I would tag have already been tagged!

- Jess <><

Jessica: Looking forward!

I am 18 years old, and God has blessed me beyond measure.

I had a fabulous birthday! I don't have school on Fridays, so this birthday was DIVINE. I devoted the entire day to NO homework, and did what I wanted to do THE WHOLE DAY. It was fabulous. I got my nails done, had lunch with my sister at Southridge, got color in my hair and chopped it off, then had the most amazing get-together of friends. I am in relationship with the most wonderful people. You know who you are, and thank you for being part of my life!

My parents and I took a trip to California last weekend to visit my future school. I've been accepted into the architecture program at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo. Starting in the Fall, I will be studying my little heart out in the beautiful hills of San Luis.

What I found on my trip FAR exceeded my hopes and dreams. It was as if God hand-picked this area for me.

Or hand-picked me for this area... :) I'm up for both...

It really put me at peace to be able to have a picture to go along with what I expected. Spending 3 or 4 days there was exactly what I needed, and I have to say, I cannot wait to go back!

People ask me about the weather down there, and... it was gorgeous! It rained a couple days in the morning, but then around 10:00 AM, the clouds parted and revealed a stunning blue-sky day.

The whole geography of the place is astounding. The hills are stunning, completely beckoning me to climb them! The ocean was gorgeous. The campus was Perfect. I am so pleased to call Cal Poly my future home!

One thing that blew me away was the unbelievable kindness of every single person we met. There was not an unsatisfied face among them! Every person we talked to flippin' raved about the school and the town. My parents and I couldn't be happier. The people were great, the food was great, the shopping is great! :)

God set up a few divine appointments during our trip. One was to meet a pretty (inside and out) Christian 5th year architecture student at the place we were staying. We talked about faith, doing what you're created to do, and bringing that into your design. She welcomed my parents and I to check out her design lab. Wow. It was amazing!

I'm so excited to be out on my own: to explore for myself, create an identity for Jesus to shine through, find new places, meet new people. I'm giddy.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me, loved me, protected me, and cherished me throughout the years! Words cannot express my gratitude. You propel me forward and I go with you in my heart.

Blessings upon blessings for you and your house,
Love - Jessica <><

Character Counts

I wrote this essay for a scholarship opportunity through the Grand Canyon State Games. Just thought I would share it.

It was really hard to not write about God, but I think the truth of these statements are as much a testimony to His character as actually mentioning His name would be. :)

Chevrolet and Character – Like a Rock

"Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike."
— Theodore Roosevelt


In the same way that a building cannot stand without a proper foundation, so a person cannot stand without a foundation of good character. Integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness are just a few of the many values that demonstrate good character. These qualities are crucial to building strong relationships, enhancing a person’s inherent gifting, and exuding a personality that encourages others.

Building a relationship is like building a house. The foundation is the most vital step. The following is an account regarding two men who built new houses: one built his on a foundation of sand, the other on rock. When the storm raged and the rain came down, the house of sand crumbled, but the house built on the rock stood firm. A peaceful relationship is based on elements of good character – integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness - so that when conflicts arise, the establishment stands unshaken.

As humans, we are constantly faced with decisions that demand a response. Our character provides a basis for us to act upon. For example, as a boy is running in the park, the woman listening to her headphones in front of him unknowingly drops a twenty-dollar bill from her pocket. In this moment, the young man has a choice to make. Will he operate out of deception and greed and keep the bill, or will he choose to employ honesty and trustworthiness as the agents of his action? In this way, our core values directly influence and guide our behavior. Just as an apple tree cannot produce oranges, a person’s “fruit” is telling of the inner character of that person. Every moment, we have the opportunity to determine what kind of fruit will accompany our name.

A person’s “gifting” is what he or she uniquely has to offer the world. This gifting can be powerful, but without character, it can be dangerous. Many a leader has fallen to deception, dishonesty, or selfish ambition as a result of the intoxication of power. Like a kite tethered by a string, so a man’s gifting must be held taut by the qualities of good character within that man. Only then can he fly with strength and honor.

As ambassadors for the world, we must be grounded in truth and right character. We must make a habit of doing right things right in every area of our lives: in the workplace, in our interpersonal relationships, and in our own personal lives. This world needs a people who will walk with integrity in relationships and in their gifting through every moment of choice. Like a foundation, like a kite-string, like a rock – character provides the roots necessary for this sort of life to thrive.

---

All In All

I want to be:

Wildly submissive and

love-centered

Radically set apart

for His purposes

Infinitely focused

on His identity

Eternally intent upon

His Ways and Precepts

Forever enthralled

with the One who has

stolen my heart.

Chuck and Huck

Laughing my face off. This is hysterical.

I just registered to vote in the Washington Primaries on the 19th! WHOO!

VOTE MIKE HUCKABEE!

- Jess <><