Jessica Ridgeway

Hey all!

Since I wrote last, some major news events have been going on.


The Jessica Ridgeway case hit me deeply.  Even though I did not know Jessica, events such as this one break my heart.  Why would someone do such a horrible thing?  And where is the church in all of this?  Is in not our job, as the Body of Christ and as the church, to help with things like this?

I believe it is our duty as the Body to support the community.  When times are going well, we should enjoy it with our community, and when times are difficult, we should aid, support, and empathize with our community.  Before these hard times, we should be the ones pursuing the members within our community, the ones close to and far from God and everyone in between.  We could prevent so many tragedies simply by doing what Christ wants us to do, be brothers and sisters to everyone, since we are  all children of God.
One of my favorite songs is If We Are the Body by Casting Crowns.  Here is a link to a video for the song which reminds me why the Body is so important: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mvzFgqgGDI

This is part of why I absolutely love The Journey.  I have seen the passion through each and every staff member's eyes since the day I walked into that church.  Everything that these people do, whether it's greeting visitors on Sunday mornings, talking to kids at youth group or children's church, helping those who have suffered loss through their tough time, or chopping wood, they radiate their passion.  It is so inspiring to be so close with the core of this church because I get to see the effort they put into each and everything they do a little more than the average person does.  It is such an honor to get to call these people more than friends and role models.

Despite all the sadness with Jessica, I must say that this situation has fueled me to live day to day and to enjoy every day to the fullest.  It reminded me that nothing is ever guaranteed in this life, and I have to live for today, not for tomorrow.  Doing this over the past few weeks, I have totally reevaluated where I am in life, and I couldn't be happier.  While my classes are simple at school, I am enjoying the fact that I am not like a lot of my friends who are super stressed about school.  I enjoy working at Cutthroat, and I enjoy serving people there because I can make someone's day simply by smiling at them and being charismatic.  I am enjoying my time spent around my family and my friends.  Overall, this is the happiest I can remember myself being in a long time.

My hope is to be able to inspire someone through my happiness and my passion for Christ to be able to go out and change someone else's life because I know, that if we band together as the Body of Christ, we can and will accomplish anything.

<3 <3 <3

Lost the Bet ):

Hey all!

It has been a loooooong week, but it has been one good week since I last checked in!

Last Friday, I spent the day at my church's ranch, just hanging out with some of my favorite people.  Throughout the course of the day, I realized how many people I have that I can talk to them about absolutely anything, and I feel like they will stick by my side no matter what.  While these are church leaders, and it is their job to listen to people, I have developed a deeper relationship with my church family, and I couldn't live without them.  They are such a positive influence in my life, and I wake up each day hoping I get to talk to at least one of them since they brighten my day.  Special shout-out to my Journey family. Thank you guys for everything... I love you <3  I suggest that everyone find people like that in your life, people you can trust with any and everything and people that you just enjoy being around.  I honestly wish I could spend so much more time with my church family because they push me to strive to be a better me and they help me become a better me.  I am so glad that God brought me to this wonderful family a year and a half ago.  <3

Then on Saturday, I got to play chauffeur, hair stylist, makeup artist, photographer, and chaperone for my sisters first Homecoming!  She looked gorgeous, and I was such a proud older sis.  I am so happy that she had a great night, and she looked totally amazing.  Her outside matched her inside.  Love her <3











And of course I have to mention the sad fact that I lost a bet on Monday night.  The one night that I absolutely needed my Cowboys to win, they got destroyed by the Bears.  Tony Romo totally disappointed me with his five interceptions, but on the plus side, I get to bake!  Congratulations Brian.  You win.  Next time, I will win!


Until Next Time.
Ellie (: