Dear Kaleo Fam-jam;
For some reason, I’ve been avoiding writing an update on
here. Many times over the past several months I’ve thought to myself, “Geez, I
need to get on that K6 blog and tell my family how I’m doing…” and then I don’t.
I’ve even put it on my task-app on my phone, and “ignored” it repeatedly. I’m
not doing this because I’m avoiding any of you, obviously, but I wasn’t ready
to open up and be vulnerable with myself and with you about what has been going
on in my heart.
Let’s begin last year, as I embarked on the adventure to
acquire my BA in Psychology… The difference between Kaleo and a secular
university/college setting is huge. I LOVE LOVE LOVE being back in school and
having my brain stimulated and my vocabulary expanded, but the general consensus
of many people on campus are that Christians are narrow minded and stupid… This
was quite a change for me. Obviously not EVERYONE feels that way, but it was
definitely a culture shock to someone who is used to being around Christian
people for the majority of the time to having professors insult your beliefs in
a class setting.
My first year at school has been challenging, indeed, but it’s
caused me to think a lot. To sit back and listen instead of just talking all
the time and to observe those around me and what is going on behind their words.
If I am being completely honest, I would even say that the aftermath of being
in this environment has caused me to be confused about how to apply my faith to
my everyday living… In no way do I doubt our incredible God, but I often find
myself wondering how to be “successful” in living life as a Christian in this
world. Some days I just wish for heaven!
On the other hand, Nathan and I have had an incredible first
year of marriage. With the normal ups and downs, God has blessed us with a
fantastic relationship. I come home every day to my best friend, the one human
being who knows me best, and we are able to share our struggles and
accomplishments. It has been amazing, and I feel phenomenally blessed. Words
cannot describe it! For that I am truly thankful, and I think this has been one
of the things that have kept me sane.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been diligent in staying
disciplined in my walk with the Lord. Yes, He is constantly in my heart and my
thoughts, but I struggle to be active in making time to spend with Him. In
Kaleo, I asked many of you to pray that I would fall in love with Jesus… and then after that, I stopped making the
effort and just let the chips fall as they may. Continuing to go to church, be
involved in the ladies bible study that I’m a part of, hang out with my Christian
friends… and claim that that was enough.
Last week Jeremiah and I flew out to Winnipeg to celebrate
Tom and Alyssa’s nuptials, and once there we were reunited with some lovely members
of our Kaleo family. I had no idea how much my heart needed this time in
community again. Having been out of Kaleo for three years, I forgot what it
felt like to have the Holy Spirit so present in day-to-day interactions with
each other… It was incredible. It was refreshing, rejuvenating, and I feel new
again!
During Tom and Alyssa’s wedding ceremony, the pastor was
talking about how we make people and God priorities in our lives if they are
important to us. If I have a goal to be close with God in the future, I need to
prioritise and take the steps needed to reach that place one day instead of not
doing anything and still expecting
to wake up one morning with Jesus as my best friend… HA! Thank you Lord for
your grace and mercy and patience! As you can probably tell, my heart just
crumbled throughout this visit. On Sunday, the day after the wedding, the K6-ers
that were in town held our own mini-church service in one of the HoJo hotel
rooms. We were talking about Bartimaeus in the book of Mark (10:35-52), which
spoke so clearly to me, as someone who was living half-assed for God and expecting
him to glorify me because I was being such a “good little Christian”. I needed
a spiritual jump-start to cause me to realize where my head and heart were at,
and I am so thankful that God still uses our Kaleo community to do that.
So, friends, that’s where I am it. I am making plans and
priorities to put God first and foremost in my life and marriage, and to not be
afraid to stand up for Him when the time is right. I’ve made myself available
to be more involved in the worship aspect of church as well, something that I’ve
missed dearly but couldn’t enter into it with a sincere heart for some time. I’m
thrilled to be living life, and have a deep desire to bring a fuller sense of
community to those around me… I’m not sure how to do it yet, but I desperately
want to show my friends here what a Kaleo-like community can be.
And lastly, my sincerest apologies for being so bad at
staying in touch with each one of you. I know that we’re all busy with school
and work and life and spouses and kids, but know that I love you deeply and if
you knocked on my door I would probably cry with excitement to see you! Let us
know how you’re doing, because we care about you!
All of my love, please continue to keep Nathan and I in your
prayers.
Amelia.
P.s. here are some photos from the past year :)
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| Brooklyn, Lydia and I knitting up a storm... LOL |
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| Nathan and I celebrating one year of marriage! Insane. |
Hanging out during the wedding rehearsal :)
At the zoo... with a COUGAR!
And lastly, here is an amazing video of the us playing charades in our hotel room... It was magical! This lo-res video doesn't do it justice at all, trust me! Please ignore my rather obnoxious laughter...
