Gratitude

I only have 10 days left in sweet little Bolivar, and as my time here comes to a close I'm realizing how much this place means to me.

I'm about to spend the next months of my life traveling in southern Africa. Why, you may ask? because of a series of stepping stones our Father has led me through during the last four years of my life.

Here in Bolivar, for the first time I was able to live with like-minded peers that showed me how far-off dreams of traveling in far-off places don't really have to be so far-off. I had the chance to teach youth about the diversity of cultures and I fell in love with exploring these new cultures. The CGC Office at SBU allowed me to not only go on short trips, but to lead them. My heart grew fond of being off American soil and serving to the point of exhaustion. I got to see people hear the Truth for the first time and watch their jaws drop and their eyes light up in amazement at what our Father has done for us.

Two years into my time in Bolivar I had to take a graphic design class. I got hooked. Never would have even explored this as a career option on my own. The CGC riskily decided to trust me to design stuff for them and constantly encouraged me when I doubted my ability.

The realistic possibility of traveling overseas after graduation was presented to me through classes and conferences at SBU. More importantly, people who saw potential in me believed in me and pushed me when I was was willing to settle for what I knew deep inside isn't what God had planned.

I took a leap and signed up. Friends and friends that became family have supported me and kept me from falling into a pit of fear and doubt. Church members here that I barely knew let me know they are devoutly praying for me. Kids at church have told me that I'm inspiring them and they want to be like me. Little do they know their words inspire me all the more.

So, thank you, Bolivar. Thank you for showing me that I can do this. That I am not doing this alone.

I have so much more to be thankful for outside of this little town, but with only 10 short days left here and a thousand thoughts running through my head, taking the time to process all that this place means to me will make saying goodbye a little less painful.

Goodbye, Bolivar. I am sure I will see you again someday.

Waiting

I have about 95 days until I say goodbye to the United States for a while. Ninety-five days until I leave everything and everyone familiar to meh.

Patience is really bad for my sanity, but really good for growth.

Waiting has caused me to do a lot of thinking. Thinking has made me feel like I am a failure because my fellow graduates from last spring have "real jobs" while I'm just hanging around preparing to live off support from others. Thinking has caused me to struggle with feelings of self-doubt and fear about what the coming year will bring. I'm living in Bolivar for only a few short months before I leave again, and my instinct is to try not to get too connected to everything because then it won't hurt as much when I have to leave... then I feel useless and worthless and confused.

Somewhere along the way I finally realized I'm an idiot.

The devil has been playing with my mind basically always, and God has been slapping me in the face with wonderful things a whole lot lately. Throwing 100% of myself into everything is just what I do. My time is filled up with things that I love, but my sadness that all this is temporary has stopped me from really enjoying it.

Praise God for all that he has placed in my life without me fully realizing what was happening. Every day I get woken up by the precious little voices of the kids in the house I live in. I get to play games and pretend I'm 6 again while I soak up so much wisdom from those around me each day. I have connected with more "townies" in the past two weeks than I ever did in the four years I attended SBU. I've met prayer warriors and encouragers and people more than willing to invite me into their homes. I get to reconnect with friends, turn old acquaintances into new friends, and continue to build my circle of support before I venture off on my own.

In a nutshell before I leave the Father is filling me up in the way that He knows is best for me - by letting me continually pour out 100% of myself into everything I do and love on the kids and people I interact with each day. The support I have received in return is overwhelming.

All this to say I much appreciate your prayers and support. Right now I need prayer for patience and strength to fight the feelings of self-doubt.

Thanks, team, you're the best.

Birthday

It's my birthday, so let me get all sentimental and stuff.

Today was going to be another rough Monday because of my procrastinating habits and my roommate's recently totaled car. It's my birthday? Whatever, that's fine. It's just another day and I didn't need anyone to go out of their way to make it special. Thankfully God and my friends thought otherwise.

So here are the highlights of my 22nd birthday.

Almost drove myself to sleep while taking my roommate to the tow yard. I was in a crappy mood, not gonna lie. Decided to swing by Target and this ray of sunshine appears out of nowhere saying, "I heard someone needed a donut delivery on their birthday!"

Anyone who drives an hour and a half to surprise you on your birthday is a friend you want to keep around forever. Congrats on pulling off the first legit surprise of my life, you two.

If you know me you know where we went for dinner. But what makes dinner so great is that while I was sitting in Chick-fil-A they tweeted to me wishing I have a birthday full of Nuggets.

This is more exciting to me than shaking hands with the president.

Jimmy Needham is one of my favorite artists. He was here at SBU today.

After the concert my roommate decided to introduce me to him as "Julie the girl who's birthday is today." We snapped this lovely photo.

This prompted Jimmy to announce to the union that it was my birthday and lead them in the best happy birthday that has ever been sung.

I have incredible friends and a faithful God that never cease to bless me in so many ways. Thus far I am loving what it means to be feeling 22.

This remix of happy birthday will never be topped.

Contact

As most of you already know, I've decided to take some time after graduation to venture out of the United States and discover what it's like be overseas. I'll try to explain how I got to this point and what I'm doing next year as concisely as possible. Sometimes I forget to tell people about important life altering decisions I've made, so this leaves you without excuse for not knowing when you find out I'm gone this Christmas... or maybe it gives me an excuse...

Brazil 2010

First, let's rewind five years to the first time Julie left the country. I went to Brazil in 2010 knowing that I love to serve. I just love it. Pouring my heart and soul into kids and ministry is one of my favorite things. Brazil was the first time my eyes were opened to another culture. I love the way that people in all corners of the globe can be so culturally different, but still know and understand truth in a way that fits them so perfectly. It gives me a much fuller picture of our Father.

Fast-forward a year to when I came to SBU in 2011. We have this cool thing called the Center for Global Connections. With them I was on lots of teams that traveled overseas and more fully realized my passion for watching others have their eyes open to the beauty of cultural diversity in creation.

The second story line that converges with my service-loving self is the love to create. All my life I've loved to do crafty stuff, but never really pushed myself to pursue anything artistic and had no formal training.

Spring 2013. This is when I met Photoshop. And Illustrator. And InDesign. This is when I fell in love and changed my career choice. Blows my mind that this semester is only the 2 year anniversary of me attempting my hand at Graphic Design.

Spring 2014 I started working in the Center for Global Connections as a volunteer Graphic Designer/Social Media Marketer. By then I had pretty much decided that I wanted to work with non-profits and make pretty things for the rest of my life.

Senegal 2015

January 2015 I realized I am in love with goats. This is mostly unrelated, but very necessary.

Anyway, this past Fall I decided that after I graduate I want to see what it's like to live in a different country, love on people, and experience the beauty of culture..

Conveniently SBU has a way to help me out with this. In a nutshell I'll be traveling overseas and be in touch with the Center for Global Connections all year as I learn and grow. Right now we are working on figuring out where that will be. 

Learning to trust our Father and be patient in all of this is the biggest struggle. I'm definitely learning a lot already.