Believe in beauty

Week 9
They told me it was supposed to snow.
At first we heard 1-2 inches, then 4-6, then 8-10 inches.
Of snow? In October? Yeah right I said.
Now I love snow. Like really, I love it. But my skeptical mind did not allow me to get excited or even acknowledge the possibility of snow.
"I'll believe it when I see it." And so I went to bed.
...
I think so many times the practical/skeptical side of our brains mislead us. Why is it so hard to believe that it would snow? As if God can't create snow wherever and whenever he pleases. That is something to get excited about. This isn't just about snow. Our skepticism often keeps us from having hope and faith in beautiful things. Why. Why do we do that? Why is it so hard to believe that the God of all creation knows and loves us? That is something to get excited about. But no, we act too cool... "I'll believe it when I see it."
Don't you see it???
Look around you! Every single blessing that you have is from the Lord. Because He loves. Because He cares.
...
Woke up the next morning with flurries of excitement... hoping there would be snow but still too skeptical to believe there would be.
There it was, a winter wonderland. Right outside my window. Yes!
Not only did the snow warm my heart, but I know it was a gift from God.
He gave me the most lovely day of colorful fall leaves, bright white snow, friendship, adventure, and joy.
He knows me so well.

"A faithful man will abound with blessings" (Proverbs 28:20).
So please, have a little faith in something beautiful. You won't be sorry.

Count your Kernels

Week 8
I change my clothes, getting ready for bed, and 20+ corn kernels fall to the ground. If we measured success by corn kernels, I think it is safe to say that today was a successful day at Maizefest. You know what made today such a good day?
The little things.
I gave pony rides all day... walked in small circles over and over. But it was worth it for each adorable smile from a three year old. Not to mention the fall colors and pretty leaves.
I also had maize maintenance duty which consists of walking around in the maze fixing the tape that people rip down while cutting through the corn. Elijah, Chris, and I fixed a lot of tape in the cold and dark maze. It was worth it for each person we scared... all while noticing the abundant stars overhead.
First ones to work, last ones to leave. But it was worth it for the hour we (Emily, Elijah, Chris, and I) spent playing in the corn wagon like children... wrestling, burying people, and dancing. Especially when our boss (Matt) joined in for a bit. All the while realizing how awesome our jobs are.
It is great working hard when it is with people you love.
It really is the little things in life. When you add up all the little things in a day that made you smile, it really counts for something.
In this case, the count is 38 corn kernels on my floor.
Those messy little things...

Lost in the Maze

Week 7
Each weekend in October is what we call Maizefest, here at The Ranch. It is a 6 acre corn maze accompanied by some pretty sweet fall festival family fun activities. This Saturday, over 1,300 people came through our gates... they came to get lost. in the maze.
My primary job has been hosting. This means that I walk them to the entrance of the maze, put a time stamp on their map, send them in with a "good luck", and walk back to the front to meet the next group.
Group after group entered the maze and to each one I playfully prompted, "You ready to get lost?" Surprisingly, most of them said no... they weren't planning on getting lost. Some of them were kidding, but many of them sincerely thought they were not going to get lost. Well guys, it's a MAZE. You are supposed to get lost. It's designed to do just that- get. you. lost. But hey, maybe they would be the exception...
We have a tower set up that overlooks the entire maze from the inside. Many people call out asking for clues, tips, or ideas on how to reach their final destination. There are many groups, however, who get frustrated and even a bit mad that they are lost. I had some people tell me that the maze was wrong, that the map was wrong, and even that I was wrong. I had other people tell me a whole story about how they got lost because of this or that... like they were the only ones who experienced that. Like they weren't supposed to get lost or something. Like they were supposed to be the exception.
Truth is, there is no exception. You are no exception. Not in the maze and not in real life. Often we are too prideful to see the truth in that. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." We all have struggles... even those who didn't expect to struggle. But God provides the escape! Your struggles are not unique. This is good, so that when you are troubled, someone can help you.
When you do get lost, somebody can help you find your way if you let them.
Life is like a maze. You are intended to get lost- it's how we learn.
It will happen. But you are not alone.

As a host, two songs play on repeat all day. One of them goes like this: "We lose our way, we get back up again. It's never too late to get back up again."

Isaiah 43:19

Week 6.
You learn something new every day. Isn't that a saying?
Well by golly is that true if you live at The Ranch.
I have done more things in the past week that I have never done before. Seems like I have learned, and experienced something new, different, and exciting as often as I have breathed. 
For example, in the past week alone I have:
moved lots of hay bails, driven a tractor, learned to weed whack, mowed a lawn, zip lined at night, fell off a ladder, bought a banjo, got stuck in a swamp, worked in a corn maze, and written my doctrine of belief... yes I said bought a banjo (ebay. no I don't know how to play the banjo. gotta start somewhere).


This may seem like a list of trivial activities and chores, but if we do whatever we do "whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17)" then it all becomes a little less trivial, don't you think? I truly am thankful for the opportunity to be here and learn constantly.
When I see the staff working around me, it is evident that they are working in the name of Jesus. The life, energy, and diligence with which they work is inspiring. It is a beautiful place to be. C.S. Lewis says, "the sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing...to find the place where all the beauty came from."
Each of these little daily events are part of a bigger picture here at The Ranch and in my life. It is all part of this great journey I am on. A journey to make an impact and to love God wholly. Along the way I have found true friends, joy, and laughter to take with me on this spiritual journey. To see where the beauty comes from. If weed whacking until my arms fall off allows me to spend time here in this place with the Lord, then I will take it. Hands down.
I can't wait to see where the road takes me next.
I bet its gonna be sweet.

     For I am about to do something new.
      See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
   I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
      I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

Life is but a vapor

Week 5.
I am writing to you tonight with a bit of a heavy heart.
I am back in Chicago for the death of my uncle Tom (my Dad's brother). I can't begin to imagine what my Dad and his siblings are going through, not to mention Uncle Tom's three sons. Tom was a great man who no doubt is in heaven. That is comforting... but now what?
There is something really heartbreaking about watching your father weep. This was different than the passing of my Grandma or Grandpa. This cut deeper, especially for Dad.
For the past few months, my heart has felt the fragility of life. Feeling the weight of the world. Sickness and death. Its for real. Gosh is it real.
So now what? Well today it overwhelmed me. The sense of urgency that we need to live life with. The intentionality we need to have behind every word and every action. Our time here is short. James 4:14 says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." You are just a vapor.
Tom was a man of honor and compassion. He lived it well. His life an example to all.
Not only within our lives should we impact and uplift those around us, but even in our death. With our every decision, intention, and attitude. So that we can inspire and encourage the way Uncle Tom did. It would be easy to make excuses... living the bare minimum. But living a life close to Jesus asks us to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us" and by doing so, lead by example (Hebrews 12:1). Live by example. Meet and exceed expectations so that even after we pass, our lives point to Christ.
Run. Don't walk. Don't stand still. Run with perseverance.
Others will desire to follow.

Thanks Uncle Tom.