Maturity is a funny thing.

• Remember how when your mom told you to set the table you needed her to get the plates and cups down for you because you couldn't reach them?
• Remember how when you were younger, your dad had to pitch the baseball about 20 times before you could hit it?
• Remember when 7x8=? was a hard question? And 3X+2=14 didn't look like a sensible question at all?
• Remember when you couldn't start the push-mower by yourself because you couldn't pull the ignition string hard enough?
• Remember when writing a 300-word essay sounded as hard as writing a book?
• Remember how when you were first learning to drive, you had to concentrate so hard just to stay in your lane? 
• Remember when flying by yourself within the United States sounded super-daunting? 

Those are just part of growing up here on earth. But there's another realm to grow in.

• Remember when Bible stories were only stories and not "doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness"?
• Remember when you did your devotions because you knew you were supposed to and not because you would feel spiritually hungry if you didn't?
• Remember when your time, body, money, effort, affections, and future weren't surrendered to the One they belong to?
• Remember when praying for more than 5 minutes felt like forever? How about 30 minutes? An hour? All night? (My little brothers still feel that more than 30 seconds is a stretch.)
• Remember when you didn't know how to say "No!" to the enemy?
• Remember when sermons were boring because you didn't have any interest in them?
• Remember when you didn't care about the souls of the people around you? Or those on the other side of the world?
• Remember when you read Bible verses but didn't get them yet?
• Remember when you didn't love Jesus as much as you do today?

This list is not one of things I have mastered. Most of these areas can never be mastered. There's always room to grow, farther to go. But that's part of the adventure!

Farther up and further in!

A teenager no longer...

I dreaded my thirteenth birthday. I did not want to be known as a teenager - that disagreeable term that conveyed stereotypes of lazy, rebellious, selfish creatures. However, it couldn't be avoided, and I turned 13 anyway. Gradually, and with a little help from Do Hard Things, I realized that the stereotype didn't matter. My actual character did. Teenagers can be good or bad, just like any age person. Having said that, I am happy to announce that as of today, I am no longer a teenager! Hurray! Hang in there, my brothers and sisters. Be one of the good ones.

This is a pre-written and -scheduled post, as I am at this moment in Ohio on my first official missions trip! :)

Brian is five!

The baby of the family is five today!
Of course he's not a baby anymore, but he'll always be my sweet, smart, and SO CUTE baby brother!
Happy birthday Brian!