Hey guys!!
It’s October, which means training camp is literally TWO DAYS AWAY and it’s my birthday! I will be celebrating my 27th birthday in a tent camping with my squad mates in Georgia! I cant believe I leave for India in just three short months! I am currently 70% funded and beyond grateful! God is blowing me away. I feel so undeserving of His grace. Thank you everyone for supporting me thus far!
So, in honor of my birthday and saying goodbye to 26, I want to share with you 26 things I’ve learned this year.
1) Say yes more than no
“Say yes to life”, yes is a beautiful word, full of so much potential. When I finally understood this and starting saying yes more, I ended up developing deeper relationships with people, moved to Spain for over a year, got baptized, had some pretty epic adventures with random people and started loving myself more. Next time you want to say no, or think its impossible because of your current situation, try yes instead and see where the Lord takes you. It’s pretty amazing!
2) Fill your mind with Truth
This has been a huge thing I have learned and am so passionate about. The beginning of 2016 was a tough time. I had a wise friend tell me to rid my mind of anything that’s not biblically based. So I didn’t watch TV, movies or look on social media. I read three books in one month and listened to about 50 podcasts in the car. The Lord taught me so much during that difficult period of my life. The fruit that was grown during that time has been so rewarding and comforting. So, whatever you are going through, fill your mind with Truth, don’t believe the lies that the world wants to tell you and the evil thing called “comparison”. Let God tell you what is real and true and let Him carry you out of the darkness.
3) Be interested in other people
“The best way to get people interested in you is to be interested in them” –Dale Carnegie. Its so simple and so powerful for making real connections with people. Ask questions, and genuinely listen. GET OFF YOUR PHONE.
4) Remember peoples names
I used to be so bad at this, but I’ve really been working on it and it’s a game changer. Wanna make someone smile and feel important, remember their name…it’s that simple!
5) Volunteer in your community
It will humble you, break you, and make you thankful for the little things.
6) Being alone is ok
I don’t like being alone, never have. I love being with my friends and family, not sitting home alone or in front of a tv or computer all day. I’ve learned over the last year that alone time doesn’t mean I have to feel lonely. I need time to myself to talk to God, meditate or to just think. I’ve learned to find peace in the time I spend alone and I’m very grateful for that.
7) Wear your contacts or glasses
Ya’ll, I know this one is pretty silly but I seriously neglected my eyes for years and last year on my birthday I got glasses and remember thinking to myself, “OMG it’s a whole new world!” I can see everything and it is amazing, no more headaches!
8) Make new friends
God blessed me this year with amazing new friends, and its all because I put myself out there and put a little effort into establishing a trusting foundation. Cant wait to make more next year on the race! But don’t neglect your old friends. My girls are the pillars of my life!
9) Avoid being “busy” all the time
I still sometimes fall into the “busy trap.” I know people who are always just so busy and have no time for anything. The older I get the more valuable time is and Ive come to realize that you make time for what is important to you. Sure, our lives can be hectic and we have obligations and stuff that has to get done, but what about those 93 minutes a day I spend on social media? We can all make better choices with our time.
10) Contentment over happiness.
Don’t follow what you think will make you happy, cause it probably wont. Happiness is a feeling and our feelings are always changing. Work to find contentment and ask the Lord to change your heart. This is something that I am continutally learning and probably will forever.
11) Community is so important
Im not just talking about your mom, sister, and your three best friends. Im talking about a group of people your age, who love the Lord and are seeking Him fully. Pray with them, be vulnerable with them, and learn to love with them.
12) Trying to please everyone all the time, will end up pleasing no one most of time. I have to remind myself everyday that I cant please everyone.
13) Less is definitely more!
14) God is enough
I can’t rely on my own strength, His ways are always better and His help is way more powerful. Its taken me a long time to realize this but when I put it to practice and let go, my life changed.
15) Don’t be judgmental
God has been opening my eyes to this one and showing me that He literally loves everyone, even the crazies, SO much.
16) Follow your intuition
Be confident in your gut feeling that something is right or wrong. Don’t ignore it. That’s God!
17) It’s okay to cry. A lot.
18) Authenticity is always in style
I am so weird and such a dork and yet people still want to be my friend (for the most part). Don’t hold back quirky things that make you YOU.
19) I love you, I’m sorry, and I need help are the three hardest things to say.
I don’t ever want to be a person who can’t say these things even when it’s so hard. “Show me your ways Lord, teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4.
20) Love who you are
I’ve wasted a lot of energy and time on trying to be what I thought certain people wanted, hoping they would like me more if I could just become this or that. Well, this year God broke that chain, and is consistently reminding me that I am enough. Those who don’t accept and appreciate who I am will remain in my prayers, but not in my life.
21) Grace
I don’t have the power to change anyone. They must have the will and courage to change themselves. I am learning how to extend grace to these people in my life.
22) Conviction never goes away but shame can
“If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.” –Brene Brown, Daring Greatly
23) Worship will get you through any storm
This year has been a season of change and challenge. God has really pushed me to worship no matter how I felt and its changed my attitude completely. The intimacy ive had with the Lord while lifting my hands in worship is what keeps me going, even when I feel defeated and totally undeserving.
24) Love is a verb
Without action, love is just a word. Love isn’t easy, it takes time and effort and doing things we don’t want to do at times. But God gives us Joy that is everlasting and beautiful when we love like Jesus.
25) Life isn’t about fun, its about forever. Live with heaven in mind!
26) Chipotle. I love Chipotle and will really miss it next year.
Thanks for making it to the bottom! God is good and I can’t wait for year 27! please dont forgot to hit the subscribe button to get my blog posts directly sent to your inbox!
Im $6,000 away from being fully funded! if you feel lead to help me reach my $17,000 goal please click the DONATE button!
In Him,
Jordan
