It's been a while...

I sit down to write today, not from some planned entry I previously wrote, not because something extravagant has happened, and certainly not because I have any idea what is going on in the world at large. I sit down to write today just because it feels right. Plus, I've been exposed to several blogs via facebook, twitter, and stumbleupon, so I suppose you could say I'm inspired. I'll warn you now, though, this could get ramble-y.

Normally what I write for myself is poetic or lyrical, something that's been on my mind, something that caught my attention, or simply a way to vent. Here, however, I tend to try only to post when something seems legitimately important. Clearly I haven't figured out what that will be today, but I have a feeling I'll be taken there by the end.

Until then, I'll start off with some quick, vague updates... 1) One of my best friends from home is facing some things she has never faced before. Some of them are issues that most people her age will never face, others are more common than she thinks. In any case, I applaud her for being strong through it all, I thank her for confiding in me when things get tough, and I pray for her mental peace and for her community's overall well-being. 2) I have met one of the most amazing people. He takes care of me, he makes me feel safe and happy, and I am thrilled to be able to call him my boyfriend. 3) Two of my best friends, one being the one who has been with me through more than anyone else besides mom, are coming to spend the weekend in my dorm this weekend! I'm hoping to have an amazing girl's weekend with them, and am so happy I get to see them! Plus, being an unofficial tour guide for a soon-to-be student will be an adventure =] 4) After some minor issues during the fall semester, I have a new roommate for the spring. We get along really well (shock, I know.) and are even planning to live together again next year! (with my newest best friend)

No surprise here, the only thing I can ever seem to harp on is the value of community. But you already know what I have to say about that. Surrounding yourself with those who care about you is powerful; it lifts your spirits when they're down, it provides a sounding board whenever you need one, and the people in it will always be there. I am reminded of this at the most random times, whether it be a new facebook user, a card or letter in the mail, or simply spending time with my friends & hearing/seeing/feeling how much we mean to each other.

One last thing. If you've ever met me, you know that my mom is the single most important person to me on this earth. She has solid (albeit blunt) advice, is supportive when I need her to be, and is generally just an amazing person. Also at home with her I have pets. Our dog, Nicky, had to be put down shortly before Christmas. I knew this would be hard for mom, and really wanted to find a new friend, both for her and for our cat, Scooter. It just so happened that our visit to the SPCA yielded the perfect answer. Our new cat, Hershey, acts more like a puppy than I have ever witnessed in a cat's behavior. He sits in the same spots as Nicky did, plays with toys and with his family members, feline and human, and is a lovely addition to the Kehs household.

xoRJK

Don't Leave Baggage Unattended

Inspiration hits at weird times, in weird places. This time it was at the Philadelphia Int'l Airport at gate B14, as I was waiting to go back "home" to Pitt. It seems I'm always going "home" to some degree -- but that's another entry entirely =]

As I hear the many repetitions warning passengers not to leave baggage unattended, it gets me thinking (there's lots of time for thinking when you're alone at an airport or two). Baggage, in the emotional sense, is often something most keep hidden as well as they possibly can - from the world and even from themselves - but I feel like that's not exactly an effective strategy for happiness/ life in general. Baggage should not be left unattended. It should be acknowledged at least by the person who carries it, but more often than not it should be shared. Once again I'll reference the power of community - the more (familiar) people around a literal bag, the safer it is... and why shouldn't the same be true for our emotional issues?

Faith at 31,000 Feet

Those who know the UDLC Youth Director, know he is not a fan of flying, but is a fan of the INTERWEBS! American Airlines has wifi in flight, so what makes more sense for me to stay relaxed than to blog up here.

I read Becca's post below. I have to say we all have been there and yet UDLC is special, isn't it?

I came to UDLC without ever really thinking too much about it. I came and fought back the desire to compare it to my old church, the one I grew up in. I grew up in a BIIIIIG CHURCH! We had a HUGE YOUTH GROUP and we did HUGE EVENTS!!!!

So when you move from that as your only point of reference and come to a smaller church, you start to look around and say "well at my old church we did..." and "in our service we ...".

Yet, moving is what Church is about and honestly think about it, who handles change better than kids and teens. New schools, teachers, friends, teams.

Yes new is scary, but new is refreshing. New ideas, new experiences, new friends and new seasons of life.

Lutherans have been accused of being afraid of change, but oddly, we started the reformation. We started change. How do you fear what you start. You may be afraid of uncertainty, but that is because of the anxiety.

All the teens and jr. Youth take a chance that youth will be enjoyable and they will have friends and that the adults will try to understand them. Truth is, the kids and teens in there programs hope the same thing about the new group.

WE HAVE AWESOME TEENS AT UDLC and that is because we have AWESOME AND INVOLVED FAMILIES. Church communities are about families. Families don't just mesh because they have the same genes. TRUST ME I KNOW! Families work at it. Spend time together and as the grow become close and know each other. Church communities are no different.

We have all been where Becca is, when we left our last church for UDLC, or went to college or moved away and came back.

EMBRACE THE DIFFERENCES AND THIS WEEK GREET SOMEONE YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW AT UDLC AND SAY"HEY THERE FAMILY!" Yes, they will stare, but blame me and get to know them by name and tell them yours.

FAITH AT 31,000. Why name it that? Because I have faith that this is not my last will and testament and that if I were to not make it home I will see all my family and everyone in heavan will welcome me to that new family. I KID!!!! I KID!!!! No, I marvel at the idea man can fly from one part of the world to another in hours and get in a metal multiple ton object and by morning can be across the country.

THIS IS RAY, SIGNING OFF FROM AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 1044 from Dallas/Ft. Worth to Philly.

Check-In 2 - Keeping the Faith

As someone who was so involved a my home congregation, opinions on involvement with the church in my new environment varied greatly before my departure. Would I stay involved at UDLC? Go to church here? Go to an ELCA church here? Get involved in my new synod? Lose my attachment to church or God?

Well, I can say that being true to my faith and to myself is full of ups, downs, and surprises. The people at the lutheran university center (ELCA!!!) here are certainly friendly and welcoming; I've spent a few hours at the center for dinners, at service, and even at a Pirates game/OAR concert. But, to be honest, they aren't UDLC people. I'm not used to being the youngest, I'm not used to being new, and I'm not used to them as a group. Realistically, I feel blessed knowing that "ELCA people" exist just down the road, but I don't feel that establishing a new community here is essential to maintaining my relationship with God. I have me for that. I also have a book [An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor] from P. Dizzle that constantly surprises me. Some chapters have seemed to appear at exactly the right moments over the last few months, while other seem to be ones I should put aside for a few years before returning to them. Regardless, the practices Taylor alludes to are a definite stepping stone for me, and have brought on hours of reflection and "absently" staring out my 19th floor window. Reading each chapter allows me time to be alone and to be with God.

My faith and how I keep it are more personal experiences here, but I definitely haven't given up on the LUC crew just yet. Besides, it's in our Lutheran nature to call those who stop showing up, so it isn't even really an option ;)

Rebecca Jean

p.s. GO FLYERS

Don't Over-Think (Check-In #1)

That lesson, to not not over-think every thing that happens (or doesn't) is easily one of the most important lessons I've learned in life, but has been especially relevant this week.
It's creeping up on a month since I've moved to Pittsburgh, and I can't decide what my opinion of it is yet; it changes too frequently. Most days I love everything about it: the people, places, walks, etc. Other days, I can't help but miss home for the very same reasons. It's conflicting because I am faced with the task of deciding how much of home I want to leave behind (certain people, places, material things) and how much of home I need to hold on to. I love so many people at home (or abroad) and can't even imagine a world without them, but there are so many more I wish I could delete from my life as easily as I can delete them from my phone or from facebook. Someone told me the essential purging of "high school" life was a huge part of growing up... Hopefully I'll figure out when I'm ready for it.
For some reason, the rational part of my brain took a vacation yesterday. I chalked it up to being a case of the Mondays, but by the end of the day I knew there had to be something bothering me more deeply than the day of the week. My first conflict with a friend, confusion on his part about "finding himself" and my remembrance of how much that time period meant to me, beginning the summer before senior year and continuing indefinitely, brought so many old emotions to the front of my mind that all rational capabilities seemed to take a back seat. It's days like that when my instincts need to change. Rather than putting every thought I have, relevant or not, into a minor situation, or calling someone from my past, or ranting via facebook, or depriving myself of sleep, I need to just....
and this is where the thought process ends. I truly don't know how to act when I get overwhelmed. Writing this is a great start. But deciding who gets to see it brings up new problems. I guess I put it here, in a safe, church-based community, and hope that God is as high tech as we are.

Anyway, moral (and challenge) of the story: remain calm, don't over-think, and stay true to yourself.
I'll be walking that road with you this week. (and probably always)

RJK


Coming Soon! Check-In #2:: Keeping the Faith

FALL IS HERE!!!!

We may not be doing this, but on the church scale, things will be pretty awesome!

10-8 (responding) to Role Models

""The many shapes and sizes of 'Role Models' ""

Growing up as the oldest cousin, a babysitter, and an older youth, it was common to be reminded that I must be a good role model. Youths (youth?) and adult are often expressive about the role models they've had throughout their lives, and which truly made an impact. Today, sitting in the pew and reflecting on the things I've read this week, I realized that most of the time, people consider those who are their elders to be the candidates for role models... but really, someone who affects your life in that way can be any age. I looked to my left, admiring my friends beautiful cross necklace that she recently received for her confirmation, and knew instantly that she has been a role model for me this year. I wish I had become closer with her sooner, but I know we will be friends for life. Her constantly peppy attitude and her dedication to her faith, friends, and family are truly inspirational for me. Also this summer, I was privileged to meet a younger guy from West Virginia. His enthusiasm about helping, his unconditional love for his family, and his dedication to protecting his younger siblings was admirable. I am constantly surprised by the enthusiasm and dedication to the program that the youth younger than myself have for this program and for each other, whether we're winning jackpots at chuck e cheese, climbing (or falling down) mountains, hammering, shooting each other with paint or lasers, or sleeping on the ground, indoors or out.

So anyway, whether you consider yourself young or old, remember that there is likely someone who considers you a role model.