Do Hard Things

I recently finished the book by twin brothers Alex and Brett Harris, "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations". I decided to read it for no other reason than the title was so intriguing to me, but soon after picking it up, I discovered this book would be influential to my life.
"Do Hard Things" exposes our cultures expectations of teenagers to be way low - and how we, as teens, fall into the trap and do the minimum amount of required work. But it's more of a call to a higher standard, a better way of living. As a matter of fact, these are the opening lines of the book:

"Most people don't expect you to understand what we're going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don't expect you to care. And even if you care, they don't expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it, they don't expect it to last.
Well, we do."

The Harris brothers explain that the teen years are a launch pad for the rest of our lives. I had one of those moments when everything in you seems to scream out "yes!" I know I was made for more than just enduring the teen years - I was made to live them. The crazy thing is, in order to really live, you have to do what the title sums up: DO HARD THINGS. We're not going to live the abundant life that Jesus promises by just "having fun" and "coasting" through these critical years, but by continually pushing back the limits of our comfort zones and doing things that are bigger than ourselves. And, guess what . . . that's going to be hard. But I really felt God telling me that even the short time I have left here in the states, I need to live into that. "Emily, it's time to start living a radical, faith-hope-and-love filled life . . . now," He seems to be telling me. It's not enough to dream it if I don't pursue it. I don't know what that's going to look like . . . but I know that it will please Him, and that it will be the best way of living there is. It's time for me to join the world changers and leaders of my generation. William Pitt from Amazing Grace says it right:
"We're too young to know that some things are impossible, so we will do them anyway."

-Emily
For more information about the "Do Hard Things" movement, go to www.TheRebelution.com.

"Sell Your Possesions..."

Tom and I have been seriously looking at all of the belongings we have accumulated over the past 20 years and we are a bit overwhelmed. By American standards we have very little, but when we contemplate moving to another continent it looks like a mountain of stuff! Our solution? Craig's list, Ebay and garage sales!
This week we have been Craig's listing a bunch of stuff and we are planning a garage sale on Friday. We have sold a few items on Craig's list and I felt a little sadness in my heart. I don't think I am materialistic, but it hurts, just a little, to get rid of some of our treasures. Then I thought of the rich young man in Matthew. Jesus tells him, " If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
The young man went away sad because he had great wealth. I sympathized with this young man when I read this story. It is hard to "sell everything", then I remember the rest of what Jesus said, "...you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me." All of our treasures are nothing compared to Jesus and His promise of heaven. As I sold our chop saw yesterday it felt a little liberating and I felt Jesus' pleasure with us. I am not saying it won't still hurt as we let go of our belongings, but it is our sacrifice, kind of a burnt offering to our Lord and Savior. Please pray for our family as we let go of this world to follow Jesus in this Great Adventure He has called us on.
Please pray we are able to sell our stuff to add to our fund to Uganda.
In Christ Alone,
Jen

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world"- Jesus

It's a funny promise, but Jesus does promise we will have trouble in this world. Some days it feels as if we are surrounded by trouble on all sides, but then I remember the rest of the promise. "I have overcome the world."
Just when I think the troubles of this world will make me lose heart, Jesus reminds me of the blessings in my life and how He walks with me through hard things. Not only does Jesus stay with me always, which is enough, but He showers me with love through His precious children.
My good friend Jill, reminded me this morning of the blessing of children in my life. Not just my wonderful Webers but all of the children God has given me to love; nieces and nephews, my friend's children and children at church. And soon, We will be loving children in a far off country, people who are precious to the Father but in this world their value isn't recognized. I am overwhelmed with joy for the opportunity.
This world can be so discouraging and hard, but Jesus shows me promises of better things through the young people in my life.
I see Jesus' love and His strength to overcome in these 4 faces.

Jen's post

We went to South Dakota over Labor Day weekend.
We stayed with the Wood family. We are very thankful for them giving us a place to stay while we were there. (with all honesty, we were more spoiled there than we were ever here!) We also got to eat the best Cheesecake in the world!!! I mean, you would get a really small piece and barely be able to finish it!
While we were there, we saw Mt. Rushmore. We got to go to a free museum, (Well, the cost was paid with our entree fee) where we learned a lot of cool facts! Like how they were planning to do their whole bodies until World War II started; and how it only took them fourteen years to build it. Also, my personal favorite fact is, that when they were building Thomas Jefferson, he was supposed to be to the left of George Washington, but the rock wasn't strong enough, and a crack went down his face! So, they did the only thing that they could do, they blew his face off the mountain and started over!!! I though that it was funny! It was all around really cool. . . that is, all but the weather!
It was 102 wopp'n degrees out!!! HOT HOT HOT!! "This ice cream is the best Kate!" Lydia told me, and somehow I don't think that it was the taste, it how refreshing it was to have something cold!
While we were enjoying our Frosties, we were told we were going to Bear Country! (A wild life reserve!) It was so hot out, barely any animals were out! But once we got to the bears, things changed!

We all were happy to see animals that actually moved! By the end of the "safari", there was a sign that read, "Baby Animals". We all decided to go look at the babies. Most of those animals were moving too.
"Dude, it's a lot cooler out of the sun!"

"Do you have any food?"

The day we left, we decided to stop by Devil's Tower in Wyoming!

It was really cool there. It looked a little like a tree stump.

All in all, it was great trip. We got to see a lot of cool things and learned a lot about Uganda.
I am glad that we were able to go and have such a good time.

Kate