Dish Crew & Stuff

Nicoletta, Matt, Brandon (B$), Justin, Jesse (Papa),Taylor, Lauren, Juicy, James (J-Holz), Abigail (Betina), Aaron, Tim, Max, Joy, Joesph (J-Mart), Evan, me, Nathaniel (Natty), Don Don, and Ally.

The best decision I ever made, was joining the Dish Crew at Moody. 

We are truly Family.

The first few months of working DC, I absolutely hated life. I sucked at all of the positions (except "Stack" which anyone in the world can do), there were so many new people I didn't know how to get to know, and I was having a difficult year emotionally as it was. I stuck it out though and a year later it has become the best community of co-workers, friends, and dear family! I am so thankful for each of these faces and I have learned so much either from a distance, observation, or in close friendship with them.

Let me just say, DC is a complete mess of different people. It's the funniest thing to think about all of our personalities and just how opposite some of us are. It's the greatest thing because outside of DC there's no way we would have all been friends. However, we ARE friends and that is such a gift. That is actually one of the most beautiful things about us, I think.

We often gravitate towards people who are like us and this isn't necessarily a bad thing. We miss out on something really special though. Learning to love and accept people for who they are is far superior than loving and accepting them for who we want them to be (because honestly, most often we want others to be like ourselves). I've noticed this in myself first and foremost. Being placed in this community has given me the opportunity to look beyond what I like in others and simply love them for who they are. Enjoy them because they are worthy of being enjoyed! I have been more than blessed as I have set my heart out to know them for who they are in their gifts, quirks, cares, and annoyances (I mean what they are annoyed by, not how they annoy me haha). God has really revealed a new depth of what relationships in His kingdom look like to me.

I've learned a lot being a part of this community and I am so blessed to call these people dear friends and, most importantly, my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Mentors are a good thing to have in life.

Meet my mentor, Julianne.

Although just a few years older than myself, Julianne has spoken great wisdom and grace into my life this past year and a half. I am so thankful and I truly believe that it was the good Lord who matched us up to "journey together" during this season of life. Our hour fellowship together each week was something I looked forward to and I know she would say the same.

I think most often, we remember the feeling we get when we are with people. It isn't the words that they said we perfectly remember, but the emotion of what it was like being with them; sharing moments, conversations, or laughs. I learned this from Julianne and I will always remember the emotion of being cared for so well by her. Feeling encouraged, heard, enjoyed, affirmed, challenged, worthy, courageous, and loved are just a few words to describe how she has made me feel.

It's funny when I think back about what filled most of our time. Conversations about boys, classes, hedgehogs, and good books. Yet other conversations about the battle against anxiety, cultivating a biblical worldview, and how to grieve well the loss of significant relationships in life. We shared so many laughs, I've cried more than a few times with her, and we've spent good time in prayer together and for one another. What a blessing it has been.

I'm thankful for someone who has ultimately pointed me towards Truth. Julianne has been an example of Christ in the way she lives her life and joyfully loves those around her. I hope to be like her in this as I grow in my own confidence and joy so that ultimately I would be more like my Jesus.

Love you, Julianne!

Ps. I know this sounds like a tribute written for a dead person, but the truth is that she simply has had to move on to different things in life and will no longer be able to meet with me every week,  I probs won't see her for a long time if ever so here's to celebrating the good time we had! )