I value community...

This is a picture of a group of friends and I sharing a meal together. This is more than a picture of a group of friends though. This is a photograph of community. This is a group of friends who are connected on some level. Some through religion and some through other interests and passions. Each of whom's presence would have been missed had they not been there. I think there is something inside all of us that desires community. Maybe the word community is too christianized for some people... Don't stop reading if that's you! I think we all desire to get that call from a member of a group wondering where we were and letting us know that we were missed...

I have personally been lucky enough to experience this type of community twice in my fairly short life. The first was as a part of Morgantown Multisport. When I started becoming involved in this community the members were super active and I got calls on multiple occasions wondering where I was and if I was okay.

My second experience with true community was a part of the Nuru International Grassroots Movement. I got involved with this organization because I felt like I needed to do something to give back. What I didn't know, when I started becoming more involved, was that the issue of extreme poverty was going to grip my heart and not let go. I didn't realize that I was going to volunteer to give ALL of my strengths and talents to this cause. I didn't realize that I was coming into a group of people that love because they were first loved and give because it's the right thing to do. I respect these people as much as anyone on Earth and look forward to ending extreme poverty with them in our life times!

That's what is on my heart today:) Take it or leave it, but be sure to keep your laces tied!

D

To Raise up a Society

Recently I've been spending some time thinking and journaling about how to most effectively pursue my passions. I have also been trying to narrow the focus of what I consider a passion. What I've come up with is not really that surprising, but I feel like it is super useful toward focusing my mind and being able to chase it with everything I have.

As per my last entry, I had been thinking about the "what ifs" in life and wondering how much easier life could be if I could just not care and feel connected to all those who are suffering around the world. I feel like it would be easier financially, but what good is money if you're miserable? I think it has been well documented, throughout history, that money doesn't equal happiness. So I'm finding joy in the simplicity of my life right now. I have applied for jobs and haven't heard back from any of them, but I have a peace inside me that is telling me that everything will be okay. I'm going to sell a few things and try to make some cash to live on for a while. If I get a call back for a job that would be great, but God will provide as long as I am pursuing the things He has laid on my heart. I have absolutely no doubt in that statement!

Anyway, the reason I started this post was to declare my focus for this season of my life. The broad goal is to help raise up a nation of compassionate children who know and care about global issues. The reason for my focus on this is because I feel that the only way to end the suffering of so many around the world, is to start with the children of today and teach them how to live. How to live as one world. How to live without focus on success, but on quality of life for everyone! I don't know exactly how I'm going to accomplish this, but I do know that this is what I'm here for and why I am where I am, and why I've done what I've done!

Keep your laces tied,
D