The biggest life lesson I learned this past year with Off the Wall

So I have had a really busy summer. That is part of the reason I haven't went on this blog since June. Now, almost 2 months later, I feel like there is a lot I need to write. Many things can happen in 2 months, and when life gets busy, usually changes happen.

I feel like every other day I have either been driving somewhere or flying somewhere. In the wee hours of this past Wednesday morning, I stepped off an airplane from Denver and set foot in my home state, Massachusetts for the first time in 2 weeks. Earlier this summer, my parents surprised me by telling me that we were going to Maui, Hawaii as a family for a week after we spent a week in California. I haven't been to Hawaii since I was one, so I don't remember it. I really enjoyed our trip to Hawaii.

I had a lot of time to reflect. There were a few mornings when I woke up really early and couldn't get back to sleep. We had a condo right on the beach, so our porch looked right out at the Pacific Ocean and another Hawaiian Island. It was the most beautiful view from a porch I have ever seen. Anyway, so I got thinking and praying. It was about 5 am and the sun was just starting to come up. I thought about my life. I thought about highschool, and my year with Off The Wall Ministry in Ohio. I thought about this next year where I am going to be going to college at Kent State University while remaining at the Off The Wall house. I thought about how I want to be a high school teacher and a basketball coach, and how I am going to make that possible. I thought about marriage. I think about marriage a lot. I know I am not even 20, but at my age, I guess most people start to think about it. I thought about how I love all the relationships the Lord has brought into my life this past year. I really miss them. I really miss my Ohio crew. Honestly, two months ago, I was so ready to leave Ohio. I needed time away. I needed time with my parents, my sister, and my really good friends that have known me my entire life. But then, that morning on the porch in Maui, I realized I was ready to go back, and I really wanted to go back. I actually would have rather been in Ohio for the last 2 days of my Maui vacation.

And it is so ironic that I say that. 1 year ago, I established the direction of life by going somewhere. I wanted to go to college in Colorado because I love the place. I wanted to spend 3 months in Switzerland because of the alps. I wanted to go to Costa Rica for the summer because of the rain forest, mountains, and beach. God knew that my heart sought after an adventure with Him, not just Him. The idea of adventure thrilled me more than the Creator (who is the creator of adventure). I have come to see this past year that following Jesus has little to do with your physical destination. It has everything to do with the people who accompany you. The relationships I have with my team in Ohio mean more than any vacation to Hawaii or any mountain I could climb.

I couldn't think of any other title for this blog other than the reason I am writing it. So, this biggest lesson I learned this year in Ohio, is, that relationships are far more important, fulfilling, and joyful than any experience I could ever have alone.

My relationship with the Lord needs so much more growth. Much of the time I feel like I love God with my head, but not my heart. I am still learning what it means to love God with everything, specifically my heart. And as good old John Piper would say,

(this is me paraphrasing)

"your love for God is not defined by what you do, or what you say. You know you truly love Him if at the very base of your soul, your deepest desire is Christ, and He is your utmost affection, joy and happiness"

I probably totally butchered that quote.


So, I am very excited to get back to Ohio. The smell of cow manure and corn awaits me, and I can't wait to greet it.

As for the direction of my life, this is what I know:

I am starting my freshmen year of college in the fall at Kent State University
My ambition is to become a high school teacher, either in Math, History, or English
I want to coach Varsity basketball as well
If the Lord directs me to a life in overseas missions, I would be ecstatic.
But If I am called to stay in the States, raise a family, and impact and disciple high schoolers, I will do that joyfully until He returns.

I have no 5 year plan. Anything could change. I don't know what tomorrow brings. Living in the present, preparing for the future is all I can do.

I love Jesus, I love the life He has given me to life, and I am ready to rock and roll.


JN