We are the Millennials

A while back, I was driving in the car, listening to OPB Radio and learned that I am a "Millennial."
Every generation is labelled with a certain culture and is identified to have certain values. These labels or observations about a certain generation shape how future generations see them - in history books, study of pop culture, etc. I am fascinated with how we, the current twentysomethings, or the "millennials" are perceived and understood. What are the trends happening within our peers? What challenges are we facing? How are others understanding our generation? What will we make of how we are being perceived? What are we going to accomplish? And what are we going to be most remembered for?

All of these are questions that fascinate me and I enjoy reading any articles that speak about us. Some of my favorites include:

Pew Research Centers look at the Millennials - Confident, Connected, Open to Change. Information in this article is based on research, and as with all research, interpretation usually speaks louder than the numbers themselves. Some standouts in this article - 52% of millennials say "being a good parent" is important to them, higher than any other category of importance.

USA Today reported that Millennials are increasingly spiritual, but less religious. Church attendance of millennials continues to drop, and if trends continue, many churches will be closing in the future. Some churches are considering alternative methods of reaching millennials. What will churches look like when millennials are the ones leading them? How are our values regarding religion and spirituality influencing culture?

Fascinating results from research about people our age. Does any of this resonate with you? Agree with it, disagree? How does this information influence your decisions? Anything else you notice about our generation and how we think/operate?

Question: Feelings towards work

Is it better to feel passionate about your work and go through intense moments of love and hate towards the work

OR

Is it better to have a job that is decent that you neither love nor hate, but can bear to do?

Are there other alternatives? How do you feel about YOUR job?

I may have some thoughts on this but I was curious to hear other peoples opinions.

Desert Song

Sometimes we walk through valleys in our walk with God. Sometimes we find ourselves dry and empty. I know I have felt this way many times these past months. That is why I love this song - it so wonderfully captures how regardless of where we are, feeling low or high, "I will bring praise." Regardless of the situation, regardless of how we are feeling - our God still deserves our praise.

Fruit

Fruit, not the kind you use in smoothie, but the kind that you see as a result of your work, is an interesting thing. Sometimes God chooses to reveal the fruit in your life, sometimes its just not the season. We all long to see the fruit of our work...it is the most joyful time and often puts meaning into all the labor.

Why does God choose to reveal fruit sometimes and not others? If we know anything about God is that His timing is always punctual. He knows when and His time is always with purpose.

I ponder upon all of this because lately I have been feeling rather bogged down by my life efforts working with youth. Working with youth is one of those things where fruit is desired, but seldom seen. The pressure to produce it is enormous and the passion behind the work is strong, but like with any human, it is ultimately the choice of the youth. I have seen many youth get very close to success, very close to overcoming great barriers and then again, very close doesn't count. Or does it?

There are days when I am in love with the youth - days when I am so proud of their accomplishments and rejoice in their growth. There are days when I want to rip my hair out and never go back to work again. Youth :)

I know God is looking at my situation and smiling. He lovingly, in the past month has given me glimpses of the fruit He has grown to full term, and has shown me how I have been a part of the growing process. Efforts made years ago have come to fruition and have been confirmed by those who have experienced the growth.

I say this not to boast, but rather to bring encouragement to you (and remind myself) that it does not take one to plant and bring a fruit to its maturity. It takes a team, it takes time, and mostly it takes God. Every small effort, every seed, every watering, every pruning, is all a part of the big picture and the big plan. Even as we are contemplating whether or not our efforts are making any difference, the Spirit is stirring. Perhaps years later you will hear how that kind word or random interaction you thought was forgotten and wasted, it may just come back and be revealed that it was that moment that made a big difference.

Its a beautiful complex reality that God created. I think He made it that way to keep us humble and completely depend and trust Him to see everything through to the end. I thank God for the fruit He does bless us to see, and also for the fruit we do not see. I thank God that He knows when to lift our spirit and how. I pray that I will not be bogged down with the "need" to see change and fruit all the time. Its not easy, but thankfully our Lord is much bigger than our imagination.

Senior Year Options

Many students are not content with the typical 4 years of high school, sitting in class learning lots of theory about the "real world." Some, knowing they don't want to still be sitting in school by the time they are 17-18, plan ahead and graduate early so they can pursue their higher education goals. Some get bogged by senioritis and barely graduate. Regardless of where one is at, senior year is tough - you are on the edge of "real life" and making "real decisions" while still conforming to pre-designed requirements. Things can quickly become meaningless.

Of course there are senior students who are fine with going through the motions of the regular high school life, but that is increasingly becoming less popular. Students today are seeking more choices and opportunities to take charge of their education and direct it towards areas they are interested in.

When I was a senior in high school, I was attending a charter school named CAL (Center for Advanced Learning) which gave me the freedom to pursue my interests and further my professional goals. At the end of my junior year, I came to the principal and told him my situation - I loved CAL and its philosophy, but I was no longer interested in the web design program I was in. I was interested in exploring education and vocational ministry. The principal didn't scold me for being out of the box. He encouraged me and said he will set me up with a mentor. By the time I came back to school that Fall, I had a completely different curriculum that was personally focused on my needs and interest. I had a mentor who met with me weekly and provided opportunities to explore teaching at a local elementary school as well as meeting with professors at local universities. I felt like my senior year was purposeful and by the time I graduated I felt confident and prepared to pursue my interests.

It is a growing trend. According to USA Today, more and more high school seniors are re-inventing their senior year to be more personalized and more applicable. Students are taking advantage of opportunities to simultaneously get college credit while getting their high school diploma, finding internships and other opportunities to explore future careers.

So far, it has been the more "academically advanced" who have taken on these opportunities, but I think the educational system should compare their current method and consider the benefits of allowing all seniors to pursue their interests during their senior year. I know it is much more complex then just giving kids the option of mixing up their senior year - there must be standards and requirements, but there also must be an open opportunity for exploration and choice for students to feel they are in control of their studies and pursuits.

What do you think? Did you feel your senior year of high school prepared you for college? For the real world? Should students have alternative options during their senior year? Please voice!

We Are One in the Spirit

Beautiful song sung at church last Sunday that has been stuck in my head this week. Beautiful lyrics. Uplifting melody too!

We are one in the Spirit.
We are one in the Lord.
We are one in the Spirit.
We are one in the Lord.
And we pray that all unity
May one day be restored,
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love.
Yes, they'll know we are Christians
By our love.

We will walk with each other.
We will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other.
We will walk hand in hand.
And together we'll spread the news
That God is in our land,
And they'll know ...

We will work with each other.
We will work side by side.
We will work with each other.
We will work side by side.
And we'll give up all our dignity,
And crucify our pride,
And they'll know ...

All praise to the Father
From whom all blessings come.
And all praise to Christ Jesus
His only Son.
And all praise to the Spirit
Who makes us one.
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love.
Yes, they'll know we are Christins
By our love,
By our love,
By our love,
By our Love,
By our --

Love, love, love, love.
Christians this is your call.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
For God loves all.

Jesus, Jesus,
Let me tell You how I feel.
You have given me Your Spirit,
I love You so.

Praise the Father, praise the Son,
Praise the Spirit, three in One.
Praise the Father, praise the Son,
Praise the Spirit, three in One.

Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

Winter Recipes

Cooking is quickly becoming therapeutic. There is a certain satisfaction that comes from preparing a delicious meal, then devouring it and receiving praise for its deliciousness. Philosophers say a lot of things, such as love being the key ingredient to a delicious meal. Perhaps that is true. But I say that a meal both made with and then received with love leads to the ultimate deliciousness.

It is amazing that I can talk so positively about cooking. Prior to getting married it was my biggest fear and nuisance. I hated it, avoided it, and never thought I would do it. My confidence skill was zero. But, thanks to the nurturing love of my husband, this has changed and with exploration and freedom to explore in an nonthreatening environment - it has become in fact therapeutic and something I look forward to everyday.

Here are some of my favorites from this winter - I hope you will find them as enjoyable and in the end delicious as we have:

Spaghetti Squash

Zuppa Tuscana

Curried Chicken Corn Chowder

They are definitely recipes that will be made again!