Reality Check.

This week and the previous one are often called "Hell Week"and "Death Week" on college campuses all over america. A term that is used to describe the time when lists are made,  composed of  overwhelming projects, book reports, exams and so on that are worth the majority of your grade in the class that semester. Timelines and news feeds are filled with complaints about how a particular assignment will be the "death of me"or brings them to a point in which they post "Kill me now". On occasion you might pass by a conversation that sounds like this, BOB1: "what does this week look like for you?" BOB2 :"Like death". . .

That was my reality. my attitude. I jokingly have made some of those comments in the last week (when you are up till 4:30AM several nights in a row working on a particular subject. . . your attitude isn't always the best.) but I WAS WRONG. 

*Disclaimer: I am simply pondering. processing. reflecting. and trying to learn, while celebrating the life of a brother.

On 1:30 Saturday night I was given a reality check - a horrid,  and awful reality check that left pain and chaos in its wake.

Death became a reality this weekend. 

I didn't know Daniel very well, but he made GREAT stir fry, and always had a smile!

. . .This week has left me with a broken heart and a burden that I carry for those that I love, my brothers and sisters in Christ, who LOVED Daniel well (those that still do).

The sounds of shocked and broken sobs from my friends echoing in that auditorium are seared into my memory and not easily forgotten.
I don't have answers I can offer, Words are inadequate, and I cannot begin to have an idea of the grief that they are enduring. IT SUCKS. I don't like seeing some of my favorite people hit rock bottom and being unable to help them.

The reality check that we as people are not immune to death and loss is good. Even though the death and loss itself is HORRID, a nightmare. I do not believe we were made to handle such tragedy, we are incapable. We were made to know goodness and Love, companionship and creativity, but Asa BUT, There is a solution that satisfies the need that our distorted nature creates. Christ. I think that there is a odd beauty in being awakened to that need, because it is only when we are truly needy to we crave and desire the solution.

Maybe that is where joy comes into play. I believe that is possible to have joy when you are sorrowful, because joy - deep and abiding is not happiness. Joy is more.

MAYBE JOY IS THE MINDSET THAT DESPITE THE DARKNESS (EVIL) OF THIS WORLD THERE IS STILL LIGHT (GOODNESS). 

In studying for one of my classes I was reminded that God is righteous! Meaning that He fulfills every relationship perfectly.
That includes his relationship with darkness. That means He knows the correct PLACE of darkness and also what is IN the darkness.
He is in control. He is sovereign. Despite what has taken place.
AND. . .

In him there is new beginnings and New hope that we can cling to. 

It doesn't mean we are going to have answers we want, but thats when we MUST trust. Trust in someone who is constant and unchanging. Someone outside of time, in whom is the source of life.
I am thankful that Daniel knew life, that he knew the source of all life, and that he knew his identity was in Christ. I am thankful that He LOVED the Lord with his whole heart and I am jealous of him. Because he is face to face with The King of Glory! - which is way better than winning the lottery!
He is in paradise! A paradise that Paul writes about in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4. A Paradise that makes men want to boast! A paradise that those who believe in the name of Jesus Christ get to enter into because of His victory over death on the cross, and their restored relationship with God!

Life here on earth is simply a gift from God, it's is always a gift - a gift that I am guilty of forgetting, one that I am not entitled to by right; but one that I have. One that we are all given - even during finals week, even during the midst of tragedy. 

Maybe I can't offer answers to tragedy or the horrid things in life, and maybe I can't make that hollow ache - that gapping hole that comes from senseless tragedy go away. But I can pray, and love, and I can share moments of laughter, with my friends, with those hurting and remind them of the other reality. The reality of life. 

Home for the Holidays

     I realize it may be a few days late, but Friday was a busy day! I began my day in Columbia...

and ended it in Wichita... but since it was Friday, and even though we had a ton too do, we made it happen! We decided to let you catch up with us as we packed to head home. . .

 Who would have ever though that much stuff would fit in a suitcase. . .  But the good news is We both made it. A few airplanes later . . .

Hannah should be starting her day in Bosnia (which you can read about here --- http://diaryofamissionarykid.wordpress.com) and I am currently winding down mine. 

     In 10 days it will be Christmas, which is why I have no doubt that  Christmas music is playing on the nearest radio station. As I sit here by my Christmas tree, curled up on the couch with a open copy of Sherlock Holmes Vol. 1 laying next to me I can't help but think of the classic christmas tune that sings the line ... "there is no place like home for the holidays." Preach it!
     Already, I have settled back into the Reimschisel routine, made numerous trips to the mall and other places picking out gifts that will best show my family and friends that I know them and that I Love them, enjoyed the freedom of sleeping in, and spent some quality (much needed) time with My family.

    

     All this to say, It is good to be home! God was good the day he inspired the Wright brothers to invent a flying airplane and even greater when He got me home safely day before yesterday.but enough about me, wherever you are, I hope that you spend christmas with someone you love and that you are just as blessed as I am this christmas season. 

Love Jac 

- your world traveler. . . 

Sunshine and Seashells.

There comes a point in life where it is necessary to get away for a bit. 

Go away somewhere fresh, alluring, and spontaneous. 

For me, that place is the beach. 

A week ago was fall break. A random set of 2 days off school for people to go home, catch up on hermeneutics (which has been plaguing most of my friends lately) or go someplace adventurous. 

Meet Elizabeth, my traveling companion. . . and after that weekend, my even better friend.

 Both of us journeyed up to the beautiful city of Charleston where we stayed with a good friend. This time was filled with lots of much needed rest (somehow, sleep evades me in my dorm room), plenty of laughter, SO MUCH YUMMMMMMMMY home-cooked food, (as well as the deliciousness you can find in Charleston diners and what not - By the way if you are ever on King street in charleston... GO TO BELGIAN GELATO--- One of the BEST ice cream places in the city... and I might even go as far as to say as the world, but that might be a little extreme.) and wonderful adventures.  

- - - - - - - 

Anyway, by far my favorite day was FRIDAY.

Wanna know why...

Well, if you have not already guessed by my collection of pictures; it was because we spent the day at the BEACH. 

It was just what I needed. 

Sometimes you need to shut your phone off for a bit (believe it or not the world will not end... I know Shocking!) smell the smell of sea salt, feel the sand between your toes, and look out on the horizon and soak up some sunshine. 

 God gave us his creation to enjoy, SO ENJOY IT. 

Personally, my favorite things to enjoy are his seashells - each one different and unique from all over the world brought to a place where I can pick them up; and that is one of the may things that brings a smile to my face.   

I took a mound of them home with me that day, and I will pick up more when I go again. 

I don't know why exactly, but maybe it is because sunshine and seashells remind me of Paradise.

Not Such a hard book.

Can I tell you my favorite past time? You might think I'm a little crazy, but it makes my day.

I love reading... and out of real books. WHHHHHHHHAT? You may be asking.... but Yep, they still exist believe it or not...and as the summer has allowed I've read 3. 

SOUL CRAVINGS by Erwin McManus

RISK IS RIGHT by John Piper

TRAUMA PLAN by Candace Calvert

I'm working on two others at the moment, but the one I'm most excited about finishing is a subsection of another book - 

          ECCLESIASTES. 

I currently have one chapter to go, and I am actually pretty sad about it! Bittersweet is a better word. This summer has been a work summer and contentment, enjoyment and value have been words I have pondered numerous times --- all of which this book contemplates -- which is why I think this book has been my favorite!

Words of wisdom like "There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat, drink, and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God" (Ecc. 2:24-25) 

Questions like "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" (Ecc. 4:8b) remind me where my focus is.  Actually chapter 4 alone gave me a lesson on contentment and how much better it is then to have being the best and having the BEST be my drive and reason for doing things. 

Even the lesson on satisfaction... man that was another good one - Chapter 6 describes this evil that lurks and as you read and pick up clues you find that the evil it is talking about is unsatisfaction. The fact that people can have EVERYTHING yet be unhappy.  Truth is... If YOU are not satisfied with what God gives you ... then you'll NEVER be satisfied.  

In the past people I have talked to have said its a hard book; and honestly .... it is. It challenges a soul and brings life and death into focus. questions the things society values and will confront you. As I have read I've kinda found a theme, and if i had to summarize this book this is what I would say. 

    "Without a purpose life is meaningless 

and 

the only way to completely enjoy life 

 (the ups and the downs and everything in between)

 is by having a focus on and purpose driven by Christ."

I challenge you to read it for yourself change your perspective. 

Don't worry... its not such a hard book. 

A Three Lettered Word.

Joy

   I've been thinking about that word lately. That small word doesn't do justice to the huge emotion it describes. To be joyful in all circumstances is tough. In fact I would go as far as to say that to be joyful in all circumstances is a lost art in humanity today. how much easier is it to give a reason for discomfort or unfairness than to look at the good that MIGHT possibly come out of the situation.
  
   Joy is something that HAS to be INSTIGATED. Thinking back to the many different times I have FELT joy, the feeling was never felt without an accompanying action. I guess a good metaphor in describing joy would be drinking a energy drink. You can eye it, talk about it, and even substitute it, but without actually opening the lid - you'd never taste and receive the Energy.  Which is why I think it is mentioned in Galatians as a fruit of the spirit. To acquire fruit there is quite a bit of effort involved I would know, due to our WONDERFUL patch of strawberries I have become well acquainted with the actions of  planting, watering, weeding, all the way down to the picking. Being JOYFUL is hard business and it takes practice but thats what makes us SALT and LIGHT in a world that is BLAND and DARK. Sometimes we need to be that ray of sunshine people encounter. 

   Nehemiah 8:10 says  that the "Joy of the lord is your strength"--- So what would happen if instead of complaining about rough and ugh things in our life we instead focused on the ways that God is moving and working to fulfill HIS good purpose in our lives. Having joy about the items on the "TO DO" list that is waiting to be accomplished makes each task bearable and I would go as far as to say enjoyable. Even if you are exhausted and running on the last bit of steam to do something you love because you love doing it makes whatever it is a breeze. 

   PERSPECTIVE is the key to complete and unspeakable joy. Shifting our perspective off our definition of "Good" and on to God's definition of "Good" is the only way to live a life that is satisfying and fulfilling. Life isn't Rainbows and unicorns - its more like mistakes, uncertainty and failure that we are bound to be plaged by; but if we fix our eyes on what really matters and are reminded of what already took place to make that misery temporary there is no reason that joy should not overflow.