In the Glass House

Today's Dare: Vulnerability.

This morning started off beautiful. The weather reminded me of home, with the morning mist making the ends of my deep brunette locks curl. I was walking to the caf to meet with an old friend, whom I haven't actually spent time with until...well...today. As we caught up in the caf, I realized how much I enjoyed his company, and how much I wanted to pursue friendship this year in my own life.

It is crazy to me how much my friends have changed over the years. I have probably had the widest range of friends...starting with the nerdy re-enactment kids in kindergarten, to the popular clique in middle school, to the surfers, the boarders, the pot heads, the preps, the pretties, and the drama geeks up until junior year then it was the choir kids, the jocks, the asb students, and ending with the Kendra you know (and hopefully love) today.

What an incredible testimony to who God has created me to be. I can honestly say that I haven't been feeling truly used by the Lord in my life since my rafting ministry this summer. Roughly 6 months ago I started an internship at Yorba Linda Friends. It was well into the small group year, meaning that I would be stuck taking on a group of mismatched kids from high class suburbia and low class urban culture. The pairing that one would usually find a burden turned out to be one of the most beautiful arrangements that God could have chosen for me.

Tonight we were discussing "Salvation", the first lesson in our new series at church. Two of my Cypress Street girls (the urban area) were struggling with grasping the concept of a Savior. That is when the Lord began to speak, and thank God for His interruption. I told the girls to close their eyes and envision watching the Lord be whipped to near death in front of them. (I avoided being overly graphic, but still tried to make a point). I explained to them how the whips were made in those days, how Jesus was barely recognizable through His wounds and blood.

As I recalled the story, the girls expressions marked utter fear and pain for what He was going through. When I finished, I explained to them how Christ did it FOR them. (For me) I didn't want to do the tradition reciting of a prayer together, so instead I prayed a prayer over the girls and then went on to sharing that if they wanted to except Christ they could repeat after me in their own hearts, not having to say anything out loud.

My two girls, the ones whom I've been struggling with since day one accepted the Lord tonight.

As if that wasn't incredible enough, one of my students began sharing with me of the struggles she has been facing in her life, bringing me to tears by the end of her painful journey through the broken intimacy and love she has experienced.

Today's dare was simple: Vulnerability. Isn't it interesting how often we avoid being plainly open with one another? Instead we put so much pressure on playing these games. I often view this as relational flirting. No, I'm not just talking with someone of the opposite sex. I'm talking about flirting with the reality of who we are as individuals. We love to better our own appearance for the pleasures of others and even ourselves.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a world where sarcasm was vanished, and vulnerability flourished? Where if you wanted to date someone you would merely ask them to dinner...not manipulate your way into their heart? Or where friendship was no longer a process of getting to know someone to the point where you constantly fight as a way of protection against going any deeper?

Tonight my girls showed me the power of vulnerability. It is incredible to me to see such strong witness from two girls who haven't even celebrated their 15th birthdays yet! So I challenge you...who are you? Who are you really? Are you living accordingly? Think about it.

Dare for tomorrow: Fly home to Oregon :) Pray me through!

Just Dance :)

Dare of the Day: Dance with the cutest boy at prom.

Today started out like any other Friday: 8:10 AM wake up. 8:30 AM coffee with Holly Dulaney. 9:30 AM Chapel. 10:30 AM Work Out. 11:30 AM Errands.

As the day progressed I got more and more amped about the fact that I was going to a prom tonight that supported one of the ministries on campus. I am not going to lie, my Orange and diamond dress was so nice, it cost me $899. (Whoops, forgot to add an ".", I'll let you figure it out :)

Here was the dare: Dance with the cutest boy there. You know, I was never a big fan of prom. I actually told the boys at school senior year I didn't want a date, but the day of I got asked by an incredible guy just hours before school ended. Good thing I was planning to go to another school's prom the next weekend :) Already had a dress and everything ready!

It is funny how things seem to turn out sometimes. Like tonight...the prom was so great, with a sexy live band from the 80's...or maybe they were 80....but they were amazing!

I got to dance and let loose with my girlfriends! I realized how much I missed those quality times!

Then, I did it...dare completed. I danced with one of the hottest boys I've ever seen. It was so great, I even learned a bit of salsa, thanks to you Mr. Dance Partner.

To a quality note...I came back from the dance and noticed the sprinklers were on, which by the way has always been one of my dreams to dance in a prom dress in the sprinklers. I ran around in the water and realized that I am truly blessed by the awesome life I have.

You know what else I learned tonight? I'm kind of over dares involving the opposite sex, they often turn out for the worse and I'm also on this new kick where I only go on dates with boys who ask for them...crazy I know! (You'd think I'd be nuts to go to a school where it is the opposite! Hehe :)

I hope you all had a blessed night and I can genuinely say that it was one of the best days ever!

Going to retreat tomorrow so dare me a good one!

Love,

Kendra

Friendly Reminder:

1. If you have no idea WHY I'm doing this...read post 1 :)

2.If you have a dare...write a comment on my facebook wall with it in it and I will do it.

3.The dares must be appropriate: a.k.a.: nothing that will risk my integrity.

4. Have fun!

Baptismal Diving.

Dare of the Day: Swim in a Fountain. (Location choice: Downtown Disney)

Well, I am sure a few of you at least would like to know how my Valentine's Day turned out. Let me tell you...it was one to remember :) I could probably count this as my second favorite right up there behind the time when my youth leader got pulled over by a police man and we got picked up by a gangster in Sherwood, Oregon.

But seriously though...it was more like my favorite.

Today started off with my job, and I was surprised to find one of my students had brought me a Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte (you are the best :)! Then, we had a crazy awesome worship day at nRoad, followed by a quality afternoon of watching movies, doing homework, and trying to get a grasp on what this semester will actually require mentally.

After that, we got all gussied up to go to Downtown Disney for a girl night slash one boyfriend night seeing as how only one of us actually had a legit valentine. Throughout the entire day however, I got my 3 wishes all wrapped up in a beautiful way. This morning at church I got about 50 killer side hugs! I got my coffee and to top it all off I got to see Valentine's Day..which was all about flowers hence I received my lilies!

After we headed downtown, it was time to think about the dare. This specific dare didn't have a location but we chose Downtown Disney as a prime spot. The only problem was that the only fountain worth diving into is the one by Rainforest Cafe...also located DIRECTLY behind one of the security houses...Fail.

So we decided to get a little more creative and go somewhere new :) You will see a lovely video this next week of my adventure!

Oh and we also got to have frozen yogurt and I had an incredible little valentine waiting for me when I got back to my room :) All in all, it was the best one yet. Dare completed!

Need one for tomorrow!

Sleep tight!

A Heart Shaped Mailbox.

Do you remember those mailboxes that you would make out of shoe boxes when you were a kid? You'd put hearts all over it, and on Valentine's Day, you would get one Valentine from EVERY kid in the class so you never had to feel bad about not getting any? If only life were as simple as back then...

Last night I was up until one thirty reading the end of "Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks. Let me tell you, he makes summer love seem to be one of the best things you could possibly be blessed with in a lifetime! Too bad Grease puts a realistic slap on the fact that summer lovin' happens so fast and is merely based on the fact that he has a car.

I wish I could tell you I did it. I wish I could tell you some romantic story of how my knight in shinning armor showed up today with a bouquet of white lilies, a skinny cinnamon dolce latte, and a side hug ready.

To tell you the truth, I even wish I could tell you that I wasn't writing this lovely little blog with someone in mind to fulfill that daydream, but the truth of the matter is I failed my mission of finding a Valentine. Yes, we still have all tomorrow to find someone, but I've decided to avoid defaulting to one of my many lovely soccer friends and instead taking this one for the team.

The team of course meaning me, myself, and I. But here is the thing....I am totally okay without a Valentine because today, as I was driving the PCH, wind blowing in my hair, blaring the Shrek soundtrack with one of my closest friends in the driver's seat, I realized life simply couldn't get much better than this.

The sun was setting, the road was open, and to make everything a bit better, my favorite smell in the world was as potent as ever...bonfire. As I said before, I wish I could tell you some beautiful story of love...in fact, I know I could tell you one but you'd have to promise not to place me in the category of cliche Christian girl...actually, forget it. You can do whatever you want :) I'm telling it anyway.

This week God has romanced me in ways that don't even make much sense for me. For starters, I needed to buy foundation the other day, but realized I didn't have enough money to purchase it at that time...the next day, guess what was waiting for me in my mailbox? A package from my grandma from Oregon, with...you guessed it...foundation!

Next, I got to go out to a LOVELY dinner tonight with my good friend and her sweet mom at Chronic Taco, one of my new favorite places! I also got to spend an entire day with two of my favorite people doing errands...ERRANDS! Can you imagine having friends who will literally drop everything simply to take you on an errand run to buy nothing better than shampoo and conditioner?

My life is full, God is good, and I have NEVER felt more loved.

On top of that, I got to return to my Bible study tonight, which has been kicked off in such a blessed way, with all of us finally being on the same page as far as the vision goes!

I am just so excited to see what else lies ahead this year!

I have to get to bed, and I'm sorry I didn't fulfill this dare, but I promise you that as far as what Valentine's Day is even made for....to show the one you love that you care, God has done enough for me this week to keep me content until the 4th of July! :)

Keep the dares coming...

Kendra

Valen TIME.

Dare: To find a Valentine's Date.

So, yesterday was a big success! I started off the morning in the BIOLA gym, and let me tell you a few things I learned...

1. When you go in the "Man Gym" (a.k.a.: weight room) prepare yourself to be awkwardly gawked at when you can bench press more than the guys. (Okay not really, but seriously give a girl a break in there!)

2. When you are going to walk the track with free weights: a. have a set plan of what the heck you will do with the free weights so the elementary p.e. class doesn't think you are totally inadequate.

3. When you set your goal as 4 Miles and get to Mile 3...Don't stop :) (Whoopsies!)

4. When weighing yourself always guess 2o pounds higher than what you actually way BEFORE you step on the scale to make you think you lost 30 pounds...great feeling!

It is about time I start seeing some results though, and I am very proud of being at the halfway mark! It is a bummer I had to leave "Insanity" (the video series my staff was doing) but I feel as though I'm making up some quality work out routines!

So...today's dare. You can pray for me because A. I've never had a Valentine and B. I've never really done the whole seek man out game. I'm excited though, it should be a great story of epic failure seeing as how the last time I tried to legitally flirt with someone I ended up breaking a heel...long story. But to be totally honest, I think that the whole "Valentine's Day is just a Hallmark Holiday" let's rise against it is a bit cliche. I'd rather just enjoy a fun night with my friends going to see Valentine's Day and then out for some ice cream at Downtown Disney, and if a boy (preferably of my dreams um right...) happens to join, then so be it :)

Wish me luck!

P.s.: Need a Dare for tomorrow...BE THINKING!

A Dye for A Dye

Dare of the day: Dye your hair a different color.

Last night was a success! If you see me around today you will see the lovely work of one of my closest friends, my new hair stylist :)

Last night I went into the on campus coffee shop and was dared to have the barista make me something that I didn't know what was in it. (Thanks!)

After receiving my drink, I went on my way and let me tell you that it is now one of my new favorite drinks at Commons!

I know it was simple and sweet, but that spurred me on to do a day of Situational Dares...meaning that today it is a little different and I will let people dare me on the spot to try something new! Hope you all have a blessed day, talk to you tonight!

--Kendra

Dares are Back On :)

Hello readers, thank the Lord that I'm finally back and ready to go with the dares! Sorry for the sad inconveinence of my car dying half way through launch week. I will have you know I am very pleased for the fact that my car is back and good to go and I am ready to go along with it!

Today's Dare: Dye your hair a different color.

I have so much to catch you up on in life it is crazy so before I dive into actually doing the dare, I'd like to catch you up on what God has been doing in my life.

I did it, I moved out of Horton and down to Stewart (if you aren't familiar with the BIOLA campus, no worries!). It was one of the hardest and best decisions that I've made so far. I still am going to miss seeing some of those girls daily, but I can guarantee that it has been an overall better experience for me.

I am just loving this new year. I recently have plugged in with a new friend group, whom I absolutely adore (if you watch It Takes Two you will get that comment) and am back in a singing group which has seriously rocked my relationship with Christ.

Check out these dares I've been doing while you were gone:

1. I dare you to kiss six boys for your birthday. (On the cheek of course).....Check.

2. I dare you to lose 20 pounds by May. (On pound number 8 as we speak!)....Half Check.

3. I dare you to not wear make-up for a month. (Hello March, here I come!)...On Hold.

4. I dare you to have a Valentine's Day to remember. (This one needs some work!)...Working on it.

5. I dare you to fall in love with God all over again. (This one is my favorite and has been incredible!)

#5 on the list was one of my favorites. Let me tell you, this week especially God has revealed Himself in my life in entirely new ways. Even as I write this, my heart keeps flipping in excitement of how full He has made my life this year.

If you have read "Every Man/Woman or Young Man/Woman's battle", than you know the author, Shannon (for some reason her last name is escaping me.) Well, she came and spoke at BIOLA this entire week and the moment she stood up on Monday morning, tears filled my eyes with passion knowing that she is doing EXACTLY what I want to do with my life.

Even more amazing...she has an online mentorship program that I will be partaking in next September, so please be praying for that. Then, I got to walk the track with her this afternoon and talk about our shared visions for what we would hope God has for men and women in their dating relationships.

She completely affirmed me in my calling, and shared with me that she thought I would be a solid candidate for her program, and that she sees in me the willingness to do it! I am so excited you guys, especially about life right now.

Also, my internship has now added on two hours in the college ministry at church, making it an incredible opportunity for me to share my heart with my own peers. I've loved every minute of building up my own ministry in jr. high and God has been blessing my life with more and more incredible women who have been exemplifying true faith for me these past few weeks.

So, back to tonight's dare.

I will be going back to school to meet up with my new roomie, who I have to say is one of my favorite new people! To grab some berry cool and hit CVS for a 10 dollar dye job...ya, that's right...ubber classy!

I'll let you know how it goes!

Need a dare for tomorrow....Keep them coming :)

Much love and God's blessing,

Kendra