Rylee's God Things

Here's the true test of the motives in your heart:  Would you still write if no one was reading it?  How do you act when you don't think anyone is watching?  A true posture of humility.  Philippians 2:3 TPT "Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only HARM your CHERISHED UNITY. Don't allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic HUMILITY put others first and view others as MORE important than yourselves." (emphasis was my own)  I was in a staff meeting the other day, thinking about the people around me and how blessed I am to learn from them and grow as a leader with them. Then I starting thinking about something so small that I used to practice but I no longer do: I've been walking into rooms with the heart posture that I have little to learn. I'm not sure where or when I picked up this prideful nature, but I did. And as I sat in that staff meeting, I realized I still have so much to learn.  Jesus walked into rooms as the least ...

Hi all!!! I hope you are having an amazing week!!! It's actually kind of insane how richly God has blessed me over the past few weeks. We have finally gotten into the routine of things here: we had our first Small Groups on Wednesday which went so well! And I was given the opportunity to go on outreach TWICE in the last few days!!! To my favorite places in the whole wide world!!! I got to go to Pueblos this past Friday, which was my Friday site during my entire first year. I was able to give big hugs to my sweet kiddos after not seeing them all summer, and it was a blast. I couldn't have asked for a better outreach. It was funny, actually- we normally blow up water balloons at one of the kiddos houses, but he wasn't allowed to get wet so we didn't ask. Before we left for outreach, I threw a case of water in the trunk. Within minutes of remembering this, the kids all had water bottles in hand and were ready to throw water on each other. And let me tell you, the g...

Hey hey!!! I just want to do a little happy dance real quick because this blog post is coming out SO MUCH SOONER than normal!!! Go me!!! *Starts Happy Dance* The past week has been way too much sitting and listening. We just finished up Orientation Week- also known as the Longest Week in History. If you don't believe me, ask my sweet friends! We all are so extremely excited for this next week which will include the beginning of the normal schedule of DCLS. We are assigned our tracks this week and our community groups, along with our standard prayer/worship opportunities. One thing we were able to get a head start on, though, was outreach! Yesterday was our first time back at our Adopt-a-Block sites. We go out every Saturday to meet the communities right where they are at, pass out needs, and continue to build relationships with them. I have the sweet blessing of attending Imperial Courts every Saturday. The site and its people have definitely stolen my heart. The only unf...

Hey hey!!! Long time no see, I know, I know. Life gets in the way a bit too often for this girl to think about updating anywhere! Life Update: I graduated my first year of DCLS in June! I know I updated in late May about what life looked like then, but I will be the first to tell you my life has turned completely around since then!  Grad was absolutely incredible and more than I could have ever expected. I was actually awarded Student of the Year, which completed and wrapped up my year so perfectly. Graduation was full of hugs, tears, laughter, but mostly an insane amount of love. I couldn’t have asked for a better end to my first year.  I was able to return home for the summer which was SO nice. I have to give it up for my parents here, because they’re the greatest and allowed me to work crazy amounts this summer and still loved me when I was cranky and sleep deprived. I was able to work my tail off to save a decent amount for returning to Los Angeles (where I ...

Hi all!! Just a couple minor updates on my life... This is absolutely insane. I graduate my first year of DCLS this Sunday, and I can't help but look back. I never thought I would see this day, yet here we are. Standing on its doorstep. This is crazy. I told my Mom this the other day on the phone, but it feels like she JUST dropped me off!! Wow. Graduation is officially in five days, and it's sorta freaking me out. I know that this is a season that eventually needs to come to an end, but it will be so different from here on out. In other news, I got accepted back as a second year!! I am so excited to have the opportunity to come back this fall. It's an incredibly exciting responsibility, and I cannot wait for it. Saying goodbye SUCKS. If you don't absolutely have to do it, avoid it at all costs. I have had to say goodbyes/ see you later's for the past week, and I hate it. It only gets harder from here on out with Graduation here soon, too. So not ready. ...

((Preface: I have been speaking Spanish so often recently and for some reason my brain is really in Spanish mode today AND I haven't taken an English class in almost a year so if some of my sentences don't make sense please give me grace :)) As my first year in DCLS comes to a close, I have reflected a lot on what the past nine months have held. With a little under three weeks until Graduation, I figured I should write this now before I'm overwhelmed with team activities, a lot of 'lasts', and goodbyes. This time has been incredibly bittersweet. I'm more than excited to be at home with my friends and family, but I'm really going to miss the community around me. I've come to see a lot of change in the past nine months, not only just in myself. I obviously am much different than when I arrived, but I've also come to see a lot of change in my friends. In my surrounding classmates. In the community around me. It's crazy to look back and see all t...