Activated! Part 5- Lauren Piekarski

I've known Lauren Piekarski (15) for a while now (about 8 years or so). I was around 10 and she was around 8. And ever since I have known her, there's always been one thing I've admired about her and that is that she is not afraid to speak up about what she believes. Even when it's not absolutely necessary that she does, she does it anyway no matter who she's talking with or what the conversation's about.

If someone said, "I have a boyfriend! And. . . (blah, blah, blah)", she says, "Is he a Christian?. . . Is he "the one"? . . .Then why are you with him?". I love that about her!

If someone was talking inappropriately- right away, "You shouldn't say that" or "Hey, watch it!". She does it playfully yet getting her point across. Not like a old-fashioned school teacher with a ruler in her hand, but with an accepting spirit that lets you know, "Hey, just don't say that alright?".

If we're Christians ("Little Christ"), we need to remember that we knew what we were doing when we repented of our sins and asked Jesus to be Lord of our lives. We knew that we would be following Jesus. And you know what? Jesus was never hesitant in speaking what he knew was right! Jesus knew that, in the end, they wouldn't be the ones he would have to answer to when asked why he didn't speak what was right. So to be like Jesus and live up to our "name", we need to be studying the Bible and speaking what we know to be true. If we don't. . .who will? How will anyone know what is right or wrong if we (the "Christians") aren't telling anyone because we're "scared" of losing friends or our positions or being called names or. . .you name it.

You know, Lauren probably doesn't even know that I've noticed that about her. . . and that I like it. Can you imagine how many other people that have been impacted by her example? How many people that aren't saved have watched her and knew that something was different?

When I grow up I want to be like Lauren. . . Because she isn't afraid. . . Are you?

Activated! Part 4- Daniel Devine

Daniel Devine (26), currently the worship leader at our church, has been such a godly example to me and my family. When we first got to know him and his family they would host Bible study's at their home and Daniel, sometimes with friends, led worship playing guitar (then he was 18) and singing.

Working along with his brother, Evan, for his dad at Devine Homekrafters Co. he also finds time to write on science and global topics for WORLD and Creation Magazine (which are really good magazines! I personally especially enjoy WORLD.).

As a homeschool graduate, one thing that I think that's pretty neat, is he got his bachelors degree online in half the time it would usually take (by 'CLEP'ing) and paid for it himself (which all together was a fraction of the usual cost!). He's also had a truck for a couple years now and just bought a house and did all that. . .debt free (I want to really emphasize on that!).

Not only does he build up his dad's business, writes, and sings but he's also a great older sibling to his brother and two sisters. Daniel is very patient with them, over the years I don't think I've really seen when he even looked irritated with them or any other child he's been with! He also shows alot of brotherly love for and to them, which I think in this day and age. . .we could use a little! That's one thing I want to imitate about him. . .his godly example to those that are younger and looking up to him (especially since I'm the oldest of all my siblings and have quite a few looking to me!). It's one thing to say you're Christian and it's a totally different thing to live you're Christianity out. Daniel definitely lives it out. . .

Check out their family blog- Devine Spot

Activated! Part 3- Karisse Wesco

Karisse Wesco (20) is Timothy's younger sister and full time campaign manager. Being one of ten children, she has recruited some of her siblings (and many friends) to help her out with this huge job of managing phone calls, door-to-door visiting, putting together signs and brochures, and all the little details that I don't know about! (For a fact, Timothy is very thankful to have her!)

Karisse has been a very good example to me in many areas. Two of them being her gracefulness in doing everyday things and (one of the biggest one's to me) her ability to listen. I find many people today are always in a hurry or just want to be the one talking and don't really take the time to listen to what others are saying (That's me. I'm working on it!). Karisse has always listened to anything that anybody says to her, whether they're around her age or way older or way younger and whether they take a l-o-n-g time talking to her about something she may not be interested in. I think that's really important. People are constantly looking for someone who will just listen (without looking irritated and bored or else they'd rather you not "listen" to them!) and lend their time for them and Karisse does just that. And that's a quality about her that I want to imitate.

As a homeschool graduate, Karisse also helps at their neighbors daycare center, gives violin lessons to girls at her church, is part of the worship team at their church, does most of the cooking for her family, and. . . so many other things! =)

To visit their church website, click here!

Activated! Part 2- Timothy Wesco

So to begin the Activated! series, here is my "first" friend I would like to introduce you to. . .

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As a volunteer firefighter, Timothy Wesco (24), is currently running for state representative in his district of Indiana (district 21, for those of you out there--Vote for him!=). He and his sister, Karisse (she'll be in this series as well), have done so much to help his campaign get up and going but they both know that no matter what happens, they'll give God all the glory. They know that if Timothy gets this position or not, that it was God's will and they're happy with that. Yes, they'll be rejoicing if he wins and they'll probably be a little discouraged if he doesn't but the main point is that they just trust God and what His will is for their lives.

We met Tim when he was 19 years old, and since the beginning he had an authentic walk with Christ. All you had to do was talk with him for 10 minutes and he was asking questions about your beliefs, sharing his, etc. He's never wanted to waste time talking about things that don't really matter (of course, he not the "just be all spiritual and holier than thou" type. The Wesco's are some of the most humorous people I know! Seriously, they can "bring down the house"! =).

As a home-schooled graduate, he has also been (and still is) the worship leader at his church that his dad pastor's. And he has accomplished one of his bigger goals by buying a house and vehicle--debt free!

Timothy knows what he believes and will stand for them when necessary. I think there are many things I personally and we as a group can learn from him. Such as responsibility especially in the areas of: standing up for biblical principles (especially when there's the danger of someone else leading who does not embrace the Bible), keeping himself in the Word, not neglecting his responsibility at church (such as doing a poor job), and not neglecting his family & friends.


To go to Timothy's campaign site, click here!

For more facts on Timothy (his beliefs, occupation, etc.), click here!

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NOTE:

Timothy has won the "first" election! So he's moving on to the final elections in November. Please pray for him and Karisse for guidance as they move ahead and try to do God's will in this campaign.

Activated! Series- Part 1

Hey Everyone! I've decided I'm going to do a ten part series about some of my personal friends that are doing "hard" things for Christ (if you've read "Do Hard Things" by Alex & Brett Harris, then you have a better picture of what I'm talking about. If not, it doesn't really matter but I would greatly encourage you to read it!) by standing up for their beliefs, being good examples of how Christian youth should spend their time, etc.

These are people who know what they believe and are not afraid to show it (sometimes it's hard, but they all know who they ultimately have to answer to. . .and it's not their peers!). These are my friends who are in the prime of their life, doing what many people will not know about, but that will have an eternal impact on the kingdom of Heaven and bless many.

My prayer is that this short series will encourage you, bless you, and motivate you to be a light to the people around you who are looking for something to believe in!

I once heard an illustration done by Pastor Wayne Corderio of New Hope Church that goes something like this: there's a bunch of people in a room together. All of them are shaking. Half of them don't know why they're shaking and half of them know that they can control themselves and not be shaky but they just do it because everyone else is. So one person who doesn't know this, looks above the crowd to see if there is anyone who is not shaking and standing on solid ground for he would like to learn how. But, unfortunately, there is no one. So unless someone stops shaking, he will never learn how to stop and stand on solid ground because there was no one to show him that it could be done.

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Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5,

Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10