In Which I Become an Authoress, and Intern, and a Senator

This is a why-I-haven’t-been-blogging-lately post, as well as a why-I-won’t-be-blogging-much-in-the-future post. There’s probably no such thing as a good excuse for irregular posting and anemic blogging, but I’m going to do my best to present one anyway.

For quite a while, it’s been a dream of mine to write about apologetics. Until six months ago, I though it was the kind of dream that would hopefully come true in the distant future, but since then, God has revealed different plans. Rather than waiting years before I start writing, my first book, an apologetics curriculum published by Communicators for Christ, will be finished this year.

It’s both amazing and terrifying to have this kind of opportunity before I turn seventeen. More than anything else, it’s taught me more about having faith in God rather than in my own faith or my own abilities. Writing this book has also given me a new perspective on how to present Christianity to the world. I’m seeing that Christianity makes incredible, even fantastic, claims, and that anyone who calls himself a Christian must be prepared to explain why he has the audacity to believe he possesses absolute truth.

So I’m becoming an authoress. Starting on July 22^nd, I get to be a senator for eight days, too. Earlier this month, I attended Hoosier Girls State, an American Legion Auxiliary political camp. The thing I’ll always remember about Girls State was that it was hot. We stayed in college dorms that didn’t have any air conditioning, so we were keenly aware of the eighty and ninety degree whether for the entire week. The other thing I’ll always remember about Girls State is that it showed me how exciting politics can be.

Several of the Girls State Citizens, myself included, spent one day in our state’s capitol, debating legislative bills in the Indianapolis state house. As I sat in the senate chambers, basking in the air conditioning, I found myself wishing I could spend days listening to political ideas and debating them. The next day, to my great delight, I discovered that I had been chosen to attend Girls Nation, a program similar to Girls State, except that it takes place on the national level and involves an all expense paid trip to Washington D.C. In less than three weeks I’ll be flying to the east coast to fulfill my duties as a Girls Nation senator.

The day after I get home from Girls Nation, I leave for Nashville, TN, to assist at a debate camp, and two days after that camp ends, I begin my eighteen-week internship with Communicators for Christ. Ever since I was twelve, I’ve wanted to spend a semester interning with CFC. As interns, I and eleven other teenagers get to plan a four-day conference introducing teenagers to speech and debate and then actually make the conference happen at sixteen different locations. We get to travel all across the country – from Rhode Island to Colorado to Texas to Florida – in a gorgeous motor home in order to make this tour season happen.

The twelve of us staffers have the incredibly privilege to be able to touch the lives of hundreds of our peers, as well as to strengthen our friendship and sense of community as we work toward our goal. We get to be mentored by some of the country’s most accomplished communicators, to develop our own communication skills, to learn how to live and work with other people under stressful conditions. And, we get to tour the White House.

Between writing, traveling, teaching, and speaking, the next six months of my life are going to be exciting. I’m not sure how to express how thrilled I am to be able to work with others to advance God’s kingdom, but I’m certain that I can’t imagine a better way to spend my senior year in high school.

The sad thing, amidst all of these blessings, is that I’m going to have to leave Rhetorical Response, at least until the end of the year. After that, I’m not entirely certain how much blogging time I’ll have.

At this point, what I do know is that I’ve learned more through blogging than I ever imagined I would. I’ve met all kinds of people and had all kinds of conversations. I’ve also been inspired in many, many ways. I’ve become a better writer, for which I’m especially thankful. I’ve learned some new computer skills, and I’ve become familiar with the blogosphere. I’ve discovered articles and perspectives that have fueled weeks of conversations with my family. The way I think has changed – for the better.

This is my (almost) very last post for a very long time. It’s really tough to decide how to end something that started so uncertainly and developed to beautifully. This time last year, I had never heard the term “blogspot” before. A lot has changed since then, thankfully. I’m so glad that first my dad and then several of my friends encouraged me to try blogging. It’s been wonderful, and I’m sure that, even though I’m currently fading out, I, like the governor of California, will be back.

To everyone who has ever read my blog or encouraged me through a comment or a great post – thank you!