The Other Presence

Good morning, Ladies! I've been waiting for the perfect time to "unveil" MELODY's Senior Board to you. If you'll remember, she had to do an exhibit of the most important influences in her high school life -- and she honored all of us by highlighting the In Real Life blog. I don't know about you, but I had tears in my eyes the first time I saw this. Here's the entire display:

Do you see that book in the center at the bottom of the photo? That's

Melody's novel, "Perfect? Yeah, Right!" which I am currently reading during my half-hour-before-I-go-to-bed reading time. Sometimes I have to force myself to turn out the light, because the story is so real and so compelling. I have to admit that sometimes I go back to the Acknowledgments page and run my fingers across my name there. 

You just never know, do you, how you're going to influence someone, the way you all have touched Melody and each other? We've been talking about being aware of God's presence through metaphor, and that is the absolute core of everything. Yet God also wants us to be aware of the great cloud of witnesses, the communion of saints, the body of Christ -- the many, many people God's blessed us with to help us remain aware of his love.

Here's the deal. Jesus is the only true representation we have of what God is like. By accepting that we also agree to try to live Christ-like lives. That means the Christ-followers around us do show us glimpses of God. They are the Other Presence. They aren't God himself, but they are flickers of the divine and we need them.

We need each other.

There in the midst of Melody's many amazing accomplishments and aspirations are the girls of In Real Life. Her cloud of witnesses. Her body of Christ. Her communion of saints. If YOU were going to create a display of your life as a teen girl so far --

        * what important accomplishments would you highlight -- important to YOU, even if not necessarily impressive to anyone else?

        * what God-given dreams would you reflect?

        * what life-changing events would you show? tragedies and crises as well as unforgettable milestones?

        * who would be featured there as your Other Presence?

I'd love to have you comment on that over the next several days, of course. But I'd also love for you to entertain the idea of putting together a visual representation of that this summer -- whether it's a display like Melody's, or a scrapbook, or a collage on your computer or a treasure box. You could photograph it and email that to me so I could post it here. You could comment on what you were doing and learning whenever you felt moved all summer long. What do you think? Are you in?

I'm leaving the Castle today to spend a few days in Colorado Springs doing business and seeing friends. But I'll be thinking about you, and perhaps beginning my own album  . . . As always, you have inspired me.    

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue

Comments

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Melody, I LOVE you board!!! :) And I love that picture of you in the top center. You're so beautiful - but of course, I knew that from your comments. :)

As for the challenge, I'm going to think about it for the next few days and I'll get back with you.

Bethan, about your comment on the last post, I agree entirely! That's exactly what I was trying to say but I think you expressed it better than I did. :)

[Therese]

Melody, Your board is amazing!!! :) You are gorgeous! I love it!! :)

[♥Lexi♥]

Melody, I LOVE your board!! You are so pretty! Thanks so much for thinking of us.:) I'm going to be thinking about the questions.
Great post, Mrs. Rue!
♥Love y'all!♥

[kate s]

wow. This. Is. AMAZING! I LOVE it, Melody! It's beautiful!!

If I were to make my own, something like that (by the way, Mrs. Rue, I adore your idea)...

* what important accomplishments would you highlight -- important to YOU, even if not necessarily impressive to anyone else?
Finishing half of high school! And finishing math! And finishing chemistery! I have two years left of high school, and they will be uber fun years. Also, things like at least trying to make new friends, growing closer to God... things like that

* what God-given dreams would you reflect?
My writing. I love it so so much and want to keep writing through my life, as my job. I'm unsure of if it's God given, but I definantly adore it.

* what life-changing events would you show? tragedies and crises as well as unforgettable milestones?
Things from moving to and from London, England... that was huge. I'm not sure I'd show it, but I know I'd think about when we were kicked out of London and in Chicago for 3 months... Wearing a gorgeous tutu in Cinderella (this week! Okay, not life changing, but hey, it's a milestone!)

* who would be featured there as your Other Presence?
My mom. My best friend. My new friend Ananya.

I'm going to think more about this. I love your idea, Mrs. Rue!
love and blessings
kate

[Katie]

Melody your board is amazing!! I LOVE it...you are so beautiful, sister :) And that's so awesome that you published your book! I hope we can all read it someday...

A big accomplishment for me was learning how to say "no" nicely to a boy who wanted to go out with me! Winning a playwriting contest, helping to lead a friend to Christ, growing friendships with so many non-believers even though I'm a really introverted person, being the lead in a play, going to China for six weeks alone...I really can't take any credit for these "accomplishments"-I feel like Jesus did it all! My aunt having leukemia was probably the biggest "tragedy" in the past few years...thankfully she's alive and well now. But it was a really scary time. The biggest milestone would be going to China, because it really forced me to grow up and be more independent and rely on God rather than other people. The Other Presence in my life would definitely be you all on the blog (I know I don't get a chance to comment very much, but you all are still such a big encouragement!) and my family! I love that phrase "flickers of the divine"...that's truly what you all are to me! That's a perfect way to rephrase "image of God".

[Abby:)]

LOVE your board Melody!!

I've actually done something like this, but it's all spread out...on my bulletin board I have pics and Bible verse written down. In a box under my bed I keep all the programs of my favorite performances and playbills from broadway shows I've seen and also a card I recieved from the cast of a show I was in last year thanking me for all the work I did and they had also included a gift card for the place where I my dance stuff (it was during that rehearsal process all my dance studio drama happened - and also my parents' divorce - so knowing that they appreciate me really meant a lot). I also keep in there a card I got from the cast of the show I was in 2 weeks ago, and with that one the entire cast signed it and wrote little notes to me. ;) Then on my desk I have a little box, and inside are little pieces of paper with special lines from songs written down.

I'll use the questions as brainstorming for what else I should add to any of those places -

*what important accomplishments would you highlight -- important to YOU, even if not necessarily impressive to anyone else?
I would add of pic of me in the outfit I wore for my solo 2 weeks ago (it was my first time performing a dance solo).

*what God-given dreams would you reflect?
Can't think of anything except the playbills that are already in there...

*what life-changing events would you show? tragedies and crises as well as unforgettable milestones?
While I wouldn't want to reflect on any sad things I my box since that's usually where I go for encouragement, but if I had to put something in there I would write down the lyrics to the song What I Did For Love (It's from A Chorus Line...don't recommend watching it but it's a really powerful song sung from there perspective of a dancer who had to suddenly give up everything he's working for because of an injury).

*who would be featured there as your Other Presence?
My dance teachers definitely - the two I currety take from know who are like dads to me, along with one I don't dance with as much anymore but she was (and still is) one of my best friends. I would also include a friend of mine who choreographs at one of the theaters I perform at (I talk about her a lot so on the tween blog I refer to her as JJ); I really like talking with her because she's the only adult I trust who also has a messed up family life, so she understands things more than others. I'd also include a friend of mine who's my age and exactly like me and we are so nuts together. XD I'd also somehow include the girls on the tween blog (I'm sure I'll say the same about all of you once I've been here a little longer ;) )

Praying for everyone!! :)

[Alisha]

So my accomplishments would be getting through this year of school, completing and publishing my first novel, completing my first missions trip, leading 5 beautiful girls to Christ... and, oh yeah, does being alive count????
the dreams i would reflect would be sharing my story, writing, just helping people (getting down on their level and loving them)
my life changing events would be the year of really tough stuff (depression, eating disorder, cutting, abuse that was closely related to my life...) also, this undiagnosed stage is turning out to be pretty life changing.
and my other presence would be my parents and siblings, my amazing group of friends, my mentor and my best friend Emily (who passed away this spring)

Also, in going with the sharing my story thing, I was asked to share in church on Sunday. it's nothing major, and i just have to read it, but i'm awful at public speaking. it was kind of like God kept shutting all these little doors on me and then He was like "Here" and kind of pushed me towards doing this. Anyway, prayers would be appreciated

[Bethan]

Abby, like you said, I have a "Senior Board" of sorts, like everything representing me is plastered all over my room, from photos to favorite quotes to letters and posters etc... I really like it because it's like, I can wake up in the morning and instantly (and throughout the day) be reminded of who I am, how God sees me, my big dreams, goals, plans.. :)
Alisha, you've published a novel? How exciting! Is it one that I could order online somewhere, or...? :) I was so excited for you, when I read that you have led 5 girls to Christ. That's such a privilege, one that I've yet to experience but that I'm definitely looking forward to..! :D

* what important accomplishments would you highlight -- important to YOU, even if not necessarily impressive to anyone else? Teaching myself how to cook, bake, and play the guitar - I'm really happy about that and I have such a joy in developing those :) Passing all my stressy exams.. and then climbing over personal walls I had in my life.. I've become a lot more confident, independent, etc in the last few years and i'm a lot more comfy in myself and with others and God now :]

* what God-given dreams would you reflect? My dreams to really help very vulnerable girls, to share joy with baking, to write, to lead others to HIM and then just learning and sharing how to enjoy life to the fullest :D

* what life-changing events would you show? tragedies and crises as well as unforgettable milestones? There are a lot of valleys where I felt bad about myself or had doubts but in the end overcame them and became a more surer person... I think there's been like around three big ones of those haha, sort of one for the last three years, and all touching on different 'un-confidences' in my life.. :) Milestones are I think, moving countries, finishing exams (one large academic portion of my life = over! ;)), finding my feet and going out volunteering and helping and being involved in things a lot more in the last year, and then being involved in my first romantic relationship.. :)

* who would be featured there as your Other Presence? My amazing family, my legendary 'second family', and then various friends, and an incredible girl I met at camp, and various missionary couples who show soo much thankfulness and faith...

[Bethan]

Oh and gosh I forgot, Melody your board is amazing, and what the other girls are saying is true, you're so beautiful.. inside AND out :)

[Alisha]

hey bethan,
my book is going to be available for order online this summer. i'll be sure to let you guys know when you can order it!

[♥♫LeXi♥♫]

Hey y'all! Melody and Alisha, I definitely want to read each of your books!
An accomplishment for me would be would be getting through this past school year without any major problems. Also getting through Algebra 1 with an A-. Ive grown closer in my relationship with God, and I know without Him I wouldn't have any of these accomplishments.
A God-given dream I would reflect on would be playing the piano at church. I feel closer to God when I'm playing a beautiful Chrisitan song on the piano. I know it might touch someone when I play at church, too. I also would reflect on my writing, and how I use that to glorify God.
A milestone I've reached has been realizing that I am me. I don't have to try to be someone else because I'm not. God loves me just the way I am.
My Other Prescence would first have to be God. Without Him, I am nothing. My mom has been a tremendous help to me in my walk with God. She's been there before, so she understands. Also my preacher and church family. And definitely Mrs. Rue and all of you here on the blog. Every time I get on here I'm encouraged because I know I'm not alone in the struggles I'm facing as a teen.
♥Love y'all!♥

[~~~LAURAJANE~~~ P.S. I love my horse!!!]

Wow! Did the format of the blog just change? If so, I love it!

Lovin' the board, Melody!

Gonna read your book, too!!

ilylwsbwa
laura

[Amy]

Love the board Melody it's AMAZING :D
My accomplishments would be getting a good mark for my entrance exam to get into the grammar I'm in (I live In NI so school systems different) , getting to my countries finals in field hockey with all my friends and finally finding this site which is helping me improve my relationship with God.
A milestone was when I was at this faith mission summer camp thing and one of the leaders was sayin the story bout the sower and the seed. I realised that I wasn't living at all the way God wanted me to so I recommitted myself to God.
My other presence would be my mum who is always there for me. Also my friends there is one Jack that I realised recently is always there for me. Whenever you fall out with someone and move on (as girls do) he is always still there by my side :) sometimes its nice to have a guy friend cause guys fall out then get over it unlike girls. And lastly not forgetting everyone here on the teen and the tween blogs:)
Prayer-I'm confused about my sports I play a couple of different ones but I'm not sure which one to stick to. I was good at field hockey in primary but now in the grammar I feel like while my teammates are gettin better I'm gettin worse. My teacher said that I would be really good at rowin but the club is on at the same time as my archery. I love archery but I really would like to do rowin too. Help I'm soo confused :s

[Caitlin]

Woah! I love this board Melody! :)
I really want to to this, but I haven't exactly had a teen life so far. I mean, it just started.