rally away.

After a couple of cool conversations this week, this phrase has stuck in my head.

The ability to rally people. 

I think it's a trait that the best leaders have. The ones who are so good at not just being in charge, but at taking people along with them on the journey. 

What would that look like? Someone who is able to get others on board with a mission or an event or even just on board with them. Someone who is able to let others follow, but also get them excited about it. Someone who says, let's go. Someone who tries to get people to participate, might fail, but then is just as likely to keep going. 

just a little love.

Every college kid needs to read this and remember this and take a deep breath. Amen.

art 107.

Amidst the psychology case studies and the books on homelessness and the ANOVA math problems that have been filling my time of the past few months and even more so over the past week, there lies a single class that keeps me sane. 

Art 107: Drawing, thank you for being part of my life. It kept me alive throughout the semester. Six hours a week is the perfect amount to take a seat, breathe in deep, pick up my charcoal and see what happens. I walked in the door on the first day of class with no expectations of myself and maybe a little bit of a bad attitude. But, praise the Lord, I have left with lots of confidence and a can-do attitude. Drawing, you don't scare me anymore. 

Our final art show, ART NOW, was this past week. Even if my work wasn't the best hanging around, I'm still proud. It represents so much more than just the paper and the black charcoal. 

P.S That's me up there. #selfie

colle & mcvoy.

I love innovators. I love people who say "What if we...?" I love people who ask questions and aren't afraid to try something new.

Maybe that's why good advertising and fun marketing always catches my eye. Those people always seem to be on the freakin' cutting edge of everything.

The advertising agency, Colle & McVoy, based in Minneapolis, literally fits my definition of cool. Not to mention that they win industry awards left and right and are ranked as one of best places to work. In the country.

Fly me up there, now.

They like to play & ride bikes & work with their dogs sitting next to them. And, they've done some pretty awesome ad campaigns for companies like Caribou Coffee, Cannondale Bicycles, and now Mountain Hardwear. Sick.

Can you tell I'm procrastinating from studying for finals?

the newbies.

Look at these four beautiful people. Will and Katie. Grant and Jennie. They are the newest YOUNG LIFE LEADERS for North Central High School. It's going to be a wonderful journey to walk with them over the next few years. I'm already so thankful for their energy and passion and willingness to step out of their comfort zone to learn.

anything but this.

When I left Colorado a week ago, there was nothing I wanted to do more than not leave. It took extreme amounts of willpower to put one foot in front of the other and get to that airport and on that plane back to Indy.

But, I did it. And here I am. Back at Butler, studying for finals and working on papers, which to be honest, is also something that I would rather not do. Anything but this.

In order to combat these feelings of nothingness, I came up with my Amazing Daily Christmas Challenge.

Nothing extravagant. Every day, I do something Christmas-y. I've gone on a Christmas lights drive, drank some hot cocoa, listened to this song which is a Butler classic, made some paper snowflakes, and went to see The Nutcracker.

I tried to get little bro Jared & the rest of the family on board. My roommates have been all for it. My boss joined in one day. No matter who else participates, I'm still going to push for it.

Whatever gets me through the next twelve days. Whatever it takes.