House on the Rock

I'm learning that college friendships are the best but they're also the most brutal. Especially at a school like Taylor, where "intentional community" permeates every inch of the campus, it feels  necessary to be constantly surrounded by six or seven or twenty-five friends at all times. The friendships are harder because you never really get a break from anyone, and people want to go deeper, which means raw confrontation, rich conversation, and a readiness to call each other out. It's a time of road trips and spontaneous sleepovers and hometown visits getting to know people deeply, but that doesn't mean it's easy. Don't get me wrong, God has been so faithful in providing friendships at Taylor. My former roommates, famously deemed "The Maggies," are my constant companions and probably know more about me than I know about myself. When the Maggies aren't around, there are several girls on my wing that I can call up for dinner. I've had...

Dear Future Cali, It's funny, now, because time has passed and the days behind you seem so small. College flew by and now you're out doing what you've always dreamed of doing - or maybe not, but you're doing what God has planned for you. You're seeing that life is a mist and it's passing so quickly, but you've come a long way. You have learned so much and God has shaped you in ways you never thought possible. So as the time passes and sunsets turn to sunrises and years go by, don't forget the lessons you have learned. Don't forget the way God found you when you were at your absolute worst. Don't forget how he continued to wait for you and pursue you through your rebellion, and how he welcomed you with open arms when you finally took a step toward repentance. Don't forget how sneaking around with the wrong guy destroyed you, but worse, how it destroyed your parents' trust and the way your siblings looked up to you. Don't forget tha...