"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
A little less than two months before my 30th birthday, some of my closest friends put together a list of 30 dares to complete before this dreaded milestone birthday arrives. Since I had only 55 days to complete my mission, I was told I could pick ten to complete in order to succeed at this challenge.
So far I have completed four, but writing this blog will make it five. I have until September 17th to finish five more!
Finished so far:
Dare #1 – I submitted an article to RELEVANT Christian Magazine. I used my ideas from my blog post titled “I Love Him More Than White Picket Fences” to write about the grace of God to not give me what I’ve thought I’ve wanted in my twenties.
Dare #2 – I went to an amusement park, Schlitterbaun Water Park to be exact. I spent the day running around in a swimsuit like a little kid again.
Dare #3 – I went water-skiing for the first time. This is where things got hairy. I ended up spraining my ankle with the worst level of sprain and a torn ligament. So, at this point I am stuck in a hard boot for six more weeks. The ironic part about this is that I am actually being forced to live out my earlier blog about being still. I think it is the hardest thing I have ever done. No exaggeration. I am so used to being on the move that God had to let my ankle be compromised in order that I would spend my week before going back to work immersed in Him. I would like to say I would have anyway, but the truth is, I know I would have found lots of busy work to run after instead and only would have left a little time of stillness in my final days off.
Despite the throbbing pain in my foot, this has been a renewing period of my life. I have finished several books and studies I’ve wanted to get into for a long time. He has shown me truths about areas of my life in which I struggle, and I have a focus on a ministry that he has laid on my heart to pursue as soon as Grad school is finished. Finally, I have an even larger appreciate for my Mom who ran errands, cleaned, and treated me with love despite the fact I have been a cranky bear. :)
A little less than two months before my 30th birthday, some of my closest friends put together a list of 30 dares to complete before this dreaded milestone birthday arrives. Since I had only 55 days to complete my mission, I was told I could pick ten to complete in order to succeed at this challenge.
So far I have completed four, but writing this blog will make it five. I have until September 17th to finish five more!
Finished so far:
Dare #1 – I submitted an article to RELEVANT Christian Magazine. I used my ideas from my blog post titled “I Love Him More Than White Picket Fences” to write about the grace of God to not give me what I’ve thought I’ve wanted in my twenties.
Dare #2 – I went to an amusement park, Schlitterbaun Water Park to be exact. I spent the day running around in a swimsuit like a little kid again.
Dare #3 – I went water-skiing for the first time. This is where things got hairy. I ended up spraining my ankle with the worst level of sprain and a torn ligament. So, at this point I am stuck in a hard boot for six more weeks. The ironic part about this is that I am actually being forced to live out my earlier blog about being still. I think it is the hardest thing I have ever done. No exaggeration. I am so used to being on the move that God had to let my ankle be compromised in order that I would spend my week before going back to work immersed in Him. I would like to say I would have anyway, but the truth is, I know I would have found lots of busy work to run after instead and only would have left a little time of stillness in my final days off.
Despite the throbbing pain in my foot, this has been a renewing period of my life. I have finished several books and studies I’ve wanted to get into for a long time. He has shown me truths about areas of my life in which I struggle, and I have a focus on a ministry that he has laid on my heart to pursue as soon as Grad school is finished. Finally, I have an even larger appreciate for my Mom who ran errands, cleaned, and treated me with love despite the fact I have been a cranky bear. :)
Dare #4 – So this one came from a friend of mine after the accident. I decided it was valid to use in place of another one as half of my dares are thwarted by the injury. I pierced my nose. Not one of those crazy ugly pig piercings. It is just a tiny little diamond on the left side. It has been bad and good. Bad = I've had anxiety caused by worrying about what other people may think of me, and it has been a pain trying to figure out how to hide it with a clear retainer as it is out of dress code at work. Good = It has forced me to practicing knowing who I am in Christ and knowing that anyone who may prejudge my cute little stud needs some lessons on grace and love anyway. I'm learning how to break out of my performance traps! :)
Dare #5 – I’m writing a blog about my experiences and how God is using me and blessing me at this time in my life.
I will write more as I try to finish at least five more in the next month!
What I love about these challenges most is that it has been a testament to how well my friends know me and how much they love me (despite myself). I'm so thankful for friends who understand my longing for adventure and who bless me with making my birthday an exciting event instead of something to dread.
I’m so blessed with friends who love Jesus just as much as I do and who encourage me in my walk as I complete these many adventures in the challenge we call daily life!
The letter I received (in the theme of one of my favorite movies, The Princess Bride):
Rachel Frick, We Dare You to 30 Things before You Turn 30
Dearest Rachel,
It is every girl’s dream to grow up to become a princess. For someone special like Rachel Ann, the dream is far bigger---to become a warrior princess!
Unfortunately, for many young girls, that dream gets lost along the way by busy-ness, broken hearts, forgotten dreams and is dismissed as INCONCEIVABLE!
On the dawn of your 30th year, we invite you to dare to dream once again. The possibility of becoming a divine warrior princess may be closer than you think. It's an prestigious line of work, with a long and glorious tradition.
The attached document will give you list of challenges you must participate in whole-heartedly to achieve full princess-hood.
Time is limited and your fairy Godmother says it is very important for you to become a princess. Therefore, if you can pull off 10 of these challenges before your 30th birthday, you shall be granted full princess-hood. Extra points and splendor will be given to Her Majesty for accomplishing more than the minimum 10.
Time is running out. Get to it my pretty and be sure to ask your good friends to assist you with these challenges. Now along the way, be sure to avoid people in masks. People in masks cannot be trusted.
Rest assured you will not get eaten by the eels at this time.
Hear this now. I will always come for you.
Sincerely,
Westley and your friends
*******DARES******
1. Pub crawl in bridesmaid gear
2. Costume for karaoke, accessories such as Willy Nelson bandana, cowboy hat or wig will do
3. Attend film festival
4. Volunteer at orphanage
5. Learn to cook an exotic ethnic food you have not tried before
6. Write a blog about turning 30 and the goals ahead, write facebook note(s) about your 30 dare challenges and the experiences as they unfold.
7. Turn in a query to christian or literary or teaching magazine about anything of your choosing
8. Apply for a job in another country just because
9. Write a letter to john mayer
10. Attempt surfing, either a lesson or grab a board and jump in
11. Go somewhere for the weekend, tell your mom you are leaving but don't tell her where you are going, pack only one bag, do not make any plans until you get there.
12. Learn how to say a pickup line in french or spanish
13. Do cartwheels on the beach
14. Create something you don't eat or drink..take a painting, sculpture, sewing, jewelry making class
15. Shoot a gun at a gun range or in a country field
16. Play saxophone in downtown Houston on streets and accept dollars for magnificent talent
17. Dress up like a squirrel and do a dance in the nut isle of the grocery store
18. Skydive
19. Parasail
20. Fly in the cockpit of a small airplane
21. Volunteer or work delivering flowers for a day. Maybe a few friends who want to deliver flowers to someone could just call Rachel to pick them up and deliver them
22. Get a new pet that is not a cat
23. Take a leisure learning class
24. Bungee jump
25. Camp in a tent on the river or beach or a very secluded field in the country
26. Volunteer at a nursing home
27. Spend the day at an amusement park or water park
28. Go to a concert for a band you would typically not go to, or know nothing about
29. One adventure of your choice not listed herein
30. One goal of your choice not listed herein
"A mind that is stretched by a new experience
can never go back to its old dimensions."
— Oliver Wendell Holmes: American writer and Professor at Harvard, 1809-1894
Do you accept this challenge?
I will write more as I try to finish at least five more in the next month!
What I love about these challenges most is that it has been a testament to how well my friends know me and how much they love me (despite myself). I'm so thankful for friends who understand my longing for adventure and who bless me with making my birthday an exciting event instead of something to dread.
I’m so blessed with friends who love Jesus just as much as I do and who encourage me in my walk as I complete these many adventures in the challenge we call daily life!
The letter I received (in the theme of one of my favorite movies, The Princess Bride):
Rachel Frick, We Dare You to 30 Things before You Turn 30
Dearest Rachel,
It is every girl’s dream to grow up to become a princess. For someone special like Rachel Ann, the dream is far bigger---to become a warrior princess!
Unfortunately, for many young girls, that dream gets lost along the way by busy-ness, broken hearts, forgotten dreams and is dismissed as INCONCEIVABLE!
On the dawn of your 30th year, we invite you to dare to dream once again. The possibility of becoming a divine warrior princess may be closer than you think. It's an prestigious line of work, with a long and glorious tradition.
The attached document will give you list of challenges you must participate in whole-heartedly to achieve full princess-hood.
Time is limited and your fairy Godmother says it is very important for you to become a princess. Therefore, if you can pull off 10 of these challenges before your 30th birthday, you shall be granted full princess-hood. Extra points and splendor will be given to Her Majesty for accomplishing more than the minimum 10.
Time is running out. Get to it my pretty and be sure to ask your good friends to assist you with these challenges. Now along the way, be sure to avoid people in masks. People in masks cannot be trusted.
Rest assured you will not get eaten by the eels at this time.
Hear this now. I will always come for you.
Sincerely,
Westley and your friends
*******DARES******
1. Pub crawl in bridesmaid gear
2. Costume for karaoke, accessories such as Willy Nelson bandana, cowboy hat or wig will do
3. Attend film festival
4. Volunteer at orphanage
5. Learn to cook an exotic ethnic food you have not tried before
6. Write a blog about turning 30 and the goals ahead, write facebook note(s) about your 30 dare challenges and the experiences as they unfold.
7. Turn in a query to christian or literary or teaching magazine about anything of your choosing
8. Apply for a job in another country just because
9. Write a letter to john mayer
10. Attempt surfing, either a lesson or grab a board and jump in
11. Go somewhere for the weekend, tell your mom you are leaving but don't tell her where you are going, pack only one bag, do not make any plans until you get there.
12. Learn how to say a pickup line in french or spanish
13. Do cartwheels on the beach
14. Create something you don't eat or drink..take a painting, sculpture, sewing, jewelry making class
15. Shoot a gun at a gun range or in a country field
16. Play saxophone in downtown Houston on streets and accept dollars for magnificent talent
17. Dress up like a squirrel and do a dance in the nut isle of the grocery store
18. Skydive
19. Parasail
20. Fly in the cockpit of a small airplane
21. Volunteer or work delivering flowers for a day. Maybe a few friends who want to deliver flowers to someone could just call Rachel to pick them up and deliver them
22. Get a new pet that is not a cat
23. Take a leisure learning class
24. Bungee jump
25. Camp in a tent on the river or beach or a very secluded field in the country
26. Volunteer at a nursing home
27. Spend the day at an amusement park or water park
28. Go to a concert for a band you would typically not go to, or know nothing about
29. One adventure of your choice not listed herein
30. One goal of your choice not listed herein
"A mind that is stretched by a new experience
can never go back to its old dimensions."
— Oliver Wendell Holmes: American writer and Professor at Harvard, 1809-1894
Do you accept this challenge?
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