Learning, Living, and Listening in LA

“Put God First”

As I ended a phone conversation with a friend the other night, I asked her how I could be praying. Living on complete opposite coasts and focusing on our future careers (her via an internship and me student teaching), our conversation had revolved around what we were learning and how we were growing. She responded with this,

“Honestly, just that I would put God first. I know that sounds like the cliché Christian thing to say but that’s it.”

And while she was right, it was a cliché Christian phrase; it was exactly what I needed to hear and explained exactly where I am right now. Some of you may not know but, for me, the last three months have been a whirlwind.

Let me (briefly!) summarize:

 I returned from an amazing month long mission trip to Mexico on August 1 (see earlier blog posts for more details!). Almost directly upon arrival, I was in one of my best friend’s wedding, Christa (Doane) Houston. It was beautiful and a joy to celebrate with so many great friends.

Right after the wedding, I scurried back to Indiana to begin my first student teaching placement.  I was blessed to be at a great school with a great teacher and great kids. 2^nd grade became my new favorite grade to teach.

Ending my first week of student teaching, I headed up to Michigan for a weekend trip with my Don. That weekend trip turned out to be the best of my life when Don asked me to marry him. It was a fairy tale proposal (which deserves its own post…more to come later!) and I am counting down the days till I marry my best friend (which currently resides at 242 FYI)

Wasn't Emily the most beautiful bride? 

Following our engagement bliss, I was a part of my sister’s wedding in September. It was a beautiful day for an amazing couple.

To top it all off, on October 18^th, I hopped on a plane to LA to complete my second student teaching placement in the inner city. We arrived Saturday night and  jumped straight into teaching and observing the following Monday.  

So, to say the least, life lately has been crazy. Almost every bit of it has been the good kind of crazy though. I’m going on amazing adventures, learning from incredible teachers, teaching the best kids, celebrating milestones with friends and family and planning the wedding of my dreams with the love of my life. I could not ask for anything better in life right now. But, the fact is, even the good kind of crazy can be distracting. And as I hung up with my best friend that night, I felt that phrase hit me like a ton of bricks:

“Put God First”

Upon arrival to LA, I was confused. I wasn’t quite sure why God had me here. I’m student teaching at an awesome school, LACS (Los Angeles Christian School) and when I had applied for the program exactly a year ago, it had sounded perfect. An opportunity to serve in the inner city and explore the great state of California. What more could you want?  

But now, with all the changes and crazy good things going on in my life, I wasn’t quite sure why I had left it all back in the Midwest to come to this busy, dirty city. Yet, through the words of my friend, God reminded me:

 “Put God First”

With all the crazy great things happening back home, I had been forgetting to put God first. I hadn’t been ignoring Him, per say, but I was definitely not making Him the number 1 priority in my life. Coming to LA, I have been reminded how important it is to put God first. Away from the noise and excitement of my life, God has revealed to me several important reasons why He has to be first:

1.    14 5^th grade girls and boys that I work with everyday.

Working at a Christian school provides an awesome opportunity to have deep conversations with my students and teach them about who God is and what He has done. After observing the first week, I realized just what an important job this is and how imperative it is that I must be right with God. My students trust me to be teaching them truth and to have all the answers (Hah!) about His word. The Lord knows that I will NEVER have all of the answers. I do know however that when I am not putting Him first in my life, I’m setting myself up as a bad example for my students. It is when I am closest to the Lord and making Him a priority that my life exhibits the most truth and Christ-likeness. My students need to see this. (Not to mention my patience is about a million times better when I’m spending time with the Lord.) It’s a high calling to be a teacher and an even higher calling to teach kids about God, I want to assure that I’m doing the best job I can.

2.    My fiancé and soon-to-be husband.

Although we have been engaged for over 2 months, it was until recently I began to ponder the reality of what it means to be united with someone else in marriage. Yes, I’ve thought about how we’re going to share a house, how we’re going to orchestrate a budget and how we’re going to live together day in and day out. But, not till my phone call the other night did I realize how my spiritual life is going to affect Don. My prayer life no longer matters to just me but to him as well. My faith and willingness to listen to the Lord not only affects my decisions but ours as a family. The truth of the oneness of our future hit me hard and greatly impelled me to put God first. Not because I’m trying to avoid some kind of fire and brimstone punishment if I don’t get this all right. Rather, because I know that my life is better when my prayer life is stronger and I desire a marriage that is strong because of a prayer life that is strong.    

3.    My apartment mates

Here in L.A., I’m living with 3 other pretty amazing women (Renae, Sarah and Megan). We all get along really well. In fact, we even agree enough to share groceries (some of them anyways. :p) We’ve been on some pretty cool adventures so far (LA public transportation, Hillsong Church, Hollywood and even a mouse in our apartment). Living with them is great but I’ll be honest, our apartment is small. One bedroom. One bathroom. 4 girls. Yikes. Right now, life is smooth. But, we all know the time will come when suddenly this apartment seems much smaller and the desire to be alone stronger. When that time comes, I want to be in a place spiritually where I am best equipped to love and be at peace with my roommates. I don’t want my own selfish desires to get in the way of these friendships. I know that I am better apartment mate and friend when I’m close to Him. 

4.    He is worthy. 

Last but definitely not least, this reason could stand on its own. This past Sunday morning we attended Hillsong Church in downtown LA. As I was standing there worshipping with the other attenders, I felt the most amazing sense of peace fall over me. Despite all my anxieties and uncertainties about being in LA, God was reminding me that He has a plan. He is the creator of the Universe, lover of my soul and deliverer from my sins. While I may have no idea of my purpose here (although now a week into teaching, I can quickly think of 14) or even what tomorrow will hold, He does. He is worthy of being first in my life and if I simply allow Him to lead, I have nothing to be anxious or uncertain about.

So as I head to bed tonight, I praise God for this amazing opportunity, these exciting last couple of months, a loving fiancé, and supportive friends with just the right the words. But above all, I praise God for who He is and that no matter where I am---be it Mexico, Indiana or California---He is with me, He loves me, He is in control and He is worthy of being first in my life.