Las Vegas and the Life of a Christian

           I was born and raised in the city that never sleeps, Las Vegas, NV. Growing up in Las Vegas was not as adventurous as one would think it would be. It’s a regular town with schools, libraries, mountains, churches, and oh yeah, casinos.

          I no longer live in Las Vegas but when I do come in town, I have to drive right by the Las Vegas strip (where all of the casinos are) and I can’t help but notice that there is always at least one new building or casino that is in the process of being built. The city of Las Vegas is constantly evolving as there are constantly new buildings being added to the Las Vegas Strip. Why does this happen? Because change is a way of life. It seems as though the city of Las Vegas (more specifically the Las Vegas Strip) is never going to be fully “complete” as it will continue to grow and a growing city will only continue to evolve. There are older and deteriorated buildings that are destroyed, taken down, and replaced by a newer and more beautiful building. However, some older and classic casino buildings are still left standing because sometimes, older casinos still add some beauty and history to Las Vegas Strip. The buildings that are rough around the edges and older mean that the casino has been around for a while and is still appreciated because hey, the historic casinos are essential to the culture of Las Vegas.


              The same concept can be applied to the life of a Christian. Just like the Las Vegas strip, a Christian person is never fully developed and completed. We as Christians are constantly evolving, growing, changing, and learning. When there is comfort in our Christian walk, I believe that sometimes it means as though we are not challenging ourselves enough, researching enough, or seeking Christ enough. Our walk with God should be an adventure that consists of learning new ways to hear God’s voice, more creative ways to witness to others, and discovering more about ourselves and where God fits into our lives. Just like the older and deteriorated casinos, we ourselves have “ugly” pasts, demons, flaws, etc. However, because our sweet God is a God of renewing  (Psalm 23:3 "He restores my soul; he guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake"), our old and "inhibiting" pasts are done away with and replaced with hope, happiness, and God's love. We may think that the "ugliness" of our past trials and flaws is what defines us, however what DOES define us is our constant perseverance of seeking God to help us OVERCOME our past and to discover who we are IN HIM.

        This is just a reminder that we (just like a city that is constantly evolving and growing) are never fully developed as Christians. There is always more we should want to learn and discover. Dwelling on our past mistakes and trials inhibit us from knowing that we can still receive God's blessings, grace, and forgiveness. Our pasts are forgiven and we are made new: Isaiah 40: 30-31"Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly. Yet those who wait for the Lord will GAIN new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, and they will walk and not become weary."

       And just like the older casinos that are still around yet still add beauty to the newness of the city, our "old" and "ugly" pasts may play a role in our development as Christians as well. Even though our past mistakes and sins may seem ugly, old, and unwanted, God has the ability to turn our past into beautiful and hopeful futures because He makes all things work out eventually according to His will. He makes ugly into beauty. Period (Romans 8:28).

      So I encourage us to continue evolving, growing, and know that God makes us new and that He will never stop working in us, no matter how much we fight Him on it and think that we are not good enough. Sweet, right?


Seeee.... Vegas ain't so bad now, is it? ;)


Titus 3:5
"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."


Romans 12:2
"And do not be conformed by this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Psalms 51: 10-12
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit."

Gym and Jesus

    If you know me pretty well, you would know that I usually see a lot of spiritual applications and illustrations in my daily life. I was at the gym the other day and I couldn’t help but correlate the gym to our spiritual walk. Let me elaborate.

 

   I was at the gym during the wee hours of the morning the other day and like most of us, I observed people as I was working out. I was on the second floor on the elliptical and looked down at the first floor of people doing their work out routines: Triceps, squats, yoga, spin class, weight lifting, chest presses, racquet ball, etc. I noticed how different and individualized everyone’s work out routines was and how they went about their work outs. There were some people that go there with a “work out buddy” because they know that would keep them motivated to upkeep their gym habits. There are others that have their head phones in, extremely focused, and need their music to stay on beat to complete their work out. Some find yoga to be a way to stay fit and happy, but I personally find it a bit torturing. But hey, doesn't mean that it doesn't work! Just means it's not the way I prefer to go about a work out. There are others that simply go about their work out with no real agenda and go around to do random work outs, chat with others, but work up a good sweat. Everyone has their own routine, way of doing things, and schedule when it comes to working out. However, everyone’s end goal is to leave the gym feeling accomplished knowing that they are in a healthier physical state than before. Everyone’s end goal is to feel good and look good. And once we fall into a place where we no longer make time to stay physically active and fit, we get out of shape, become less motivated, and could potentially fall into a state of discontentment.

   I couldn’t help but think about how this could relate to how we as Christians can go about our spiritual walk the same way. Every Christian goes about their spiritual walk at a pace or in a way that is individualized to best fit who they are as a Christian (besides reading scripture and having prayer rituals because those are super dang important). Some Christians have that “work out” buddy that they need to stay motivated, focused, or help hold them accountable. Not that they need someone to maintain a spiritual walk, but many Christians have that one buddy (or two) that help keep them on the right track. There are others that enjoy staying involved in church and community activities because they feel as though that is what draws them closer to Christ. They feel as though doing service for others is their way of filling their spiritual cup. There are those Christians that thrive off of being in an environment with other Christians because they enjoy the community and how it contributes to their spiritual walk. There are some vital things that Christians do to keep their spiritual walk steady and happenin, but many people go about it their own way. We all go about our journey of discovering who Christ is and who we are IN Christ in a different ways. However, we all have the same goal: Getting to know Christ in a personal way and being the person HE has called us to be so that we can live in heaven with Him forever. How we go about that journey is completely up to us. And just like those that stop going to the gym, if we as Christians get out of a routine or habit of staying spiritually fit, we will also get out of spiritual shape, become less spiritually motivated, and could potentially fall into a state of spiritual discontentment. Yikes.

  Trust me; I (because I’m human) have my fair share of struggles with this as well but it's a process I daily go about with intention, even when some days are harder than others. What keeps you spiritually fit? How do you go about maintaining your walk steady? Do we need to seek out a friend or two to help us out a bit? Whatever it is, if you have the mindset that maintaining and developing a steady spiritual walk is important to you, time to start exploring how that will take place. We just need Jesus as our personal trainer and this whole spiritual work out will be a breeze. :)

5 Things People Needs to Stop Doing... According to ME

It takes a lot to really bother me. But goodness gracious, some things really DO bug me. Here are my top 5. These are 5 things that people need to stop doing according to Jenn Ariza :)

1. Using the word "literally" in the wrong context- It is not "literally" a million degrees outside, your brain is not "literally" going to explode, you are not "literally" starving, that baby is not "literally" the cutest baby ever... have you seen all of the babies in the world? Are you sure they are the cutest? People need to literally stop saying this word to explain literally every story or literally stop saying it multiple times in a sentence. Literally.

2. Justifying eating crap food by saying "Well I worked out this morning so I 'earned' it"- No you did not EARN the right to eat that deep fried twinkie. The reason why you worked out is because you are doing your part in living a healthy lifestyle. If  you want to eat something that is completely unhealthy, don't think you earned the "right". You are doing it simply because you are craving it. I exercise on a regular basis and eat as well as I can.... but sometimes, that donut calls my name and I go for it. Not because I've "earned" it, but because it's one of my favorite things to eat and it makes me happy. Keep working out and being conscience of what you eat, but please don't eat crap BECAUSE you work out and use that as a justification so you won't feel guilty. Just do it because you want to in that given moment. No one is judging :)

3. Stop asking me "When is YOUR wedding?"- Umm... awkward question! I am single and have been in my share of weddings and have friends left and right that are getting hitched (which is awesome). When others give me the sympathetic tilt of their head to the side and ask when MY wedding is, I'm left speechless.

"Umm when I find someone I want to spend the rest of my life with?"
"If I knew the answer to that, don't you think you would've known already?"
"TOMORROW"

People need to stop asking me when it's MY turn. Don't know, don't care. It will happen when it will happen. Until then, yes I will attend your wedding or say yes to being in your wedding. You are awesome and you have found someone awesome. I support you.

4. Stop asking, "So you're a vegetarian? So you don't eat cheese?"- Alright people, there is a difference between vegetarian and vegan. Also, when people learn that I don't eat meat, they still question me like I have no idea what my dietary lifestyle is! The following is an example (SERIOUSLY) of what a lot of my conversations entail. I promise I have had this conversation multiple times!!!!

Me- "I'm a vegetarian."
Person- "Wait... vegetarian or VEGAN?" (asking me like I don't already know the difference)
Me- "Vegetarian"
Person- "So like you don't eat dairy? I COULD NEVER DO THAT."
Me- "I'm vegetarian, which means I don't eat meat. Vegans don't eat animal products. I'm not a vegan."
Person- "So like NO meat at all? Not even chicken? Isn't that SO HARD? How do you it?"

It's not wrong to ask about my reasons for choosing my diet options. Really, I encourage it! But please don't try to shame me or don't ask me to clarify what I do or do not eat as if I'm not educated enough to know the difference between vegan or vegetarian.

5. Don't say "I'll pray for you" when you know you won't- Christians have a tendency to throw that saying out there frequently. Maybe it's to give their friend a piece of mind, or maybe because it just looks like you are in constant prayer. And hey, if you are going to follow through and pray for someone, awesome. But I've noticed that us Christians throw that saying out there when in reality, we will forget, we don't care, or we don't pray in the first place. Before you throw the "Aww I'll pray for you" phrase out there, think before you say it and make sure you actually make a conscience effort to follow through with your promise. Don't say it just to say it.

Now that you know that when I tell you that I'm praying for you, you better BELIEVE that I'm actually doing it!

Lessons at 26 Years.

I am now almost closer to being a 30 year old than I am to being a 20 year old.

What. The. Heck.

That’s right, I’m turning 26 years old. I cannot believe how fast time has flown by. Last I knew, I was just turning 13 years old and learning how to talk with boys or 16 years old and learning how to drive a car…. Oh heck, who am I kidding, I’m still learning how to do both of those things….

Anyways! Regardless, I am happy to say that I believe that up to this point in my life, I have been very blessed with a pretty amazing life (Thank you, Jesus). I grew up in a loving home, had a great experience in high school, graduated college and have found my calling, and now I am here, going into my third year of working in the professional field and boy have I learned a TON.

I wrote a blog post about this time two years ago stating what are some of the lessons that I have learned in my 24 years of life. I got some great responses and feedback from people when I posted that blog up, which I’m thankful for. But, I have learned many more lessons just in the last 2 years. So the following lessons that I have learned are things that I personally have experienced and felt that have helped me grow in many ways.

1. Always carry a snack. My dear friend Shanna from college has given me a nickname that has stuck to this day: "Jennzilla". This name came about because she got to witness how I was when I was hungry. I get irritable, moody, and snappy. I now live my daily life either in the office, in someone’s home, or in the car and boy do I get hungry. I carry a snack or fruit with me wherever I go so that I can avoid “Jennzilla” revealing herself on the road in the middle of traffic. So just carry a snack with you wherever you go because you never know when that time will come where your hunger strikes up. Plus, it gets you in a healthy eating habit. Smaller portions, ya'll... smaller portions.
2. It’s healthy to be out of your comfort zone. I have discovered that about myself in the last two years that I don’t like to be in a “comfortable” state for too long. When there is too much comfort and familiarity, there is no growth. That is where I believe my love for traveling and meeting new people rooted from. When you are introducing yourself to new situations, scenarios, environment, or people, GROWTH TAKES PLACE.
3. Be content with WHERE you are before you decide to make a change hoping that you will be happier because of it. I believe to know the Bible to be truth because dang-a-lang, there is some good and juicy stuff in there. And the concept of being “content” is definitely one of them (Refer to Phil. 4:11-12). Last year some time, I called my brother in tears because I told him that I was unhappy with my current situation. I was unhappy that I was living in a town that was only temporary for me, I was unhappy that there was no change going on in my life, and I was unhappy with my job. My brother snapped me back to reality and said, “Stop your pity party. You have a sweet life. Learn to be content with where you are in life and opportunity will come. Stop trying to run away. If you say you are ‘unhappy’, then you will become more unhappy. STOP IT.” So I did! Last summer, my project was to focus on the blessings in my life and learn to be content where I was in life and the person that I was becoming. When you are in a state of contentment, your goals and ambitions that you have for yourself become more achievable and growth happens. Lesson learned: Learn to be content and opportunity for great things will come. 
4. Be positive! People see and feed off of it. I believe that Jesus was the best example of that. He had every excuse to be negative and reject those that rejected Him. Instead, He took on that challenge…with a smile. Make a conscience effort to be positive. Others will sense that energy and feed off of it. Just be happy, dangit.
5. In traffic, look both ways before crossing a street intersection EVEN WHEN THE LIGHT IS GREEN. If you are the first one at the street intersection and the light goes green, look both ways before crossing. You never know what idiot is going to run that red light. I have friends that almost died because they didn’t look both ways before crossing and someone ran into their car because the “light was orange”. Just look. Doesn’t cost you anything.
6. GO ON DATES. Meet new people! Don’t think too much about it. Especially you ladies… yes, that’s right… YOU LADIES. When a man asks you out for a date, realize that this man has put himself in a very vulnerable situation to ask a question knowing that there is a chance of rejection. Of course, there are exceptions to every situation. But in general, give the guy some credit. He has offered to get to know you, buy you some food, and talk. You never know, you may just develop a positive friendship out of it. Don’t humiliate him. Don’t shame him. Thank him, acknowledge that he wants to do something nice for you, and go. Get over yourself, girl and go on a date.
7. When you DO say yes on that date….. Be nice. Say thank you. Be polite. Make eye contact when you’re talking. Don’t text. Be down for adventure. And thank him again. He rocks for wanting to hang out with you, acknowledge that. Unless he was a dirt bag, then refer him to me and I’ll take care of him.
8. Develop friendships with people you can talk to Jesus about. This lesson is applicable to those that have grown up in a faith-based church at some point in their lives that have decided to continue living a faith-based life. During our 20’s, this is the age where we develop our own “ways of thinking” and suddenly decide that whatever we learned in church, we can throw out the window. So this is the age where twenty-somethings decide that having friends from church or friends that you can talk to Jesus about is not important, but it is. When we enter “real life”, this is when it is most important and vital to have positive friendships in your life so that you have someone to talk to and reflect with when it comes to trials. If you are a Jesus believer, make sure that those you keep closest to you have those same values. It makes all the difference. Be-leeee dat.
9. Maintain a friendship with your mom and dad. I work with kids that have never fully developed a positive relationship with their parents. Working in the foster care system has helped me appreciate my parents so much more because of that. Thank your parents for taking the time to raise you and care for you.
10. Eat a donut, dangit. Or whatever tickles your fancy. My personal favorite dessert pastry is a donut. Eating a dessert or something that is absolutely horrible for you once in a while will do more good than bad. If you feel like eating a cookie because you had a bad day, do it. Unless you're on a diet. Then just chew a piece of gum.
11. Have a mentor. Or two. Or three. In the last 2 years, I have made friendships with people that are significantly older and more experienced than me. But it has benefitted me in so many ways! It is so important to have people in your life that you can rely that have your best interest at heart and that have gone down the same path as you at some point. Make a conscience effort to find an adult or two that can be that person you come to for advice on career or life changes.
12. You are never too old to respect your parents. I myself have fallen short of that... even now. Sorry, mom. I love you.
13. Accept feedback. Recently, my previous employer stated that something he appreciated about having me as a worker is that I seek him out for feedback and his input on my performance at work. I go about a difficult situation the way I think is best, then the next day, I approach him and tell him how I went about it and why. I then ask if he has any feedback for me for the future. Same goes to anyone. If someone approaches you that you trust and expresses themselves to you about something you did (or didn’t do), hear them out. You don’t know it all. So get over yourself.
14. Rely on God and everything will fall into place. No explanation needed.

I am so thankful for the 26 years of life that the Lord has blessed me with. I have loved, learned, lived, cried, laughed, and put myself in college loan debt all in those 26 years of life. I am ready for many more years to come.

Now who is up for a celebratory donut?

New Change, New Job, New City!

“I’m goin, goin, back back, to Cali Cali.”

Excuse me while I release my inner Biggie Smalls.

 

But tis true, I am moving back to California. If you have known me for about the last two years, you have known that I have always been ready to relocate from Las Vegas. I knew that Las Vegas was temporary for me because since I have lived the majority of my life here already, I was ready to be somewhere else. However, in the last 2 ½ years, my life has been a nonstop rollercoaster of career, church callings, friends, family, traveling, and everything in between. In the midst of all of that, I still knew deep down that this place was all temporary.

However, I am happy to announce that I have officially accepted a job with a foster care agency in Southern California to work for them full time. I will not bore you with details (because I probably already have at some point) but long story short, it was very evident that this move and life change was God led. All of the factors and steps that needed to take place in order for this to happen took place with no problem… just as the Bible says it would if it is in line with what the Lord wants for you, that is. (Romans 8:28).

I will be moving to California (March 12) before my start date to my new job (March 17) so that I am able to settle in. I will be living in Yucaipa, CA with my brother and his wife but my office will be in Riverside, CA. I will be working as a Behavioral Specialist 1 with the agency, which means I will be working with foster children and families again that will include training on behavior modifications. I will be working with kids in the home as well as at schools.

Lord knew that this opportunity was the one that was for me and it could not have been more evident. It goes to show that when you do your part in pursuing the true desires of your heart, if those desires are put there from God, then great things will happen.

I am excited for new adventures and new people with this life change that will be taking place next week, but the term “bittersweet” cannot be more fitting. There are many people, things, responsibilities, my amazing job, family, and comfort that I will be leaving here in Las Vegas. However, I am confident knowing that the Lord will use me anywhere I go and that He will provide me with all of those same things in California. Thank you all for showing genuine interest in this life change I have made and thank you all for asking me details and congratulating me. I will miss you, Las Vegas. You were very good to me and am thankful for everything I learned and experienced my time here.

So let the new adventures begin! … Once I learn calming techniques that I will need when I hit that Cali traffic, that is...