Things I Only Share On Tumblr

I'm a 27 y/o husband, father, son, brother, and friend. Student Minister (@hputx grad) #DreamBuild

[davidstippick]

on the nights when you just can’t sleep

Just think about a Jeep

in the Deep.

How did it get there?

How did it’s occupants fare?

Then close your eyes

and hope no one ever finds out you had that thought, guys.

[davidstippick]

5 Years Later - Day Two (#write31days)

While my Mission Year journey ended just over 5 years ago, it actually began almost exactly 7 years ago.

I found the organization by clicking on the "Our Partners" link from the See You At The Pole website. I was looking for some resources for our students. That night, I applied on a whim.

By late October, I'd been accepted - and then said yes. In less than a year, I'd be in a different place (I didn't yet know where), with people I'd never met (I did not yet know who my roommates would be). I really had no idea what I'd just said yes to. 

As the months went on I went from being excited to nervous, and back again quite a few times. 

"Should I really go?" Was a thought I regularly had. "I've already told a lot of people about it. I'd look like a quitter. I should go."

"I can't wait to get out of here!" Was another thought I had pretty regularly. "New people, new places! It'll be great"

That early on, I didn't know that two years later, my life would look completely different. I'd think and talk about Jesus differently. I'd be living differently because of what I'd discovered that year.

Finding that link, being accepted, and saying yes? The journey hadn't even begun.

[davidstippick]

5 Years Later: 31 Days Trough My Year In New Orleans

I'm SO excited to be participating in the #write31Days Writing Challenge.

For a long time, I've wanted to write more about my experiences in New Orleans with Mission Year. The other day I started reading through my journals from that year as well as the blog I was writing. 

In that one year, I grew more spiritually than I had at any point in my life up to then. I thought I was in love with three different girls (some at the same time). I fell in love with The City. I made lifelong friends. I did things I still love to talk about. I did things I'm incredibly un-proud of.

I can't wait to journey with you in the next 31 Days and look back at that time in my life.

Thanks for coming along.

[ Every day I'll post the link to the new post right here!]

Day 2

Grace & Peace,

David Stippick 

[davidstippick]

Your Parents Love You

Teens:

Your parents love you. More than you know.

Honestly. They may be really crappy at showing it. That may not be their thing. But they do.

Or maybe you’re crappy at receiving it. Don’t be.

My wife and I are with our 6 week old this morning while he has some tests done. My heart absolutely ached as he cried from being miserable.

I’ll remember this day for the rest of his life. I’ll remember the pained look on his face. I’ll remember the love I felt.

And many of your parents have the same or similar memories. You may not always understand. They may not always do the exact right thing. But they’re learning the being a parent thing as they go. Just like you’re learning the being a person thing as you go. They have your best interest in their heart.

Cut ‘em some slack. Give ‘em a hug. Tell ‘me thank you.

[davidstippick]

The Next Big Thing

What's your next big thing coming up? I have 33 days of classes left. 33. Then I graduate college. It's crazy to think this journey is almost over. I'm excited and nervous. I can't wait for what's next. I'm not one for countdowns - I did one for the birth of Riker - I'll do one for this. Looking forward to big events can be fun. It gives us something to look forward to. It gives us something to know we're working toward. What's your next big life event?