Don't Act Crazy, Michelle

I have to admit that taking Women & Gender Studies made me very leary at first. I was afraid that there were going to be too many awkward conversations about the rising LBGT movements. Which I do not necessarily agree with on a spiritual level but I have nothing wrong with them gaining legal rights because they express a personal belief that could be qualified under freedom of religion. But anyway, this class has proven that yes I am a feminist. No I'm not a butch, lesbian that believes that she will be single because men are horrible and don't ever give us respect. No I believe that women should receive equal pay, honorable portrayal in media and advertising. I believe that women should be respected and not expected to raised up to a sexualized pedestal. I personal believe that men are to be leaders in the home and the church, but in the business place women should receive respect when deserved. I don't think that reverse sexism is necessary. But when women have deserved the right to lead they deserve the position and not the suspicion that they slept their way to the top. It's not true. And if it is it's probably because she assumed that that was what was needed of her in order to get there because of all of the powerful women that were portrayed on her favorite tv show. Isn't sad that nowadays we see women in the strong leader positions in the media because it attracts women to watch the show and young men to fall in love with her sexuality. And you better believe that this young woman is the woman that is rising through the ranks, and not the 45 year old congress woman that is actually running for your representative and the only reason you voted for her is because she was prettier than the old fart she was running against and appeared to be in a position of politics yet still motherly. I was so disappointed after watch THE DUFF movie last night. They had so many crucial opportunities to conquer stereotypes and all they did was heighten each one. They also had the ideal opportunity to raise awareness for cyberbullying and present logical solutions for conquering the horrible attacks that happen every day. All they did was present the option to just let it happen and the guy will still fall in love with you. He won't stand up for you. But he'll still kiss you when the credits start to roll. UGH! You could've done so much better. You also could've not presented the option of sex in high school to the millions of high schoolers that went to watch the movie.
Any way I read this article today called "Don't Act Crazy, Mindy" by Heather Havrilesky. It covered how women in television shows are portrayed as epically flawed. While all throughout history men have been portrayed as epic heroes. Even though they had epic flaws they were still considered gods and those flaws led them to greatness. When women have flaws we're considered crazy. In fact, we're always considered crazy. All the time. If we show ambition we're considered crazy for being to loud or overbearing while we're exhibiting the characteristics that men can only show if they're drunk. When we're quite and passive we're considered crazy, because we might be a silent killer. While men are cute and shy when they're quite. And they're allowed small moments of brilliant quips of knowledge when they're quite like this. But too often women's flaws make us undesirable and not the marrying kind. While men's flaws are always conquered or just simply a quip that makes them more brilliant or bold. It was surprising to me though that I knew and recognized every television character she mentioned. In fact many of these characters were from television shows I idolized and still do. From the Mindy Project, Smash, and Homeland I recognized all of these characters and the stereotypes they satisfied. I don't know if it is good or awful that I knew each of these characters and even coveted the shows they were a part of. I just had to get these thoughts down. Who knows maybe someday I will be some kind of expert on women in media. Because I definitely want to know more on the subject and better educate people on these issues. Especially the way everyday women are portrayed in television shows. I also really want to highlight the way media is a whole other party women have to run against when trying to advance politically. It's as simple as changing the verb that follows the women's misplaced title. It's "Secretary of State Clinton declared to Congress that we were failing women in third world countries." NOT "Mrs. Clinton cried that women were being walked all over in her favorite hijab covered countries." Let's play editor and censor of the media. I'm over this passive submissive attitude of our society. Especially when we're this attached to our personal mobile devices. Do you ever wonder what the world would be like if we didn't have the internet? I wonder if women would be more modest? I wonder if Carrie Bradshaw would need as many shoes as she did? I wonder if Ivy Lee would find the need for pills to belt like the incredible star she was meant to be? I wonder if I would be a government student, or doing exactly what I am doing? Regardless, I know the wide webbing world could be so much better for women if we simply saw women as brilliant instead of crazy, and pulled down the hemline, and pushed our women to pursue education and not a man. I hope my husband knows what he's getting himself into. Because he needs to understand that if he respects me, he will respect all other women also.

Leadership

Today's chapter covered the past experiences of leaders, what they did and what they would do differently to share Christ to their chapter. I really loved all of the suggestions they made. Except for the fact that they hope that you start out with freshman then work your way up. A lot of our girls are not saved. So my entire chapter needs work. Now granted next fall I plan on focusing on the freshman and building them up, but for now it's gonna be tough just getting everyone's attention. Another thing they offer is co-ed bible studies. Which is BRILLIANT! Get the guys and girls to come for the first 5 weeks then you split up. Or host a four-house (2 sororities 2 fraternities) and you have a speaker about relationships then you break up and host a hot topic panel. Which is a great idea, it will be tough getting people there. But when we do, I think great things can happen. I also think that I might ask my friend Marcus that is an ATO for doing a coed bible study with them. Honestly because he's the only Greek guy I know that is saved. The only one. How sad is that? But I would love to get something started. But this chapter had some really great ideas but they also suggest that you have multiple actives talk to the new members about their faith. It would have to be just me and/or Brooke doing this because I don't know anyone else that is saved or would be willing to share the Gospel with these girls. So here I am again worried about having to do this on my own. But who cares. The end of this chapter ends with this statement:

"There are only three things that are going to last: God, His Word, and the souls of men. These three things should influence all that we do."

So this is my prayer, that I would have the courage of Christ in me when I begin these initiatives of Bible studies and sharing the Gospel personally. Also that I would follow up on all these things. Lastly to find an advisor or leader of some sort to help me get these things going.

Liep,
Goda

To Do:

Today in chapters 3-4, I read on the legacy of men serving at Arkansas and Ole Miss. But the more effective chapter that I was able to draw from was chapter 4, concerning what Jenkins would consider to be wise decisions. If acting out on these things it will provide for much more effective ministry:

• Live in your chapter's housing/be available
• Pick your battles/ don't be involved in anything and everything
• Take them with you/ to bible studies, to church, to anything
• Don't take on other letters/ give your chapter your time
• Sharing Christ with pledges/ dividing up your pledge class and sharing Christ with a chosen few
• Being faithful to Bible studies/ have people know who you are completely & truthfully
• Consider to not get too serious in your dating/ relationships can distract you
• Get involved in a local campus ministry/ great materials & references
• Attend a local church faithfully
• Build friendships with non-believers/

"I once heard a Baptist preacher say that if all there was to life was comin to know Christ ad waiting for heaven, then when we were baptized we should just ask the preacher to hold our head under the water. This was a humorous but true indictment against Christinas who form a 'holy huddle' and do nothing to reach out to the lost around them."

• Don't just lead by example/ actively share the Gospel
• Making Christ Lord of your life

Let this be my prayer: I want to be one of those people the Lord strongly supports. I want to be living my life in such a way that when God wants to use someone to accomplish something big, He will use me.

Liep,
Goda

Something New

So today I started my next devotional. Even though I have one my discipler Molli and I will be doing for the rest of the break covering the Holy Spirit. But for now I'm thoroughly enjoying this book called, "Leaving a Legacy for Christ in your Fraternity or Sorority." And it covers exactly that. It's to encourage those that are in and out of the Greek system and encouraging them to begin ministry there no matter what. Because Greeks are the key to affecting an entire campus. Due to our heavy involvement in everything on campus, our nationwide sisterhood, our involvement with non-Believers, and our strong sisterhood within ourselves; we are the vital key to starting something legendary. Leaving a legacy in your chapter isn't hard. We hold traditions in everything. The way we conduct meeting, who we party with, what we do on Homecoming. Whatever it is, we have a purpose or a tradition behind it. I cannot wait to get into this book and truly learn from it. No doubt it will be a good read, but I hope that  I will be able to grow and act on everything I've learned from it. I was so excited when Elizabeth told me she had a gift for me. Turns out it was this book from her friend Angela from NC, she had gone to China with Elizabeth last summer. She happens to be a Sigma Sigma Sigma at a small university. But it was really neat to hear how hard she works to minister to her chapter. It was encouraging and convicting. Because I feel that yes, Molli and I have been working hard within our own chapter to spread the Word, but there's so much more we can do. There are so many other chapters that need the Gospel. For example, one of my best friends that is a Theta came and talked to me one night and told me she thought I had it all together when it comes to my relationship with God. I have to say I know my eyes got big! But I told her nothing beats Christian community, which I'm not always able to find within Alpha Gam, but I can find it within my Bible study and a select few in my chapter. Taylor can't find that in Theta. She has maybe one friend that will talk about Godly things with her. So creating a Christian community between all believing Greeks is something that I would absolutely love to work on. But for now I'm going to continue to pray for a huge revolution within Alpha Gam. I want hearts to be changed and committed to Christ. I'm going to be praying for that every day. I believe in the awesome power of prayer, so I'm going to utilize it.

Liep,
Goda

This past semester

So a lot has happened. Too much to fit in one post. But I've determined that I will post every day over winter break... starting today. I mean I got off Friday, but it's Monday and who cares. When's a better time than now? I'm glad I'm on break. These last two weeks have been hell. Hell on my heart & mind. I lost a friendship due to a stupid drunken mistake I made last semester. I'm so sorry for what I did, but I'm also really disappointed in the fact that she would chose this guy over me. She can't give up on him and it's so frustrating to watch. But I can't blame her for being mad at me, but her giving up on our friendship and not willing to listen to me explain or apologize in person  isn't worth my time. It isn't worth me exhausting all my emotion and energy on gaining her friendship back. I went about seeking her forgiveness biblically and appropriately, as according to all the lessons I had learned in the past. But it was hell on my mind too, as my tweet said: "5 exams. 4 days. 1 brain. These do not add up." It was really tough, but I fixed a grade, won back a better grade, and maintained overall a pretty great GPA. I'm not happy with the way my grades turned out. Honestly, I'm really disappointed in myself. I can't believe I let my grades slip this much. I realize it was only one C, but there were too many B's and not enough A's. Ugh. Oh well, I guess some people would call this motivation to do better. I definitely agree with this. I will do better next semester. I will also do better with my bible study, all of my VP positions, and especially my grades. I just hope I can actually do that. But in better news, I got my summer internship! I will be working with the Mid Atlantic PGA Section in the Junior Golf Tournament Administration. I killed the phone interview and got a call back two days later and accepted the job on he spot. I could not be more excited, especially when I get a text from another junior PGMer that applied for the same job saying he didn't get it. Quite funny, especially when he's incredibly attractive and probably better qualified than me. But I'm so glad I got it, but I found out that they took three ladies. Which is great, but this could mean they'll either be my best friends or worst enemies. We'll just have to wait and see. I completed all of my finals. It was tough but I got er done! The worst part of finals weeks was completing the Greek Life Standards of Excellence, which included a two inch binder documenting anything and everything philanthropy and community service our chapter has done. It wasn't easy, I even had to stay an extra day but I got it done. So I ended the semester on a high note. I'm glad I'm home. I've already worked out once, done some DIY stuff, and turned in my car to get tommy fixed. Lordwilling it will be soon. So I'm without a car and I should get more done. Speaking of which I really need to work on philanthropy hours. So I'll get back to you soon.
LiEP,
Goda

My Man

My man will have coffee in his veins that lead to a heart set on God. His soul will run on caffeine and the glory of God. This will overflow into a hyperactive love of his family and the church. He will have a beard that is as rosy as his cheeks. His smile will spread because of the verses that cross through his cranium. His hands will reach for the little hands that reach up for his. His feet will go wherever the Lord calls for them to. Whether it be across the street, or across oceans my man will have the Lord of Lords, the God of the universe on his side.

Another Afternoon at Purdy's

To sum up my afternoon:
- I have ridden a longboard with Elizabeth down Main Street
- Salem is blowing my mind with his deep spiritual conversations
- I'm noticing this creepy European man that has done nothing and watches women leave the shop
- I have sat here and gotten 1/4 of everything I've wanted to get done
- I have signed up for Encounter! Yay!

SO all-in-all, it has been successful and very lax all at the same time! But signing up for Encounter is super duper exciting! Oh update! We just had our first greeter team meeting and I was able to share my 4 H's which is ultimately your shortened testimony. Which was totally on the spot, and came out nicely. Here it is summed up:
History: born in a Christian home, believed to be saved at a young age but really I wasn't saved until I understood the difference between fear of hell and fear of God. then I faced my hard times in high school when I dealt with my pride and my self-efficiency when I should be relying on God in everything and Him satisfying my needs, desires and joy. I wasn't experiencing growth and that was frustrating me. But then I realized it was my fault for not being in the word and spending more time with roses and not thorns. Then I went into my high times which was spring break with cru last spring when I realized that my ministry was in the Greek world. When I would rather go party next door I was required to do quiet time. And I was frustrated and humbled to realize that I am a child of God that can only be satisfied by what he can give me, not Friday nights. Not a red solo cup, but rather the red lines in the holy word conveying the great works of his son. But I have found my niche in cru and found that I can serve god no matter where I am just like my grandma Susie. I consider her my hero, with her being such a solid biblical example that is willing to share the word of God to women that are in jail. I never had really considered the significance of this before but ministry is every where. Even behind bars. So all-in-all God has placed some incredible people in my life and I am so thankful for that. I am continuously humbled and amazed to find out how exactly he is working in my life.

So this is my prayer: that I may cherish the time I spend with roses and make the time I spend with thorns more effective.

LiEP,
Michelle