"Relationship Rights and Wrongs" - devoted to E3W, since we're not having Unit Powwow

Aside from a couple people, our unit is... well, we're dramatic. The west end of E3W has quiet drama that they giggle about, the east end of E3W has LOUD drama that they PROCLAIM from mountaintops.

Here are the pro's to this: It's fun and it helps us deal with things in a looser way.

Here are the con's: It can keep us from being truly vulnerable with one another and, sometimes, it makes light of issues that need to be dealt with differently.

At the beginning of the year, I prayed about the theme for our unit, and God shot "vulnerability" back in my ears, eyes, nose, mouth -- every orifice I had. "These girls need to know vulnerability." I tasted, smelled, heard it: no doubt about it.

I see the potential in so many of you. I've gotten to see your physical, psychological, emotional, and intellectual talents: you're an amazing group of girls, and I LOVE how unique you are. You have things in common, yeah, but you're definitely very different.

In order to have a healthy relationship with God, your family, your future spouse, your friends... anyone - you MUST be vulnerable. It is literally not possible to have a healthy relationship otherwise. You are guaranteed fragmented relationships and you're guaranteed heartache later on if you don't learn to be vulnerable.

I can't emphasize these things enough:

1. Be open with God about everything you think, feel, want, and need. Tell Him things you know He would say "no" to. If you need to be like King David and ask Him to smite your "enemies," do it - be honest about how you feel. Start the process of realization that He knows and loves you even as those things are coming out of your mouth, mind, or pen.

2. Share your imperfections with good friends. Show them you value them by inviting them to keep you accountable and by admitting that you don't have everything together. Don't just joke about each other's imperfections, challenge one another in love. Take away your masks. Be honest with people about when you're upset or don't like things. Do it gently, and even say that you're being honest because you value your relationship with THEM more than you value their impression of you. It's an act of selflessness to be vulnerable.

3. Stop the things you do in order to make people think things about you. Stop fishing for compliments. Write down your insecurities. Do you go places, do things, say things so that certain guys will see you? Do you talk about your work so people will ask you how you did on a test? Stop trying to manipulate people around you. Be vulnerable by saying, "I did well on this!" or by saying "I really don't like this about myself..."

You are far to valuable to try and "remold" who God created you to be. You are far to weak to succeed.

I love you, East 3 West. I pray for you, Kendra, Rachelle, Gabby, Jessi, Anne, Rachel, Hailey, Ashley, Mary Beth, Shannon, Chelsea J., Reghan, Chelsea L., Courtney, Anna, Jess W., Libby, Cat, Casey, Jess A., Bethany, Carrie, and Jenna. :)

Here are verses I've devoted to you. Maybe pick on and write it on a notecard:

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians 5:19-21

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3

"And we urge you, [sisters], warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone." 1 Thessalonians 4:14