Initiate:

"Ex-per-i-ment n.: a course of action taken under controlled conditions in order to test a claim.
Throughout this book we have explored a variety of bold claims about our purpose in life that are contained in the gospel yet contradicted by the American dream. Claims such as these: Real success is found in radical sacrifice. Ultimate satisfaction is found not in making much of ourselves but in making much of God. The purpose of our lives transcends the country and culture in which we live. Meaning is found in community, not individualism; joy is found in generosity, not materialism; and truth is found in Christ, not universalism. Ultimately, Jesus is a reward worth risking everything to know, experience, and enjoy.
But claims such as these remain theories until they are tested. That is the reason for the experiment. As you text a claim, you discover either its futility or its reality. And once you discover a claim's reality, then you're more likely to adjust your perspective, rearrange your thoughts, and alter your life around that truth. It will turn your life upside down- or, really, right side up.
So I challenge you to an experiment. I dare you to test the claims contained in the gospel, maybe in a way you have never done before. I invite you to see if radical obedience to the commands of Christ is more meaningful, more fulfilling, and more gratifying than the American dream. And I guarantee that if you complete this experiment, you will possess an insatiable desire to spend the rest of your life in radical abandonment to Christ for his glory in all the world.
We'll call it the Radical Experiment."

-- from "Radical" by David Platt, Chapter 9 Intro

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How funny is it that the day after I finish reading "Radical," David Platt comes to my church to speak about foreign missions?! I'm so looking forward to church tomorrow night and the next few days!! I don't know where I'll end up this next year- I've applied to a handful of internships and programs that could send me to Haiti, India, or Africa (EXCITEMENT!) and I have no idea where I'll end up or if I'll get to use film but I don't really care. :) So long as this next year is full of caring for kids, feeding starving people, learning to let go of my need for silly possessions, spreading the hope found in Christ, and having my heart and mind opened to the needy countries of this planet, I will be joyful. It's already beginning and I've never been more excited about something. It's so freeing to not care about the salary I'll be making in the next year. It's so freeing to know there's nowhere I could go where God wouldn't be with me. I'm ready for danger and uncertainty and adventure. I'm ready to have my heart broken in ways God's heart is broken. I'm ready to take off and explode the glory and sovereignty of my God. :)

Who knew all the miserable months of depression in college would totally pay off? Who knew the days and days of loneliness and hopelessness would come such full circle to where I realize life is so much bigger than the petty things that hurt me. Sure, life will be hard and hurt now and then, but I've got Jesus. That means that things WILL get better and that I need to buck up and not waste time throwing myself pitty parties because there are too many people out there living without hope and love. "I have a hope and I believe my faith is alive, my spirit is free. Though He's unseen, still I know deep within my soul their is a God."

I haven't been perfect- I've hurt people, made people angry, been a hypocrite, been ignorant of the hurt around me, made a lot out of myself, and messed up. Who hasn't? None of those past mistakes are going to get me down though. I know I'm destined for more and that I was created for more. My past doesn't weigh me down, instead it teaches me about making wiser decisions in the future.

The future. One year. Totally different.

"Let's roll."