Caitlin Park-Davidson

Caitlin Park-Davidson

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself, your story and where you come from.

Where do I come from? That's always a complicated question for me. 

I was born and (mostly) raised on the east coast by the decision of the Navy. For 12 years straight I lived on the same street. 63rd street will always have a special place in my heart--I'll never forget the worlds my siblings and I created there, the noises of the shipyard across the street, or the great local flavor of the custard shop down the street.

In high school I experienced my first taste of culture shock as my family and I moved to small town Indiana. The Indiana diversion was not on my life plan and I vowed to leave as soon as possible. I knew I was supposed to leave when a well meaning Hoosier said to me, "When you miss the ocean, just go stand in the middle of a corn field. When the wind blows it's just like the ocean." Clearly, it had been a while since he had seen an ocean. 

God had different plans, and I ended up staying four years longer than my required stay in Indiana for college. I'm so glad that I did. During my undergraduate studies, not only did I meet some of my nearest and dearest friends (including my husband, Zach...I know, how cliche), but I also grew more certain of what I was made to do. God focused my passions for intercultural work and marginalized people through my classes, interactions with classmates and professors, and a semester abroad in Mongolia.

My family moved again while I was in college to another town in Indiana, and I've returned back east but to a new home. I now live with my husband in the Kensington area of Philadelphia--it's like Puerto Rico without the beaches. We work with a church called Urban Hope which focuses on community revitalization through building relationships, sharing the gospel and living intentionally in the Kensington area. 

Sometimes, especially recently, I feel a longing in my heart for home which I know no physical location can satisfy. I don't fit in my childhood home any longer and the midwest isn't where I belong either. Homesickness is a strange disease which causes me to forget the reasons why I am where I am today. I am learning to be thankful instead of sad--thankful for the many places I have called home, for the people all around the world who love me and are like family, and thankful for our ultimate home in heaven where I won't feel homesick anymore. It's the greatest cure for homesickness I've found yet, second only to calling home and making one of my mom's recipes.


2) What’s one of your best memories from the last year?

This: 

 

And this:

 

 And this too: 

 

It was a truly joyful day--I am blessed.

 3) How do you take care of yourself?

I'm a big believer in kitchen therapy. When life feels uncertain, I head to the kitchen. Or, I turn on some Over the Rhine and take a nap.

4) Is there a piece of advice that has been very influential in your life?

  

I'm not sure where or when I read this, but I know that at one point Jim Elliot said, "Wherever you are, be all there." These words have stuck with me through times of discouragement and discontentment. I don't want to live focused so much on the past or the present that I miss what God has for me now. I want to be all here.

   

5) What are you currently watching/reading/listening to?

  

I'm currently watching The Office on Netflix--yeah, I'm a little behind on TV. Zach and I have also been watching Cheers, on and off, since the summer before our wedding. Someday, maybe we'll go to Boston and everybody will know our names. I just finished reading The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri and am now reading her book of short stories, The Interpreter of Maladies--both are beautiful, poignant and raw. My go-to album for months has been The Long Surrender by Over the Rhine--perfect melodies for reflective days. I would recommend curling up with a nice cup of tea and turning on their music on your next rainy day. You won't be disappointed.

  

6) If you were handed a plane ticket to anywhere, where would you go?

I've pondered this for a while, and even though I've tried to come up with a more interesting and glamorous location, I think I would fly to Indiana to see my family. That's the truth. 

 

 7) If you could tell the whole world one thing, what would it be?

Don't give up hope. In continuing to hope there is power. My friend recently gave that encouragement to me and it is a lesson I am continually learning. When we give up hoping (for ourselves, or for others) we give in to the enemy and live defeated. I'm thankful for the ultimate hope that I have, knowing that one day everything will be healed and perfect through Christ. That hope keeps me going when life doesn't make sense.

 

 

 

 

Megan White

Megan White

 

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself, your story and where you come from.

My name's Megan (probably noticed that before I said it...) and I'm a 20-going-on-21 year old registered nurse in a local ER (Yes, sometimes that startles my patients). I've been fortunate to grow up in a lovely Texas town with my parents and two younger brothers. Brother. We just moved my big little brother off to college and I'm trying to get used to the singular usage. Anyway, I've had a mixture of school experiences, from public school, private school, homeschooling, to dual enrollment and associate degree nursing. I lovelovelove learning and even though I'm working full time, I'm already eyeing my next goal...and mum's the word, haha.  

2) What are three things on your bucket list?

Three things on my bucket list...I'd like to travel. A lot. But that seems like too broad of a goal. I'd like to go on another medical mission trip, like the one I went on to Haiti this past spring. I'd like to sing in a choir again. That'd be fantastic. And the cello. It will happen. Oh! And learn another language. Or four. But I'd be happy just to be bilingual. 

  

3) What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?

I'm currently reading In the Land of Invisible Women...The Gifts of Imperfection...The House at Riverton...Persuasion...and Romans. I'm all over the place when it comes to books. 

I don't really watch TV and movie-wise, I'm happy just re-watching old favorites. 

Listening to Sara Bareilles, The Civil Wars, Norah Jones, The Lumineers, and a bunch of singles that I find highly attractive. I'll admit though, Hans Zimmer's Pearl Harbor has been playing in my car since January and that soundtrack Never. Gets. Old. Huge fan of movie soundtracks. Carrying on. ..

4) How do you want to be remembered? 

That's tough. I'd like to be remembered as someone who truly cherished life and the little blessings that God is so faithful to plant at all of those critical moments. Joyful. Compassionate. Not perfect. No one ever is and those who appear to be are the ones who are the most fearful. I want to be remembered as fearless.

 

5) Share some advice that has positively impacted your life. Who gave it to you?  

I was talking with an adviser last fall about school plans and my concerns for how old I'd be if I graduated medical school (sounds dumb, but I really was concerned). She just looked at me and said, "You're going to be thirty anyway, why not be thirty and a doctor?" And that was kind of like a slap to the face. Yeah. I'm going to be thirty anyway. So you might as well chase that dream. God's going to be there every step of the way to thirty, forty, and one-hundred. So buckle in and love the journey.

6) What would you say is your favourite album of all time?

Ahhhhhhhh...I don't even think I can answer that. Unless we're talking musicals. Then again, I still couldn't answer because there are too many. Ha. So I'll settle for Barton Hollow. 

 

  

7) If you could tell the whole world one thing, what would it be?

 Shema Yisrael. Adonai Eloheynu. Adonai Echad.

    

   

 

You Cannot Be Replaced #NSPW13

                                                                                                


This week is National Suicide Prevention Week, here are some words we wanted to share. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicide, you can find info and help by clicking the link below. 

This week is about people, and believing that people have a magnificent role to play in the world. It’s the idea that everyone matters, and our stories are sacred and beautiful. This week is about you, your mother, your step son or your best friend. This week is about all of us and how important it is to care for one another, to help each other find help. This week is an opportunity to say these very important words to friends and strangers.

You cannot be replaced.

National Suicide Prevention Week September 8-14 #NSPW13    

More info here.

Xan Hamilton

Xan Hamilton

 

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself, your story and where you come from.

It all started on April 15th, 1989, The day the earth trembled in fear of my birth. Wow, that may have been a slight overstatement. 

Currently, I’m living in Medicine Lake, Montana (the middle of nowhere, USA), working in the oilfields of North Dakota. Originally, though, I’m from Nashville Tennessee; home of all things country music (which, ironically, I can’t stand). I come from an incredibly loving family of five; older brother, younger sister. We were all homeschooled which gave us the time and opportunity to actually pursue what we wanted rather than what we were forced to study. ...which lead to many angry neighbors because of the drumming I’d be doing for 2 to 6 hours a day. Or the loud guitar amp. Or the acoustic guitar I’d play as loud as I could on the porch steps. 

But I also had the time to cook (mostly trial and error...and error...and error) like I wanted to; experimenting with baking and grilling, sautéing and boiling, brewing and fermenting. Which, I found out very quickly, is a huge passion of mine. 

Living in Nashville also made it incredibly easy to find a great concert any day. And find great concerts is something we did often, which completely defined my teen years and helped shape me into who I am today.

2) Who do you want to be when you "grow up"?

Honestly, all that I've ever hoped to be is a Godly, loving, caring husband and father. But if we're talking about careers or life paths aside from that, I have several things that I'd love to do. Like own a coffee shop or restaurant (brewpub, actually), own a recording studio and produce music, own a brewery or even just become a master brewer at a brewery (such as the Yazoo brewery downtown Nashville). None of which I feel are quite as important as the original answer I gave. Husband and father.

 

3) What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?

Ooooh, well, I've just finished reading Velocity by Dean Koontz, which was amazing. I'm in the middle of reading A Game of Thrones currently. I've also just finished reading the Seven Realms Series. I'm kind of a sucker for all medieval/fantasy. 

Then I've finally finished Breaking Bad and am now watching Alphas and The Walking Dead. 

 And what haven't I been listening to? Currently, I'm listening to The Word Alive. But lately, I've been stuck on the album "God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise" by Ray Lamontagne and the Pariah Dogs, also album "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming" by M83, also the album "Wrongdoers" by Norma Jean, and the album "Random Access Memories" by Daft Punk, and the album "Rhythm and Repose" by Glen Hansard, and the album...I could keep on going, but I think I'll stop. 

4) How can we make the world better, simply as individuals?

Smile. Be nice. Even when you don't feel like it. Make a good impression. And a lot of the time "make a good impression" is talking about a first-meeting, but it goes a lot farther than that. Impress your children in the right way to live. Impress your friends and family with the love that you have to give. It's infectious. 

 

 5) If you were a super hero what powers would you have?

The ability to duplicate myself with one, hive mind. So that I could accomplish all of the things that I want to and need to in the time that I actually need to accomplish it. I'd have one of me that would work a job just to pay for the college that another one of me would be attending endlessly, gleaning knowledge for the good of the other me's, who would be here, there and everywhere throughout the world helping the needy. Oh, and I'd be invincible.

6) Favorite song to dance to?

Thriller. 'Nuff said.  

 

7) If you could tell the whole world one thing, what would it be?

Wait...just one sentence? Or one general idea? Because...I guess if I were limited to the former, I'd say "You're worth it." But if I could run with the latter, I'd elaborate. But probably not by much. "You're worth it. Don't give up. Let's hang out." or something along those lines. haha. 

 

 

 

   

Ben Walker

Ben Walker
 

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself, your story and where you come from.

Well, I'm Ben. As I'm sure has been stated. I live in Texas, specifically a town about two hours south of Dallas called Tyler. It isn't a big place. But I could never live in a large city to begin with so I like it here for the most part. I'm fifteen years old, and I have quite a passion for music. 
Two years ago I was given what I know see as a stupid children's game for my birthday. I used it a bit, the main fundamentals of its basis got old quick, but then I noticed something. The game had a "music sequencer." I know this story isn't very amusing yet but it gets better, hang in there. So I start using this Music Sequencer. It has about thirty or so instruments and is incredibly lacking in power and quality. But I didn't really have much else to do with my time other than school, so I started doodling with it. A year later I had about 300 supporters for some really bad sounding music. Fundamentally it was alright, but the quality of the sounds I was using is laughable. So one day, the community director of the entire game community says he likes my music, and creates an update in the entire game's news system so every single person who logged on saw a link to my music gallery. I was kind of excited but didn't expect much. However today I have over 1,000 followers in that video game for my music. It may not sound like much, but consider its size to, say, the YouTube community. The ratio would land me easily with about 8,000 subscribers in YouTube. (It's a pretty small community.) If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing now: producing electronic dance music. I found I was alright with it and now I own a program called Ableton Live and I'm collaborating with the friends and colleagues I made in that game in the real world and soon will be playing my music live at a friend's birthday rave she asked me to DJ for. Case in point, who said video games couldn't gain you anything? I went from a motionless teenager to a guy who knows artists with 50,000 supporters or more and I have more connections than I could dream of. My life has opened up in more ways than I can count. All from a freaking video game. It sounds like a pipe dream but it's my life so far. Heheh. 
I'm also planning to graduate highschool a year early so I can go to Japan on a YWAM mission on my gap year. I'm very excited to see what God has in store for me, both in my music and my travel.

2) What are three things on your bucket list?

Ahh, only three? Well I've already ordered a Starbucks coffee by the name of Voltron, let's see what else... I really would like to go wingsuiting. Ever since I saw that video "Grinding the Gap" I knew it was something I wanted to do. I'm naturally the kind of guy who wants to do stuff but then am way too scared to actually go through with it. I may never get around to that, but if I have a terminal illness be sure to remind me. I'd need a kick to the bum like that. 
Secondly, I'd like to travel to Iceland. That place just blows my mind. I originally wanted to go there for my YWAM mission but after my brother Sam returned from South Korea, Asia just caught my attention in a big way. I hope I'll get the chance to go to Iceland one day, but until then Japan will satisfy me I hope. Third, I'd like to dump ice on Skrillex's head during a show. Not even joking. 

 

 3) How can we, as young people, inspire others and uplift them? 

I'd say to just be yourself. People follow role models, and the most unique you are, the more inspirational you'll become. Be a positive thinker, and share your positive thoughts. After a while it can start to make a difference.

  

4) If you could play a part in any movie already made, what role would you choose?

Back to the Future. As Marty McFly, obviously. Because that'd be the best thing ever.

 

5) Share some advice that has positively impacted your life. Who gave it to you?  

To never stop doing what you love. Actually a friend from Holland told me this, if it weren't for him I wouldn't have kept making music and have ended up producing any music. He told me to just keep going. Regardless of what others may tell me. To just keep going. Even if I didn't get any recognition for my work that eventually I would. And hey, I did. He and I are still close friends to this day, and I owe my musical existence to him. But that advice clearly applies to anything you love doing. Just keep at it. If you're truly talented, people will notice it... Eventually. 

6) What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?

I know it may sound ridiculous, but deadmau5 and a lot of chill jazzy music like this song by Chubbanak Club.   

Quite a combination, right? They're both perfect study music for me. Many people think deadmau5 is just a mindless rave guy but a lot of his music has more emotion and technical theory than almost any other dance producer I've ever heard. 
As far as reading goes, school just started so plenty of those books. Hah, I'm in this class called Omnibus which is pretty much a combination of classical History, Philosophy, and Literature all rolled into one. So over the course of the semester I'll probably be consumed by that reading. So that means plenty of Greek writings, early literature and poetics, fun things like that. But over the summer on my own time, I've been reading and re-reading C.S Lewis. His writings on the Psalms, A Grief Observed, etc. He was a very powerful writer, and I thoroughly enjoy his work even after I've read it once or twice already.

 

7) If you could tell the whole world one thing, what would it be?

Why must you ask this question?! It's so hard to answer. I guess what's really been impacting me lately is how valuable time is and how I've wasted too much of it already. People, especially teenagers, often forget how real the concept of time is, in-erasable and constantly continuing. It's hard to grasp until you think how quickly it actually goes by and how we need to use it to the fullest we possibly can. If you'd want me to tell them one thing as a general line for life in general I'd have to say that. Take advantage of your time. If you use it well, you can make your life incredible and find meaning in every single day.

Tommy O'Brien

Tommy O'Brien

photo by: We Are The Rhoads. 

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself, your story and where you come from.

I get the name Tommy after my grandfather Thomas Thaddeus O’Brien, who had a son named Thomas Michael O’Brien, who thought it’d be a good idea to skip any confusion and bestow the legacy onto me at birth. I grew up in a town called Kennewick in Eastern Washington and moved to Los Angeles for school and work a little over a year ago. Right now I’m studying Communications and Bible, working as a commercial model in LA, writing and recording music with some friends and trying to pay it all off with a side job at our school bookstore. I’ve spent the last twenty-one years looking relentlessly for the things that make me come to life and hope to continue this journey till my last breath this side of heaven. People and their stories fuel this desire, so I try my best to communicate the things they teach me to whoever will sit across from a cup of coffee and conversation.

 2) What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?

I’m about ¾ in to about half of my literary collection, which has raised a bit of a problem considering I carry most of them in a ripped denim backpack wherever I go. A few of the books in my bag at the moment are The Catcher in the Rye - Salinger, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man - Joyce, Big Sur – Kerouac, and The Inner Voice of Love – Nouwen. To me, books are a lot like friends. I swear it’s not in the creepy “I draw a face on my hand and talk to it when I’m lonely” kind of way. When I read, I hear the different voices of narration and care more about the way they are telling their stories than worrying about finishing one conversation at a time. When I read multiple books at a time, I can listen to multiple people’s stories and relate their metaphysical similarities, perhaps similar to how a therapist would by analyzing people’s case studies. So far it’s been extremely eye opening, but maybe I’ll end up realizing I just have literary ADD.

I love watching TED talks late at night. There’s something about the night time that stirs curiosity in me, away from all the noise and distraction.

I listen to as much diverse music as possible, probably because of my upbringing. I’m the only musician in my family, but I definitely got my mother’s musical taste. From a young age our house was filled with Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Prince, Elton John, Phil Collins…the classics of a middle aged woman born in the late 50’s. Also, from the time I was eight years old I was in a touring marimba band, playing drums for my church and teaching myself to play guitar and piano by mimicking the sounds I’d hear on Jack Johnson records. Taste is a great thing to develop as a creative, but in order to begin that process I believe a person must be exposed to as many sights and sounds as possible before drawing a box around themselves.

photo by: Andrew Parsons Photography

3) What's an ideology you live by?

See everybody as a teacher. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, and have found ultimate life from this active relationship. However, I think even Christians sometimes put walls up against universal truths when they aren’t taught within the walls of a church. There is so much to learn by pursuing intentional relationships with people who have different stories and constructively challenging beliefs.

4) If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Ireland. As a kid my grandfather would always talk about our Irish heritage. He passed away last September and I wish I would have gotten the chance to visit our home land together. I hope some day I’ll make the trip with my dad.

photo by: We Are The Rhoads. 

5) What are three things you want to accomplish before you die?

This is a heavy question. I want to marry my best friend, share our lives with our children, and never stop following my convictions. I think these three things will lead me to discovering accomplishments I couldn’t even begin to envision at the moment.

6) How can we, as young people, inspire and encourage others?

Today’s youth has such an opportunity to reshape the world around us, for better or worse. I could go on for days discussing how important a child’s mind is in its stages of development (to be genuinely loved and affirmed as unique human beings), as well as the importance for these minds to have an opportunity to flourish in their intended environments (to understand that life is an empty canvas for their uniqueness to create an original work of art). However in order for that discussion to take place, I think the youth must first realize how important it is to care for other people. We are only as good as those we care about least.

photo by: We Are The Rhoads. 

7) If you could tell the whole world one thing, what would it be?

That thing you are still searching for, that emptiness you’ll try to fill with anything you can get your hands on, is the one thing that makes you the exact same as every person you’ll encounter every single day for the rest of your life. This mysterious gap in humanity is the one thing that will bring us together if filled with a Love that supersedes pride, envy, selfishness, or any material possession. Never lose your curiosity for this Love. 

Mitchell Riemersma

I've known Mitchell for awhile, but I've gotten to know him better over the last year or so. And I can definitely say I'm a big fan of this guy. 

Mitchell Riemersma

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself, your story and where you come from.

I’m Mitchell James O’Hearn Riemersma, I was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and haven’t lived anywhere else my entire life. I love reading, working out, spending time with friends, playing strategy games, and I’ve been playing piano since I was in first grade. I’m currently a Sophomore at UW Oshkosh attending for a degree in Interactive Web Management (a new degree that merges skills in public relations, marketing, and software/web development). I have 3 younger siblings, and I think it’s incredible how God brought us all together: Brice and Hope were adopted through Foster Care and we adopted Anna from a young couple that my parents met in youth ministry. I have a greater appreciation for both family and for divine providence.

2) If you could send a text message to anyone in the world, what would it say?

If I can get a response to the text, Edward Snowden. I’d ask him something along the lines of “with the revelation you gave America regarding the public’s violation of privacy, what actions do you recommend we take next, both as individuals to protect ourselves from a corrupt government and as a citizens to make a change?”

3) Where do you want to be in ten years?

Running PR/technology development for an up-and-coming or small business to support a family!

4) How would you spend your last day, if you knew you were going to die?

Somewhere in nature that I’ve never been before, just talking to the people I love.

5) What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?

I’m currently into Parks and Recreation, a dry comedy about government division in Indiana, while eagerly awaiting the last season of How I Met Your Mother. I recently got a ton of new alternative music that I’m working my way through including Future of Forestry, Lydia, The Xx, and Fleet Foxes. I can’t wait for the newest Mayday Parade album!

6) What's your go to shower song?

As of yesterday, Shake It Out (Florence+The Machine).

7) If you could tell the whole world one thing, what would it be?

Life is far too short to waste time squabbling with each other over minor things. God created a planet for us to cultivate and enjoy together, let’s focus on what really matters.