Loop Hole

Hi Friends!
This is something that has been on my heart for a while and I just wanted to open up about it.

     I absolutely love my job! I go on all kinds of adventures and I meet all kinds of people everyday. It does have some down falls though that you eventually find yourself getting used to. Missing family and friends back home for example. Another one may not seem like a big deal but to me it kind of is. I am not allowed to talk about my personal views on politics or my religious beliefs which is incredibly hard since I was born and raised in Lynchburg, Va the home of Dr. Jerry Falwell.
     For those rare few who don't know who he was, he was the wonderful Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist. He was very vocal about his views and was very much involved with politics ever since he helped Ronald Reagan become President. I attended Dr. Falwell's schools: Lynchburg Christian Academy (Elementary-Highschool) and Liberty University. I still attend Thomas Road Baptist Church which since his passing, his son Jonathon Falwell is now the Pastor of. So you can imagine how I felt when I was told I wasn't allowed to talk about my beliefs if I was asked about them by my homestays or by anybody. My beliefs are apart of who I am, how I was raised. Not trying to sound dramatic but thats almost like asking a Zebra to trade in it's stripes for spots. I found a loop hole though.
     Most of the places Loretta and I have visted have been small town areas and they usually ask where I went to college. Those who know what type of school Liberty is and who founded it immediately know my beliefs without me saying a word. I can't express how wonderful it feels when that happens. No I'm not pushing my beliefs on anyone or having to worry about breaking contract because those who know what it is have already looked into Liberty as a plan for their child. If anything I promote how awesome Liberty is. I should get paid for that, I'll just send Becki Falwell a little Facebook message... ;) Kidding!
     While I was in Deer Park, Wa last week Loretta and I stayed with a very sweet lady named Lyla. One night I needed to print something that my Dad sent me, a Confirmation notice about a plane ticket to Florida for my Brother's wedding that he sent to my Liberty Email account because it's my "Nonprofessional" email. Lyla said that I could use her home computer/printer. Not noticing that Lyla was right behind me, she saw Jerry Jr's photo on the websites mainpage. She of course knew who he was and asked me what I was looking at. I explained to her that I was just going on my college website to pull up an email. She then put two and two together (without me saying a word) and said "Oh your a Christian! Thats great!". She then started telling me about all the mission trips her son had been on and about her involvement with the church. It amazes me how God works sometimes.
     Throughout the Summer and Fall he has placed me in situations just like this. I am so incredibly thankful. I was worried about not being able to open up about my beliefs because of this job which is weird because I fully believe I was blessed with this job BECAUSE of my beliefs. It's a long story, I'll save that for another time. BUT! The Lord provided me with this loop hole. I don't have to actually express my religious views I just say "I went to Liberty University.". Those who know what type of school it is immediately know my beliefs without having to ask a single question. No words can express how wonderful it feels when I meet a fellow Christian on the road. It renews my heart so much as I hope it renews theirs.
     Lyla,  from that point on really opened up to me the rest of the week. My last night there I even got to spend a little one on one time with her while Loretta was hanging out with her boyfriend and honestly I try not to use this word a whole lot but it truly was a blessing. The next morning I woke up and found two gift bags in the kitchen one addressed to Loretta and one to me. Inside each of our bags was a little jewelry holder as well as a card. You know how people say, "Oh you didn't have to get me anything! The card was enough.". You knoooow that they're only saying it to be nice. However, this was exactly how I felt, the card was enough. Lyla's card meant so much and as I read it I started to cry. She wrote about how she saw that I was a Godly woman and that she was glad to know another sister in Christ. She also said a few other kind words and finished up with a statement about how she was sure to see me one day in heaven. UGH! It makes me cry just thinking about it!
     Just to reiterate for those from MCT who are reading this, I did not break contract. She opened up to me. I realize that this is a fine line and I have yet to mention what my beliefs are when asked about them by homestays or others. When they are trying to get to know me the first question anyone ever asks is where I went to school and the rest is assumption on their part. I can't help it if their assumption is correct.
     I realize readers, that one day someone will know what Liberty is and not be a fellow brother or sister in Christ and it may or may not go well. When that day comes I will handle it the best way I know how. Until that day I will pray for the right words to say to avoid a sticky situation. Today though, I am thankful for Lyla and that I went to Liberty University.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
                                             1 John 1:7

-Jen