I actually saw this in another blog and really loved it. So since I love writing I decided to do one. I hope I don't cry. Seriously.
Dear 13-year-old Aubrie,
It is 2002 and you are about to start 8th grade at a new school. You've lived in Wichita for a couple months and you miss your best friend. But don't worry. She'll still be your best friend ten years from now. Call her and keep hanging out with her. You will walk into your new 6A school and wonder if you will ever make friends. A few days later a girl at volleyball practice will ask to be your warm-up partner. Say yes. She'll be one of your best friends throughout the next year and high school.
There will also be a girl on the team who will call you names and put you down and use you. Don't let her get to you. And don't snap at her. She wants someone to love her. I promise.
Oh and you know the guy on the football team that will jokingly ask you out a few times? Ignore him. It's a bet with his friends and you'll only get hurt. (Good, you took my advice. Now pass it on.)
Enjoy every minute of 8th grade, because here comes high school, and it's a whole new game. Freshman year, 2003. The year of drama, drama, drama. One of your best friends will have everyone turn their backs on her and spread nasty rumors about her. Sit with her at lunch even if it means you get made fun of too. It'll be worth it in the end. Stand up for what you believe in.
Spanish I....You'll be good at it and people will make fun of you. But when your teacher says to go all the way with it, do it. It will come in handy.
Summer "romances".....My only advice to you would be to not date someone your friends set you up with. You'll beg and plead for Dad to let him take you out. Just wait till you're older.
Or not.
Sophomore year, you'll be cut from the volleyball team for not being tall enough. Don't worry too much because later you'll wish you were shorter. Take yearbook instead. I know you're just a lowly writer who gets sent out to do the stories no one else wants, but stick with it. Editor your senior year will be a fun position.
Summer 2005. Here's the biggie. You know that church camp you've been invited to twice? Go. Do it. You'll have a really bad cold and hate the first two days, but wait for Wednesday. You're gonna meet Jesus and He's gonna sweep you off your feet. You will feel more free than you have in a long time. Get ready because the course of your eternity has changed.
When you come back, people will think you're crazy. It's okay. Keep seeking God because He has big plans for you.
Junior year a boy will trick you and make a bet behind your back and then dump you. Cry, but don't hate him. Forgive him and let him go.
Senior year. Live it up. Love God. Love your friends. Spend every minute together, because you'll miss them when they're gone. Oh, and the last night before graduation you'll be on the football field looking at the stars at midnight with those good friends. Well, that's called trespassing and here comes the athletic director. Run. And don't forget to turn around and help when Sharisse gets stuck hopping the fence. You'll laugh so hard you almost pee your pants. And you'll remember that night forever.
And first loves...they're amazing and heart-breaking at the same time. Have fun and try not to be too mean. You tend to do that sometimes. It'll be three years of a rollercoaster ride and God will do big things, but send you different ways. It will take a while, but you'll be okay.
You'll travel to Mexico, unsure why you even chose to go on the trip...until you get there. Your heart will shatter when you leave. You'll wait three years for an internship and your time will finally come.
Bible college. Freshman year will be rough. You'll cry a lot, your heart will ache, and you'll miss your friends. Try not to go home too much because dorm years pass quickly. And hey, you get to live with that best friend you missed so much! See, told ya she'd stick around. You'll fight like cats, but only for a while. You'll learn a lot about yourself and about God. Take naps. Go mattress surfing. And MCC breakfast for lunch...THE BEST. Hit it up.
Sophomore year will be the best. Seven crazy roommates in one awesome suite. Be open with them because they truly will love you and care about you and pray for you.
Ok so you'll teach a kindergarten class that will make you want to rip your hair out and drop out of school. Don't do it. It's not all that bad.
Internship. It will be life-changing. Brace yourself for the hardest summer of your life. People will trust you to build a house for them. Teams will think you know your way around...when you get to Acuna, pay attention when David shows you around.
You won't take my advice and you'll get more lost than you've ever been in your life. In a foreign country. With a team behind you and rain hammering down and the streets flooding from a hurricane. Don't worry, you finally find where you're going. You'll come out alive even though sometimes it seems like you won't. You'll cry for days in August because you didn't cry for three months straight. It's okay to cry. But remember that you need to move forward.
And now, it's senior year at K-State. You have one year left. One year to love people and impact them for God's kingdom. Carry these memories with you because they make you who you are. Walk with God and let him teach you and carry you when you need it most. He likes to do that.
And know that you are loved.
Love,
Your older self
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