Ashlynne 'Whitney' Meiklejohn is really quite an extraordinary person. I met her through Generation Joshua of course, like most of you who are likely to read this. I have a sticky note in my binder that basically sums up how she debates. "For some reason I always end up shaking during my speech. Probably because of the violence of my passions." But throughout this Debate season we have sought to do all we could to debate for God's glory. We talked about this at the beginning of the year, and it was noted that to fulfill this goal we might just end up losing. Like they said in Facing the Giants, (a movie we both saw) "Praise Him when we win, and praise Him when we lose." It's all well and good to praise God when you win, but it is a little harder to praise God in losing. Even though we only really 'lost' one tournament, we had several other challenges and complications, like the time in a quarterfinal round when it was announced that we had lost to the other team, and we had really won.

Talking about heart's attitude before one tournament, we realized that since we know and believe that it is our duty to give all the praise to God, we are bound to it like no one else. "To know the right to do, and not to do it is sin." Reflecting after our worst tournament of the year, we realized that it isn't a punishment to lose. Everything that happens is just another avenue to give God the glory, and to do our very best is our duty before God. Whether or not we succeeded in our goal, only God knows. But at the ending of the season I feel happy and edified by it all. Anyone in Region 10 speech and debate would feel the same, I'm sure. I know amazing people in many places all around me, but NCFCA has such a high concentration of amazing people! Not to say that the forest is any more spectacular then the lone tree in the valley, though.


I also reflect on Fame... the great power of being the center of attention. I have been there... to the top of the list... to the center of the stage, at the front of the crowd. I have stood before the podium, spoken into the microphone, given my view to a listening audience, and my friends have heard. I have been captured on camera and television, and my friends have seen. I have been a victor, and my friends have known. And someone once asked "what is it like?" I can tell you, that it really doesn't bring you much. You don't become popular, everyone doesn't want to automatically be your friend, you don't get special privileges or attention, etc. But the one thing you get is an opportunity! People will take you seriously when you say something! That said, you can't really gain anything by being famous... but you can give volumes!

It is a gift to be acknowledged. It is an honor to be appreciated. Sometimes you earn it. Sometimes it is given to you. But one thing that never changes is the responsibility. The Bible says that "to whom much is given, much will be required."  You see famous stars and celebrities today, and their lives are a mess. When we come to a position of influence, the eyes of others are upon us. Not only do we have the duty to glory God, we have a golden opportunity! As Nelson Mandela said in his inaugural address,

And that is what I have to say about that. I hope it encourages you, because in the end, that's all you can really do with fame.


Well then folks, that is all for now. I hope you are all doing well. I do actually read your blogs when they come to my subscriptions. please forgive me for not doing more. You don't even need to leave comments if you don't want to. I shall read your expressions of love in the numbers on my footprints.

And so, as a cool person who we all know loves to say, "Have lovely days."