Grace AND Truth: Responding to OneGeorgeFox

I've always been more of a truth-follower. Black and white.  Having an ever-present moral compass. Ask people in high school. I was good at following rules but not so good at being gracious when I disagreed with others. Living this way has put me at odds with our culture, which is much more focused on one aspect of grace: acceptance. 'Let's all be open minded'.

But Jesus mastered both: true grace and love    AND    often unpopular truth.
John 1:14 and 17

He would not compromise truth for being gracious or loving but he was not heartless either. (Overturning tables in the temple because people were making 'church' a financial venture. Unpopular truth. And saving the woman from being stoned to death because of adultery. Grace. Confronting the 'regilious people' for being arrogant and not truly seeking God. Unpopular truth. And asking God to forgive his murderers while they were torturing him. Grace.)

Why does this matter right now?

Many of you have heard about the gay and lesbian George Fox alums who have put together a website onegeorgefox.org.

A few weeks back I wrote them this letter. It never got published on their site. Nor did I get a response. I hope you sense my effort to love while still being faithful to what I believe is moral truth found in the Bible. I am fully aware that only God knows the absolute truth for certain. The best I can do is seek it and humbly live in obedience to what I believe he wants.

As you read my letter, would you think about this question: Can I love well and authentically, and it be received, without compromising what I believe is true?

I lean towards thinking our culture is intolerant of a love that doesn't conform but you know what assuming does...


____  .  _____


Hi OneGeorgeFox members

When I heard about this group, I was encouraged. I went to George Fox. And do believe God's intent was for marriage to be between man and woman. However...

I don't hate. I don't argue. I don't scoff. I talk. I listen. I love authenticity. Let's be real with one another. Even about hard stuff. Even if we disagree. But let's engage one another.

Which is why I was glad to hear about this site.

When I visited and read through the letter, and stories, I became discouraged.

If your purpose was to dialogue, I support you. If your purpose was to share love, I support you. If your purpose was to be heard and understood, I support you. If you purpose was to spread awareness of issues of love/respect at George Fox, I support you.

If your purpose is to change the core beliefs of this place to say homosexuality is not a sin, then you are asking an institution to make a decisions that is in direct conflict with the convictions it has embraced (which is believed to be based from the Word of God).

Have your voice. I will listen. So will others. It's my hope that all respond in love and we learn from one another.

However, students with many beliefs and with many different opinions on social issues choose GFU fully aware of the lifestyle agreement (including GFU's stance on homosexuality).

Does that mean they should try to change the institution itself to reflect their values and opinions?

I believe not. I think George Fox is committed to it's believes and convictions because it believes they're foundational from the Word of God. (This is my opinion. I don't intend to actually speak on behalf of the University).

Can we love better? Yes. Can we learn how to disagree without condemning? Yes. Can we better understand one another? Yes.

I hope that, even if people disagree with your agenda to change this Christian Institution's core beliefs (specifically homosexuality), we can learn from this to approach one another in love and grace. Despite our sexual orientation. Despite our theological differences.

God is the ultimate judge on these matters, not I. And He is the best example of love.

Amy (Endicott) Wolff
Communication Arts Undergraduate Student- 2005

SURPRISE!

A few months ago Bryce and I collaborated to plan a surprise spa day for Meg. He's at boot camp and promised her gifts while he was gone. She knew one was coming Friday. But surprise! It was me! At her door step! Kidnapping her to Portland.

 We grabbed a quick lunch on 23rd and then arrived at Dosha Spa.

 After our hour long massages, we got pedicures!

Bryce was so generous and thoughtful. We sure miss him. Especially Meg. I spotted this count down chain when I picked her up.

Well done, Bryce. Hugs and loves for Meg.

Snow Trip from Hell... turned wonderful

This weekend we went to Hermiston to visit our friends Jillian, Lance and little Brynley.

Saturday morning we gathered our (MANY) things and headed to the mountains for some fun in the snow.

.

Jake, Lance and Jillian's dad Steve jumped on the snow mobiles first. (Jake below)

Us girls decided to go on a hike. Brynley rode on Jillian's back in a pack. I pulled Avery in a small sled behind us.

What was a nice hike in the snow turned quickly into a horrific, miserable, and absolutely freezing dash for the car. The wind had picked up. Avery was pushing nap time. She began screaming. Nose running. Wouldn't stay in the sled. So I picked her up. Ice started pelting our faces. Jillian and Brynley dashed for the car as Avery and I trenched through the snow, in what felt like a blizzard. Once we got in the car, we stripped the girls of their suits, cranked the heat, and began to thaw out. Avery was so traumatized (shaking, crying, freezing), she fell asleep in my arms within a few minutes (which NEVER happens).

We met the boys for lunch and Jillian and I took our turns on the snow mobiles.  

We drove through the woods. Cruising through the trees, no one else in sight. Taking in the beautiful scenery. We made it up a large hill to this incredible view.

What a day. The boys jumped back on the snowmobiles as we, and the girls, started for home.

(Me and Lance)

The fun day outdoors ended in a very nice dinner with just us adults (thanks to Lance's mom for watching the girls).

Such a great weekend.

And I think we picked up a new favorite hobby!

Thank you thank you thank you to Lance and Jillian for their hospitality and generosity!

Bath time

Avery has this new behavior and patting where she wants you to go. If it's playing on the ground with her, she pats the ground. If she wants you to sit on the couch next to her, she pats the cushion.

A few nights ago, while in the bath, she patted the tub "Momma. Momma."

I couldn't say no.

Thus our first bath together...

Love her.

Spinning Top

I had a 'spinning top' moment last week at George Fox.

Our director's phrase similar to hitting a sweet spot. A perfect rythym. A balanced center (although that sounds a little new-agey).

It was Scholarship Competition weekend. Over 338 students plus their guests (about 325) came to... you guessed it... compete for scholarships.
Biggest event we've had. Ever.

Despite having no event coordinator, my team and I pulled together this complex event.

And I loved it.
Greeting families. Putting them at ease. Seeing our interns ROCK. Connecting students with amazing professors. Hearing our President and Provost and VP of Student Life speak to our group. Hearing my team share their personal experiences. Seeing prospective students fall in love with the place so dear to my heart.

And I got to speak in front of hundreds of people. Which I love (call me crazy). All I did was talk through logistics at opening and closing sessions but I'd like to think I was pretty funny (my dad even came to listen. I think he came to size me up now that he has hired me as a communication trainer).

(yes, I took a pic from the podium!)

Which leads to my next 'spinning top' thought.
My dear friend Mandee asked me if it was sad that I found my sweet spot right before leaving George Fox to work at Distinction Communication.

My answer was no.
I believe I'm headed into another spinning top place. It might take time to get there. To feel balanced. Comfortable. Capable. But I am confident I will love it and thrive.
Until then, I'm treasuring my last few weeks at Fox, until March 9th when I say good bye as an employee.

'Cheese'

A few nights back, Avery made Jake and I laugh out loud. One of the cutest things we've seen her do recently...

She took my digital camera and placed it by the TV facing towards the us.

She walked away, turned around to face the camera, and said "Cheese".

And repeated it several times, 'taking pictures' of herself.

Now where would she learn that...
(last photo is her 'cheese' moment)

Avery on the go!