{ a letter to my 15 year old self }

I'm turning 16 in exactly 14 days. Uhh heck yes I'm excited. 16 is one year older & just a lil bit wiser (not really I guarantee you I'll still be burning mac & cheese in the microwave cause I forget to add water). Now normally people would write about this kind of topic when they are in their 20's and have a fair share of things they wish they hadn't done. Well I'm gonna switch it up a bit and give myself something to look back on & hopefully give some somewhat useful advice. Here goes nothing...

Dear 15 year old Jordan,
NUMBER ONE RULE - stay out of drama. Don't let it consume you. Rely on your friends to guide you in the right direction and if they happen to be the ones causing the drama, keep your distance. You may not be able to control someone's negative behavior but you can control how long you participate in it. There comes a time when you have to let go of the pointless drama & the people who create it & surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and solely focus on the good. After all, life is way to short to be anything but happy.

Focus on growing friendships and loving your family. Dont waste your time on trying to find a boyfriend. No matter how cute he may be or how much you may like him don't jump into something that could potentially go up in flames because you were so eager to "be in a relationship". You're only 15. Don't act like you're 20. That's all I gotta say about that. ;-)

Speaking about friends, choose them wisely. Your friends should motivate and inspire you. Your circle should be well rounded and supportive, keep it tight. Quality over quantity, always. "Bad company corrupts good character", < pls pls pls remember that. You are only going to be as good as the people you surround yourself with. So be brave enough to let go of those who keep weighing you down.

Next, work hard in school. School sucks. Studying sucks. Homework... Yeah it sucks. But work hard and you'll be rewarded. You most likely don't know what you're going to do with your life. Become a teacher? Stay at home mom? Oh hey, maybe a blogger? ;-) Whatever it is, work your hardest, and be the best "you", you can be. Good things come to those who wait. > Go out and earn it.

I've covered a lot of things. Friendships, hard work, drama, etc... Although there is one thing I'm leaving out and it is by far the most important. Follow God and his plan for you. Don't push him away because you think your plan is better because let me tell you something, ITS NOT. Sorry charlie. God's plan is always the best. Sometimes the process is painful and hard, but don't forget that when God is silent, he's doing something for you. As for your life, it may not be going the way you planned. You didn't plan to become home schooled. You didn't plan to start up your own blog, but it is going exactly the way God planned it. Jesus replied, "you don't understand now what I am doing but someday you will" - John 13:7.

I guess that's it. Last thoughts - Keep your friends and family close & God closer.

Lots of love, ALMOST 16 year old Jordan.