Jennifer's Journey: Sister-in-law Julia

David and Julia and I at Cousin Kia's wedding

I grew up with two older sisters and one younger brother. One by one we left home to attend college. David chose St. Olaf and I'm glad he did because that is where he met his wife, Julia. They actually met in the Men's Chorus! Julia is an amazing oboe player. When she plays it sounds like beautiful singing. So, Julia was the oboist for a piece with the St. Olaf Men's Chorus and that is where the magic began. I'm so glad God brought them together because I soon found that I not only had a new sister, but a new friend too.

Julia always amazes me with her art: making puppets out of pipe cleaners and googly eyes, upcycling old crayons to make new, using magazine clippings and card stock to make cards, creating pop-out paper projects, and recycling Winnie the Pooh wallpaper border by turning cut out pieces into flannel board characters. Julia was doing Pinterest projects before Pinterest existed. She is naturally creative and that inspires me. Her sweet daughter, Anna, often wants to do crafts with her mom (or anyone who visits). They have a whole bin of craft supplies that are four-year-old friendly!

Julia is also the kind of artist that Emily P. Freeman talks about in her book, A Million Little Ways. She describes an artist as: "A person who is brave enough to move toward what makes her come alive." She describes art as: "What happens when you dare to be who you really are; when what is most alive in you is offered as a gift to others."

Julia is an artist with her words. Did you know you can get a degree in Storytelling? It's true! Julia has a BA degree in Psychology from St. Olaf and a Master's degree in Storytelling from the University of Tennessee in Johnson City. I once got to hear Julia perform one of her stories at a Storytelling Concert in Northfield. It was amazing! Julia artistically described a time when she was a girl and her barbie doll got stuck in a tree. As she shared her tale, the audience roared with laughter! It was a gift to her audience. I see Julia cultivating this gift for story and language with her daughters. She tells them stories and they recreate stories together using props. Her household is rich with literacy activities. You would be amazed at the vocabulary of David and Julia's four year old daughter, Anna. Spending her days with stay-at-home-mom Julia has had a wonderful impact on Anna (and sister, Naomi).

Julia is an expert at the art of conversation. A mutual friend recently wrote this on Julia's Facebook page, "I will take advantage of this moment to share with you how very much I appreciate the genuine connection and friendship you always cultivate with everyone you meet. That blesses me more than I can say. You are truly loved, Julia."

I so agree with this friend's words. And, I want to echo them. Julia knows how to connect with people on a deeper level (when most people are still talking about the weather). She asks wonderful questions and is able to get even the most reluctant conversationalist to chat away for hours at a time. One would think that with Julia being such an amazing story teller that she would dominate all conversations, but honestly, it is the opposite. Julia cares about other people and wants to hear what others have to say. She is fascinated with their stories and just wants to hear more and more. It is an art and Julia has mastered it. She inspires me!

Julia is an artist in the ways she makes a difference in the lives of the "Needy." Talk to Julia for more than a few minutes and you find out she is very passionate about helping others. She is constantly on the lookout for good deals of supplies to put into Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. She even makes her own gifts to add to the shoeboxes as well. After visiting Haiti on a mission trip, she spent time brainstorming ideas for how to help the artists there. Feed My Starving Children is another of Julia's favorite ministries. She created a fundraiser for them: A Chocolate Fair! It was amazing and tons of money was raised. She inspires me to look for ways I can help others too.