Four Korean Months in Review

December 28, 2015January 7, 2016 Austin Headrick Faith Journey, Korea, Reflection

Today marks four months since arriving in Korea! To celebrate, I wanted to share a few of the things I’ve learned in Korea so far.

I Am a Part of My Country

As much as I’m sometimes frustrated by practices, policies, and general social patterns in the United States, it’s still my home country. It also happens to be one of the most powerful countries in the world. As a citizen of this country with the ability to vote, protest, and be heard I’ve come to realize I have the privilege and responsibility to do so. There are many stories I’ve heard about the US acting in ways I absolutely do not support in countries throughout Asia. As a Christian seeking justice, mercy, and humility I realize these stories must motivate me to advocate to the leaders I can influence. Continue reading →

22 Years of Learning

September 22, 2015September 28, 2015 Austin Headrick Faith Journey, Reflection

A couple years ago on my birthday I decided to share the things I felt I had learned that year. Now it’s becoming a bit of a tradition to have a post sitting in my Drafts folder all year where I can jot down things I’m learning, and on my birthday share it with all of you. You can find last year’s post here if you’d like to check it out. Here is this year’s post! Continue reading →

The Beginning of a Korean Adventure

August 12, 2015August 13, 2015 Austin Headrick Faith Journey, Korea

With my departure date for South Korea quickly approaching I have loaded my schedule with as many coffee dates and evening outings as ~~an introvert~~ a sane human can reasonably (and maybe even a little unreasonably) fit into a two-week span. In the midst of this bittersweet transition from being in Seattle to setting my gaze fully on the approaching year God has begun to teach me things, which in theory I knew, but in reality I understand very little about. Mainly I’m learning about the importance and value of relationships.

Continue reading →

10 Tips To Succeed at Being a Person

March 14, 2015March 14, 2015 Austin Headrick Faith Journey

I’ve been a person for a handful of years now and I feel like I’ve generally had a bit of success at figuring it out. Like Kid President tells us, “being a person is hard sometimes”, so I thought I’d share a few of the things that I have found to be helpful ways of succeeding at being a person. It ought to be noted that I’ve only had a brief twenty-something years of trying to figure this out, so take these tips with a grain (or ten) of salt. Continue reading →

Austin Moves to Korea!

February 22, 2015January 8, 2016 Austin Headrick Faith Journey, Korea

The conclusion of this post is that I will be moving to Chuncheon, South Korea in August for a year of volunteer service with the Korean Anabaptist Center. However, the timeline leading to this decision begins several months ago, so I will start there.

Until the end of last Summer I was set on attending seminary in Seattle for the next four years in pursuit of a Master of Divinity degree. I had applied for financial aid, enrolled in classes, and even purchased textbooks for my first quarter. But three weeks before classes started I began to question this decision. I realized I was no longer certain I wanted to be a pastor or teach theology in the traditional sense, which was the reason I wanted to go to seminary to begin with. After weeks of talking with just about every mentor, professor, pastor, and friend whose voice I value, I made my decision. I met with the associate dean of the seminary three days before orientation and officially withdrew. Continue reading →

The Church and the Gospel of Naruto

February 10, 2015April 26, 2015 Austin Headrick Church, Faith Journey, Reflection

Okay, so I’m going to need you to bear with me for a moment or two as I nerd out. I promise that I feel this is relevant to my main point.

I’m an avid fan of an anime series called Naruto which is about the journey of an ostracized, untalented, persistent, ninja boy named Naruto. I’ve been watching this series since 7th grade, so in a sense I’ve grown alongside this character. The things that have kept my attention for the past eight years are the shifting themes and scope of the series. Initially it appealed to my middle school mind with its cool fight scenes and the youthful humor of its characters. As I’ve matured I feel that this series has as well. Continue reading →

Time

January 3, 2015March 14, 2015 Austin Headrick Faith Journey, Reflection

I’d like to develop eyes to see and appreciate the awe, tragedy, and power in the mundane. This is why I’ve decided to attempt to write every week about something I’m grateful for, the ways in which God is shaking my little snow globe of a life, or something of that variety. This week I am thankful for time. Time to rest. Time with those I care about. Time to think. Time to be. Continue reading →

21 Years of Learning

September 22, 2014October 10, 2014 Austin Headrick Faith Journey, Reflection

Today is my 21st birthday and over these past 21 years I’ve learned many things. Some of these things I’ve had to learn in difficult ways, others I’ve gained by listening to those with more life experience than myself. I still have much to learn, but as I grow it’s my hope that I will be able to share wisdom and love as I seek wisdom and love. In the past 21 years I’ve learned that:

It is important to love your body. Loving your body is not only being content with your image and the way God has made you, but it is treating your body with care. Eating well, exercising consistently, sleeping normally, and not putting things into your body that do not belong there are all pieces to loving your body. We are blessed with one body and the way we treat it matters.

Money is not worth as much as people say it is. Money is useful, but not of the greatest value. Wealth is a burden I hope to carry as little as possible.

People matter more than doctrine. I learned this from a Jewish rabbi. He was a little unorthodox and challenged the beliefs of a lot of formal theologians, but the way he treated those who orthodoxy tended to crush and oppress was astonishing. Not only did he convince those he interacted with to adopt his way, but he also caused them to share his teaching throughout their communities. This rabbi has made me willing to stretch the bounds of orthodoxy to include those at the table who wouldn’t otherwise have a place. This rabbi’s name is Jesus.