Saturday, September 30, 2006

Lessons Learned On The Trail

The 2006 election is bound to be an interesting year. We had tough primaries and are now less than 40 days away from the general elections. While the results of the races may look like some of the more conservative candidates were defeated in the primaries, there was also
triumph.

Lessons Learned On The Trail
from the aspect of a "teenage campaigner"


If I were only able to name one benefit of being homeschooled, it would be the ability to learn "hands on". To someone with political aspirations, gaining some experience in campaigns is definitely the best way to learn the election process.


I have been involved with 5 campaigns since May. Only two candidates out of the five have made it out of the summer primaries. Throughout the summer I have seen many candidates run hard, but not make it. It's hard to see the candidate you believed in be eliminated in primaries; and many people have dropped out of involvement altogether because of it. These people have failed to recognize that even if our candidate didn't win the election, we didn't fail altogether.


It is amazing how God uses people and events to teach us lifelong lessons. Being involved in campaigns on a level where I've had a lot of responsibility put on my shoulders has taught me to give all of my problems to Him because there is no way I can work it out on my own.


This summer has been the most chaotic and stressful summer I've ever had. However, through it all I've learned to not give up, rely on God, and do my best even if my best doesn't seem to effect the situation.


Just learning the lesson doesn't mean anything if it isn't applied. Perseverance is one lesson that has been learned and applied and re-applied in every campaign I've worked on this year. As a result, I've become stronger and more reliable.

One thing to keep in mind as we face the general elections: Never, never, never, give up! Our effort will pay off, if not in votes, in character.

Kp

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for going against the flow! Keep up the terrific work. I'm all behind you.

Anonymous said...

Amen! What a great article.

"Just learning the lesson doesn't mean anything if it isn't applied." reminded me of the passage in James about how you need to be a doer and not just a hearer. It certainly is something we need to remember.

Matt Ahearn said...

Excellent job. :D

Is this going to be a series?

Steven Givler said...

Hey Kierstyn,

Great post. I can't tell you how proud I am of my wife for being the driving force behind our children's homeschool education, for reasons like these. Your parents are doing a great job with teaching you.

Will you join me in encouraging people to fast and pray on the Monday before elections?

You can read my post about it here:

http://stevengivler.blogspot.com/2006/10/fasting-for-america.html

Thanks,

Steven

Matt Ahearn said...

Thanks for linking to The Ranching View. I hope to start posting there more consistantly. :D

If you do a series on this, it should be great! :D

Jed Estrada said...

Wonderful job, Kierstyn. I read about your blog in WORLD Magazine. :-D I stand firmly behind you as you continue to set an example for Gen J students, bloggers, and people across the nation. :-)

Brooke said...

Read about your blog in World. I like your blog title!
Good post! Having been a campaigner myself I know how easy it is to feel like quitting. Too true about drawing on God's strength. Right on! Keep at it.