The Youngblood Manifesto

The Youngblood Manifesto

The following is an agreed-upon contract established by the parties of the Minneapolis Youngblood Household (est. 2012--Nathan Isaac, April Nicole, Milton Gulliver).  The purpose of this manifesto is to recognize household truths, recommit ourselves to personal goals, and encourage better daily behaviors.  This is the first draft.  

WE ARE A CHRISTIAN HOUSEHOLD and our behaviors will reflect as such.  This includes but is not limited to: 

-Committing ourselves to weekly corporate worship. 

-Committing ourselves to daily devotion and prayer.  

-Seeking out Christian friendships and theological conversation with others. 

-Challenging each other to be dedicated and ever-growing Christians who will run from apathy and stagnation.  

-Continuing to give a part of what God has given to us back to Him, in reflection that what we have is not our own. 

-Continuing to support mission work, prayerfully and financially. 

-Put calling before comfort in whichever direction our lives will take us. 

WE ARE LOVERS OF CREATION and our behaviors will reflect such.  This includes but is not limited to the following: 

-Reusing bags, bottles, plastics, and other common items when appropriate. 

-Composting all organic waste. 

-Recycling appropriate items and maintaining an active knowledge of what is and isn't recyclable. 

-Supporting locally grown produce and animal products. 

-Growing and learning from creation through gardening. 

-Eat at least one vegetarian meal a week. 

WE WANT HEALTHY BODIES.  To achieve this we will: 

-Continue to eat as fresh as possible, questioning all processed goods.

-Cook the majority of our meals from scratch. 

-Support each other in an active lifestyle and purposefully working out at least once a week. 

-Continue to explore dietary health in areas such as vegetarianism. 

WE WANT HEALTHY AND WELL-BALANCED MINDS.  To achieve this we will: 

-Limit our social media intake to once per day. 

-Limit our TV/Movie watching to one movie or 2 hours per week. 

-Continue to interest and motivate participation in fields of thought outside of the one we're studying. 

-Read widely and continuously--not just for study.

-Spend some time each week growing as musicians. 

-Participate in at least 1 event in the Twin Cities together each month that is related to the arts. 

-Challenge our held political, socio-economic and religious stances in order to further growth. 

-Take at least one vacation each year that will broaden our worldview either by geographic location or new experience. 

WE, DEEP DOWN, DESIRE A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT.  To achieve this we will: 

-Create a chore schedule, because we need one.

-Have our apartment be a welcoming environment for us every day, not just for guests. 

-Question whether each item in the apartment serves a basic function of either use or beauty. 

WE WANT TO BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE.  To achieve this we will: 

-Never live outside our means. 

-Continue to set aside $X toward savings every month. 

-Pay at least half of tuition each semester upfront. 

-Maintain and check our budget monthly. 

-Maintain a working knowledge of potential investments and retirement funds, and contribute toward them when appropriate. 

-Continue to buy used goods when appropriate. 

The following has been read, agreed upon, and put forth by:

(signed)

Nathan Youngblood

April Youngblood

nnheddfrd drrde4eu4e