What you’re about to read may be slightly haphazard, with thoughts flowing into other thoughts without finishing the first, disorganized and not in chronological order, but my brain just can’t make any sense of this. But first, a little history.

Coming to college, I had no idea what to expect. My family doesn’t have a whole long line of college graduates or attendees for that matter, so besides what friends said about it, I really didn’t know what my college career was going to look like. I came to school with my childhood best friend of 15 years, deciding not to live together for obvious reasons (which included still wanting to be friends by the time college was over with fully intact bodies), but ended up in the same building as each other. She had met a nice girl at a “Get to Know CBUers in Your Area” dinner in our hometown and decided that night to sign up to be roommates. On move-in day, Carley’s roommate Kylie and I exchanged the traditional how-do-you-do’s, and went along our business. With freshman orientation coming up and positively not knowing anyone except Carley and Kylie, we stuck together like lint to corduroy pants. In the middle of orientation, Kylie and I had a private conversation about our lives, our backgrounds, and future dreams, and from that point, I literally knew my life would never progress from dawn to dusk without including her.

Is it weird? To you – maybe. To us – absolutely not.

I’ve read books, seen countless movies, even heard stories of best friends, bosom friends, kindred spirits – whatever you want to call them, but Kylie and I can’t compare our friendship to them. The closest thing we can think of to sum up our friendship is sisterhood. I can hardly put into sufficient words the kind of relationship we have. From freshman orientation on, we were inseparable. Every day, without question, we had meals together, random late-night escapades to In-n-Out or McDonald’s, countless thought-provoking conversations, and more laughs than I had ever experienced in my entire life. We knew each other better than ourselves, could read any emotion or mood with one flash of it across the face, practiced how to push the others’ buttons, and imagined the course of the other’s life together. The whole beginning of our friendship was the happiest we had both been in years, experiencing joy beyond words and knowing that what we were building would last a lifetime.

That summer, after shooting hoops at Kylie’s house (more like her shooting hoops, and me rebounding for her since I am completely uncoordinated at basketball), we sat on the pavement and talked until the wee hours of the morning – about God and faith, who we were and were becoming, and just marveling at the coincidence of our friendship (what coincidence; more like providential). Kylie asked me, “Abigail, why is it we are from the same hometown, my family knows your family. We are so incredibly close – why do all these things line up?” As if I already knew the answer, I replied, “Because I feel like something is going to happen and I’m really going to need you there.” We both pondered the idea, and within a matter of minutes, we were on to the next subject as we always did.

Months flew by; full of surprises, boys, jobs, as well as incredible difficulties like any other friendship or relationship, but the bond between us grew stronger even as we began to loosen the chokehold grip we had on each other. Our schedules grew packed with obligations and responsibilities and priorities, and our friendship merged from happy-go-lucky-don’t-leave-without-me friends to I-will-be-here-when-you-get-home sisters. The Christmas after our profound “Why” conversation, my dad became fatally sick with a blood clot that lead to infections, which eventually took his life 7 months later. With no mother or father, you can imagine the role Kylie and her sweet mother more than willingly took on. As Kylie grieved over the sickness and loss of her own adopted father, she consoled me in my oblivion and numbness more than anyone else possibly could. She gave me a tongue when I couldn’t speak, feet when I lacked motivation, and a heart of flesh when mine turned to stone. How? God provided her with the strength I suppose; there is no other explanation for it. Months after Dad’s death, I recalled the almost-forgotten conversation with her and we shared a laugh over the amazing sovereignty of God’s plan. Funnier still (at least to us), I moved into Kylie’s sister’s old bedroom in her home in Modesto this last summer and adopted her mother as a mother figure in my life. We figured that it was more convenient that way; we didn’t have to go any further than step over her old, wizened dog that laid guard outside of our rooms to talk to each other. We also live together here at CBU – separate rooms of course, so we don’t lose nights of sleep to unexpected and in-depth conversations or pull each other’s hair out in frustration. We decided that even with the many events in life we had already shared together, there was nothing more that we wanted than to live life next to our sister in every season.

Each day, I feel like Kylie and I grow and change into different people from when we first met, but the tears, words of consolation, shared and discovered dreams, and the everyday presence we feel continues to confirm the fact that our friendship is real – that it’s not something we have imagined ourselves or controlled, nor could we if we had tried. Even with most emotions and thoughts unspoken, time spent apart, and the priority of other friends, there is no other earthly friendship we can think of that compares to the overwhelming bond-beyond-blood we share.

Kylie tells me often that she had prayed fervently for a best friend since she her parents’ divorce when she was 12. I had no idea I needed a best friend until I met her.

Henry, Ronald, Sheila, Andrew, Larry, Doug, Donny, Paige.

Our campus focuses on equipping students to go out to the nations and proclaim the word of God and demonstrate the love the Lord shows to us each day through service.

With a myriad of international options to partake in from CBU’s globally minded mobilization projects, I often lose sight of the desperate need of proclamation in our own country, state and community. As I leave Target or Starbucks just down the street from our campus bubble, undoubtedly I can spot a man or woman with a cardboard sign begging for money and food.

I have been questioning myself recently, “If I have been given my daily bread, what is stopping me from sharing?” Each of us have experienced alienation for some reason or another, with no sight of help on the way, and I thought that if I can give something of mine to someone who desperately needs it, I know the Holy Spirit will guide me to the one wanting.

Monday afternoon, my boyfriend Chris and I decided we would go to Brisco’s Cafe, our favorite on-campus eatery. We swiped our meal cards twice each to gather four, full-sized lunches stocked with sandwiches, water bottles, chips and fruit. From there we went to one of the busiest parts of Riverside to give them to men and women asking for food or money on the streets. We prayed silently as we drove down Magnolia Avenue towards the Tyler Galleria for God to provide us with his Spirit to present the right words to the people who needed them the most. Within 45 minutes we found eight people in a distance of one block. We parked and gently approached each of the people, inquiring if they would like some food. As we realized we only had 4 lunches, we decided to assemble 4 more bags of food from a restaurant down the street to offer to anyone else we saw.

First was Henry, an ex-demolition contractor who suffered extreme loss that admittedly affected his ability to think clearly. He had been left to the streets to fend for himself. Ronald, Sheila and Andrew followed him. The three are from Orange and find solace in each others’ friendships. Then there was Larry, a preacher’s son who did not agree with his father’s teachings and ultimately chose a homeless lifestyle. There was Doug, and then Donny came next. Donny was known for being “the old grouch,” a nickname coined by his Orange County folk. However, he turned out to be quite pleasant and welcoming to Chris one-on-one. Finally there was Paige, a girl in her early twenties whose quiet tears were not missed as she resumed her place in front of Target.

We asked each person if they had religious beliefs of any kind. Five out of the eight claimed Jesus Christ as their savior, and we prayed as a small group with them. Clasping hands together as we bowed our heads brought a stark realization to Chris and I that these men and women truly were children of God.

Eight people in one block. If each one of us from CBU — 6,000 students strong — would venture out to our local neighborhoods with two Brisco’s meals in our hands and a heart of compassion, 12,000 impoverished people would be fed and befriended in our area alone.

Several chapel speakers have recently said the Riverside area should be drastically transformed because of the students attending CBU. Are we contributing to the community around us? Or could 6,000 pairs of hands better extend beyond the four corners of CBU?

The choices at CBU seem bottomless. What do you choose?

Brisco’s vs. ADC

 Food: one of the great loves of my life. I could practically be majoring in taste tasting considering the quality of the food we have. From Fresh N Fit to home-cooked classics, I love it all.

Brisco’s is probably one of my favorite places on this earth. The “grab and go” style suits the busy student life where we have 10 minutes to spare before our next class and just need a little nibble to keep our energy up. Between the three and sometimes four entrée choices, a wide spectrum is covered –from fresh sandwiches or burgers with specialty bread and soups to favorite Mexican or Asian dishes to fresh salads and wraps. Fresh fruit is always available as well as bagged chips, some sort of sweet like cookies or Jell-o, plus french fries or a specialized vegetable dish. Water bottles line the shelves in the refrigerators and a fountain soda machine sits next to a cappuccino maker, leaving no room for an unquenchable thirst. A cozy indoor eating area has plenty of work space for a late night study session plus comfy chairs and sofas. I frequent Brisco’s almost daily, sometimes swiping my card multiple times to stock up on water, fruit, or– let’s be honest– chips and cookies to keep me going throughout the day.

(My favorite Soup & Sandwich: Rosemary foccacia bread, chipotle mayonnaise, turkey, lettuce, onion, salt & pepper with cream of celery soup. My mouth is watering and I just ate…)

I have seen the inner-piglet work its way to the surface as a newbie walks into the ADC (seniors, faculty and graduate students are not immune, either), looking upon the glory that is the buffet. Every place you turn your gaze, some delicious dish is beckoning with a home-cooked aroma. Italian, Mexican or Asian, Southern style, pizza, and burgers and fries offer diversity almost daily, on top of the fully-stocked salad, fruit, soup, and dessert bars with occasional specialty choices as in Black History Month’s menu of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, lemonade, and jambalaya. You want a specific type of drink? It’s there – teas, soda, coffee, juices, milk, frozen slushies – you name it, we’ve got it. It’s impossible to leave hungry, or without grabbing a handful of cookies on the way. Before I got to CBU, I told myself I would not gain the Freshman 15 and I didn’t – Freshman 20 all the way!

(Must-try: Two cookies of your choice placed in a bowl, heated in the microwave, with your choice of soft-serve ice cream in the middle. Top with whipped cream, sprinkles, nuts, or all of the above, and share with someone, or eat it completely on your own. Sharing is caring, right?)

Recreational Center vs. Intramural Sports

 I grew up cheerleading for basketball and football and played softball for 11 years, so I am a thorough supporter of team sports. Recently though, I joined a gym and learned how to work out on my own without a team rallying me on. If I had to choose which I would prefer to do, I wouldn’t be able to. Either way alleviates stress and keeps the body active and healthy. Apart from our competitive sports, we have two easily-accessed means of athleticism.

Watching the Rec Center being assembled wall by wall for the past year and a half, I must say that I was afraid –out of sheer anxiousness and desire—that it would never open. It looked and sounded too good to be true; a floor-to-ceiling glass front wall, three stories, every machine you could ask for, several rooms for classes, and a multiple-courts basketball court. Little did I know that it also included an astro-turf soccer field on top of the roof, a twenty-foot rockclimbing wall, and racquetball courts. “Overwhelming” isn’t a sufficient word; I want to do it all. Classes are offered throughout the day including Cycling, Glutes & Guts, and 20-20-20, led by experienced students interested in physical training or kinesiology. State of the art equipment lines the walls with plenty of physical trainers to give tips and advice to aid your workout.

(Tip: reserve a racquetball court for you and a friend to challenge your agility, concentration, and coordination. The six-surfaced playing field gives a whole new meaning to “footwork.”)

 There’s nothing like playing a team sport. The bonds created and constant companionship contribute to a unified body of teamwork. I have to say, I haven’t ever been a part of an intramural sports league due to the fact my music schedule is pretty demanding, but I have seen plenty of games and had many friends be a part of these very popular activities. Football, basketball, volleyball, and soccer are some of the many rosters that beginners and all-state athletes can sign for.  Each team plays all the others, constantly working to get to the championships at the end of the season. Each team is student-led, sometimes consisting of a core of returners that invite worthy candidates to fill the open spots left on the roster, or most often, a group of friends decide they want to play for funsies or to hold the trophy at the end of the season as champions. The league generates a healthy competitiveness across the campus, uniting underclassmen and upperclassmen together over a sport each athlete enjoys.

(Remember: Football leads to the school-wide Fortuna Bowl, where the winners travel to Biola University for an inter-school championship. AND at Fortuna, the school brings in Chick-Fil-A or In-n-Out!)v