Monthly Archives: January 2014

There is something so beautifully wonderful about not knowing what to expect in a new situation. And by “beautifully wonderful,” I mean slightly terrifying in the best possible way.

I encountered this sort of situation Monday as I walked into International Service Project (ISP) Orientation. As a newbie in the program, I have already experienced more than what I could have initially expected.

When I first decided to take the plunge and participate in ISP, I had about a trillion little thoughts. The main gist of these included mixed fear and excitement for never having left the country before and not having a clue about any element of international travel. The good news about this is that I soon discovered I was not the only one. As I went through the application process, I was able to express these concerns and realize that ISP is not just for sophisticated travel experts – it is designed to get anyone involved in our God’s global mission.

As soon as I found out I was going to the United Kingdom and met my team, the excitement mounted. I am, and have always been, absolutely obsessed with the UK. I’m enthralled by anything involving tea, fish ‘n chips, English poets/actors/characters, or the BBC. In recent years, though, I’ve been increasingly aware of the state of Christianity in the UK and have had a nagging urge to check further into this. I still believe that my God is active all over the world and that he has plans to fulfill, and I’ve been compelled to see how I fit in with that. As soon as I was placed on this ISP team, I felt an assurance that my will is aligning with God’s. I know that he has given me each gift and passion for a reason, and I’m stoked to see this will play out through my involvement in this service project.

Though I could not (and still cannot) contain my excitement for all that is to come, I still carried a few uncertainties. Time flies, after all, so how can I cram the needed information into my head to be an affective servant with my team? Each of my fears was immediately addressed at our first meeting this past Monday. We were able to share our fears – and then immediately recognize that our God is bigger than each financial issue and each matter of inexperience and safety. This really puts my mind at ease and makes it easy to overcome any lingering fears.

I promise to keep you updated on this preparation time, as I know for sure I’ll continue to learn. It has been wonderful to know that inexperience cannot be trumped by a willingness to serve, as well as the fact that if the Lord wants me somewhere, He’ll give me the means to go. We only need to be open to being terrified, because our fears will turn into assurance that our God is big and the very definition of good. Friends, be out of your comfort zone, be teachable, and love God through it all. I’ll see you next week!

Christmas break is officially over and a new semester is ahead of us. Break was filled with lazy days and hanging out with friends. Doing those things was great, but I was ready to get back to school to see my staff, see my roommates and see my friends. While I love being at home, I missed the environment and life here at CBU.

This week marks the beginning of my last semester of undergraduate classes here at CBU. It’s crazy to think that I have already completed seven semesters. Multiple times on the first day of classes my roommate asked, “Can you believe we are starting our last semester of undergraduate classes?” Each time I would respond with some version of “Please don’t remind me.” You see, ever since school started in the fall we’ve pretty much been avoiding the topic of graduation, not wanting to fully accept the fact that in just a few months we are going to graduate and be thrown into the cruel, cold world.

However, today I took a big step in accepting the fact that I am graduating. Once a week I have been getting an email that tells me to apply for graduation. Well, today I decided to do what the email said and actually apply. I went to the Office of the Registrar, picked up a bright green applicationand filled it out. That means I am one step closer to graduation and one step closer to entering the real world.

Though there is some uncertainty about graduating and what the next chapter of my life will include, there is also a ton of excitement. Once I graduate, I am closer to working in a classroom and teaching students. As a liberal studiesmajor, I have had to opportunity to work in many different classes over the past seven semesters, and I have loved every second of it. Working with students makes me excited to graduate and begin teaching. So there you have it, this final semester is both exciting and frightening, but I’m ready to enjoy this last semester.

With a new semester comes a whole new schedule, which in turn affects just about every routine I developed in the last four months. Routine is great when I need to wake up for an 8 a.m. class or rush a meal before Male Chorale, but when I want spark interest in a new idea or even have a fun story to talk about in this blog, breaking routine is the only way to make it happen. That’s what I aim for. If it’s my friend’s birthday and he’s never gone to a trampoline park, then I’ll plan on taking him to Skyzone to jump around like small child (which happened last semester). When I find that one of my favorite bands is playing at the House of Blues in Anaheim in the middle of the week, I’ll plan ahead on lab reports and work schedules to free up time for it. I have to keep on trying new experiences and going to new places to keep myself busy and away from the dullness of complacent consistency. Luckily for me, every semester resets the world just enough to keep me in check.

Now, I’m not saying that I like to drastically alter my life style from week to week. On the contrary, I like where I am studying, my major, the friendships I’ve made and the continuing adventures we get ourselves into. I don’t plan on changing any of those while I’m at CBU. It’s the new classes, new events, new people each semester that keep my mind active and curious. Take this spring semester for example. Through my engineering classes, I will learn advanced concepts of C++ programming, fundamental principles of AC/DC circuitry and theoretical electromagnetism. I have no idea what that will entail. All I know is that I will invest a whole lot of time studying these ideas, because they are new to me. For music, I’m continuing with choir and voice lessons, and even took up a one unit piano class, which again is a new area for me. Even my job in the ADC changed this semester. I am no longer a quiet, unseen dishwasher in the back. Now I work as a server dishing out chicken, rice and vegetables and striking up conversations with anyone talkative enough to ask me how things are (don’t be shy). That’s, again, another interesting change for me, since I get to interact with more people and change up the routine of stacking trays and dishes in the back. Serving up new dishes and talking to new people each night makes the work more entertaining.

Most of all, it is the outlook of the semester that affects how good it’s going to be. I’m optimistic about the new things, because that’s what I enjoy the most. I know this will be my toughest class load yet, but I don’t worry about that too much. If I’m motivated by everything else around me, then this semester should be just fine.

It’s on us once again – the scattered reunions, the rush to get each new book and syllabus in order, and the overall thrill of a new beginning. It’s time to spend the next few days stocking up on mac n cheese and coffee and catching up with those we missed as we prepare for everything ahead. Friends, let’s have a virtual toast to the promise of another year on earth!

The break for Christmas was such a perfect way to gather up my thoughts once again and relax for a while in order to carry on into my next adventure. There is no better way to kick off a new season than with a bit of rest and time with lovely people, and the break allowed me to do just that. The second I got home, I found myself stuffed with homemade meals and then quickly trading regular clothes for big comfy sweaters and furry slippers (it was quite chilly back home – I think I’ve become way too accustomed to the Riverside sun). Clad in my comfy Northern garb, I grabbed a blanket and my cat and enjoyed countless movies and books purely for kicks. It felt entirely wrong to watch or read something without having to write a paper on it later, but hey, I cherished the moment. Aside from my time as a couch potato, I was able to reconnect with old friends, spend time at my home church and enjoy the presence of the people I love the most. After experiencing all of this, I find that there is no better way to recharge than to slow down and soak in every bit of the time given to me over the break.

Now I need to take the time used to recharge and put it to work. I have never been one who pays special focus to New Year’s resolutions, but I do find myself listing things I’m hopeful for with each new semester or season. Of course, there are the usual goals of keeping my grades up, loving people effectively and investing in new and old friendships – all of which are great to focus on – but this year I especially want to work on the simple task of being present in each and every moment. I have quite a few things to look forward to: I’m preparing to join with a team and share the Gospel in the UK, I’ll be taking a class taught by one of the X Men producers (I KNOW, RIGHT?!), and, as always, I’ll be surrounded by some of the greatest people I’ve been fortunate enough to live life with. Through all of this, I hope to keep my Creator in the center of my focus and glean as much as I can from each and every moment.

Moving forward now, as always, let’s remember to live fully. Schedule moments to steal away a lunch, coffee break or movie night. Call home and tell your friends and family how much they mean to you (even in the midst of a crazy week – it really builds perspective). Engage in chapel, serve in church and reach out to at least two new people who you do not immediately click with. Pay attention in each class and remember that the education we are investing in is preparing us for a lifetime of service and teaching us more than we can possibly imagine. Read at least one book or watch one unexpected movie purely for fun and share it with your roommates. And of course, never forget to “count others as more significant than yourself” (Philippians 2:3 ESV). Let’s love God and love his people in big ways this semester, and dedicate full attention and joy to each day. Friends, I’m looking forward to this year, and I’ll see you back next week.