by aubreymacmillan

Readers, I am writing to you in the midst of it all – my finals are in full swing, with each and every project due at relatively the same time. It is definitely keeping me occupied. However, I have to keep reminding myself that this is what I signed up for, and I would not trade it for anything. After all, my work includes examining Homer and writing analyses of classic Hitchcock movies. Oh, I am so fortunate to be an English/film major.

While I can’t deny that I love my classes and am sad to see them end, I am so ready for a break. I have been ceaselessly busy balancing various obligations, Christmas festivities, and homework that I sometimes wonder how I accomplish anything, given how short each day seems to be. How am I keeping sane? Wonderful question. To be honest, my attention is split several different ways, and I have to budget a certain amount of time and attention to each element in my life to keep myself at a balanced level of enthusiasm and studiousness.

The first thing bouncing around my brain is the fact that, starting next semester, I will begin ISP training with a team I already know to be a wonderful bunch. Team Reveal occurred last week, and I discovered that I will be spending three weeks over the summer in the United Kingdom. (Insert screaming and happy-dancing here). I will walk where so many kings, queens, poets, fictional detectives and boy-wizards have tread! I have been passionate about this country and culture for as long as I can remember, and knowing that God has given me those passions for the purpose of sending me there to spread His truth is overwhelming. I absolutely cannot wait to get started! Thankfully, addressing each of my support letters earlier this afternoon gave me a much-needed break from studying, allowing me to spend time praying the matter over and regaining my focus. I am still in awe of the fact that I will begin working toward our mission in the UK next semester, and I cannot help but give this upcoming adventure quite a bit of mental attention at the moment.

Another thing that has dominated my thoughts is the constant reminder that I am so thankful to be a student, even in the midst of this busy, sleepless season. I am reminded of why I came to college in the first place, acting upon a desire to seize opportunities for higher learning in order to honor God with all my mind. He has given me the ability to study the subjects I am passionate about and to increase my knowledge so that I may integrate faith into learning and see how my Creator may be glorified in the work that I do. I am acting upon the skillsets that He has given me, keeping his Kingdom at the center of my focus and trusting that he will be served fully in my endeavors. This is such an important reminder, especially now as I am fighting to stay alert and finish all of my classes well. Praise the Shepherd for coffee – it has helped me achieve just that!

The third and most tantalizing thought in my mind is the promise of sweet rest just as soon as I finish my last final and head home for Christmas. I can’t wait to curl up on my couch with my cat and watch all of those movies I have been dying to view. I crave my mom’s cooking, time to sing with my dad, and days spent watching British television marathons with my little brother. I long for the smell of pine from our Christmas Tree, endless Christmas carols, peppermint bark, services at my home church, and time with my family to talk and laugh and enjoy every good thing my God has put in our lives. This week promises relief and refreshment from a semester that has proved to be one of my most strenuous, yet I also pray for opportunities to love on everyone I encounter. I have been blessed so richly these past few months, and I hope that I can give this back throughout the remainder of the semester and through the entirety of my vacation.

There’s a little snippet of my scattered, well-worn mind. I sincerely hope that you are all surviving your workload, and finding time to stop, be grateful for each breath, and enjoy your lives. As for me, it’s back to studying for now. Thanks for sticking with me this semester, Readers, and I can’t wait to see you back soon! Have a fantastic, blessed, and happy Christmas!

Brace yourselves – finals are coming. We are in the home stretch of the semester. It is a bit crazy to think that immediately after break, we have one short week before we dive headlong into our final papers and exams, ready or not. In honor of this time of year, I put up the following poster in my apartment (along with our lovely Christmas decorations).

Despite the coming all-nighters and endless cups of coffee, let me just take a moment to revel in the goodness that was Thanksgiving Break. Yes, it was short. Yes, I came back last Friday and was instantly reminded of how much homework I still had to finish before the week began. Aside from these things, however, I was still able to find the energy and motivation to continue on. How exactly? To be completely honest, much of it begins with Doctor Who.

Now, for those of you who don’t know, I absolutely adore the BBC show Doctor Who. It’s one of my favorites, and one I always watch with my little brother. The show has been around for 50 years (yes, 50), and BBC America released a special to celebrate the show’s record-breaking run. Thankfully, this premiered the weekend I returned home for the break, so I was fortunate enough to be able to watch it with my brother. We spent the majority of the day in our pajamas and in front of the TV, enjoying the British goodness that unfolded before us. We screamed, we laughed, and, yes, we even ventured to let out a few tears. We basically presented the perfect picture of enthusiasm to my parents, who just watched us in confusion.

This picture of enthusiasm is something I am trying to maintain as I do my best to finish strongly this semester. While these moments at home were simple, they remind me of the reflection of a greater enthusiasm that should be maintained. One awesome thing about movies, shows, music, and other media is that it ignites a spark within each of us. Something about these art forms taps into our humanity and makes us think, feel, and become enthused over what we see and hear. Since we were all created in the image of God, we can notice how these elements of enthusiasm are reflections of Him. This fact was reiterated to me through the remainder of break – we crave community with family, which serves as a reflection of our craving for intimacy with the Creator. We crave food because it enlivens us and points to the goodness of God. Goodness in all things proves to me that each of my desires is for Him, the author of all goodness and beauty. We are made to want more of Him, and all things in creation can point us back to Him.

Bearing all of this in mind, I dig deep into the recesses of my brain to finish all of my remaining projects and papers and prepare to do well on each exam. The life I am living and all things in it are truly a gift, and I plan to live fully as I head into the beginning of the end of yet another semester at a university I love. Carry on, sailors, and live well.

Friends, the time is upon us. Stores have been advertising pumpkin everything, classes are speeding up the pace in preparation for upcoming vacations, and I find myself constantly aware of an intense craving for turkey. It is time for us to pack up the books (and unwashed laundry) and head home once again for Thanksgiving Break!

This season always brings about an awareness of each blessing in life. While thankfulness is a practice that should be maintained throughout the year, this holiday serves as a reminder to reboot this mindset. While I have been allowing all of the blessings from this semester to marinate in my mind for a while, I am consistently struck by the thought that blessings are meant to be returned. While I have a mile-long list of things to be thankful for, I find that I have an equally bountiful amount of opportunities to bless others. So, rather than rant all about things to be thankful for, I’d rather take the common ideas and offer ways to return the blessings and bring the focus back to others.

First of all, I am always thankful for my family and for my little town in Northern California. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to go home for the week. While I adore my life here, I find myself missing my small town and the people there. I have been and am continually blessed by my family and close friends from Ukiah, and choose to focus on ways to bless them in return on my upcoming trip. I’ll make a point to make various coffee runs for those who still have to work, drop off cookies at my old office, and catch up on life with everyone I can. Being home with family is wonderful, and while rest is important, it’s also good to make a point to fill your days with simple acts that can make each person you encounter feel loved. This becomes especially important if, like me, you don’t make it home often. Continually invest in your relationships, and use each minute of this time off to ensure that your friends and family feel blessed by you.

Seeing that finals are rapidly approaching, despite the thrill of the upcoming week off, I’ve been constantly reminded of the blessing it is to be a student of the subjects I love. Studying literature and film is, quite honestly, my dream come true. Life is a never-ending book club where I get to talk and write about literature, while simultaneously watching astounding new movies and geeking out about why they are great. Not only do I greatly enjoy my area of study, I get to see the ways in which they are being used to further the Kingdom, and learn how I can play my part in that plan. A challenge to consider in the midst of all of this is to take a moment and put the education we’re receiving into perspective. Consider why you are in school, and what it is you hope to accomplish when you earn your degree. Remember that furthering your education is one way to act as a light in the world, as Christ called us to be, as we can use the knowledge and experience we gain to become more awestruck by the world and the God who made it. This makes me all the more excited to learn continuously, and to play my part in using the knowledge I gain to worship my God.

Readers, I hope that you will be especially blessed this week. As you enjoy the class-free time with those you love, be a cause for blessing to everyone you encounter. I’ll see you in two weeks!

In first coming to CBU, I was aware of the (in)famous concept of “Ring by Spring.” The topic of dating and the thought behind this phrase definitely rings true on this campus (no pun intended). The reality of this topic surrounds us – couples abound, and dating is discussed in any circle of friends gathered for lunch at Brisco’s. Several of our on campus events address this idea, and rightfully so. We find this topic relevant at this time of life, and it is so vastly important to discuss them in the community available to us. In the experience I’ve gathered here, a few elements on the topic of relationships prove important to address. So buckle up, readers, and let’s talk dating.

• Perspective: Everything to be said about relationships should be looked at with a Biblical perspective. As Christians, it is our joy and our goal to honor Christ and to achieve His purposes in everything that we do. This, of course, includes pursuing relationships with other people. It’s true that on a Christian campus, innumerable awesome and Christ-loving individuals surround us, which honestly makes it difficult not to start crushing on one of them at one time or another. That being said, it’s important to keep your primary focus on advancing the Kingdom of God. Focus on your love for Him, and know that relationships serve as a picture of a selfless love that reflects the Creator.
• Contentment: While the idea of dating is one that will cross your mind at some point, know that it shouldn’t dominate your thoughts. Regardless of whether you are single, in a relationship or beginning to date, your worth is not affected by changes to come. You are so much more than your relationship status, and it is important to focus on the qualities that matter most. Cultivate genuineness, humor, kindness, confidence, thoughtfulness, humility, and passion that exudes from every pore. Your personal journey will play out wonderfully, and those who join you in it will be encouraged by your dedication and passion to live fully and honor the Creator.
• Motive: If you are at a point where you are dating someone, or you’re in a serious relationship, always remember to seek the best for both yourself and the other person. The best experience in this life is a reckless pursuit of the God of all things, and when you play a part in someone else’s story, push and be pushed toward advancing the Gospel. This will be played out in your relationship through the way you respect each other, care for the other’s goals and well-being, and are willing to join in on their spiritual walk. Make time for the important conversations as well as for fun, and listen to each other’s insight. Make a point to seek accountability from other people as you move forward. It’s important to work on your identity as a couple, and including other trusted people in that can be instrumental in further shaping your Christ-centered relationship.

Relationships, as with everything else in life, are a way to seek growth. Regardless of whether you’re single or dating, remember that everything in life should be done seeking the Kingdom of God. In college, the “Ring by Spring” idea will bounce around the conversation, but should not be an end goal. Look for wisdom from others when addressing this, and remember that the goal, as always, is to honor God and be blessed to grow immensely.

It’s interesting how certain themes pop up continually throughout film, literature, and life. Reflections of certain ideas are seen in various art forms because they are continually relevant to us – they reveal elements of humanity, and people will always encounter them. One such idea has been presenting itself to me consistently over the past few weeks. It is one that deserves to be discussed, as it proves to be pertinent to life at a university. This idea is vulnerability.

This word gets thrown around a lot in Christian circles; we hear it in chapel, at church, and use it freely among our own companions. While the word may be overused, there is a tendency to allow the idea of vulnerability to remain cognitive without allowing the concept to connect emotionally and affect our lives. I am one who shies away from clichés, and I am guilty of shutting out ideas once I find that I have a firm intellectual grasp on them. Thankfully, my God has a way of breaking through the barriers of my mind by repeating ideas to me when there is more to be learned. Being the analytical student I am, I have learned to pay attention to motifs in literature, film, and life – where there is repetition, there is a profound meaning beneath the surface. Vulnerability is an idea that has been repeated in sermons, scripture, and conversations over the course of this semester, and I recently decided to allow this concept to resonate emotionally, rather than just cognitively. We should prayerfully and cautiously share our weaknesses in order to be held to a higher standard in our community, being constantly pushed toward Christ. Vulnerability is not a word to be used, but a habit to form and an emotional course to take.

As I worked through these thoughts with my roommates, I reached back into my mind to find the time I felt most vulnerable. An emotional connection with this idea was needed to breathe new life into this old, well-worn idea.

I thought back to the time I visited the zoo for the first time with my parents. I must have been about three years old, and I remember being amazed by the amount of people around me the entire day. At one point, I remember my parents taking me to an exhibit where I could approach an open pool to see clusters of starfish. I let go of my dad’s hand to push forward in the crowd and get a closer look, not thinking for one moment that I would lose my way. (Can you blame me? Starfish are awesome!)

Once I saw what I wanted to see, I reached beside me and clung to the nearest leg I could find without a second thought. I distinctly remember saying “Hi, Daddy,” only to hear “I’m not your father” in an unknown voice as a response. I looked up suddenly to discover that this wasn’t at all my dad, and beyond that, I had no idea where my parents were. I jumped back to look desperately up at the innumerable faces high above me, and couldn’t recognize a single one. I was confused, terrified, and felt completely exposed in my surroundings. Thankfully, my parents were quick to recover me, and my first completely vulnerable experience did not last long.

Looking back on this circumstance reminds me of what vulnerability actually is: visiting a place within you that is fragile, close to home, and takes effort to expose. Being transparent may be extremely difficult, and will require that you trust another with your thoughts and emotions.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (English Standard Version). This is a passage many of us have heard before and may be well familiar with, but part of the beauty of scripture is that it has the power to resonate differently with us at varying points throughout life. God invites us to experience life with Him, and part of this includes accepting His companionship and Lordship and opening ourselves up to dialogue with Him – even in the areas that are emotionally vulnerable. He moves greatly when we are humbled and wants us to practice vulnerability as a means of relying more fully on Him.

This recap of a familiar idea and a practice of living it more fully has been quite the journey for me over the past few months. Praise be to my Creator for reestablishing a deeper level of intimacy in my life! Readers, He is big, He is good, and He loves us, and with that, I’ll leave you until next time.

There is something so deeply important in gathering as a household and maintaining healthy bonds between roommates.

I say this acknowledging the blessing that it is to live with the roommates I have this year in the gorgeous University Place housing area. Not only am I close to Brisco’s and the events on the front lawn – which have been increasing in excitement with the coming of Fortuna Bowl – I also have the advantage of rolling out of bed later (a massive luxury) as I am right next to the building where the majority of my classes are held. Beyond my extremely convenient location on campus, I am graced with the company of three women who have proven to be a source of consistent blessing for me this semester.

The four different lives that intersect at the meeting point of our apartment have experienced much over the past few weeks. I have seen one roommate barge in announcing victory at an easy exam, another relate an epiphany and breakthrough volunteer opportunity, and another burst through the front door utterly spent, but elated after a long rehearsal for the upcoming theatre production. (Shameless plug aimed at all CBU students and local residents: go see Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, opening November 15. My roommate is a lead in the show, and from what I have been hearing from behind the curtain, it is going to be astoundingly brilliant. It’s also my personal favorite Shakespearean comedy. The Bard knows his way to the audiences’ funny bone; you’re guaranteed to laugh uncontrollably.) While each of us have these insanely busy schedules and rarely find a moment where we are all together and not swamped with homework, we all have managed to find time to keep up with every other housemate and exhort one another in kind.

I realize this post will easily turn into a love letter to my roommates – because seriously, they’re wonderful – but I also want to spend my time musing about the beauty found in the opportunity to live with other students at this time of life. We do school together, learn about ourselves in a group, and achieve a level of community that is completely unique to the college experience. We go through life on campus, experience highs and lows, and life becomes a never-ending party where friends are constantly present.

I have had several moments over the past month where I realize that not only am I now a junior, but I am quickly approaching the halfway mark of the year. The time has flown by at an alarming rate, and only makes me more aware of all that I have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy over the course of my undergrad experience. While I could easily spend dozens of pages pouring out my thoughts on everything I love about my life here (don’t worry – I won’t!) I realize that the biggest blessing has been the community I have found. CBU has become my home away from home, and the people I have shared life with have become additions to my family. I know for certain that a large part of who I am has been shaped by the people God has put in my life, and I see His love given abundantly through them. It really is amazing how much this community does for us, and these are years I will not easily forget.

Forgive me for my abundant sentimentality, but I have to spend a moment giving thanks to the people who share life with me. Thanks for the coffee dates, the overcooked macaroni and cheese (and messy kitchens), the BBC movie nights, the hilarious phrases to add to the “quote book,” and the companionship I have found to be priceless. Life is truly fuller when shared with fellow humans. Friends, you are valued. Carry on, and I will see you next week.

“So, what’s your major?”

We are all entirely too familiar with this question. It is one that may either provoke an internal eye roll or a beneficial discussion, but – either way – it is a part of our general college “getting to know you” conversation. While this is a basic question on the surface, I quickly realize that behind each simple answer (aviation, engineering, theatre, etc.), there is a story waiting to be told and plans waiting to be related. When you meet another person with the same major as you, instant friendship is built; you both find that in sharing the same interests and aspirations, you can walk through classes together and bounce thoughts off each other.

When I had this age-old conversation once again this past weekend, I thought it beneficial to share my perspective on my areas of study and what led me to choosing these.

As I’ve mentioned before, I am in my third year as an English major. When I first came to CBU, I knew that I adored stories, analytical discussion, and expressing my thoughts about literature through writing. I did not have a clear goal in mind as to what I wanted to do with these passions, but I knew that I love school and wanted to pursue an education in English. As time went on and I experienced each of my literature classes, it became so apparent to me that I am in the right field. I have gleaned so much from my professors, who have helped me to improve and to increase my passion beyond what I could have ever expected. It was through experiencing personal changes in my classes and through consulting with my professors that I decided to pursue a career in this field – namely, I want to teach at the college level. If I can someday impact another soul the way my professors here have impacted me, I count that as a success. God creates each of us uniquely to advance His Kingdom, and I am continuously finding that working toward my goals and using these passions may give Him honor.

In taking more classes and exploring other interests, I considered adding a minor that would expand my knowledge of another area and complement the work I had been pursuing. I took a hybrid film and literature course with one of my favorite professors and wound up exploding into a ball of love and enthusiasm for the subject. I began to see how, in my eyes, literature and film go hand in hand. Both studies complement each other, as they deal with the close analysis of art forms that carry a weighty cultural impact. As I began to see my passion for each subject increase my appreciation of the other, I decided to declare a film studies minor and dive right into this new area.

As this semester continues on and demands so much of me academically, I have discovered through each class exactly how much I love being able to refine my work and use it in serving the Creator. I keep learning how to view both reading and watching films as more and more of an intelligent practice. Not only do these actions offer entertainment and insight into the human mind, they reflect the glory of God through provoking narratives and various displays of humanity throughout. When reading or watching a piece of film with a Christian worldview, it becomes so edifying to see how the art forms can constantly point to the Maker and inspire us to live more fully. I believe that God loves stories, as he uses them at points throughout the Bible to demonstrate His truths, provoke action in us, and relate His glory more clearly. The very fact that He gave us an amazing written work in the form of the Bible to reveal Himself to us speaks so powerfully to me. In seeking to honor my Lord in everything that I do, I have been abundantly blessed to find that He has gifted me with a mind and passion for stories, and He is constantly showing me how that can be used to make His name great.

As I considered all of this – different majors, conversations about them, and a growing thirst for knowledge – I was reminded of how interesting it is that each individual reason for pursuing an area of study in higher education points to the vastness of thought and skill set found among fellow humans. It is astounding how many people are so multifaceted with their talents and determinations to use them throughout life. Our God truly is infinitely great and created us all so diversely so that we can glorify Him in innumerable ways. If you’re still seeking out a major to pursue, or wondering how your education might be used in a future career, remember that you have been created uniquely to honor the Creator. Whatever that looks like, pursue His Kingdom first, and be blessed in seeing how you, uniquely you, may love and honor God. I’ll leave you with a quote by the brilliant Christ-follower C.S. Lewis, who phrases this better than I ever could:

“The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become – because He made us. He invented us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be…. It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own.”

Friends, the week has begun, once again, with countless reminders of why I love life as a student on a campus such as this. Even the driest bits of my daily routine are so full of simple joys that I really can’t complain at all. The “low” point of this past week consisted of me, half-consumed coffee in hand, hair a mess, and hurrying off to print off a paper I needed for the next class. I was interrupted by a ginormous, unexpected hug from a dear friend who filled me with affirmation and then sent me on my way. While I did have to continue in my jam-packed schedule and do my best in accomplishing each assignment to the best of my ability, the simple interruption of a little positivity made even a hectic point memorable for a very different reason.

As I thought about this instance and various other points this week that have made me realize how ridiculously blessed I am, I began to wonder why exactly these things make such a difference. What is it about simple joys and people that make my days so much more full and encouraging? I can’t pinpoint this exactly, but I have found numerous levels of appreciation for the ways in which blessings come.

As we go through life as young adults, we’ll experience innumerable changing seasons and decisions. We will run into financial difficulties as we learn how to work harder and budget the money we earn. We will face uncertainty as we plan for our future lives. And, as classes and life in general catches up with us, we will occasionally feel the stress of it all mount up to be a menacing, seemingly untamable beast. These elements of life, mixed in with the joys of new relationships, successes, and adventures, make for a richness of experience, assuming we stay in community with those experiencing all of this with us.

In college especially, we all can relate to each other in the sense that we are all experiencing similar things at the same time. We were created as communal creatures, and we are made to share life with each other in order to glean as much as we can from it. Not only can we share concerns and triumphs, we can walk with each other through it all and, in doing so, learn much from ourselves and each other. We all will have both positive and negative experiences in life, yet what makes it really rich and worthwhile is the people we choose to share it with. Whether that comes in the form of a homework group, coffee break, date night, or a simple late-night conversation, our lives become so richly blessed by our experiences and our choices to share them with others.

Being filled up to the brim only makes me think of ways I want to return the favor to this world that I love so much. While I receive love through my roommates, classmates, and friends I am so fortunate to know, I pray I can share love with each of them in kind. By slowing down and looking up from my busy way to see whoever is in front of me, I can seek out opportunities to bless others. A challenge for all of us this week: speak slowly, take a different, slower route to class, and take the time to tell each person in your life why they matter to us. We are living life together, and can make it all the more gorgeous by investing in each other in any way we can, simple or otherwise. Readers, be blessed and be a blessing, and I’ll see you next week.

We all have those uneventful weekends: the ones that pass by slowly, consisting only of late mornings, brunches, movies and homework (all done in only the comfiest of pajamas). I have a tendency to take these weekends for granted, but it takes one true whirlwind of 48 hours to remind me of the goodness of simplicity – as well as the beauty of a bit of chaos.

The weekend began with my housemates and me in our University Place living room eating food from Brisco’s and listening to the flag football games outside. Nothing could be more normal for a Friday night, and all was well. Saturday passed by in much the same way, with each of us doing homework, completing International Service Project applications and catching up on the week’s TV shows. My roommate and I had plans to see a play in San Diego the following afternoon, so we went to bed with our plans swimming in our heads, our outfits planned out and our minds at ease. Of course, a bit of a shock was bound to happen at this point in time…

After my roommate and I went to bed, I fell asleep quickly. The next thing I knew, I was awakened to exclamations of surprise and distress and found my roommate on the floor, clutching her nose and saying she needed help. I flipped on the light, took her to the bathroom and quickly woke up the others in the house. I asked my roommate what had happened, only to get a broken response:

“I… um… can’t remember… I… sleepwalking… dresser… ow, it really hurts!”

This was enough for us to put the pieces together and, after examining her nose, we decided it would be best to take her to the hospital for stitches. Thinking quickly, I called our residential assistant (RA) to let her know what was going on.

It’s times like these I am so thankful to live on a campus where caring, able help and friendship are just around the corner. Our RA answered right away, told us to wait two minutes and met us in the parking lot, wide awake and ready to join in on our little adventure.

Once we set out on our merry way to the emergency room, things were looking tense, yet hopeful. My roommate is a trouper, and she kept cracking jokes the entire way while thanking us for helping her out. Laughing in the face of uncertainty really relieved the tension, and our RA reminded us that we were going to be okay.

The hospital is just a short drive away, and we got there in no time at all. Our RA had not only taken care of the technicalities in making sure everything was documented and our safety was ensured, but also was a stellar example of friendship in the way she joked with us, kept the mood light and prayed with us. My roommate was all patched up in a matter of hours, and we were back on our way to campus equipped with pain medication, high spirits and a riveting story to tell.

I realize that this is in not an ideal way to spend a Saturday night in any way, shape or form, but it honestly served as an excellent reminder of the blessings we take for granted every day. Lazy weekends may be uneventful, but they mean that we have the luxury of relaxation and time to accomplish what we need to prepare for the week ahead. After this adventure, my housemates and I were reminded of the ways God protects and blesses us along each bump in the road (or tumble while sleepwalking). My roommate was very fortunate to have only hit her nose and not hurt herself further, and we were also blessed to have immediate help and clear thinking to solve the problem. Our campus staff was readily available to help, and we were able to laugh our way through it by the end of the evening. It’s moments like these when I am reminded of the blessing that is health, friendship and even frightening experiences. I sincerely hope that you have all had a much less tumultuous past few days than I have, but know that those times do bring with them stories to tell, lessons to be learned and blessings to be counted. Safe sailing, Readers!

Brooke Fraser’s “Here’s to You,” one of many songs that is near and dear to me, states, quite wisely, “life is short as the day is long.” I consistently find this to be true, especially when I realize that, although my days are so incredibly full, a month of the fall semester has already flown by.

Readers, I can safely say that I have succeeded in settling into a fairly well adjusted schedule by now. Once again, I find that budgeting free time is just as important as budgeting time for work, and I am reminded again that there is so much to enjoy about life on a college campus. The simple pleasures all amount to so much, and this past week, it is the little things that have made my heart so full.

My days typically start in a sleepy haze. I roll out of bed first to enjoy the cheery singing performed graciously by my roommate as she prepares for the day. I then get ready as quickly as possible so as to enjoy a huge cup of coffee before my first class. Side note: Coffee is glorious, isn’t it? I often fall asleep looking forward to having my morning cuppa. Okay, back on track now. Once I am sufficiently caffeinated, I step out into the eternal sunshine of Southern California and begin my trek to the James building, spouting out innumerable “hello’s” and “how’s life?’s” to people along the way. Walking around campus this year often feels like a picture-perfect movie montage in which the protagonist powerwalks along to a cheery indie song. Even the smallest moments at the start of the day set a tone which allows me to be aware of the blessings of university life!

I then spend the majority of my day in class, scratching my head at mind-boggling ideas or picking my professors’ brains to gain one more sliver of knowledge. This year has brought on just another level of enthusiasm for my life as a student, as I have added my film studies minor. This, coupled with English, allows me to dig deep into the subjects I love and shamelessly geek out over the things I find fascinating. One of my fellow English major friends perfectly summed up what our major entails: it is an ongoing book club in which we read great books, talk about them, write about them, talk about them once more and then repeat the entire process with another great book. I can honestly say that it is a privilege to go to school and learn the things that make one’s passion grow.

At the end of a long day of classes, work and meetings, I enjoy time in my living room with the three gorgeous girls I am graced to call roommates. We sprawl out in whatever position we find comfortable and dive into the evening’s activities. We encourage each other through homework, discuss an interesting topic encountered during the day, or battle through an important philosophical question. I can hardly imagine a better end to a day than spending it with dear friends who exhort one another and offer undefiled friendship.

While college life is a roller coaster filled with stresses, deadlines and challenges, these are matched in joyful privileges and community. Taking joy in all of the simple things can help to maintain a gracious attitude and to carry on through life purposefully and joyfully. Friends, I hope you have a wonderful week.