Overview of Fall

The saying goes that time flies when you're having fun. I have never fully experienced that saying until this year. I feel like I was just at Freshman Orientation and setting our room up, now there's snow on the ground and I'm weeks away from having my first semester of college under my belt. This fall I got to experience some really awesome things.
Between school and soccer and trying to have some sort of a social life I haven't found much time to write at all so here's just a quick recap of my fall this year!

The best thing that happened to me this fall was that I got to know these crazy awesome girls. I love each of them so much and I'm so lucky to have them in my life. I'm so happy that I can not only call them my teammates but also my friends!




One of the things I love about SAU is how many fun events they put on for us. Even though we have to miss a lot of them because of soccer, the ones we can make are always sure to be a blast. The picture below is from an event called Choptober Fest and the theme was lumberjacks. We had a mechanical bull, log throwing, ax throwing, sawing competitions and a pancake eating contest.




Early in October,  I was able to go home for a night. It was great spending time with my family but mostly I went home because of the Apple Festival. The food was terrific as always and I got to bring some of the beef and noodles back to college with me. While I was home I got to carve pumpkins, I was pretty proud of my work!

 For Halloween the seniors hosted a party at their house on campus. My costume was just a little last minute but hey it worked!

This was a picture taken at Cedar Bend where our
core camped and cooked our own food. We went at
a beautiful time of fall. After hiking up a huge hill
we got to see this view which made it all worth it!
The picture doesn't even do it justice. At the top of
the hill we spent time in the Bible and just spent time
worshiping our beautiful creative God. Also fun fact
about this weekend: I held a chicken while it's head
got chopped off. Not everyone can add that to their list
of accomplishments ;)

Most recently, just this weekend my team won

the crossroads league conference tournament! This secured us a spot in the NAIA national tournament. The first round is played this Saturday then if we win we head to Alabama for the 

Sweet 16! This season has been so much fun and even though I haven't gotten very much playing time on varsity I couldn't be more proud to cheer on this group of girls! 

 So as you can see I've had a great fall! However, as the holidays get closer I'm getting more and more nostalgic. While every part of me wants us to go to Alabama, we leave the day right after Thanksgiving. I'll be happy for the day to spend with family on Thanksgiving, however, Friday, the day after is always when Chris and I decorate our house and listen to Christmas music all day then we bring our leftover food and do thanksgiving over again with family friends. I'll miss that part of the holidays but I know I'll just be making a new kind of memories with a different kind of family, my soccer family. I can't wait for Christmas break to be back at home and spend time with my family and see friends I haven't seen in a while. However, as excited as I am I'm still not trying to rush these next few weeks because I know that these next four years are going to fly by and I don't want to waste any minute of them wishing time away.

Cedar Bend- My Canoeing Experience

Every freshman at SAU is taking a class called CORE. Basically what it is, is a get to know you class, and sets you up with an immediate core group of friends so that your freshman year is less scary. Luckily for me, my Core has 8 soccer girls so we already came in as friends. As part of the class, throughout the fall all the cores go to a farm up in Northern Michigan called Cedar Bend. This past weekend was my Core's turn.

We left early Thursday morning on a charter bus. With no phones or watches, I have no clue what time we actually got to the farm. As soon as we got there we put our stuff in this old school house that was on the property, that was where we were sleeping in the first night. Then we headed to the river to begin our canoeing trip.

Now just to preface this, earlier in our core class our instructors asked us all how skilled we were at canoeing. I gave myself a 3 or 4 out of 5. I had been canoeing on a lake and down rivers a couple times. So we get to the river and each canoe has three people to it, two rowers and one person sits in the middle. I volunteer to be the back rower. (Mistake #1) Me and my partner volunteer to go first (Mistake #2). We climb down to the river and soon realize this isn't just some lazy river that is going to be easy sailing. No, its got rapids and is definitely not a slow river. (We later find out it's the 3rd hardest river in the state of Michigan, no big deal) We start out and I quickly come to find I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. I'm trying to paddle but it just isn't working. The water is just going so fast that we have very little control of the canoe. We are hitting and dodging tree branches all over the place. At one point we come across this low lying branch sticking out. The two people in front of me duck down but I'm caught off guard so I take it in the gut. (Mistake #3)  Our instructor told us not to hold on to branches but I literally had no other choice we just came at it so fast. The branch pushes me back and I am flat on my back. I still don't know how I didn't fall out of the canoe because it pushed me back so far that by butt came out of the seat. And this tree is so low that I literally think it's going to hit my face so I put my arm over my face to protect it. (Mistake #4) The tree doesn't hit my face but after paddling for a couple seconds my armpit feels a breeze. I'm wearing a long sleeve t-shirt with a vest over it. I look at my sleeve and I have a huge tear that goes from my forearm almost to my shoulder. GREAT. It's 45 degrees, windy, and we're in 58 degree water and with my skills I'm feeling it's likely we're going to tip in. We continue paddling and continue to hit more trees and I'm forced to duck backwards a couple times. I think we spend about a third of the time going backward down the river. Every tree we hit we see someone passing us. The further along we get I start asking if the people passing us are the last ones. Sure enough, we get to our regrouping point and our canoe is last. Yep, that's right, we were the first ones to go and we ended up very last. If that's not a bit of an ego buster than I don't know what is. BUT, on a positive note, by the grace of God we hadn't tipped yet. After the regrouping point we decide to let others out before us. Supposedly this next part was suppose to be easier. I would have to disagree. Just as we thought we had the hang of it more branches and bushes are thrown at us. But now, there's even more turns in the river so there's no time to make any mistakes or you're in a tree. And let me tell you, we made mistakes. One time we get caught in these trees and I'm trying to paddle out but my paddle hits a tree and falls out of my hands and starts floating upstream. Luckily my partner caught it and we avoided a disaster. We keep going, and at this point I'm just so frustrated with myself. I just can't seem to help us at all. Once again we end up in a bunch of branches and then a tree comes out of no where and I have to hit the deck but (Mistake #5) I put my hands up again except this time I forgot to throw the paddle in the canoe so it gets stuck in the branches and gets like, STUCK. It just doesn't move and the current has us moving. I look back and yell to see if anyone can get it, but unlike us, people can actually canoe and so no one around us ends up in the branches or even gets close to them. So here we are, in the middle of the raging river with one paddle. At this point I just want to cry. I have no clue what we are going to do, so pretty much for a while we just let the river take us and brace ourselves whenever we hit trees. Finally another group comes along, and God bless him, one of the guys gives us his paddle and he just paddles his canoe by himself. The rest of the river got easier and somehow we made it without even tipping, That in itself I believe is a miracle. I don't think I've ever been so bad at something. In one sense it was the most embarrassing/frustrating thing I've ever done, but in another I was super lucky that my partners could just laugh with (at) me and we ended up having a pretty good time. It was a memory, that's for sure.

P.S. The canoe guide that goes behind everyone had to stop his canoe on the side of the river and he had to trek through muck and the branches to retrieve my paddle. On the bright side, it's not lost for good,

So yeah, that's my canoeing experience. Luckily the rest of Cedar Bend went a little more smoothly. That story will come later

Confirmation

Most people who know me, know that about a year ago I made the decision to go into ministry. Now I'm a biblical studies major pursing some sort of ministry in the future. Making this decision last year was one of the hardest times of my life. So many emotions and thoughts filled my head. I questioned how God could possibly use a simpleton like me. I wondered if I had simply imagined my call.  But over everything else I was scared. At first I was just scared to tell people. I wondered what they would think of me. Would they call me a Jesus freak, would they assume I was going to judge them for everything they did.  I was scared to tell my parents. I was scared they would think I was making a mistake and ruining my future. I was scared because I'm a girl. I had all these fears of what others would think. 

With all that said, making the decision to go into ministry has lead me to by far the best experiences of my life. I was blessed to intern at an amazing church and receive guidance from an incredible youth leader. I was able to speak at a soup kitchen church service. The various opportunities/people that have come my way since then have been incredible. However in the back of my mind I still couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't good enough to be in ministry or that it wasn't God's plan for me. 

Since being on campus, almost all of my doubts and fears have washed away. A couple factors have played into my confirmation. The first being the Bible study I joined last week. We're going over the book Multiply by Francis Chan. It's all about being and making disciples. I can't really pick out anything in particular from the study that really spoke to me, but just being in a group of girls that are devoting themselves to Christ and to making disciples gives me so much joy that I feel like it's just one way of God confirming me. It reminded me of the passion I have for Christ. Like yes, ministry is what I'm suppose to do. (Sorry I'm doing such a bad at explaining the feeling I have but it's just such a good feeling and gives me so much peace for the future that I'm not even worrying at all anymore.)

The second way God has kinda confirmed me is by being on a Christian campus. This is going to sound weird but it's like I miss non-Christians. I had somehow gotten in the mindset where I wanted to talk to non believers. This summer especially increased that in me, between talking to the people on the trains in Chicago and going around the city talking to random people. Everyone's story is so unique and it's a fun challenge to try to form relationships and bring them to Christ. Here (Spring Arbor) most people are already Christians that I'm lacking having those encounters and I've found myself wanting them. That just really confirms in me that ministry is where my heart is at and I am on the right path. 

I can't say that I'm not a little nervous for the future, because I am. But it's a good kind of nervous. I can't wait to see where God leads me. Tonight at the Bible study we talked about Jesus's resurrection and how when the women saw the tomb was empty they left "afraid but filled with joy" and that's exactly how I feel. Afraid of what the future may hold, but so joyful that it's in God's hands. And I know that just like in this passage God will meet me where I am and be my savior I so desperately need. 

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.”

10 things I love about Spring Arbor (so far)

Classes started two weeks ago and since then I've been super busy and finding a time to write has been pretty difficult, but it seems like so much has happened that I need to share at least something now! So here it is, the top ten things I have come to love about Spring Arbor so far this year. 

(In no particular order) 

1.) My soccer team! I can't even begin to describe how much everyone means to me. They push me on and off the field to become a better person and are just so caring and helpful. I also have an amazing freshman group of girls and I'm so happy how close all of us are, they are just amazing! 

2.) The opportunities on campus to get involved in. It seems like every day there is some fun activity or Bible study or meet and greets going on on campus. Intramurals have already started, I've joined a Bible study, every weekend there's been something going on like a movie or block party. It's just been a fun atmosphere to be a part of. 

3.) Chapel! Our chapel is sooo good and I just look forward to it every Monday and Wednesday. Our worship team is incredible, the speakers so far have been great and it's just so awesome to have everyone come together and just worship our Lord! 

4.) Small class sizes. None of my classes have over 30 students and I love that because it creates a much more relaxed setting and I feel like I actually can get to know my professors, and my professors get to know me, which is  a good thing since I'm missing so many classes for soccer, I can actually go up and talk to them about my assignments. 

5.) The kind humans around campus. Everywhere you go people are so friendly and nice. You can't walk through a doorway near a guy without them opening the door for you. You can just tell people here are genuine. 

6.) Core. Core100 is basically a class to help you get adjusted to college but also helps you to learn about yourself and your core class. It's kinda like a youth group in a way, but I love my core. (It helps that 8 of the 11 girls are on the soccer team) We go on a camping trip this weekend and I'm looking forward to it. 

7.) The scooter crew! I've lost my scooter twice already, once it was stolen by the guys soccer team, the other time I thought I had actually lost it because I just left it in the lobby of one of the dorms but luckily the crew has my back and had put it in one of the rooms so me and my scooter are reunited again. (And the roads have just been repaved around campus so riding is much more fun now) 

8.) The desserts at meal. Enough said, our desserts are amazing. 

9.) The clock tower, which may seem like a weird one, but the other day I heard it playing the song "My favorite things" from the Sound of Music and it just totally made my day! I love that song and I didn't even know the bell tower could do that. 

10.) The Holy Spirit's presence on campus. It's so nice to be at a school where I know that both students and professors have my best interest in mind and where everyone is striving to get to know God and glorify Him and I just can't wait to see what the rest of the year will bring because this school has so much to offer and I'm just so happy to be here! 

A day of rest

Mark 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

 

 Psalm 62:5 “Yes, my soul, find rest in God: my hope comes from him.”

 

This week has been go go go for me.  Tuesday we had a scrimmage against Ferris State University.   Wednesday we moved into our permanent dorm rooms.  Friday we got up and headed to Pittsburgh  for our games on  Saturday.  I dressed for varsity but just played reserve and got my first college goal! :) Both teams won, the varsity won 3-0 and the reserve won 2-1. The week was fun but I was definitely looking forward to today since we didn't have anything planned.

 

However, I woke this morning to a phone call no one wants to hear. My mom called and told me my grandpa had a major heart attack and was in the hospital. Anytime a family member is in the hospital I instinctively freak out. I hate not knowing what's going to happen. So I headed to church with a heavy heart full of worry and fear. Me and a couple other girls form the team went to a local church near Spring Arbor. The service proceeds and then the song How He Loves is played. For anyone that knows me or my former youth group you know this song is like "our" song. The song just reinforces how much God loves us and every time I hear it I can't help but feel God's presence. Today hearing that song it just reminded me that whatever happens I can have hope in Him. I left feeling so much better full of peace and hope. I don't know what's going to happen to my grandpa but I know that my family has been through so much already and the love and support we have for each other is so amazing that whatever happens we'll get through it together just like we have in the past.

 

I am so happy I decided to get up and go to church this morning. Even though I'm at a Christian college I have already found myself letting myself slip away from God. Yes we pray at meals, we pray before practice and we pray after games, but that's what the team does. And it has been so easy for me to just let my faith rest in what the team does but then sometime this week I realized I that my relationship with Christ is a personal thing and so that night I got out my devotional for the first time in weeks. The topic for that night was obedience. (Funny the way God plans these things) I read through the scripture in Psalm and it talked about how we need to listen to God not just some of the time but daily. I can't be content with just praying with the team, I have to daily take up my cross and obey God. It's especially hard when I feel like during the week we're just go go go but today just reminded me that He loves us so so much and that yes, He's kind of worth the time and effort it takes to form a relationship with Him.

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Starting a blog!

So before I left for college a few people told me I should start a blog so people can keep up with what I'm doing. Here's my attempt at that...

Sunday, August 3, was my last day at home. At the church service that day the youth, most of whom were seniors, gave our testimonies about our week at Momentum. I shared about my journey of how I was called to go into ministry. I love sharing it because it shows so well how God has constantly been shaping my life. Maybe I'll share that on my blog at a later date. After church, the youth continued our weekly ritual of going out for lunch. It's never been anything big but it's one of my favorite traditions. I have grown so close to everyone in my group; I love each and everyone one of them with my whole heart. Saying goodbye to my parents was hard, but I know that I'll always have them in my life even while I'm at college. Saying goodbye to the youth group was heartbreaking. I pray that we continue to stay close, but at the same time I know we're growing up and people will go separate ways. So leaving lunch that day I couldn't help but think that it could be the last time I see some of them, and thinking about that was SO hard. I truly believe I am the person I am today because of my youth group.

Flash forward a few days, and I'm on the plane to JAMAICA with my fellow Spring Arbor women's soccer teammates! We went to a village the next day that needed water send to their house and we got to play and talk with the children there. The next day I went to an orphanage and fell in love with this precious little girl. I carried her the entire time because she just wanted to be held the whole time. Leaving her left tears in my eyes as her and the other children cried because we had to leave. The next day I got to spend a couple hours in the ocean and I went snorkeling. It was absolutely beautiful. We left Montego Bay that day and headed to Ocho Rios. We mostly just trained the rest of the week but we did go to a church service on Sunday. The biggest thing I got out of it was just how thankful the people were. Jamaica is a pretty poor country but they were just so appreciative of EVERYTHING.

Overall, I had a fantastic time in Jamaica serving, playing soccer and getting to know the girls. We're about a week through preseason now and I just love being here. The girls are amazing. I know God sent me here for a reason.