Archive for October, 2009

7 Deadly Sins

Staphon Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Sophomore year, during Kaleo, Woody, our Campus Pastor, did a series on the seven deadly sins. He would cover a sin every week and he made them so real, I started to realize that we all commit the sins almost daily, but in very low scale. I started to reflect on how I could possibly commit each sin everyday and did a little project of my own, completely on the side (this was before I declared my Graphic Design major) and it came out very cool. Woody showed it in the reflection Kaleo service, but I was in Tennessee for Indoor Nationals and didn’t get to see everyones reaction to it. But here it is…

Key Points of the Year

Staphon Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Well, it has been quite a while since I blogged about anything, and like JP said in his post, College is a BUSY BUSY Place.

First, there is RA, which I feel is mostly a recharge for me, I love spending time with my residents, if I could simply be an RA without everything else, I would be set for life! Just building relationships and planning events and just being creative and there for my residents is the most amazing feeling.

Then there is Class, which is… well work. However, its nice to go somewhere and actually know what it is you are learning enough to give input whenever you learn anything new, to actually be a part of the dialogue and be able to practice the skills right after learning them… is that what it is like for all students? I feel like I am one of the worst students ever, I have never really felt like I was a part of a class, just simply taking in information that was forced at me, but here, I actually feel like I’m taking in things, actually learning. And after 2 years of Gen Ed Classes, its nice to find a major that I actually enjoy learning about, and that is why I am in my second year of Graphic Design.

Then Work. I really love what I am doing, working with computers, its the best when I get what we call Tech Aura where most every computer I touch gets fixed, but it sometimes gets frustrating, especially lately. There have been so many new problems with computers that its taking me a little longer to figure it all out. I am starting to feel like the worst manager ever, I can’t ever seem to get anything to work right. Luckily, I am surrounded by a very supportive and awesome staff, and team of Managers who are very helpful, making having an on campus job seem so worth it!

And Lastly, Track! We just got back from a retreat to the High Sierra campus and a hike up to Eagle Peak in Yosemite. It was so amazing and beautiful. This year, instead of rushing up the hike, I got a chance to just stay back and enjoy the scenery and take pictures, and get to know some of the new members of my team. And then on Saturday we did a fun ropes course and a canoe race. Sadly, the platform that we usually all sleep on was dismantled, so we just slept all over the top of Star Rock in random places, but it was still fun. All the pictures I took are located here: http://www.staphon.com/staphon.com/albums/Pages/Destination__Eagle_Peak.html

When we started: YouTube Preview Image

How the Arnold’s hike (My dad and I on the hike): YouTube Preview Image

Where we Ended: YouTube Preview Image

Conclusion: YouTube Preview Image

So, with all that, its a wonder I can every get anything done, but with all my APU friends, its not bad at all. The only thing I really have to keep my priorities strait is remember is our school Motto: GOD FIRST!

When we say we barely have free time in College, we mean it!

JP Park Monday, October 12th, 2009

Hey, its J.P again!! Sorry I haven’t been blogging much, but as the title says, College is extremely busy!!!!

In case some of you readers don’t know already, I’m studying in the mountains near Yosemite for a semester long program called “High Sierra”, which is sort of like a study abroad program. For my Leadership class I have here at the “satellite campus”(campus that is not on the legit APU college) the 22 students here had to go on a 6 day trek in Ansel Adams(sp?) which is part of Yosemite. For 6 straight days, we have no classes, no internet, no phones, no showers, and worst of all, NO TOILETS!! It was a great experience; One of those things that you do once n a life time.My trek group for the grueling 6 day trek consisted of 9 other classmates and professors.

Here are some pictures from my 6 day trek!Me on the 6 day trek for High Sierra

Looking out to YosemiteSLab Lake in Yosemite

Some people from my trek group summiting a mountain!!

Some people from my trek group summiting a mountain!!

The 6 day trek was tons of fun!! I had a “Solo”, where I was by myself in the wilderness with only my sleeping bag and a few other things. I spent 24 hours by myself, and chose to fast the whole day by choice. In the 24 hours while I was on my “solo” time during trek, I have never felt more closer to God in my entire life. I spent the whole day in solitude, and spent a lot of the day appreciating God’s majestic creation and basking in the sun by the lake(a picture of it is above here).

Now, I’m back on campus with the 22 or so other students, and have been trying to transition back to the groove of the dreaded 6 classes I’m taking here at High Sierra. Don’t get me wrong, I love the classes that Azusa Pacific offers and I learn tremendously. The teachers here are amazing and are like mentors. A few of them that I can name off the top of my head are Dave Williams, Mike Robbins, and Tom Dunn. They are some rad professors!

I have had a difficult time trying to juggle my time wisely. In college, countless temptations get thrown your way and at times, it will be very difficult to turn them down. Instead of doing homework, I’m tempted to hang out with friends, watch a movie, play a game or sport, or even procrastinate on facebook! I barely seem to have time to call my parents and siblings back in Virginia, and even my roommate back on the APU campus.

All in all, College is the most amazing place on Earth, besides a church of course. :) I have met some quality friends here, and I have learned so much just as a person, and also as a Christian.

To close off, I’ll just explain what I did today to give you a taste of what college life is kind of like:

I woke up around 11 am because I didn’t have any  classes today, and then chilled with a few friends until it was time for lunch. I didn’t get a chance to eat breakfast since I woke up so late(Breakfast is around 8am here at the High Sierra). Then, my friend Rachel Eblin trimmed my hair with her own personal hair cuttery kit. After my trim, I went on a mini “field trip” with about 8 other students to Starbucks to study/work on homework. We could of just stayed on campus, but the track team from Azusa Pacific is here at High Sierra for a team building weekend or something, so there is constantly a lot of noise because of how much fun their having. The few of us who couldn’t concentrate, and the students who wanted to leave campus for a while decided to go to Starbucks and I got a lot of work done. It’s relaxing to get away from campus and the whole college environment for a while and just relax.

Right now, it’s about midnight and I’m typing this blog in the dining hall, which is filled with at least half of the guys and girls from the APU track team. I’m about to work on some homework(story of my life) and get some sleep.

I plan to blog more often, sorry for the abscence. Like I said, I barely have any free time, but I’ll make this blog job one of my priorities. :)

Night, J.P

Don’t Miss the Intricacy

Kevin Mannoia Monday, October 12th, 2009

Look closely at the fine details of the balloon flower; or the spider web outside your door; or the layers of rock in the mountain side. Amazing that such small features are part of such a beautiful whole – and they don’t show up until you look closely. It wouldn’t take much to overlook. As a matter of fact, most folks do just that. They overlook the fundamental pieces of finely crafted intricacies that comprise the whole and give the object its beauty and completeness. God has not applied that characteristic to just creation. God has also made every moment full of intricacies and details that fill it out. Your daily moments are full of them – details, fine points, intricate features that are easily missed by the person who does not have eyes to see it, or just doesn’t care. But it’s in those intricacies that you will find the care, the patience, the love of God. Every moment is laced with emotions, consequences, nuances, responses, and influence. Do you see them? Do you care? I hope so. When you let Christ walk with you in every moment you face, you will become more and more sensitized to those details. And you will appreciate them and the moment much more. Mostly, you will see the love of God in it all. And you will be able highlight it for others around you too. God’s amazing creativity has given wholeness to your moments – built on fine intricacies and details. Don’t miss the intricacy of the day.

I hope you will take advantage of SoulQuest Fellowships and feel free to call any one of the chaplains if you have any need. And as you know, our Prayer Partners are willing to pray for you specially. If you have any prayer requests, please send them to me and we will pray for you.

Blessings on you,
Kevin

Lack of Color, Gain of Knowledge

Kelsey Bjugstad Thursday, October 8th, 2009

I’m having an issue with videos uploading on every site except for Facebook. Which seems really strange because around here its usually Facebook that isn’t working. (Facebook + College students all on one network = Refreshing 20 times before loading the homepage) I tried the last few days but I didn’t want to keep on waiting for the videos to post this blog.

I think I possibly figured out the problem… so be excited for some cool videos in the next blog! :)

I got back from Kaleo not too long ago and it was amazing as usual! I know I’ve talked about this before but Kaleo (the Wednesday night chapel) really is one of my favorite things here at APU. Woody, one of the campus pastors) talked about Daniel chapter 5 and I won’t try to explain it all but overall the message was how things became idols for us, especially as college students with all this new freedom of choice. I think the part I loved the most is that I’ve heard the ‘you shouldn’t have idols’ sermon so many times but every time Kaleo comes around I learn something new and relevant to my life.

The same concept is true in my Exodus/Deuteronomy class. I heard that Exo/Deut was a really interesting course but then I realized it was studying Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This might sound really interesting to you, but for me, I’ve always kind of prefered the New Testament. I didn’t randomly pick up my Bible and decide I was just going to read Exodus and Leviticus. (Awesome if you do though!) I’ve always heard “there is something new you can get out a Bible story each time you read it” and I really thought I understood that. But now I’m reading things in Genesis that I’ve never really read enough to understand before, even though I’ve read the entire book of Genesis. I think I’ve relied too much on felt-board versions of Bible stories than really reading the text for what it says.

I’m sorry that I don’t have any colorful pictures or videos this blog but be ready for my next one!

…and fire…

Ellie Kipps Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Living in community can be challenging from time to time… it can also include amazing events. This event was not one of them. Haha. Just kidding.

Every monday night my Resident Advisor, Josh Pena (who is great), makes a bonfire by the pool in our firepit and puts out music and smores stuff and hot water. It’s really as simple as that. But it’s great fellowship and a chance to meet neighbors. Unfortunately I’m sick currently and being out by the fire made my voice which is kind of gone weird sounding. Check it out:

YouTube Preview Image