Posts Tagged ‘chapel’

halloween and homework.

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

So today is Halloween, and I’m writing a paper. I’ve never been super into Halloween after about age 10, but it’s been great to see carved pumpkins and some ridiculous antics around campus. Last night a few of my friends dressed up like old people and there were trick-or-treaters in the Mods (a sophomore living area), so I thought that was funny.

Right now, I’m trying to gear back up for another challenging week ahead. Sometimes it is hard staying focused with all these events around, but it has taught me a lot about self-control. Though, right now, I’m really distracted by quite a few things, including my plans to study abroad next year, starting at High Sierra, and then possibly on to Australia. Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be able to go to Israel this summer, but I’m so excited about studying in High Sierra… it’s ridiculous. Hah. I’m also distracted, in a good way, by thinking about the things I learned this week.

This past week was Global Vision week, and basically it is a week where there all these events around campus that are Mission-minded, and are designed to make APU students think about the world as a whole, when sometimes we can get trapped in the bubble of southern california or america. All the chapels are internationally minded, and on wednesday, we had a chapel speaker who brought me to tears and created a standing ovation (which I’ve never seen) for at least 3 minutes after he finished. He was an exile from Libya, and was the most amazing christian I’ve ever met. I can’t honestly describe what he said, or why it affected the whole audience the way it did, but it was life-altering. I actually got the opportunity to talk to him for a few hours after chapel, being a part of the student organization here called MESO (Middle Eastern Student Organization), which is a group that strives to have open conversation about profiles and prejudices of the Middle Eastern nations, and delight in the different cultures that are predominately Muslim.

Anyway, I’ve got to get working on this paper, but I’ll post later on how halloween went. Hopefully I can get pictures of wacky costumes tonight. One of my friends is dressing up as a Scot, complete with a real kilt from Scotland. I’m a little scared. But he and I are going to go to HOLLAH-WEEN, an event in my living area that is designed to keep students on campus for Halloween, and thus keep them safe.

Lack of Color, Gain of Knowledge

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!

Go Away!

Monday, October 5th, 2009

So I’m sitting here in my lovely apartment after a whirlwind of a weekend. I most definitely didn’t get as much homework as I wanted to get done done… but I had fun, watched four movies (which for me… is ridiculous) but I’m using the excuse that I’m sick. Anyway, I was sitting here, doing a little bit of looking forward and thinking about possible plans for next summer. I’m planning on going to Israel this summer with the School of Theology to study the geographical and historical setting of the bible and take part in an archaeological dig. No big deal.

Wait. What? Rewind. That’s right. Going. to. Israel. To. Do. Summer. School. What?! The thought of it blows my mind. I doubt that the reality of it is even going to hit until I board the plane in June with the group of students and professors.

But I’m also throwing around the possibility of going on a summer missions trip this year, with may term and all, I figured out that I can actually do both. So there is a possibility that about 5 days after May Finals, I get on a plane, fly to Africa, serve there for about 5-6 weeks, come back, debrief for like 4 days, and then take off to Israel. For someone who is an adventure and experience junkie… the thought of this thrills my mind. Then, I’d be returning from Israel mid-July, taking some time off to decompress, packing my trunk, and heading off to Oxford for the fall semester of my junior year. Now I don’t want my reader to get the idea that this is some posh and lavish thing only people with a whole lot of money and their parents paying the whole way can do (because I’m certainly not in that camp).

For missions, you raise the money with your team. For Israel, you work and save and look ahead and say that if this is important enough for you to experience, it is worth taking the hit in finances. For Oxford, you pay the SAME amount for the semester as you would on the normal APU campus, and your scholarships are factored in.

APU has sooooo many possibilities! And those possibilities aren’t just for those fortunate enough to be able to not worry about the expenses. These are real possibilities for every student who comes here. To study abroad and do missions and even maybe get to do summer school in a foreign land (my roommate is thinking about doing summer school in Lithuania this summer). When APU says: GO AWAY! They mean it (in a loving manner of course). This school is about going out, living life in the fullest of the experience and the challenges and encountering God on a daily basis, whether it be here in Azusa, or in Isreal, or Utah, or Mexico, or Africa, or England, or China. Tomorrow is the Focus International Missions Chapel and I’m so excited! One of the main reasons I came to this school is the emphasis that this education, this life, these gifts and stories God has given us aren’t just for us. And that there is a whole wide world out there to explore and serve and get to know and fall in love with and hurt for.

APU understands that adventure and a broadening of horizons and experiencing God and new cultures is essential to the spiritual growth of Christian who are in this world, but not of it, and that’s something I absolutely, 100% love about this school.

So Go away! And See and serve the World!

catching your breath.

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Hey guys. This semester has been a whirlwind and it just began… I can’t believe September is almost over already! I’m excited about what I’m learning, but I’m not going to lie and say that it is by any means easy. I’m challenged each and every day in all my classes to think deeper, comprehend bigger concepts, and write more eloquently than ever before. I told one of my profs “my brain hurts”, and her response (a bit to my chagrin): “Good! Your brain SHOULD hurt!” Due to the stress and craziness of moving in and getting settled, starting classes, learning Hebrew (which, let me tell you, is an awesome language… but ridiculously hard), writing paper after paper…. I haven’t been doing a great job of slowing down, taking time to process and be with God and thank Him for the blessing that is this amazing education.

That mindset changed last thursday, when I attended my favorite and most cherished chapel time: liturgical chapel. Something I love about APU is that they are non-denominational and they allow students to be exposed to new kinds of worship styles and experiences they might have not ever gotten to experience outside of their home church/life. They also provide places of worship that are familiar and for me, liturgical chapel, which is strange to a lot of people, is my preferred style of worship and reflection due partly from my upbringing and partly because I’m a history and theology nerd. Anyway, Liturgical Chapel is a great place to slow down and realize that God is first, not my studies or my social life, but Him. It is a place to be poured into by the Spirit, and in a prayerful consideration, and respect of the traditions of the earliest church part take in the Eucharist as well as other actions of ancient Christian worship such as anointing, communal creedance, etc.

Regardless of your feelings of High vs. Low Church tradition, or even your personal views on the Lord’s Supper, I dare all students to try out a Liturgical Chapel at least once, going into with an open heart and mind and a willingness to try something a little different. I sometimes will spend 2 hours in liturgical chapel, even though you are dismissed after one hour, to take the time and space to mediate on my heart and what God is working on in me. Since thursday I’ve been trying to be more intentional about a silly phrase, but meaningful none the less: catching my breath.

The word for sprit can also mean wind or breath. As in God breathed on man. This image has been in my mind since Thursday of God breathing into my life despite me being winded from running like crazy with my schedule and school and social life. I must take the time to stop running, and catch my breath, or perhaps receive the Breath of Life God is Breathing into me. Tonight that manifested itself in a way of taking time to work out, something that I love to do. In the middle of running very hard, I was counting my breathes to my pace and I found myself feeling a sense of peace, a sense of rejuvenation despite the fact my to-do list can’t be contained on a single page, and that as I’m trying to be intentional about taking the time to catch my breathe, He is working amidst the stress and challenges of being a full-time honors student.

So tonight, if this catches you, if you are tired and weary and stressed out and overwhelmed with work or school or some other life circumstance… take time to catch your breath. Do something that is completely against your to-do list: take a walk, listen to music, read a non-school book (or better yet scripture), go for a run, bake a cake, or sit in the silence with the Lord your God who loves you and is breathing into your life.

Breath.

Breath.

Week In The Life Of A Freshman

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

So this blog is a few days late, but the bonus of it being late is that you get it with pictures and an example of a normal week in my life. My week has been pretty random, so here are my awesome APU highlights! :)

Sunday: We went to a beach bonfire with our brother hall.  We celebrated their RA’s (see note below) birthday with hotdogs and cake. It was fun, but I was definitely tired. Note to self: Get more sleep before going somewhere. Actually, getting more sleep in general would be a pretty good idea.

The mix of wind and fire made it hard to heat our hotdogs!

The mix of wind and fire made it hard to heat our hotdogs!

Huntingtons Beach at night with Meredith, Libby, and Susie :)

Huntington's Beach at night with Meredith, Libby, and Susie :)

Monday: My Mondays feel generally pretty crazy. I have three classes on Mondays, which isn’t too bad, but one of them is 3 hours long and chapel starts at 9:30.  Something interesting probably happened, but I apparently can’t think back a week :) I’m sure there was homework involved. Oh, and this is the day I locked myself out of my room so I studied in our Study Room until Rachel (my roommate) got home.  (By the way, RA’s can unlock the doors for you, but it costs $5) I love the Study Room.

Tuesday: The Freshman had a “Street Meets” which was called a Lumberjack Dance. I don’t really know what the point of the whole thing was, but it was similar to a hoedown with plaid/checkered flannel. The highlight for me was when the RA’s from each dorm performed group dances. I wish I had would have been able to video it! Engstrom was the most amusing, but the Trinity RA’s had the most skill.  I wasn’t able to stay at the dance long though because I had a test the next morning as well as an Alpha meeting. We had our Alpha meeting at 10:30pm after getting coffee at the Cornerstone Cafe because it is the only time that fits our whole group’s schedule. Alphas group are a required once a week meeting with a random group of people from the Beginnings class, lead by an sophomore who volunteered to be an Alpha leader.  It was a very informal meeting and we just had a lot of fun sharing stories and eating delicious Pizookie (an ice cream and cookie dessert) that our Alpha leader Jen made for us.

TIffanys view from the dance

TIffany's view from the dance

Wednesday: Wednesday morning I thought I was going to have my first APU test. My teacher told us to study two chapters in our book. After staying up until 3:00am, studying the two chapters and one wrong one, I felt pretty prepared. Unfortunately, I was a bit over prepared.  My professor’s version of a ‘test on the chapters’ ended up being essentially a 15-question quiz worth 5 points. Needless to say, I realized I should ask for more information on ‘tests’ before studying in that class.

My hall had Family Dinner together! Family dinner consisted of as many 3N Girls going to the Caf together and fitting into one long table. The Caf was reasonable full when we got there at 6:30 and finding a table for 20+ girls was difficult.  The only tables available near each other were in a huge corner that made it hard for anyone to move around. A few of the girls resorted to climbing under the table so they could get more food. It was pretty funny and possibly a bit gross, but we were all able to eat as a ‘family’ (and that’s what counts :)  Every Wednesday Night we have Kaleo, which is my favorite chapel service.

Almost all of the 3N Girls

Almost all of the 3N Girls

I love Kaleo with all of my heart.  The services have been getting so crowed that people have started to line up as early as 8:15 to be sure they get in for the service at 9:00. We are going over the book of Daniel in a way that it is applied to our lives directly connecting to scripture.  Instead of going story by story, we are taking a chapter or two at a time and digging into it while making it personal. I’m sure I’m doing a terrible job at explaining it, but I promise, Kaleo really is awesome.

Thursday: I’m pretty sure something exciting in our hall on Thursday but again, the days seem to blur a bit.

Friday: Friday was a really exciting day for me! I had my normal classes that were great, but the highlight of the day was seeing my friend Lainey. I haven’t really been able to see anyone I know closely for a month and I was so happy to see her face! She goes to a different school about 45 minutes away, but neither of us have cars which makes it difficult to hang out.  Lainey and I have been best friends since 4th grade but she moved to Illinois in 8th grade. Seeing her was definitely a blessing.

My mom made me promise wed take pictures but my camera is broken. My used Photobooth instead :)

Promised my mom we'd take pictures but my camera is broken. My used Photobooth in my dorm instead :)

Saturday: I went to the football game vs. the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. It was fun to cheer them on and even more fun when they won 23-7. There were some awesome fumble returns and an amazing field goal!

Libbys view of the APU football game

Libby's view of the APU football game

Wearing our Blackout at the football game :)

Wearing our Blackout at the football game :)

Sunday: On Sunday I pretty much slept all day. I’ve never been able to go to bed early and college definitely didn’t change that habit. I use my weekends to make up for the 5/6 hours of sleep I get during the week. I basically spent all day in bed but I attempted to do homework too. I wrote my speech for Public Communications and almost started this blog :). I took a break of doing nothing to go celebrate my hall-neighbor’s birthday at Tutti Fruity, a local frozen yogurt place that is not only delicious but also gives APU students 15% off!

Wishing Meredith a Happy Birthday at Tutti Fruiti!

Wishing Meredith a Happy Birthday at Tutti Fruiti!

Monday: My Monday was a crazy day again which is why this blog didn’t get posted this morning.  I love my Exodus/Deuteronomy class but it sometimes causes a brain overload. The hardest part of the day was Public Comm because I was second to give my ‘Story Speech.’

My speech was a fairytale story I made up for the girls I nannied for this summer. I’m not a huge fan of public speaking even though I talk too much. The formality too it is a bit daunting for me and I was definitely nervous.

After Speech I saw a friend from my Into to Communications class and had a fun time hanging out in her hall. Unfortunately when I got back to 3rd North after 10pm I realized I had a quiz in my Health and Wellness class. A neighbor of mine has that class too so we attempted to study in the hall kitchen but we were very easily distracted by pretty much everything and anything. During our ‘study breaks’, which there were more of then actual studying, I started this blog. By the time I got to bed I realized like I hadn’t learned very much, my blog wasn’t finished or proof-read, and I had to be up at 7:45 for my Walk/Jog/Run class.

Tue: When I woke up, the day wasn’t looking too promising. I was tired and was worried about my quizzes. Thankfully, my Health and Wellness test was very easy for me and since we could leave as soon as we were done, I had time to eat and study a little bit more for my Into to Lit quiz. Now I plan on either watching something on Hulu or taking a nap before starting homework. Good day :)

Feel free to add comments or ask any questions!

-Kelsey

*Resident Assistant- An upperclassman who is in our hall all year to support, counsel, and love on us

First Week おわり

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

So the first week of school was amazing! All my classes are looking challenging yet fun (what else can you expect from the Graphic Design Major?) Chapel 1 and 2 were great! I always enjoy President John Wallace’s speeches, they simply make me want to be a better person! This year, I definitely want to get SALTY! (Yeah Smith Hall!) If anyone missed it, they should definitely watch it online! And for Chapel 2, I absolutely love that our Professors announce to us all in a kind of oath that they will do their best to help us in our scholarly journey’s this year.

Going on, I also had a lot of fun with my residents this week, I can feel our community growing bit by bit all the time. Apples to Apples was great, along with randomly watching the Lost Room! However, I am truly excited to see the creative level of my building once the rest of them tell me what T stands for! So far, T stands for “Thizzle” which absolutely brought rolling excitement in the form of laughter out when I saw the video I got from a few of my residents! (Good Job Girls!)Azusa From Garcia

Men's Track team on GarciaMy weekend was very busy however. It started on Saturday with a captains practice at 7am consisting of a hike up Garcia Trail. The view was amazing! Our Track team is looking really good this year, I am definitely excited! They are all pretty classy, if I do say so myself.

Then it was time for work. This year I am the Media and Design Manager for IMT Student Services, so I was the MOD this weekend (Manager On Duty) and so I was in the office for long periods of time on Saturday and Sunday working on all the various computers that have come in since school started. I like working with this section of the school that makes sure the students have their most needed tool in order to be a successful student (and if any of you readers are perspective students or parents of perspective students, I will say this, “A New Computer Is Necessary for College!” )

I also made sure to keep up with Project 21 (which is located on my website: Staphon.com) with a near miss on Saturday, but I got it done at 11:30, just in time!

Whelp, tis all for this week! It is Monday now and so far, all is going pretty well! I’ll keep you posted on anything exciting!

Cheers!

PS: That bit of Japanese at the top is Hiragana for Owari which means “the end”.