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The Cougar Countdown: Day 2

athletics Thursday, August 2nd, 2012

DAY 2 (Aug. 2): New Lights Installed At Soccer Field

In 2012 the Azusa Pacific men’s and women’s soccer programs not only enter their first year as members of the Pacific West Conference, they’ll do so in style, underneath a brand-new set of lights that bring nighttime doubleheaders to Azusa Pacific for the first time since the Cougar Soccer Complex opened 10 years ago. The Cougars, who enter Candidacy Year two of the NCAA Div. II membership process, will host four evening doubleheaders in their opening season under the lights, most notably when they host Biola in the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 1, during the school’s New Student Orientation Weekend.

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The Cougar Countdown: Day 1

athletics Wednesday, August 1st, 2012

DAY 1 (Aug. 1): Football Gets New Practice Home

Azusa Pacific football plays its home games on the artificial turf at Citrus Stadium. Until this year, the Cougars practiced every day on the natural grass of Cougar Stadium.

However, this summer has brought a facelift to Azusa Pacific’s East Campus athletics and recreational facilities, giving the Cougar football program a brand-new synthetic turf practice field to stage practices when practices begin on Wednesday, August 8.

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Almost a JUNIOR… already?

Megan Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

I can’t believe that finals are in a few weeks and then this school year is officially over. My first two years of college have FLOWN by. It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in my room during senior year of high school wishing I was just at APU already. And I can honestly say that this school, the academics, the things I am involved in, and most of all, the people have never let me down. To come to APU will go down in my life as one of the most important and one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I think in honor of a new class of students coming soon, I will make a list of all the things that I basically see when I look back on these past two years.

1. I see a really faithful, loving, encouraging God. A God that believes in me and entrusts with me BIG things.

I am sadly taking my very last required Bible course this semester. It is a class that undoubtably has changed my perspective on Jesus and the Bible. This class is absolutely WORTH the hundreds and hundreds of dollars APU students pay for one class. I am realizing looking back at the 5 Bible Classes I’ve taken that I am so lucky to get to take these classes with the faculty that APU has. As a girl that has only ever been to public schools, learning about the Bible in school is just about the coolest thing ever.

2. I see the Alpha Program. The people that I met in it, the leaders that I have been blessed with through it, the people that have encouraged me and made me into a better follower of Christ, friend, and leader. This program is bigger then just freshmen orientation, it is a life changer.

3. I see three incredible people that I have lived with. The two girls I live with now and the one I was randomly assigned with freshmen year are three of my dearest and best friends. I could talk about them forever. I am grateful to be able to be in Christian community with girls that is so intentional. Living with people can either be horrible or extremely beneficial and even more fun. Mine was the second.

4. I see a mission trip to Tanzania that changed my life.

5. I see art classes that made me a better Christian artist and designer.

6. I see the tight-knit community that can be found at APU if you seek and desire it.

7. I see a lot of quiet time with Jesus. A lot of struggling through passages in the Bible with Him, a lot of praying through rough stuff, and then a lot of meditating on His Word.

Then I see a lot of loud time with Jesus. Spontaneous, good-hearted dance parties with friends during procrastination for long essays and studying. Dinners at the Caf with a ton of friends talking about what God is doing in our lives. D-Group meetings and alpha meetings filled with endless laughter that I know brings joy to the Lord. I think I have seen how both being quiet and being loud and crazy can draw you nearer to Jesus. He is as real in fellowship as He is in Chapel and Church and individual prayer.

8. I see a lot of adventures spontaneously late at night with friends. The kind of moments that make you grateful for life. Going to get mashed potatoes at KFC, donut man trips, going to a beautiful cliff overlooking the city and talking about life, driving around Pasadena blasting music, going to see a movie or getting sushi with the roommate. So many moments and so few pictures. That is when you know it was a great night, when you forget to take any pictures cause you are having too much fun with friends that mean the world to you.

9. I see the people that I have been blessed to have as neighbors both this year and last year. It is easy to love your neighbor when your neighbors RULE.

10. I see learning what it looks like to be a leader. Learning what you want out to get our of life. Learning how to best use your passions and skills and major to serve the Kingdom. Learning what you are doing wrong in friendships and what you are doing right. Learning the benefit of being vulnerable. Learning how quickly deep friendships can be built. Learning that you can do so much more then you think you can. Learning the blessings of living in America and being able to be educated at APU. Basically- I have learned a lot.

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Students In-Focus: Christine Escoto

Karen Rouggly Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Hey wonderful blog readers! This semester, the MAS office has the pleasure of introducing you to a few of our WONDERFUL students! We’ve got 18 student workers that work in our office in various positions, including Student Ministry Coordinators and Administrative Assistants. We also have about 25 Lead Volunteers who assist our SMC’s on a daily basis in each ministry. We’d love to introduce you to some of these great students that we’ve had the honor of working with the past year or more! We’ve decided to start by highlighting our students who are Seniors this year. We’ve asked them the same set of questions, about them, their ministry , and their time at APU. Below, you’ll find our first victim, student to present to you: Christine Escoto!

Here's Christine!

1. What is your name? “Christine Escoto”

2. What is your major? “Sociology with a Minor in Art”

3. What is your role in the MAS office? “SMC for Central City Community Outreach/S.A.Y. Yes!”
4. What do you love about your ministry/your job? “Central City has become a major part of my studies and experience at APU, and I cannot imagine school without it.  I still am in awe that my job is something that I love and would be doing whether or not I had an official position.  I am truly blessed.”

5. What is something you’ve learned this year? “This year I learned how to whistle.”

6. What are your 3 favorite words and why? ”‘Think about it’”

7. If Jon Wallace asked you to speak at graduation, what would you say? “Nahh”

8. What’s next for you after graduation? “Hopefully, I will be going to law school in the fall.  My Plan A is to be at
school in New York City, but if not I will probably stay in LA.  If I don’t get into law school, I will probably be working as an artist in my parents’ graphics and props house.”

A typical Christine face!

9. If you could change one thing in the world within 1 year of graduation, what would it be? “Student Loan Forgiveness :)”

Hope you enjoyed reading! Stay tuned for next weeks Students In-Focus!

Thanks, Christine!

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Ministry and Service exists to educate and mobilize the APU undergraduate community toward an active response in service that advances the work of God in the world. Azusa Pacific University sponsors a plethora of local and global programs, which prepare students to become capable leaders of service in diverse settings. To stay connected with what is happening in the local community, “like us” on Facebook (Ministry and Service) or “follow us” on Twitter (@apumas). Every year, over 1250 students serve through City Links, over 500 students participate in on-going ministry, and Justice Week.

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This Past Year With Jesus.

Megan Friday, February 17th, 2012

I remember coming into APU and wondering where I would be at spiritually if I went here. (After all, I did give up my dream of moving to New York City and attending an Art School in favor of a Christian University that I thought I would really grow spiritually in.) I remember recently laughing at how I used to say I would NEVER in a million years go to a school that was Christian, I was so used to attending secular schools and being the odd one out. Now, I can NEVER imagine myself attending a university that is not APU, that does not uphold Christian values and morals.

This past year and a half of being at APU I really have experienced Jesus in new ways (to say the least). If you want to send me an email, a comment, or anything like that, I would love to expand on other things God has shown me. This blog doesn’t even cover near a tenth of it.

I have experienced Jesus through community and relationships. I would be lying if I gave the impression that everyone here has it all together, that everyone is on the straight and narrow path, and that everyone is walking the perfect Christian walk. It would be the farthest thing from the truth. But there ARE most definitely some of the most SOLID, faithful followers of Christ here. I have never felt so encouraged and loved then I feel on this campus daily. I used to have a rather short list of people that I would go to whenever I needed someone, a short list of people I trust and respect with everything inside of me. Now the list has grown to be increasingly long. When I need someone, I struggle with the thought of who to call first, there are just honestly too many options.

I have become ever so present of this world, the issues in it, and how blessed I am to be where I am at. I used to seek thankfulness and admire people that saw the glass half full. Now I live thankfulness and my glass is always overflowing. Through being able to serve in Tanzania this past summer for 2 months specifically, I have viewed life so differently then before. Life is so beautiful. Also, through classes I am taking right now I am learning and seeking the bigger picture.

Jesus has taught me patience and what it looks like to be fully consumed in HIM. To be honest, the whole ‘Ring by Spring’ philosophy is very much true. There are a lot of people in long-term relationships and a plethora of engaged and married upperclassman. However, I think that taking each day moment by moment is really important to me and has really been something God has shown to me. I think a fair amount of people (even me sometimes) get caught up the future, so much so that they forget how privileged we are to be right where we are at.

I have learned what leadership looks like in my life and how important it is to me. (God is still teaching me a lot on that as well.) God has shown me what obedience looks like, what it feels like to rely on Him 100% and have no comfort to fall back on except Him. There have been moments of breaking down and feeling like I am on top of the world, God has been in the midst of all of those.

I have found joy in brokenness. I have realized that Christ really does use the most unworthy, the weakest of us to glorify Him and bring Heaven down on this Earth. I have sought and found Fruits of the Spirit that I never thought were possible to see outpouring in my life. I have seen Christ change my heart in ways that only can be possible from the God of the Universe. I have seen the church in the most beautiful form, and it did not take place in a typical church building as one might expect. I have experienced God every single day, and I think that before coming here I could not exactly say that. God’s beauty is so evident here. I truly feel that there is no better place to be right now in my life than this place I attend school and live. How lucky am I?

My life is so different, my faith is so different, from where I was before I came here. I had no idea all this would happen to the extent that it has. My walk with God is so much more intimate, God is so much more personal. I am now intentionally reading the Bible so much more, I yearn for it and nothing fills me like God’s Word does.

I think that there is such beauty and honesty in people’s walks with God at APU. So many incredible people with so many different stories. I can’t explain the encouragement I have found in peers, professors, and leaders of mine here.

But I encourage you to not wait until you step foot in college to be where you want to be with God. Meet God where you are at, seek God day to day, and when you finally set foot at APU take that for what it is as well. God is just as real here as He is where you are at.

This is an excerpt from a journal entry I wrote during my senior year of high school. (Incase you were wondering, the fire has definitely kept growing. Praise God for this answered prayer!)

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My life lately (ft. Instagram)

Megan Saturday, December 24th, 2011

This past semester has been a whirlwind of growing, new experiences, surprises, and so much joy. It has FLOWN by so fast and the reality is hitting me that I only have three semesters left. Needless to say, I am making the most of every single day that is left of college.

I am currently at home for Christmas Break trying to fill myself up with things to do and people to catch up with, so that time flies between now and being back at school in a little over a week. I MISS APU. I am so not used to sleeping in a room alone with no one to talk to at 1am when I can’t fall asleep. I am so not used to showers with pressure, full size beds, cable television, and my MOMS home cooked meals (I can’t complain about any of that though haha).

Anyways, here is my recap of what these past few weeks have looked like for me:

Alpha banquet marked the end of an experience I will never forget and I will hold so close to my heart forever. My beautiful AC leader Taylor (the one on the right) is literarily a God-send and has blessed my life in so many ways. The whole night was exceptional and such a blast seeing everyone so dressed up and getting to have our last spontaneous dance party all together. It is crazy to think of my life in July without this whole experience and all these people that have so greatly impacted my life.

The good news is though… dun dun dun… I was given the position of Alpha Coordinator for the 2011-2012 Alpha Leaders. WOAHHH. I basically have to pinch myself daily about it because I am still in shock. After lots of screams, happy tears, and freak out moments, I am blessed and blown away that I can say that my Alpha experience is surely not over with yet! And now I get to witness a bunch of incredible soon-to-be alpha leaders grow in community, relationships, and most importantly, with the Lord. HOW LUCKY AM I? I will have the honor to lead 10-12ish Alpha Leaders throughout the next year. I never thought that this whole opportunity would come up, I had other plans that I was pretty set on because I thought that the position of AC was too out of my comfort zone, and too difficult to get (a ton of really incredible people applied). However, God (in typical God fashion) gave me the thing I was the most uncomfortable with and I can truly say that I have never been more thankful that God’s plan much prevails my own. I am nervous, anxious, but so completely filled with joy and excitement about whatever God is going to do with my future.

My two wonderful roommates and Santa Clause hanging out at Christmas Chaos (the annual event thrown by RezLife before all the crazy finals begins).

What happens when its 11pm, your craving In-N-Out, and you have way too many finals to study for? You beg your roommates to go to In-N-Out with you and you bring your books, notes, and laptops. Boom. Life of a college student.

The best way to take a long (and much needed) break from finals- go to Starbucks, then go with your AC group to a street of homes decorated beautifully for Christmas, then finish the night off with Chipotle and the greatest group of people. I mean, if you are going to procrastinate, at least make it memorable :)

Last thing to do before I leave APU for Winter Vacation: go out and eat Sushi with my roommate. Check.

Last thing to stick in my car before driving home: MY PET FISH. I received him as a gift from my lovely alphie when my last fish died prematurely, I named him Al- suits him well. You can see I am enjoying not driving home alone… I just wonder if Al is.

 

I wish you all a Merry Christmas! I sure am excited to celebrate the best (and my most favorite) birthday of the year! God bless.

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” Proverbs 19:21

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