APU Blogs - Phil http://www.apu.edu/blogs/phil/blog_undergrad Azusa Pacific University Blogs en-us Sun, 22 Apr 2007 15:04:00 PDT Sun, 22 Apr 2007 15:04:00 PDT Coming to a close... http://www.apu.edu/blogs/phil/10352/ Hello Everyone!

I am writing this blog from a coffee shop near school, wondering how this year has gone by so fast. I can hear in my head over and over, the words of many wise people in my life: "Enjoy your days, life goes by too fast". I never really felt the truth and reality behind these words until last night. We had our end of the year events on Friday night for our dorm and our staff is planning how we are going to pass the torch to the new staff coming on. I am beginning work for next year as ASB president and thinking of plans for graduation. I cannot believe how much is happening at one time, all the while it is an ending of good things and a beginning of new things. There are so many thoughts and emotions going through my head. Questions fill my mind: what am I going to do with my life, how will I spend my last summer in college, where do my friendships go from here, how do I take advantage of these last two weeks with my residents or rather my neighbors and friends that I have come to love so much. As much as I attempt to contemplate how transition and change will affect me, I really cannot know until the time has passed and seasons have ended. I realize that life is full of seasons. Seasons of friendships. Seasons of hard times. Seasons of elation. Seasons of hope and peace. I am just thankful that when there seems to be a cloud of uncertainty around me, there is hope that the seasons will change and peace will come.

So as this season of time, my junior year in college and all that it entails, comes to an end, I look towards another season in all of its difficulty and in all of its goodness for my life.

I pray you can see the season of life you are in and thank God for all that it entails, too good and the hard.

mucho amor y paz,

phil

]]> Sun, 22 Apr 2007 15:04:00 PDT MEXICO! http://www.apu.edu/blogs/phil/10298/  Well, it is the tail end of spring break and I just got home from being in Mexico this past week with Mexico Outreach through APU! It was absolutely incredible! I had the privilege of being a part of team Barnabas which is the encouragement team for the camp in Cuernevaca.


 Last Friday we arrived at the camp and began setting up for everyone to arrive. We prepared the site for over 1,000 youth leaders, high school students and middle school students who arrived on Saturday afternoon. I was able to meet a ton of awesome people from all over the United States and Canada, all of who came to serve in Mexico for a week. I really had a ton of fun with the kids from Desert Christian and my friends from the North Pole Christian Academy in Alaska. Shout out to Caleb from Desert Christian, Marchelle and Ryan from Alaska and Ben and Tim who always found me and drenched me with water! So much fun!


 Our role as team Barnabas is very unique in that we are the wake-up call in the morning, the encouragement and support around the camp but more importantly we go to visit all of the sites where people are serving. Upon arriving to the sites, we encourage, pray and bring a nice cold drink and candy for refreshment from the hot sun. In doing so we are able to get a bird’s eye view of the work that is being done for God’s Kingdom in Mexico. APU and Mexico Outreach have been working in and around Mexicali for years and have built strong relationships with the community members. This has created venues to serve for teams that come with Mexico Outreach. I saw so many things from an orphanage being built to a new clinic for families to a church for a pastor and congregation that have never had one. There was so much to thank God for and it truly made me proud to go to a school that made missions and service such a big priority. I am realizing that since I have been at APU, my mind and my heart have been enlightened and opened to think globally. I see the world in such a different way and I appreciate what I have and the education I am receiving, but I see these things more as tools to serve for Christ than just a simple blessing.


 This past week and a half I became very close with my team in Mexico. There were many laughs, many games and many relationships that I am grateful for. We were put in many trying situations that required flexibility and a smile even when we did not feel like doing what needed to be done. I learned so much from my team and my leaders, in seeing how they loved and served so joyfully even when the work seemed overwhelming. I particularly appreciated our leaders. They are often the ones that kept us going, encouraging us, laughing with us and making the mundane really fun. Overall the week was amazing and I would encourage you to go on a mission trip, even if to expand your mind and be able to think globally and enhance your worldview. Trust me, it will not leave you the same.

 Mucho amor y paz

 phil

]]> Sat, 07 Apr 2007 16:19:00 PDT Can you believe it? http://www.apu.edu/blogs/phil/10235/ Hey Ya’ll!

 

I have had a crazy but fun last week and a half!

 

It started last week when I found out that I will be the ASB President of the 2007-2008 school year! So if you are coming to APU this coming fall, I will be your President! I am really excited and thankful for this opportunity to serve the school that has given me so much.

 

 

Then at the end of that week we had a surprise RD (Resident Director) Appreciation Breakfast. Our RD, Jen, is the most amazing RD that I could have ever imagined! She has poured into each one of the RA’s lives in Engstrom and also in other halls. She loves everyone so much and above all is one of the most real and down to earth people I know. Jen has shown me the heart of Christ at so many points when I felt alone and anxiety seemed to take over. So because of the work and love she has poured into us, we decided to take her out to breakfast and just hang out for a while. It was a great time to tell her we loved her and just thank her for the countless hours she spends sharing with us!

 

 

After that week, we had RA appreciation week, where the residents and our RD went above and beyond thanking the RA’s for the role that they have in the living areas. I have loved being an RA. Being able to love and include freshmen in my life has been one of the most rewarding experiences at APU. We came out of our staff meeting on Monday night and the entire lobby was filled with posters and thank you signs from all of the residents! It was encouraging and such a blessing! I am so thankful to be an RA in Engstrom Hall! I love my guys, 1st dub, Holler!

 

 

Amidst RA appreciation week, I was even more thrilled, because my older sister Corrie got engaged! Corrie has been dating Kasey for about 2 years and they both met at APU. It was really cool to be able to go to school with them and see their relationship progress. They are both two of the most amazing people I know and having my older sister engaged is one of the weirdest feelings, but I could not imagine a better man for her to marry! Another fun thing that happened this week!

 

 

Finally this past weekend, our staff went back to Laurie’s house, one of the RA’s on my staff. Her family invited us to stay there for a staff retreat. They made us dinner and dessert and we were able to just hang out and relax and more importantly, LAUGH! We have so much fun together and now that the year is coming to an end, I can see so clearly how God has knit our lives together as a family. They are the people that I run to when I am sad or feel alone. They are the people I run to when I am excited and want to laugh and have fun! I am so thankful for each of them and our weekend away was exactly what I needed as the stresses of schoolwork are compiling.

 

 

So, if you can believe it, this all happened in about a week and a half time span! That is what I love about APU, there are always so many good things happening. Even when I feel down or have many overwhelming things, I can see the good that God has given to me and I can be grateful for the goodness I experience from Him.

 

Hope you have a wonderful day!

 

Mucho amor y paz,

 

Phil

]]> Sun, 18 Mar 2007 22:34:00 PDT ASB Elections! http://www.apu.edu/blogs/phil/10178/ This past week and a half has been a really fun time for me. I am running for Associated Student Body President for next year! I had been thinking about the possibility for some time, but I finally made the decision and I am doing it!

 

One of my favorite things about APU is the ability to get involved in leadership as a student. There have been countless opportunities made to the student body to take leadership roles and help change the face of the campus. I have been involved in a few of those, whether it is helping lead a local ministry, lead a Discipleship group on campus or being a RA in the dorms. I have learned so much from these positions and I am excited to take that next step and run for ASB President. I am thankful for the power and the influence that APU does give to the students. APU realizes that we are the heart and soul of APU and without our input and help the school could not be as amazing as it is!

 

 

So, this past week I have been campaigning with my friend Ren for Vice President and Sara for the Controller. We had a big meeting, making shirts and passing out buttons with a ton of my closest friends. It was really fun and exciting to see my friends and how much they love me and support me!

 

I am just waiting until this afternoon to find out if I officially won, but I will keep you guys posted!!

 

Mucho amor y paz,

phil

]]> Tue, 06 Mar 2007 12:36:00 PST Hanging by a thread... http://www.apu.edu/blogs/phil/10114/ Sometimes I wonder if life will ever slow down or if I will ever speed up. I contemplate my to-do list and the post it note that goes with me every day demanding my attention of all the things I have committed to. This week especially I have been hanging by a thread. I was able to go home this past weekend and relax, but then I am jumping headfirst into a few crazy weeks of my life. First of all, this week has been midterm filled for me. Every day I have at least one midterm. On top of that, I have about three outside projects I am working on for classes and such. Also, I am planning a mission trip to Guatemala with some of my friends and it seems we can never make progress without another setback. Every year I promise myself that I will slow down, that I will not be so committed and I will take time for myself. Yet every year I find myself that much more full to the brim.

 

 

Like I mentioned, I was able to go home this past weekend for the long weekend and I was able to just rest and be at home with my family. I know I have said this before, but I simply love my family. On one evening while I was lounging around the house, my brother picked himself up and drove out to Wetland’s edge, which is where you can see far out, beyond the edge of town out into the wilderness and the horizon. He said he was going to watch the sunset. For some reason those words just hit me in the stomach. I asked myself the last time I had looked at the sunset, or had time to look at the sunset. I laughed with an unfulfilled feeling thinking that I would probably have to write it on my post it notes to stop and look at the sunset. My brother silently reminded me of the important things in life. I have given my life over to so many things, but so many of them are fleeting. I have a “to do list”, but what am I really doing. Am I investing in people? Am I taking time for my relationship with God? Am I appreciating the beauty of the world around me? I had to answer no to so many of those questions.

 

With that sad feeling and coming back to the chaos, I reminded myself that like the last blog, that there is no condemnation in Christ. I reminded myself that His mercies are new every morning and I can live today differently. It is a constant learning process for me, but for those you that struggle with busy-life-syndrome like I do, I tell you to  keep making the effort to stop and look at the sunset. If that means you need to write it into your schedule, then DO IT! Because eventually it will enrapture you and you will have to do it.

 

I pray that this week you can assess the way you live your life. Remind yourself of the things that are important to you and if you are hanging by a thread right now, like I am, remember that His mercies truly are new every morning.

 

Rest.

 

Mucho amor y paz,

Phil

 

]]> Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:59:00 PST where I am at... http://www.apu.edu/blogs/phil/10056/  

This past week Professor Gerali spoke in chapel and reminded the student body of the freedom that we have in Christ. I have lived so much of my life in the shadow of my sin. I have allowed my sin to be a barrier between myself and Jesus. Rather than giving my sin over to Christ, because he forgives me, I hold onto the sin and guilt and shame take over. Gerali blatantly reminded the student body that there is freedom from this sin and unless we can release it and let go, we are not stepping into the freedom that Christ died for.

 

I have experienced a renewed breath of fresh air in my life. I have seen how much I have given sin a power over my life. I realize now that Christ died for freedom, not for condemnation and guilt. We are called to live outside of that and follow Christ. Yes I have sinned. Yes I have fallen short of the glory of God. But with the power of Christ’s sacrifice I am free. Free to live a life without condemnation. Free to live my life for the calling God has for me.

 

I am so thankful for hearing God’s voice this week.

 

I pray that you also can experience this freedom and be reminded of the power of Christ’s sacrifice.

 

That is where I am at.

 

Mucho amor y paz,

Phil

 

]]> Sat, 10 Feb 2007 16:46:00 PST These past few days... http://www.apu.edu/blogs/phil/10029/ These past few days have been really hectic but really fun!

 

 

Our hall of guys and girls go out to dinner every week for family dinner! This Wednesday we decided to go all together for “Prom in the Caf”. This means that all the girls and guys get dressed up like they are going to prom and then we go to eat in the caf.  So all my guys and I dressed up in our formalwear and gave each one of the girls from the 1st floor a rose. Then we all walked together and sat in the corner of the caf together. It is always a spectacle to see people dressed up in the caf! We definitely were pointed at a few times, but that is what living in the dorms is all about! We have a great time being fun and doing random things like a prom in the caf.

 

 

Then came preview weekend! The campus was a hustle and bustle with all of the students previewing the campus. It is always a fun time to share the place that I love so much. We give tours, share meals in the caf, have student panels and get to hear what it is really like to go to APU. It was definitely an exhausting day, but so much fun! If you can, I would definitely recommend coming to visit the campus. It is the best way to get a feel for what it is like and what APU is all about!

 

 

Finally, after a long weekend Engstrom Hall, the dorm that I am an RA in, went to go play Broomball! This is honestly one of the best events when you live on campus. Everyone goes out onto the ice in their sneakers and we have broom-like sticks and we play ice hockey with a ball. I definitely get way too competitive and many people are scared of me out there on the ice. I love being out there though, and many people hail this event “the best”. The game ended with a tie score, but I played my heart out.

 

I hope that these next few days come with a little bit of peace, because the past few days have been really busy!

 

I hope you are well.

 

Mucho amor y paz,

phil

]]> Sun, 04 Feb 2007 21:08:00 PST Oh to be at APU... http://www.apu.edu/blogs/phil/9961/ As I am entering my third week back at school this semester, I can sometimes get bogged down with the workload or the busy aspects of my life. It is very easy to only see the immediate and what is directly in front of you, such as homework, tests and projects. These are all very important to my education, but reminding myself of the amazing opportunities and friendships that I have, can refocus my energy and make doing the difficult stuff not seem so overwhelming.

 

 

Since being at APU I have made many friends that continue to impact my life. That is one of the best parts of being here. Just the other day I was overwhelmed with homework and the difficulty of my eighteen units and I plopped myself in my friend JC’s mod and began to vent. My friends heard me out, listened to my complaining and were there for me. By the end of my time, we were laughing at each other and I left their mod thankful for such awesome people in my life to be there and understand and care even when I know their lives are just as crazy.

 

 

I was able to take a step away from the second week of school, in the second semester of my junior year and see JC and my friends being there for me in the long run. I can see them being there for me when I get my first job, when I am looking for a place to live, when I get married, when I have my first kid. I saw the depth of what they meant to me. I realized that although education is a very primary and important aspect of going to college, that these people are just as integral to my life as a major/minor or a degree. I have friends like this because of my time at APU. Our experiences are priceless and their love for me is unmatchable. I pray that I can appreciate these people even when the going gets tough.

 

 

Yet another reason I can sigh with complete satisfaction and say,

“Oh to be at APU”.

 

Mucho amor y paz,

 

phil

 

]]> Sun, 21 Jan 2007 21:18:00 PST Break and Coming Back! http://www.apu.edu/blogs/phil/9916/ My break and coming back!]]> Wed, 10 Jan 2007 20:24:00 PST The week before finals! http://www.apu.edu/blogs/phil/9838/ Oh the glories of the week before finals!

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