I absolutely love the people at APU and, in addition to the people, I love the activities and events that seem to be happening all the time...where you can see the wonderful people! :) Over the last couple weeks, I have had the opportunity to go to a few different events that really remind me of some of the reasons why APU is such a great place to be! :) I would like to highlight a couple:

APU Basketball: There really is nothing like it! :) I love seeing the event center fill up with APU students, faculty, staff, and other members of the community! It is always a joy to see the enthusiasm that comes from the "Blackout" (student spirit) section! And, the last couple of games I have been to, we have won...which is ALWAYS a bonus! :)

Gospel Sing: Wow! This is quite an extraordinary event. This is an annual event that is mainly sponsored through our Multi-Ethnic Programs office, and it is truly one of my favorite events of the year! I love seeing and hearing the talent that is showcased (by both groups from APU and from around the nation)...all to worship and praise the name of Jesus! :)

I hope this finds you well! It is amazing to know we are more than halfway through the month of February!

Grace, peace, and love,

Stacie :)      

I hope your holidays were refreshing! :) I really enjoy the start of a new year...marking the completion of one period of time and allowing for the hope of what is to come. For me, this seems to be a time where I intentionally reflect on the past and anticipate the future. It is always amazing for me to remember God's goodness and be assured of His faithfulness!

Not only have I been able to see God's work in my own life, I have clearly seen God's fingerprints all over APU this past year! I see the evidence of God in the lives of individual students through their desire to learn, hearts to grow, and passion to touch the lives of others. 

As I think about all the ways that students at APU are transformed, I am reminded, once again, what a vital role chapel plays in that transformation. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend two of our chapel services and was so grateful I was able to be at a place where the power of Scripture was communicated and discipleship embraced--patterning our lives after Jesus'!

I pray this year will bring you hope and joy as you follow Christ! :)

Grace, peace, and love,

Stacie :)       

Last week, there were a couple opportunities on campus that helped us to stop for a few moments and reflect. The first was the AIDS Experience Tent. One of our current students, Jordan (you may also have seen his blog), with the help of many other student volunteers, worked with World Vision to bring a piece of Africa to APU's campus. I had the opportunity to go through the tent and "become" a part of the story of someone living in Africa! Wow! What a powerful, heart-wrenching experience!  

I am sure I have said this many times before, but I have to say it again: our students AMAZE me! :) In addition to the AIDS Experience Tent, another one of our students, Brittany (the undergraduate intern in the Women's Resource Center), provided an opportunity (entitled Delight) for people to stop and write notes of encouragement to show appreciation for the women on our campus. This was such a great idea--especially during this time of the semester when school work is more intense and students are in need of a break and breath of fresh air! :)

As we celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday, I pray we would be reminded of all the gifts God has graciously placed in our lives. And, my hope is that you would know how valued you are! :)

Grace, peace, and love,

Stacie :)   

Happy November to you! :) Well, this has been a fun-filled week! :) I had the opportunity to go up to our High Sierra campus (in Bass Lake...near Yosemite) for a couple of days to visit with some of the students and staff there! :) It was my first time up to the High Sierra campus, and it was amazing! :) I love the tight-knit community that is built...such wonderful people, such a beautiful environment, and such unique learning experiences! :) It brought immense joy to my heart to see how the students interacted with faculty--whether it is in a class session, conversing around the dinner table, or having fun playing games and other activities! I would definitely encourage students to really look into the High Sierra semester to see if it may be an option for them! :)

I so appreciate the way APU continues to be a place where lifetime relationships are established. I was reminded of the truth of this blessing when I got together with some of my dearest friends that graduated from APU with me...and realized that I would not have the depth of these friendships if it were not for APU and the emphasis that is placed on community here! :)  

Have you visited the APU campus yet? I know there were a number of students and family members that came this past week for our first Preview Weekend of the school year! I love Preview Weekends! :) These are great times to really get a feel for what APU is like...meeting current students, spending the night on-campus, going to chapel, visiting a class, interacting with faculty and staff, and the list could go on and on! :) If you haven't visited the campus yet, I would encourage you to come to our second Preview Weekend (November 15-17).

More than anything, I pray you would experience God's presence, goodness, and faithfulness in these coming weeks! :)

Grace, peace, and love,

Stacie :)

Wow! I cannot believe that another month is coming to an end! Before we know it, Thanksgiving 2007 will have past and we will be preparing for the Christmas season; however, in the fast-pace and busy culture that we live in, I want to be more intentional about seizing today! :)

Last week, Azusa Pacific University celebrated Homecoming with some of our traditional Homecoming events and the much-anticipated Homecoming football game. I love this annual tradition of Homecoming...celebrating how God is moving currently at APU and remembering God's faithfulness in the past. It is always a joy to see old friends (many who I consider "family") coming "home" to APU during this time! :)

This week, our Beginnings class (a class for freshmen students about the college experience and their own self-discovery) had a special guest speaker named Elane. Elane is an amazing woman and one of the youngest Holocaust survivors. Her story is heartfelt and powerful, and we are truly honored and privileged to have her share with us each year! I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with Elane while she was here, and it was a true joy--she has definitely impacted my life! :)  

This week, many APU students (and some faculty and staff) have taken part in something called the Clothesline Project. The Clothesline Project is a program designed to assist in addressing the issue of violence against women. By writing on t-shirts provided, people have had the opportunity to express their emotions, feelings, and thoughts in regards to the topic of violence. In addition, both men and women have been able to view these expressions, gain awareness, and reflect on this topic. My prayer is that God will continue to work in and through our community to bring healing and prevention!

Grace, peace, and love,

Stacie :)

Wow! What a treat I experienced when we had a children's choir from Africa come to sing and perform here at APU! After going to Kenya on a missions trip with APU a few years back, my heart leaps for the people of Africa! And, it was so great to see the place PACKED with APU students (and a few faculty and staff members) who were touched through the music, dance, and joy of this group! :)

Servant leadership...in today's world, it seems like those two words do not belong together; however, as we look at the way in which Jesus lived on Earth, we see that servant leadership makes perfect sense! :) Last week, I had the opportunity to go to a luncheon that honored four APU students for their amazing leadership--not necessarily because of the positions in which they held but because of the WAY in which they choose to lead! They are true models of Christ, and I am reminded that the greatest leaders are the greatest servants! :)

I love that APU continues to be a place of transformation! Today, I had the honor and privilege of watching one of our students (Lisa) be baptized by one of our campus pastors in a pond we have on campus. It was an amazing experience to see the outward expression of God's inward work in Lisa! She is an amazing woman...who will continue to impact people's lives in amazing ways! :)  

Grace, peace, and love,

Stacie :)

As you read this entry, I hope things have been great for you! :) Well, before any more time passes, I thought it may be good to share with you about a couple very special groups of people in my life. :)

The first group of  individuals consists of my discipleship group. This is an AMAZING group of girls that started meeting last year (their freshman year). I feel so honored to "lead" this group of women...I learn so much from them. I love how we can study Scripture together, ask questions of one another, be honest with one another, pray for one another, and encourage one another. These girls have definitely demonstrated Christ's love and character to me! :)

Also, I work in the Office of Student Success here at APU. One of the main roles of this office consists of planning and implementing our New Student Orientation program. Along with this, we have about 100 fantastic orientation leaders called Alpha Leaders and 10 incredible Alpha Counselors (students who lead the Alpha Leaders). In addition, we have two fantastic undergraduate interns, a graduate assistant, program coordinator, and director. I love working with the student leaders in the Alpha program--they are quite phenomenal! If you choose to attend APU as a freshman, I am excited for you to be able to have the opportunity to connect with one or more of these students! :) (Transfers, you aren't left out...there are Team Transfer Leaders who you will have the opportunity to connect with as well)! :)

It has been truly inspiring for me to see the way APU is structured to intentionally connect new students with other students...so new students feel supported and encouraged along their journey! :)

I hope your journey of choosing a college is one filled with excitement and clarity! :)

Grace, peace, and love,

Stacie :)

Well, not only are there a variety of activities going on at APU, there are a number of things going on in the surrounding communities...that are especially fun WITH people from APU! :) This past weekend was LOTS of fun! :) On Friday evening, I had the opportunity to go to a Rascal Flatts concert in the San Diego area with a few of the students I work with! :) The show was wonderful...and the company was even better! :) Don't forget...their new album comes out September 25. :) 

Saturday was also a blast! :) I went with a handful of women who work at APU to a beautiful hotel in Laguna Beach for dinner! The view was gorgeous, and I feel SO grateful that I have the opportunity to work with these incredible women and, more importantly, call them friends! :) We enjoyed every moment of our time together! :) I feel so blessed to be able to more deeply understand the character of Christ through the people God has placed in my life! :)

I hope you are experiencing fun adventures of your own! :)

Grace, peace, and love,

Stacie :)

We just concluded the formal part of Orientation this past Friday night. Our last official Orientation event was so much fun! It was a carnival/fair-type event called the "Cougar Country Hootenanny"! What a great time we had with a ferris wheel, giant slide, the largest game of Twister I have ever seen, churro/snow cone/popcorn carts, and so much more! It was great to see so many wonderful people having so much fun...all in one place! :)

Another definite highlight of my week took place on Saturday evening. We had a Women's Worship Night! Wow! What an incredible evening. It was refreshing to see so many women gathered in one place to sing praises to our Lord, pray for one another, be still, encourage one another, hear Scripture readings, and hear a devotion from one of our campus pastors--Jamie! :) Not to mention that the room was so beautifully decorated with lights and artwork from some of our very own talented students! I was truly blown away by the worship team of female students that had put so much time and energy into leading us in worship music! :) God was definitely present! :)

Well, I pray that your school year is off to an amazing start!

Grace, peace, and love,

Stacie :)