2011
Slow Down
Thanksgiving Break – was exactly what I needed last week! I feel that I am now ready to take on these crazy last few weeks of class! It was absolutely amazing to be able to spend 4 days at home with my family. I worked hard to get most of my school work completed ahead of time so that I could truly take a step back from school for the weekend. From seeing familiar faces and scenery of my hometown, to quiet relaxing hours outside with my family and dogs, I was again reminded of some of the simple things in life that bring me great joy.
With finals approaching and flu season in full swing (believe me I am making sure I get my Vitamin C!), I am consciously now more than ever, making sure I slow down and find joy in each day. It is so easy for me to get caught up in the piles of school work and other obligations, that I need to make sure that I do not take other things that are important to me for granted.
Especially with Advent lining up with the last weeks of class, these past years of college I don’t feel that I have really given the Advent Season the thought and presence in my life that it deserves. I was able to squeeze in some preparations for Christmas (decorating, getting loved ones presents) but I didn’t feel these past two years that I adequately prepared myself for Christmas.
That is my prayer for these coming weeks (for myself and for everyone) – to truly be able to prepare for Christmas. No matter how stressed or busy life may get, to make sure to take some time to slow down and to not loose sight of what is important.
-Valerie
2011
Thankful for family, friends, school, snow, ….
As a college student it is often times difficult to be thankful for the position we’re in. The pressure of class work, exams, and planning for the unknown future is overwhelming. It is easy to be caught in this cycle of academic drudgery. However, when you think about it, we are young people that are significantly blessed. We all have the opportunity to earn a higher education. We have the opportunity to expand our horizons in ways that are unimaginable for some. We have the opportunity to be involved in clubs that spark our interests and spend our time getting to know people that are different from ourselves. College is a time of immense opportunity and is teeming with things to be thankful for.
As Thanksgiving approaches it is obvious that people become more aware of the many blessings in their lives. Being able to name these blessings is important. Personally, I am very thankful for the relationships I have through family and friends, coworkers, and classmates. And yes, I am very thankful for the recent weather change! I love snow. No matter what place I am in emotionally, when it snows, my mood is always lightened. Snow brings me back to my childhood when I would go and play in the snow after school for hours on end. Even now, I still try to catch snowflakes on my tongue. On Saturday night, a bunch of LCMers spent time together at Annie’s and then ventured out in the snow afterwards. Lindsey and I went skipping on the sidewalk as the snow fell. It was so freeing to have childlike fun again.
I invite you to “count the many blessings” in your life. There are so many things to be thankful for if you take a look. God has blessed each and every one of us with special gifts, talents, family, and friends to only name a few. Being able to recognize the beauty in His creation and thank Him is one of the best things!
Laura McDowell
2011
Sooo… what’s your major?!
The college experience has treated me well so far… to say the least. I’ve met amazing friends, had opportunities to become involved with meaningful organizations and events, explored Minneapolis/St. Paul through many random adventures, and experienced school spirit and pride to a degree I only dreamed of in high school!!
As far as that whole ‘academic’ part of school goes, I got pretty dried out. As an undeclared student, I grew extremely frustrated having to take general classes that were only semi-interesting, for the most part irrelevant to my life, and filled my time with busywork. I spent the end of my freshman year and most of my summer talking to career counselors and doing research on random majors at the U of M. I felt like I was just going through the motions searching for my purpose in life. It was like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders, as I’m sure is a very common feeling for many college students in the decision making process of what to do with your life.
After a conversation at Bread and Belonging regarding vocation and discernment, I left feeling very puzzled and curious about how I was just supposed to know when I was hearing God’s call. I’m usually an avid journal-er, but because of the constant business of life, I neglected this source of releasing my emotions and thoughts. However, I felt moved to journal after this night of Bread and Belonging. I opened my journal and realized it had been since June that I had last written an entry. Four pages later, I felt some sense of relief. I picked up my Bible—another thing I’ve neglected to do recently… which was conveniently under my journal. I found a few reassuring verses, one of which keeps coming up in my life: Proverbs 3:5-6… “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will direct your paths.”
It became clear to me that I was taking responsibility for discerning my future alone… which, in hindsight, is completely ridiculous. I was so frustrated and discouraged with the idea of the future that I was losing motivation to work hard in my classes. What I forgot is that God has a plan for me and always has had a plan.
After a month of writing in my journal more regularly, praying like crazy, and patiently putting my complete trust in His plan, I answered a pretty strong call to apply to the Family Social Science program. Days later, I received an e-mail congratulating me on getting into the program! I can now answer the question that I’ve heard on a daily basis since senior year of high school: “So, what’s your major?!” Weird how things just seem to come together when we let God in…
Feed your faith and your doubts will starve.
–Kalysta Schlitter :]