As countless Facebook statuses and Instagram pictures have shown, the class of 2014 has graduated from Trinity. Although none of this has actually hit me yet, I know that when I move to Madison in a couple weeks it will be clear as day that I'm not going back to Trinland. A variety of thoughts accompany that statement. But overall, I'm quite thankful.
My personality is that of a floater. I really value my close quality friends and I keep them nearby for everything, but I also enjoy getting to know just about anyone. Due to that lifestyle, I develop friendships with people all across the board and I absolutely love it. However, that made this past weekend hard. I know I'll continue to see my close friends after graduation at weddings and just hanging out in general. But those friends that aren't in my group and that I've just met through random experiences will be harder to see. That's tough. But I know each of these people are going off to do amazingly awesome things. I'm stoked for each of them.
Life as we know it is an adventure full of the craziest twists and turns. This past weekend provided joy, sadness, nervousness, excitement, relief and many other emotions. But why be sad when you can be glad? I'm going to take on life's roller coaster ride just like I would take on a real roller coaster: with joy. God's going to keep each of us on the track, so why not enjoy the ride knowing that you will end up at the station to disembark into complete paradise at the end of life's ride.
God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
Over and out.
Monday, 19 May 2014
Thursday, 1 May 2014
Club 11 Happenings. The end of an era.
"Nine companions. So be it. You shall be the fellowship of the ring."-Elrond
This year, nine of us chose to live in a house together in good old unincorporated Palos Heights. Although many of us knew each other really well, some of us had almost no prior experiences with each other. This created for an interesting experience, but we can all agree that it was full of highs and a few lows. In all honesty, there is no ring in what I'm going to be writing about, however, it could be renamed, 'the fellowship of the house' or something along those lines.
At the beginning of the year, I wrote a bit about my housemates and what they were up to. Now, nearing the end of our time in the house, I just want to show some appreciation of who these guys are as people and how they have shaped me.
Andrew Mulder
Mr. Mulder is just a wonderful soul, and I know everyone who knows him can attest to that. He is one of the easiest people to live with and his heart is in the right place. He will be graduating in May and will stick around the area probably working somewhere downtown in those huge buildings that all hold people with suits and ties and briefcases and coffee. Turns out some of my friends are going to be super professional, that's pretty cool.
Ben De Young
Mr. De Young is the goofiest goober of our house. Everyone in the room will inevitably be laughing when Ben speaks, does some impersonation or makes fun of himself. This kid is also tying the knot with his fiance this coming July, working his butt off to land an awesome job in a police force and manage his time now that college has ended for him. Keep your eyes peeled people, he might be the next person to pull you over, so drive the speed limit....or don't, your choice.
Brandon Doorn
Mr. Doorn has quickly become someone who I will miss a lot when our time finally ends. He likes all the same shows I do and I can strike up a conversation with him on literally anything. He also will graduate in May, and as an accountant, had an internship this past semester which has been a fantastic experience for him. So we can chalk up another suit and tie professional on my list of housemates. He will be sticking around the area as well.
Calob Lostutter
Mr. Lostutter may be the most unique individual that I know, in the best way possible. Living in the same room with him as been an excellent experience and I'm really that I got to know him during this past school year. Mr. Lostutter has been working as a fiber optics engineer, so if you know what that is, cool...if you don't, then you are in the same boat as I am. He will probably stick around the area and he will walk with all of us in May as well. I cannot wait to see where his life will take him.
Colin Ebels
Mr. Ebels has been a great friend for a long time now. His quick retorts to any comment can have me doubled over in laughter, and even though I barely see him anymore, I will miss his commentary on life issues. He graduated in December and is also a criminal justice student. For now he is working in the area, but I'm excited to see him land a job in his field. If Ben doesn't pull you over, then maybe Colin will. Either way, I'm really stoked for my law enforcement friends and the exciting things in their future.
Josh Pollema
Mr. Pollema is quite possibly the most fit person I have ever met. His passion is Cross Fit and I am so proud of his intense dedication, and as long as he doesn't completely kill himself doing something insane, I support him in his insane ventures with physical fitness. He is a teacher who graduated in December, and although he is teaching around here for now, I wouldn't be surprised if he moves away to teach at a Christian school, because that is what he wants to do.
Matt Meyer
Mr. Meyer moved out of our house in December. In no way did I drop him as a roommate in my mind thought. He is part of our house, and shows it by visiting every once in a while. He is a wonderful person, who I really only got to know better this year, and I'm quite thankful for that opportunity. He is our third and final accountant from the house and has a job at his dad's company. He works long hours and has completely grown up into his professional career. Crazy
Ryan Busscher
Mr. Busscher is another friend that goes way back. He graduated in December and had a job in the area working looooong hours doing intense labor things. He has since landed a job in Indianapolis and has up and moved down there and seems to be doing well. He is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing. I honestly couldn't think of a better place for him, so even though he is no longer around at all, I'm excited for what lies ahead for him.
Those are my guys. Praise the Lord that each one of them has employment for after graduation. To say that all nine of us have something right after we graduate is incredibly rare and I couldn't be more happy for each one of them. All of us are headed in completely different directions, some staying in the area, and others are moving away, but I know wherever they all end up, they will be a blessing to all who surround them. However, I can't even stop there with bragging about people around me. Here's a few more :)
Caleb Copeland: He's going to student teach in China next year. Like what. I couldn't be happier for him.
Jessica Wiltjer: She's going to teach English in Peru for half a year. She's going to do so well at it and change lives.
My nursing friends: They are so close to being done with this intense schooling and then they will be on their way saving lives. So stoked for them and all their hard work put in.
Tyler Minnesma: Comes back from Kenya, lands a job in Wisconsin, plans to travel around the midwest for a month, graduate from Calvin, live at an archaeological dig for a summer in Jordan and then come back and work. What a goon. Love it.
Joseph Keller: He is teaching at Rehobeth in New Mexico next year!!! Ahhhhh!!
Gina Ciametti: She nailed her first year as an admissions counselor at Trinity and this school is so blessed to have her.
My Highland Girls: Kristin, Courtney, Tina, Cat, Ellie, Christina and Betsy all have huge things coming up for them in their different fields and all of them are going to go so far.
Cassie Winters: "Hi, my name is Cassie and I'm just going to go live in Togo, Africa for the summer." Like how stinking cool is that. She is on fire for God.
Brad VanderVelde: He already has an internship downtown lined up for next spring! Next stinking spring! He's on top of his game.
Dara Veenstra: She's finishing the school year and then going to walk across the entire country of Spain. So that's pretty normal and everything...
In all honesty, the list could just keep going. These are all people in my life who have greatly impacted me, and each has provided support to me and to others in ways they don't even realize. By being faithful servants of our Creator, they have been completely blessed with these amazing opportunities to go out and spread the good news. I can't help but smile as I think about where God is leading each of the people in my life.
Also, got a bunch of weddings this summer, so huge shoutout to my way too many friends who are getting married. Love you all.
Although my time is ending in my house, I just look back and smile, I couldn't be more thankful.
"Here at last, on the shores of the sea... comes the end of our Fellowship." Gandalf
Peace and blessings
This year, nine of us chose to live in a house together in good old unincorporated Palos Heights. Although many of us knew each other really well, some of us had almost no prior experiences with each other. This created for an interesting experience, but we can all agree that it was full of highs and a few lows. In all honesty, there is no ring in what I'm going to be writing about, however, it could be renamed, 'the fellowship of the house' or something along those lines.
At the beginning of the year, I wrote a bit about my housemates and what they were up to. Now, nearing the end of our time in the house, I just want to show some appreciation of who these guys are as people and how they have shaped me.
Andrew Mulder
Mr. Mulder is just a wonderful soul, and I know everyone who knows him can attest to that. He is one of the easiest people to live with and his heart is in the right place. He will be graduating in May and will stick around the area probably working somewhere downtown in those huge buildings that all hold people with suits and ties and briefcases and coffee. Turns out some of my friends are going to be super professional, that's pretty cool.
Ben De Young
Mr. De Young is the goofiest goober of our house. Everyone in the room will inevitably be laughing when Ben speaks, does some impersonation or makes fun of himself. This kid is also tying the knot with his fiance this coming July, working his butt off to land an awesome job in a police force and manage his time now that college has ended for him. Keep your eyes peeled people, he might be the next person to pull you over, so drive the speed limit....or don't, your choice.
Brandon Doorn
Mr. Doorn has quickly become someone who I will miss a lot when our time finally ends. He likes all the same shows I do and I can strike up a conversation with him on literally anything. He also will graduate in May, and as an accountant, had an internship this past semester which has been a fantastic experience for him. So we can chalk up another suit and tie professional on my list of housemates. He will be sticking around the area as well.
Calob Lostutter
Mr. Lostutter may be the most unique individual that I know, in the best way possible. Living in the same room with him as been an excellent experience and I'm really that I got to know him during this past school year. Mr. Lostutter has been working as a fiber optics engineer, so if you know what that is, cool...if you don't, then you are in the same boat as I am. He will probably stick around the area and he will walk with all of us in May as well. I cannot wait to see where his life will take him.
Colin Ebels
Mr. Ebels has been a great friend for a long time now. His quick retorts to any comment can have me doubled over in laughter, and even though I barely see him anymore, I will miss his commentary on life issues. He graduated in December and is also a criminal justice student. For now he is working in the area, but I'm excited to see him land a job in his field. If Ben doesn't pull you over, then maybe Colin will. Either way, I'm really stoked for my law enforcement friends and the exciting things in their future.
Josh Pollema
Mr. Pollema is quite possibly the most fit person I have ever met. His passion is Cross Fit and I am so proud of his intense dedication, and as long as he doesn't completely kill himself doing something insane, I support him in his insane ventures with physical fitness. He is a teacher who graduated in December, and although he is teaching around here for now, I wouldn't be surprised if he moves away to teach at a Christian school, because that is what he wants to do.
Matt Meyer
Mr. Meyer moved out of our house in December. In no way did I drop him as a roommate in my mind thought. He is part of our house, and shows it by visiting every once in a while. He is a wonderful person, who I really only got to know better this year, and I'm quite thankful for that opportunity. He is our third and final accountant from the house and has a job at his dad's company. He works long hours and has completely grown up into his professional career. Crazy
Ryan Busscher
Mr. Busscher is another friend that goes way back. He graduated in December and had a job in the area working looooong hours doing intense labor things. He has since landed a job in Indianapolis and has up and moved down there and seems to be doing well. He is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing. I honestly couldn't think of a better place for him, so even though he is no longer around at all, I'm excited for what lies ahead for him.
Those are my guys. Praise the Lord that each one of them has employment for after graduation. To say that all nine of us have something right after we graduate is incredibly rare and I couldn't be more happy for each one of them. All of us are headed in completely different directions, some staying in the area, and others are moving away, but I know wherever they all end up, they will be a blessing to all who surround them. However, I can't even stop there with bragging about people around me. Here's a few more :)
Caleb Copeland: He's going to student teach in China next year. Like what. I couldn't be happier for him.
Jessica Wiltjer: She's going to teach English in Peru for half a year. She's going to do so well at it and change lives.
My nursing friends: They are so close to being done with this intense schooling and then they will be on their way saving lives. So stoked for them and all their hard work put in.
Tyler Minnesma: Comes back from Kenya, lands a job in Wisconsin, plans to travel around the midwest for a month, graduate from Calvin, live at an archaeological dig for a summer in Jordan and then come back and work. What a goon. Love it.
Joseph Keller: He is teaching at Rehobeth in New Mexico next year!!! Ahhhhh!!
Gina Ciametti: She nailed her first year as an admissions counselor at Trinity and this school is so blessed to have her.
My Highland Girls: Kristin, Courtney, Tina, Cat, Ellie, Christina and Betsy all have huge things coming up for them in their different fields and all of them are going to go so far.
Cassie Winters: "Hi, my name is Cassie and I'm just going to go live in Togo, Africa for the summer." Like how stinking cool is that. She is on fire for God.
Brad VanderVelde: He already has an internship downtown lined up for next spring! Next stinking spring! He's on top of his game.
Dara Veenstra: She's finishing the school year and then going to walk across the entire country of Spain. So that's pretty normal and everything...
In all honesty, the list could just keep going. These are all people in my life who have greatly impacted me, and each has provided support to me and to others in ways they don't even realize. By being faithful servants of our Creator, they have been completely blessed with these amazing opportunities to go out and spread the good news. I can't help but smile as I think about where God is leading each of the people in my life.
Also, got a bunch of weddings this summer, so huge shoutout to my way too many friends who are getting married. Love you all.
Although my time is ending in my house, I just look back and smile, I couldn't be more thankful.
"Here at last, on the shores of the sea... comes the end of our Fellowship." Gandalf
Peace and blessings
Saturday, 12 April 2014
Ready to do something Epic
"I wanna live like there's no tomorrow, love like I'm on borrowed time, It's good to be alive" Jason Gray
"Tonight, I want all of you tonight, give me everything tonight cuz we might not get tomorrow, let's do it tonight" Pitbull
Both of these songs talk about living your life like it's the last day you will be on earth. However, the underlying messages could not be more different. In Pitbull's song, the listener is encouraged to go out and do some crazy things, party hard, hook up with a stranger, just live like tomorrow is the end. Essentially, go out with a bang.
Whether that appeals to you or not, it is an utterly hopeless view on life. The end is here so let's just go hard and do whatever we want, because tomorrow it's all irrelevant. It kind of reminds of the "eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die". It is the view that this life is all that there is. There is no hope for after death.
Mr. Gray on the other hand, views life a little more positively. He starts at the basics, just being thankful for life. He also acknowledges that life may end tomorrow, but he wants to do something more than just live in selfishly simple and temporary desires, he wants to make a change. The line that really hits me is "love like I'm on borrowed time". This life is not our own, but belongs to the Father, who created us, and then sent his Son to save us. So, in all honesty, we are on borrowed time.
It's like being at work. When you clock in at work, you are now on your boss' time, not on your own. While you are working, you are under the company's time, and as a representative of the company, you want to put your best foot forward and work your hardest. Well, we are clocked in under God's time from the moment we open our eyes at birth, to the moment He chooses to shut them.
In other words, we must be constantly working for the Lord. Colossians 3:23 says, " Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not human masters." I ask that we, especially as Christians, examine that verse more closely, and then look over our own lives and ask ourselves if this is really what we do. I would then ask, that we think about that and at the same time, consider that, as both of these songs pointed out, life could end at any moment.
Recently, I heard a fellow student speak about the temperamental state that our lives are in. People die before their time every day. And one of these days, it will affect someone close to each of our lives. As I thought over my past experiences with death, I can see this to be true and it suddenly hit me so hard that there are people close to me that do not believe. What am I doing, sitting here on my butt, when we are called to go make disciples of every nation, bringing new brothers and sisters into the kingdom. As I went into one of my rants and started spewing words about how I'm not doing enough to evangelize, a friend helped me realize that it is all in God's plan. This is true, all that we can do, is take advantage of every opportunity that we have to spread the gospel. Not that this is easy obviously, but it's all about being open and inviting others into our lives and just being vulnerable. It's not like you can walk up to a complete stranger and spill the whole gospel and expect them to convert right there on the spot, as cool as that would be. No, we are called to love, and love like we are on borrowed time.
Now my challenge here, would be to live fully in the place at which you are currently. Live in the moment, loving all around you and reaching out by being a friend. Sometimes that can make all of the difference. Seek out opportunities to do something epic for the kingdom of God.
As a senior, I see this as a huge opportunity. I recently got a job at a company called Epic, they do hospital software worldwide and just really cool things. Now, as exciting as that is, it is also incredibly nerve racking. I'm moving out on my own and will be with all new people. HELLO. Like what better opportunity could I ask for to be exactly what I have just been writing about. I can't wait to go out and meet new people and have new opportunities to be a witness, whether in word or deed or both. I hope that all of my seniors out there find the strength to go out to their new places and do something epic for God. Everyone else can as well. Let's all do epic things.
What a blessing life truly is. I decided that in order to write this, I needed to be out doors. So I lugged this ancient lazy boy chair that we have outside and placed it in our driveway. The sun, the wind, the occasional passing car and most of all just the peace of knowing that I have today to live, to breathe, to enjoy is enough for me.
Life is an adventure, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Take it, make it awesome and all for God's glory.
"Tonight, I want all of you tonight, give me everything tonight cuz we might not get tomorrow, let's do it tonight" Pitbull
Both of these songs talk about living your life like it's the last day you will be on earth. However, the underlying messages could not be more different. In Pitbull's song, the listener is encouraged to go out and do some crazy things, party hard, hook up with a stranger, just live like tomorrow is the end. Essentially, go out with a bang.
Whether that appeals to you or not, it is an utterly hopeless view on life. The end is here so let's just go hard and do whatever we want, because tomorrow it's all irrelevant. It kind of reminds of the "eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die". It is the view that this life is all that there is. There is no hope for after death.
Mr. Gray on the other hand, views life a little more positively. He starts at the basics, just being thankful for life. He also acknowledges that life may end tomorrow, but he wants to do something more than just live in selfishly simple and temporary desires, he wants to make a change. The line that really hits me is "love like I'm on borrowed time". This life is not our own, but belongs to the Father, who created us, and then sent his Son to save us. So, in all honesty, we are on borrowed time.
It's like being at work. When you clock in at work, you are now on your boss' time, not on your own. While you are working, you are under the company's time, and as a representative of the company, you want to put your best foot forward and work your hardest. Well, we are clocked in under God's time from the moment we open our eyes at birth, to the moment He chooses to shut them.
In other words, we must be constantly working for the Lord. Colossians 3:23 says, " Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not human masters." I ask that we, especially as Christians, examine that verse more closely, and then look over our own lives and ask ourselves if this is really what we do. I would then ask, that we think about that and at the same time, consider that, as both of these songs pointed out, life could end at any moment.
Recently, I heard a fellow student speak about the temperamental state that our lives are in. People die before their time every day. And one of these days, it will affect someone close to each of our lives. As I thought over my past experiences with death, I can see this to be true and it suddenly hit me so hard that there are people close to me that do not believe. What am I doing, sitting here on my butt, when we are called to go make disciples of every nation, bringing new brothers and sisters into the kingdom. As I went into one of my rants and started spewing words about how I'm not doing enough to evangelize, a friend helped me realize that it is all in God's plan. This is true, all that we can do, is take advantage of every opportunity that we have to spread the gospel. Not that this is easy obviously, but it's all about being open and inviting others into our lives and just being vulnerable. It's not like you can walk up to a complete stranger and spill the whole gospel and expect them to convert right there on the spot, as cool as that would be. No, we are called to love, and love like we are on borrowed time.
Now my challenge here, would be to live fully in the place at which you are currently. Live in the moment, loving all around you and reaching out by being a friend. Sometimes that can make all of the difference. Seek out opportunities to do something epic for the kingdom of God.
As a senior, I see this as a huge opportunity. I recently got a job at a company called Epic, they do hospital software worldwide and just really cool things. Now, as exciting as that is, it is also incredibly nerve racking. I'm moving out on my own and will be with all new people. HELLO. Like what better opportunity could I ask for to be exactly what I have just been writing about. I can't wait to go out and meet new people and have new opportunities to be a witness, whether in word or deed or both. I hope that all of my seniors out there find the strength to go out to their new places and do something epic for God. Everyone else can as well. Let's all do epic things.
What a blessing life truly is. I decided that in order to write this, I needed to be out doors. So I lugged this ancient lazy boy chair that we have outside and placed it in our driveway. The sun, the wind, the occasional passing car and most of all just the peace of knowing that I have today to live, to breathe, to enjoy is enough for me.
Life is an adventure, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Take it, make it awesome and all for God's glory.
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
Transition Time
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Anyone who knows me well, knows that Lord of the Rings is a large portion of my life. Today, I received an email from one of my close friends that had this quote attached to it. Obviously, I saw the name Tolkien and my eyes jumped immediately to that line. But, then as I read it, and reread it, I realized that this is so applicable to my life right now.
As a second semester senior, life has begun to twist and shout in crazy, emotionally draining, yet not entirely undesirable ways. School work is wrapping up, and the "lasts" have begun. Last semester, last spring break, last last last....the list continues. I try my best to not keep track of these things.
However, this school year has been a strange one. Where I started in August is completely different from where I am now. At the beginning of my senior year career, I spent my time visibly frustrated by the amount of school work I had chosen to take on, along with increased responsibilities at work and just a new feel to school, especially as a commuter. I vented out these frustrations by planning exotic weekend events with my friends. Sometime in October/November, it hit me hard that I had very limited time left at this school that I had learned to call home and I was not using it well or at all wisely.
I examined where I was and then I realized I could use the time given me much more productively.
This is when transition hit me hardcore. I began to change, but a lot of people close to me were either not at the point where they wanted to change, or they were headed down a different path than I was. Each person must choose their own way, and as each person is inherently unique, their paths likewise were and are completely unique. However, change is difficult. It's not easy to start new habits, break old ones, try new things, meet new people, and just drop the things that are dragging you down.
I began to attend chapel more regularly. While in Africa, I had been told by two very influential companions in the semester program with me who also attended Trinity, that chapel was one thing they would miss most about Trinity. Chapel happened to be positioned in a time slot that just always worked well for a nap for me, and just the idea of chapel never really got me going. However, in their honor, I decided to try going. It wasn't immediate, but after a few weeks there, I began to understand why they loved it so much. It's uplifting, yet thought provoking and there are continual messages stating that change on our campus is a must. Being in a time of change, I related and wanted to be part of it.
When approached in October/November by a now close friend to help him start a Men's Ministry on campus, I could not believe how clearly God had just spoken to me. This particular person and I had shared maybe one conversation before and I really only knew his name, but he approached me anyway to see if I wanted to do this. Talk about a God send. You just can't persuade me to believe that in this time of desiring a burning change on campus, that I was presented with an opportunity to do that completely out of coincidence. God knew how to fuel that fire, and he did.
Now in the last semester here, I continue to have that desire to change/influence this campus in my remaining and quickly dwindling days left here. I find that it's very difficult to inspire change when the person who is pushing the change, only just acquired this passion. It is evident to me that some don't accept or respect what I have to say because until very recently, I did the stereotypical college life, so why should any freshman who hears these stories listen to what I have to say. I can't blame them. My past consists of my choices, and I can't say that I regret what I did, it led me to where I am now. It strengthens my testimony and gives me the motivation to keep going.
Speaking of motivation, all of my seniors out there, and all past seniors can fully appreciate the motivation that is required as you fill out job app after job app. To everyone out there who is currently doing that, know that hard work pays off. Whether it pays off today, tomorrow, next year or much later on when you land that job that is just going to rock, know that God's got your back in all of this.
I can't help but smile as the end of my college career approaches. Through all of the crazy, tough times, I have made it through with an incredible support group that continues to grow. They challenge me to do things out of my comfort zone and they build me up when I'm down in the valleys. Find those people who will support you, and make sure to keep them close by.
My dear friend Caleb Copeland, who is on an incredible journey of his own has started a project for clean water. His burning passion to help all of God's creation shows visibly as he goes about his day to day life and he wants to provide a village in Africa with clean water as they work for development in countries such as Kenya, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Uganda and others throughout Africa. Whether you choose to give or not, I would ask that you look at this page and pass it on to others that you know.
https://thewaterproject.org/community/profile/caleb-copeland
Let us continue to build each other up and inspire change where change is needed.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Galatians 6:9-10 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Anyone who knows me well, knows that Lord of the Rings is a large portion of my life. Today, I received an email from one of my close friends that had this quote attached to it. Obviously, I saw the name Tolkien and my eyes jumped immediately to that line. But, then as I read it, and reread it, I realized that this is so applicable to my life right now.
As a second semester senior, life has begun to twist and shout in crazy, emotionally draining, yet not entirely undesirable ways. School work is wrapping up, and the "lasts" have begun. Last semester, last spring break, last last last....the list continues. I try my best to not keep track of these things.
However, this school year has been a strange one. Where I started in August is completely different from where I am now. At the beginning of my senior year career, I spent my time visibly frustrated by the amount of school work I had chosen to take on, along with increased responsibilities at work and just a new feel to school, especially as a commuter. I vented out these frustrations by planning exotic weekend events with my friends. Sometime in October/November, it hit me hard that I had very limited time left at this school that I had learned to call home and I was not using it well or at all wisely.
I examined where I was and then I realized I could use the time given me much more productively.
This is when transition hit me hardcore. I began to change, but a lot of people close to me were either not at the point where they wanted to change, or they were headed down a different path than I was. Each person must choose their own way, and as each person is inherently unique, their paths likewise were and are completely unique. However, change is difficult. It's not easy to start new habits, break old ones, try new things, meet new people, and just drop the things that are dragging you down.
I began to attend chapel more regularly. While in Africa, I had been told by two very influential companions in the semester program with me who also attended Trinity, that chapel was one thing they would miss most about Trinity. Chapel happened to be positioned in a time slot that just always worked well for a nap for me, and just the idea of chapel never really got me going. However, in their honor, I decided to try going. It wasn't immediate, but after a few weeks there, I began to understand why they loved it so much. It's uplifting, yet thought provoking and there are continual messages stating that change on our campus is a must. Being in a time of change, I related and wanted to be part of it.
When approached in October/November by a now close friend to help him start a Men's Ministry on campus, I could not believe how clearly God had just spoken to me. This particular person and I had shared maybe one conversation before and I really only knew his name, but he approached me anyway to see if I wanted to do this. Talk about a God send. You just can't persuade me to believe that in this time of desiring a burning change on campus, that I was presented with an opportunity to do that completely out of coincidence. God knew how to fuel that fire, and he did.
Now in the last semester here, I continue to have that desire to change/influence this campus in my remaining and quickly dwindling days left here. I find that it's very difficult to inspire change when the person who is pushing the change, only just acquired this passion. It is evident to me that some don't accept or respect what I have to say because until very recently, I did the stereotypical college life, so why should any freshman who hears these stories listen to what I have to say. I can't blame them. My past consists of my choices, and I can't say that I regret what I did, it led me to where I am now. It strengthens my testimony and gives me the motivation to keep going.
Speaking of motivation, all of my seniors out there, and all past seniors can fully appreciate the motivation that is required as you fill out job app after job app. To everyone out there who is currently doing that, know that hard work pays off. Whether it pays off today, tomorrow, next year or much later on when you land that job that is just going to rock, know that God's got your back in all of this.
I can't help but smile as the end of my college career approaches. Through all of the crazy, tough times, I have made it through with an incredible support group that continues to grow. They challenge me to do things out of my comfort zone and they build me up when I'm down in the valleys. Find those people who will support you, and make sure to keep them close by.
My dear friend Caleb Copeland, who is on an incredible journey of his own has started a project for clean water. His burning passion to help all of God's creation shows visibly as he goes about his day to day life and he wants to provide a village in Africa with clean water as they work for development in countries such as Kenya, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Uganda and others throughout Africa. Whether you choose to give or not, I would ask that you look at this page and pass it on to others that you know.
https://thewaterproject.org/community/profile/caleb-copeland
Let us continue to build each other up and inspire change where change is needed.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Galatians 6:9-10 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
Saturday, 15 February 2014
It's Okay to be Single
Everyone: Hey! What are you doing for Valentines day???!!!
Me: Probably going to fill out some job applications and watch Lord of the Rings.
Everyone: By yourself???
Me: Yea.
Que look of pity. Every time.
No I didn't have a date for Valentines day. And believe it or not, I'm fine with that. I have so many friends who did have dates with their significant others yesterday, and I was so happy for them and am still happy for them! They got to spoil their girlfriends or fiances or wives or whatever. The thing is, some day I will be doing that too. And will continue to do it for the rest of my life with that one lucky lady who gets the incredible privilege of marrying the stud that is me. :)
On my valentines day, I worked, went to class and hung out with tons of people that I normally do not see. In some cases I had never really interacted with them at all. I laughed, and kept laughing at stories, situations, jokes, and just random things that so many different people did. I also had a long heart to heart with a friend over a pair of shamrock shakes. I couldn't have asked for a better night.
Sure it didn't involve flowers, a nice meal, candy, and everything else that people associate with the 14th of February, but it did involve a variety of people and a constant smile on my face.
God isn't fooling around with any of us who are single! He's waiting for a moment that makes sense in His plan to bring forth that new person into your life. I'm excited, you should be too. So many people feel like they are behind if they don't have a date in college. Chill out, enjoy what you have right now and constantly keep your eyes open. It's coming, I'm not even worried.
Last thought: Why do we hype up Valentines day so much? When I have a girlfriend and money (so that might be a while), I'm gonna want to make her feel special every day of the year, not just one. Every day should be Valentines Day.
Peacing out for now. (As I write this, the Fellowship has been journeying through the mines of Moria!)
Me: Probably going to fill out some job applications and watch Lord of the Rings.
Everyone: By yourself???
Me: Yea.
Que look of pity. Every time.
No I didn't have a date for Valentines day. And believe it or not, I'm fine with that. I have so many friends who did have dates with their significant others yesterday, and I was so happy for them and am still happy for them! They got to spoil their girlfriends or fiances or wives or whatever. The thing is, some day I will be doing that too. And will continue to do it for the rest of my life with that one lucky lady who gets the incredible privilege of marrying the stud that is me. :)
On my valentines day, I worked, went to class and hung out with tons of people that I normally do not see. In some cases I had never really interacted with them at all. I laughed, and kept laughing at stories, situations, jokes, and just random things that so many different people did. I also had a long heart to heart with a friend over a pair of shamrock shakes. I couldn't have asked for a better night.
Sure it didn't involve flowers, a nice meal, candy, and everything else that people associate with the 14th of February, but it did involve a variety of people and a constant smile on my face.
God isn't fooling around with any of us who are single! He's waiting for a moment that makes sense in His plan to bring forth that new person into your life. I'm excited, you should be too. So many people feel like they are behind if they don't have a date in college. Chill out, enjoy what you have right now and constantly keep your eyes open. It's coming, I'm not even worried.
Last thought: Why do we hype up Valentines day so much? When I have a girlfriend and money (so that might be a while), I'm gonna want to make her feel special every day of the year, not just one. Every day should be Valentines Day.
Peacing out for now. (As I write this, the Fellowship has been journeying through the mines of Moria!)
Thursday, 9 January 2014
All Talk
Every year, thousands of people make New Year's resolutions, to improve some part of their lives or be a better person somehow. Why is it that so many of them fail? Why is it that we make these rash promises to ourselves and others but then fail to follow through with them? Going to the gym once, maybe twice but then becoming too busy. Dropping sweets out of your life, until the cookie platter appears and suddenly you are three or four deep. Talking about people less, except that one kid, cuz he/she deserves it.
Yesterday I saw the movie the Secret Life of Walter Mitty. First off, please go see it. Second, take something out of the theater that maybe wasn't there before. What I got was that we have one life to live, and if we want to make a difference, to change the circumstances, then we have to be willing to step outside and make a change. So, as cliche as this is, what better time than a new year? Take it as you will, this is just a list of simple things that we could all do, maybe it will make a difference. I want to try them anyway.
1. Put the phone away while people are around. Or at least while people are talking to you...remember people want to talk WITH you, not AT a non listening you. I'm guilty too, whether it's my grandma, a friend, or a complete stranger. That text will still be there after the person walks away, twitter isn't going away. But your friend might..
2. Update your resume instead of your status. I don't know about you, but I'm more likely to get a job from my resume than my facebook statuses. But in reverse, a status could also hurt your chances of getting a job.
3. Set your alarm for ten minutes earlier and have some time with our Lord. This time might answer some questions about your life.
4. Drink in less gossip. It does nothing good for anyone, and I'm probably more guilty of it than anyone. If you are going to drink something, drink water, or tea, or coffee. No gossip, no pop.
5. Make a new friend. Or 8. Sit at a different table at lunch! Say hello to more than just your friends.
6. Sign up for a race. You won't want to look like a dead rat at a race, so it will motivate you to run!
7. Save money for a trip somewhere. There is so much to see in this world.
8. Put cinnamon in applesauce. It's just better.
9. Listen always, talk sometimes.
10. When you do talk, make sure you can uphold all that you say. No more rash promises.
This isn't some motivational speech, many of these things I have seen on the Internet. Most are things that we have been taught for years. But what if we actually DID these things. The world could be that much cooler.
"To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, to draw closer, to find each other and to feel. That is the purpose of life."
Yesterday I saw the movie the Secret Life of Walter Mitty. First off, please go see it. Second, take something out of the theater that maybe wasn't there before. What I got was that we have one life to live, and if we want to make a difference, to change the circumstances, then we have to be willing to step outside and make a change. So, as cliche as this is, what better time than a new year? Take it as you will, this is just a list of simple things that we could all do, maybe it will make a difference. I want to try them anyway.
1. Put the phone away while people are around. Or at least while people are talking to you...remember people want to talk WITH you, not AT a non listening you. I'm guilty too, whether it's my grandma, a friend, or a complete stranger. That text will still be there after the person walks away, twitter isn't going away. But your friend might..
2. Update your resume instead of your status. I don't know about you, but I'm more likely to get a job from my resume than my facebook statuses. But in reverse, a status could also hurt your chances of getting a job.
3. Set your alarm for ten minutes earlier and have some time with our Lord. This time might answer some questions about your life.
4. Drink in less gossip. It does nothing good for anyone, and I'm probably more guilty of it than anyone. If you are going to drink something, drink water, or tea, or coffee. No gossip, no pop.
5. Make a new friend. Or 8. Sit at a different table at lunch! Say hello to more than just your friends.
6. Sign up for a race. You won't want to look like a dead rat at a race, so it will motivate you to run!
7. Save money for a trip somewhere. There is so much to see in this world.
8. Put cinnamon in applesauce. It's just better.
9. Listen always, talk sometimes.
10. When you do talk, make sure you can uphold all that you say. No more rash promises.
This isn't some motivational speech, many of these things I have seen on the Internet. Most are things that we have been taught for years. But what if we actually DID these things. The world could be that much cooler.
"To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, to draw closer, to find each other and to feel. That is the purpose of life."
Thursday, 19 December 2013
Shoutouts and Salutations
Family friend: Jake how are you doing?
Me: Well, I'm still recovering from the mess that was this semester but it's Christmas break, so I'm ecstatic.
Family friend: That seems to be the reaction I'm getting from every college kid.
Me: Let's just say that all college kids are super stoked to be away from school for a bit.
We made it. It's now the middle of December and I'm sure that almost everyone is home or at least away from school. We've probably all caught up on our tv shows, slept in later than we have since summer and enjoyed some quality family time. In this free time that I have, I would like to throw out some thanks and congratulations for some wonderful people that have done some awesome things this past semester.
First off, I just got back from a quick getaway to Clearwater Florida. Right when exams finished, I hopped on a plane and went to go see three of my favorite teachers. Dan and Kayla Thayer graciously welcomed me into their home and fed me. Let's remember that they are on Christian school salary. So super thankful that they allowed me to crash their awesome little life for a bit and explore the beautiful area of Clearwater. I even got to be nostalgic for a day and relive my childhood at Disney's Magic Kingdom. Talk about feeling like a four year old. Wow. Also, thanks to Hannah Schaap for showing me the bright sides of their little town and for letting me buy the ice cream. These three are living the life, and I loved my few days down there.
Next shoutout goes to my graduates. Being in Florida, I missed the ceremony but so many of my classmates are now graduated, whether they walked across the stage on Saturday or not. Four of my eight housemates are now college graduates. How crazy is that?! Ben Deyoung and Colin Ebels are off to explore the world that is criminal justice. I hope and pray that they both can find jobs in good police forces quickly and start taking down the bad guys. Josh Pollema is a teacher. Like straight up showing kids how to do the Pythagorean Theorem. He has a job lined up for the spring and he is clearly where he needs to be. Ryan Busscher has a business degree in the area of management and although he does not have a job yet, he is going to end up running the entire world of garbage disposal on this planet with his skills in management and driving truck. Really proud of my roomies and how much they have accomplished, and I can't wait to see where they go from here.
Quick shoutout to another graduate friend of mine. Sarah Jongetjes graduated from the business department and this semester she became a close friend of mine as we had nearly every class together. Prayers for her as she heads back to Milwaukee to work for her dad doing cool things.
So you know how at a small Christian school, people up and get married? Yea, no exceptions here. 4 of my friends are now engaged as of this summer, with weddings all in this upcoming summer. Mr. Ben Deyoung not only graduated but he is also engaged to another friend of mine, Jenna Thomforde. Knew it was coming, called it ages ago...but I'm stoked for them. Also, Anna Hofman and Mark Timmerman, Danielle Smits and Nathaniel, and Adam Suwyn and Arielle. Proud of you all and excited for you all to start your lives together. Wedding season is the fun season. :)
Florida, graduation and engagements are the big ones, but I want to spotlight some other people that I'm thankful for and what they are doing.
-Andrew Mulder, Brandon Doorn and Matt Meyer: Accounting internships for the spring, getting paid big bucks to get all of our taxes together and what not.
-Calob Lostutter: Full time job doing fiber optics! Don't ask me what it is, I still don't know.
-My nursing friends: They are so close to being RN's.
-Girl's volleyball at Trinity: Nationals for the first time ever.
-Leah Laky got a job in Minnesota :)
-Tyler Minnesma and Luke Monsma are going back to Kenya this spring. I'm so excited for them.
-My brother is going to Haiti this January for Dordt.
-Lisa VanderMeiden is also going back to Haiti, specifically to Mission of Hope. She might as well move there!!! So stoked for her.
-Trinity's students in general: I've never met so many quality people in my entire life.
-Trinity's professors and staff: For how much we complain about work, they do a ton too, and they really want us to succeed in all that we do. Could not be more blessed by the professors that I interact with on a day to day basis.
The people that God has put in my life are doing absolutely amazing things and I love to see how God is working in each person that I know and love. This list is not exhaustive, so many things are happening every single day that are wonderful. I could throw so many pictures in here...I'll back off though.
The time we have in college is limited. Many of my friends these past few weeks went thru the time that I'm just going to label "the lasts". It's the last time that they eat in the caf, or sing at chapel, or go to a class as an undergraduate. Now, a few of them have moved on, to the next section of life. Thankfully, I don't have to do most of my goodbyes until May, but it's fast approaching, and as a senior, it's time to just be thankful for what these past years have taught me.
God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
Peace out friends,
Jake
Me: Well, I'm still recovering from the mess that was this semester but it's Christmas break, so I'm ecstatic.
Family friend: That seems to be the reaction I'm getting from every college kid.
Me: Let's just say that all college kids are super stoked to be away from school for a bit.
We made it. It's now the middle of December and I'm sure that almost everyone is home or at least away from school. We've probably all caught up on our tv shows, slept in later than we have since summer and enjoyed some quality family time. In this free time that I have, I would like to throw out some thanks and congratulations for some wonderful people that have done some awesome things this past semester.
First off, I just got back from a quick getaway to Clearwater Florida. Right when exams finished, I hopped on a plane and went to go see three of my favorite teachers. Dan and Kayla Thayer graciously welcomed me into their home and fed me. Let's remember that they are on Christian school salary. So super thankful that they allowed me to crash their awesome little life for a bit and explore the beautiful area of Clearwater. I even got to be nostalgic for a day and relive my childhood at Disney's Magic Kingdom. Talk about feeling like a four year old. Wow. Also, thanks to Hannah Schaap for showing me the bright sides of their little town and for letting me buy the ice cream. These three are living the life, and I loved my few days down there.
Next shoutout goes to my graduates. Being in Florida, I missed the ceremony but so many of my classmates are now graduated, whether they walked across the stage on Saturday or not. Four of my eight housemates are now college graduates. How crazy is that?! Ben Deyoung and Colin Ebels are off to explore the world that is criminal justice. I hope and pray that they both can find jobs in good police forces quickly and start taking down the bad guys. Josh Pollema is a teacher. Like straight up showing kids how to do the Pythagorean Theorem. He has a job lined up for the spring and he is clearly where he needs to be. Ryan Busscher has a business degree in the area of management and although he does not have a job yet, he is going to end up running the entire world of garbage disposal on this planet with his skills in management and driving truck. Really proud of my roomies and how much they have accomplished, and I can't wait to see where they go from here.
Quick shoutout to another graduate friend of mine. Sarah Jongetjes graduated from the business department and this semester she became a close friend of mine as we had nearly every class together. Prayers for her as she heads back to Milwaukee to work for her dad doing cool things.
So you know how at a small Christian school, people up and get married? Yea, no exceptions here. 4 of my friends are now engaged as of this summer, with weddings all in this upcoming summer. Mr. Ben Deyoung not only graduated but he is also engaged to another friend of mine, Jenna Thomforde. Knew it was coming, called it ages ago...but I'm stoked for them. Also, Anna Hofman and Mark Timmerman, Danielle Smits and Nathaniel, and Adam Suwyn and Arielle. Proud of you all and excited for you all to start your lives together. Wedding season is the fun season. :)
Florida, graduation and engagements are the big ones, but I want to spotlight some other people that I'm thankful for and what they are doing.
-Andrew Mulder, Brandon Doorn and Matt Meyer: Accounting internships for the spring, getting paid big bucks to get all of our taxes together and what not.
-Calob Lostutter: Full time job doing fiber optics! Don't ask me what it is, I still don't know.
-My nursing friends: They are so close to being RN's.
-Girl's volleyball at Trinity: Nationals for the first time ever.
-Leah Laky got a job in Minnesota :)
-Tyler Minnesma and Luke Monsma are going back to Kenya this spring. I'm so excited for them.
-My brother is going to Haiti this January for Dordt.
-Lisa VanderMeiden is also going back to Haiti, specifically to Mission of Hope. She might as well move there!!! So stoked for her.
-Trinity's students in general: I've never met so many quality people in my entire life.
-Trinity's professors and staff: For how much we complain about work, they do a ton too, and they really want us to succeed in all that we do. Could not be more blessed by the professors that I interact with on a day to day basis.
The people that God has put in my life are doing absolutely amazing things and I love to see how God is working in each person that I know and love. This list is not exhaustive, so many things are happening every single day that are wonderful. I could throw so many pictures in here...I'll back off though.
The time we have in college is limited. Many of my friends these past few weeks went thru the time that I'm just going to label "the lasts". It's the last time that they eat in the caf, or sing at chapel, or go to a class as an undergraduate. Now, a few of them have moved on, to the next section of life. Thankfully, I don't have to do most of my goodbyes until May, but it's fast approaching, and as a senior, it's time to just be thankful for what these past years have taught me.
God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
Peace out friends,
Jake
Monday, 2 December 2013
Crunch Time
"How was your Thanksgiving?"
"Decent, but it was too full of homework and stress and way too short, you?"
"Yea, sounds about right."
We have reached that dreaded time that comes twice a year, once at the end of each semester: crunch time. Each teacher thinks that it is a wonderful idea to have every project, test, assignment, journal, doodle of a chipmunk, presentation and whatever else due in these next few days. Naturally, stress levels run high, unhealthy amounts of coffee are consumed, the library is full until closing each night, and review guides get passed around through email until everyone is studying from the same guide that the one smart kid in class made.
I find myself spending countless hours doing assignments that I find utterly useless and editing the same overly large paper so much that I might have the thing memorized by now....all 69 pages of it. School and I are not on the same page anymore. The two of us used to be tight and get along really well, but now I just find myself not interested, but it's clinging to me, as if it knows that I'll be done soon.
I constantly find myself wishing I was other places. Anywhere but here. Sure, the people are great and I've had a riot during my years in college, but good gandhi the papers never end. It's like, why am I writing this paper when i could be doing something useful instead. And even the people, I've realized how much people can truly change. Some in good ways, some in not so good ways. However, it is so clear to me that God has placed me here for a reason. I am a student right now for a reason. The people who are in my life right now are there for a reason. Right now, I don't see or understand too many of those reasons, and it is beyond frustrating, but knowing that someday it will all make sense helps me breathe a sigh of relief: I don't have to understand everything that happens. God does, and he is just guiding down the right path.
Besides all of that, who am I to wish away time. Years from now I will look back and cherish the times I had in college. The memories, both good and bad, the relationships, the classes, the professors, the cafeteria, random conversations that changed my path in college. All of this is stuff that I will so badly miss once I leave here.
However, during this crunch time that I should be spending on homework, I have been thinking a lot about random things. Like why do I get so worked up about things that people do that are stupid? I answer myself.....because I care. Well sometimes caring is exhausting. But then, even as I type those words I immediately think about how God tells us over and over again to love unconditionally. Woof. Talk about something I need to work on....
On a lighter note, I just tried to use the bathroom in the dark in the library at school because the light refused to turn on. I was successful, but it took longer than it needed to and I felt like a complete fool.
Also, I ate more food than I thought possible this past Thursday, mad props to people who can make mean sweet potatoes.
But mostly, it's just nice to know that the Big Man upstairs is always watching, and he's got each and every one of us covered on every level. And for that, I cannot complain, but simply say thank you.
"Decent, but it was too full of homework and stress and way too short, you?"
"Yea, sounds about right."
We have reached that dreaded time that comes twice a year, once at the end of each semester: crunch time. Each teacher thinks that it is a wonderful idea to have every project, test, assignment, journal, doodle of a chipmunk, presentation and whatever else due in these next few days. Naturally, stress levels run high, unhealthy amounts of coffee are consumed, the library is full until closing each night, and review guides get passed around through email until everyone is studying from the same guide that the one smart kid in class made.
I find myself spending countless hours doing assignments that I find utterly useless and editing the same overly large paper so much that I might have the thing memorized by now....all 69 pages of it. School and I are not on the same page anymore. The two of us used to be tight and get along really well, but now I just find myself not interested, but it's clinging to me, as if it knows that I'll be done soon.
I constantly find myself wishing I was other places. Anywhere but here. Sure, the people are great and I've had a riot during my years in college, but good gandhi the papers never end. It's like, why am I writing this paper when i could be doing something useful instead. And even the people, I've realized how much people can truly change. Some in good ways, some in not so good ways. However, it is so clear to me that God has placed me here for a reason. I am a student right now for a reason. The people who are in my life right now are there for a reason. Right now, I don't see or understand too many of those reasons, and it is beyond frustrating, but knowing that someday it will all make sense helps me breathe a sigh of relief: I don't have to understand everything that happens. God does, and he is just guiding down the right path.
Besides all of that, who am I to wish away time. Years from now I will look back and cherish the times I had in college. The memories, both good and bad, the relationships, the classes, the professors, the cafeteria, random conversations that changed my path in college. All of this is stuff that I will so badly miss once I leave here.
However, during this crunch time that I should be spending on homework, I have been thinking a lot about random things. Like why do I get so worked up about things that people do that are stupid? I answer myself.....because I care. Well sometimes caring is exhausting. But then, even as I type those words I immediately think about how God tells us over and over again to love unconditionally. Woof. Talk about something I need to work on....
On a lighter note, I just tried to use the bathroom in the dark in the library at school because the light refused to turn on. I was successful, but it took longer than it needed to and I felt like a complete fool.
Also, I ate more food than I thought possible this past Thursday, mad props to people who can make mean sweet potatoes.
But mostly, it's just nice to know that the Big Man upstairs is always watching, and he's got each and every one of us covered on every level. And for that, I cannot complain, but simply say thank you.
Thursday, 21 November 2013
Choices
It has been a while since I have blogged, and no matter how much homework I really do have, this is more peaceful, and I can actually concentrate on this for an extended period of time. The semester is quickly drawing to a close and a lot has been going on. This is the busiest I have ever seen Trinity. Ain't nobody got time for socializing, but we do it anyway because that's more important. The community here is so stellar that no amount of homework is going to keep me away from them.
Positive Choice #1: Social life wins over homework, always
When I do have free time from this busy life I have created for myself, I found that I wanted constructive things to fill that. Well, right when I started thinking that, a wonderful new friend of mine, Brad VanderVelde approached me about starting a Men's Ministry on campus. Time Out: What a God moment. Like i didn't even know Brad until that moment. Time In: So we've been doing that with a few other guys as leaders and have created a steady flow of men coming to Bible studies on Tuesday nights.
Positive Choice #2 God sends the right people and events into your life at the right time.
I finally bought a computer. I sucked in my gut, wept for about 10 seconds and paid a large hunk of money to purchase a Mac. I will say that although I cannot get over how much money that was, I am not regretting the choice at all. It is a fantastic machine and is meeting my needs. In other news, I have now upgraded to a smart phone. I feel like my life has entered a new stage of life. Almost equivalent to first day of college, or getting my driver's license. At the same time, I now have no excuse for not being able to be reached. But all in all, I'm ok with Apple now completely owning my life.
Positive Choice #3 Quality wins. Mobile Email wins. Technology rocks.
About two weeks ago, I went home on a Monday afternoon because I could and because I had no desire to be at school at that particular moment. I will say that it was one of the better choices I have made in a while. My youngest brother and I played board games and ate mac and cheese for hours and I just kept laughing at how much of a goof he is. My mom always brings stuff from home and has me pick it up at her work. She then proceeds to show me how her work operates and introduces me to the whole staff, who quickly proceeds to ask about Africa. My dad reminds me to come home sometimes and that I need to remember to pay my credit card bill. My other brother at dordt sends pictures of him in a pig pen.
Positive Choice #4 Spend time with family. They always win.
In the past week, my favorite cook at the Trinity cafeteria, Sam has delivered me a plate of brownies and a homemade Andes mint chocolate pie. You cannot beat that. I'm sorry, you just can't. She rocks.
Positive Choice #5 Respect the people who make your food, they're kind of important.
After some lengthy searching and frustrations, I have nailed down an internship for next semester. It took a while, and I'm so grateful for the people who helped me out, but I finally have one, I will be working for the city of Palos Heights, doing some event planning.
Positive Choice #6 Never give up on the search for greatness, it's coming your way, keep going.
I grabbed tea today instead of coffee.
Positive Choice #7 Honor your stomach's wishes, or you will pay for it later.
A while ago, I was really stressed about life, school, people etc. I went into a prof's office, completely with the intention of talking about a project that I had a question on. I ended up staying there for 2 hours with not just that prof, but two profs from the business department. I have taken away so much from those two hours, but the biggest thing they taught me that day was to never let life control you, you control it. When you wake up each day, you choose what needs to be done that day, don't let the world choose for you. There is not enough time to get everything done, do what's important, the rest can come later. Boom. Prioritize. Don't stress. Make choices that are positive, and best use the limited time you do have. It's helped me a ton.
Positive Choice #8 Get to know your professors, they are wise beyond their years.
Positive Choice #9 I'm going to the Hunger Games tonight. The odds are clearly in my favor.
To my fellow college students, stay strong, the end is in sight. But do not wish away time. These days in college are so limited. Live every second with that positive attitude.
Positive Choice #1: Social life wins over homework, always
When I do have free time from this busy life I have created for myself, I found that I wanted constructive things to fill that. Well, right when I started thinking that, a wonderful new friend of mine, Brad VanderVelde approached me about starting a Men's Ministry on campus. Time Out: What a God moment. Like i didn't even know Brad until that moment. Time In: So we've been doing that with a few other guys as leaders and have created a steady flow of men coming to Bible studies on Tuesday nights.
Positive Choice #2 God sends the right people and events into your life at the right time.
I finally bought a computer. I sucked in my gut, wept for about 10 seconds and paid a large hunk of money to purchase a Mac. I will say that although I cannot get over how much money that was, I am not regretting the choice at all. It is a fantastic machine and is meeting my needs. In other news, I have now upgraded to a smart phone. I feel like my life has entered a new stage of life. Almost equivalent to first day of college, or getting my driver's license. At the same time, I now have no excuse for not being able to be reached. But all in all, I'm ok with Apple now completely owning my life.
Positive Choice #3 Quality wins. Mobile Email wins. Technology rocks.
About two weeks ago, I went home on a Monday afternoon because I could and because I had no desire to be at school at that particular moment. I will say that it was one of the better choices I have made in a while. My youngest brother and I played board games and ate mac and cheese for hours and I just kept laughing at how much of a goof he is. My mom always brings stuff from home and has me pick it up at her work. She then proceeds to show me how her work operates and introduces me to the whole staff, who quickly proceeds to ask about Africa. My dad reminds me to come home sometimes and that I need to remember to pay my credit card bill. My other brother at dordt sends pictures of him in a pig pen.
Positive Choice #4 Spend time with family. They always win.
In the past week, my favorite cook at the Trinity cafeteria, Sam has delivered me a plate of brownies and a homemade Andes mint chocolate pie. You cannot beat that. I'm sorry, you just can't. She rocks.
Positive Choice #5 Respect the people who make your food, they're kind of important.
After some lengthy searching and frustrations, I have nailed down an internship for next semester. It took a while, and I'm so grateful for the people who helped me out, but I finally have one, I will be working for the city of Palos Heights, doing some event planning.
Positive Choice #6 Never give up on the search for greatness, it's coming your way, keep going.
I grabbed tea today instead of coffee.
Positive Choice #7 Honor your stomach's wishes, or you will pay for it later.
A while ago, I was really stressed about life, school, people etc. I went into a prof's office, completely with the intention of talking about a project that I had a question on. I ended up staying there for 2 hours with not just that prof, but two profs from the business department. I have taken away so much from those two hours, but the biggest thing they taught me that day was to never let life control you, you control it. When you wake up each day, you choose what needs to be done that day, don't let the world choose for you. There is not enough time to get everything done, do what's important, the rest can come later. Boom. Prioritize. Don't stress. Make choices that are positive, and best use the limited time you do have. It's helped me a ton.
Positive Choice #8 Get to know your professors, they are wise beyond their years.
Positive Choice #9 I'm going to the Hunger Games tonight. The odds are clearly in my favor.
To my fellow college students, stay strong, the end is in sight. But do not wish away time. These days in college are so limited. Live every second with that positive attitude.
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
It does not envy
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13
A few weeks ago I blogged about patience. Turns out, 1 Corinthians 13 has a bunch of blog topics. These four verses right here have enough to keep me going until at least 2014. Right now, easily the most applicable to my life is right at the beginning.
"It does not envy"
I mean, that's not even a sentence by itself, that's part of a sentence in part of a verse. But those four words are sooooo powerful that yes, it deserved all of those extra o's. Let's be real, we all get envious of others around us and I'm by no means excluded from this. In fact, it's one of my biggest demons.
Honestly, I think it comes naturally when I have such talented family and friends. For instance, take my family. If you haven't met them, let me know, I'll make it happen. Four of the best people that I have ever come in contact with. My parents taught me all there is to know about life, so if you ever think I'm a good person, you can thank them because they did it all. My brothers also are the funniest people I know. Don't try to find me people who are funnier because you just won't.
My friends. You all have heard and seen me brag about them. They are all blessings from God. Each of them is living their dream, I see it every day. There's so many of my friends who I just want to hug every time I see them.
Now comes the envy. When you are surrounded by such great people of God, it's so easy to see how other people have been blessed in various ways. Some rock at sports, some are more musically talented than I thought possible, some can challenge me in unbelievable ways, others make me laugh to the point of tears....many are combinations of these characteristics.
But love does not envy. If I love these people, I can't be bitter or jealous for what they have. True love does not have bitterness attached to it. That's a flipping challenge if I've ever heard one.
However, I'm blessed in so many ways, it's unreal. Who am I to be envious of others. Each person has to pursue the life that God has set out for them, and the talents and blessings that they have just help them live a life more pleasing to God. How cool is that? We get to use our gifts to please God. I'll call that a win.
I'm not perfect. I'm going to be bitter and envious about things, I'm sure others struggle with it too, but I just remember that I'm surrounded by the coolest people I know, and they clearly see the potential in me. I see the potential in so many people, I cannot wait to see what God does in each of the lives that I'm close to. So next time you are jealous of someone else, just remember that God blessed that person with that for a reason, now they just have to use it to further the kingdom.
So screw envy.
However, I do think it is valid to be envious of somebody who owns an Alaskan Husky cuz dang those dogs are on point.
Peace and Blessings.
A few weeks ago I blogged about patience. Turns out, 1 Corinthians 13 has a bunch of blog topics. These four verses right here have enough to keep me going until at least 2014. Right now, easily the most applicable to my life is right at the beginning.
"It does not envy"
I mean, that's not even a sentence by itself, that's part of a sentence in part of a verse. But those four words are sooooo powerful that yes, it deserved all of those extra o's. Let's be real, we all get envious of others around us and I'm by no means excluded from this. In fact, it's one of my biggest demons.
Honestly, I think it comes naturally when I have such talented family and friends. For instance, take my family. If you haven't met them, let me know, I'll make it happen. Four of the best people that I have ever come in contact with. My parents taught me all there is to know about life, so if you ever think I'm a good person, you can thank them because they did it all. My brothers also are the funniest people I know. Don't try to find me people who are funnier because you just won't.
My friends. You all have heard and seen me brag about them. They are all blessings from God. Each of them is living their dream, I see it every day. There's so many of my friends who I just want to hug every time I see them.
Now comes the envy. When you are surrounded by such great people of God, it's so easy to see how other people have been blessed in various ways. Some rock at sports, some are more musically talented than I thought possible, some can challenge me in unbelievable ways, others make me laugh to the point of tears....many are combinations of these characteristics.
But love does not envy. If I love these people, I can't be bitter or jealous for what they have. True love does not have bitterness attached to it. That's a flipping challenge if I've ever heard one.
However, I'm blessed in so many ways, it's unreal. Who am I to be envious of others. Each person has to pursue the life that God has set out for them, and the talents and blessings that they have just help them live a life more pleasing to God. How cool is that? We get to use our gifts to please God. I'll call that a win.
I'm not perfect. I'm going to be bitter and envious about things, I'm sure others struggle with it too, but I just remember that I'm surrounded by the coolest people I know, and they clearly see the potential in me. I see the potential in so many people, I cannot wait to see what God does in each of the lives that I'm close to. So next time you are jealous of someone else, just remember that God blessed that person with that for a reason, now they just have to use it to further the kingdom.
So screw envy.
However, I do think it is valid to be envious of somebody who owns an Alaskan Husky cuz dang those dogs are on point.
Peace and Blessings.
Thursday, 24 October 2013
A love Haiti relationship
Today as I brainstormed on what I should blog about, I stumbled across my old Africa blog. As I looked through my past posts and pictures I realized how much I truly miss it. Then I realized that there is another country that has a big chunk of my heart. Anybody who knows me is well aware that Haiti is probably my favorite place on the planet.
I remember in Fall of 2011 when my good friend Andrew informed of this Haiti trip happening in January and how he was set on going. I had wanted to travel for a while and so this was a great opportunity to go to a country that had recently been rocked by a terrible earthquake.
The second I signed on I never looked back. I was fully in. I spent the rest of the semester getting extremely excited for this weeklong mission trip. January rolled around. My whole room, plus a few of my good friends, and some people who became close friends from this trip were all going. So stoked. We boarded that plane and set off.
On arrival I was immediately thrown into a new world. The airport had almost no structure as most of it had been destroyed in the earthquake. We hopped into a bus and took off down the road towards our destination. I distinctly remember that there were not enough seats so Jess and I sat on the spare tire in the back.
Mission of Hope blew my mind away. The stuff they are able to do in the poorest country west of the Atlantic Ocean is unreal. An orphanage, a fully functioning school, a church, little businesses, food service and guest service all on one awesome hill. I honestly cannot describe the awesomeness that is that place unless you see it for yourself.
Highlights of year 1 in Haiti: My little guy Steve. One of the smallest physically but biggest emotional blessings in my life...if that makes sense. No clue where he is now, but I pray that God will work in that little genius' mind so that he can do awesome things. The other was definitely digging a trench in a village on the two year anniversary of the earthquake so a village could have access to fresh water. I mean the whole village emptied out of their homes to help us, we didn't even have enough shovels.
And my team that went...so cool. Every single one of them blessed me in unimaginable ways.
I remember in Fall of 2011 when my good friend Andrew informed of this Haiti trip happening in January and how he was set on going. I had wanted to travel for a while and so this was a great opportunity to go to a country that had recently been rocked by a terrible earthquake.
The second I signed on I never looked back. I was fully in. I spent the rest of the semester getting extremely excited for this weeklong mission trip. January rolled around. My whole room, plus a few of my good friends, and some people who became close friends from this trip were all going. So stoked. We boarded that plane and set off.
On arrival I was immediately thrown into a new world. The airport had almost no structure as most of it had been destroyed in the earthquake. We hopped into a bus and took off down the road towards our destination. I distinctly remember that there were not enough seats so Jess and I sat on the spare tire in the back.
Mission of Hope blew my mind away. The stuff they are able to do in the poorest country west of the Atlantic Ocean is unreal. An orphanage, a fully functioning school, a church, little businesses, food service and guest service all on one awesome hill. I honestly cannot describe the awesomeness that is that place unless you see it for yourself.
Highlights of year 1 in Haiti: My little guy Steve. One of the smallest physically but biggest emotional blessings in my life...if that makes sense. No clue where he is now, but I pray that God will work in that little genius' mind so that he can do awesome things. The other was definitely digging a trench in a village on the two year anniversary of the earthquake so a village could have access to fresh water. I mean the whole village emptied out of their homes to help us, we didn't even have enough shovels.
And my team that went...so cool. Every single one of them blessed me in unimaginable ways.
my guy Steve. This sums up our relationship :)
The team.
That first bus ride
Life as a white guy in Haiti
Haiti year two...
As if I could only go once! HA.
The next year, a few of us had already decided to go again. Thankfully, our fearless and amazing leaders Scheps and Met wanted to do it again. This time the whole volleyball team was going. So enter in a whole new group of people going to the same place. This was going to be interesting, but I knew that everybody who was going was genuinely excited.
When we got to Haiti this time the airport had gotten a makeover. It looked so good. I was just completely overwhelmed at how much had gotten done in a year.
Back to MOH. They had also gotten a ton done in a year. Like, they were rocking it. Plans for new buildings and new concepts were being considered and acted on. The place was growing like crazy. To see the growth from exactly a year ago was a blessing by itself. This year, as a returning member I wanted to see how Haiti could tug at me differently from the first year.
Needless to say, I got tugged.
The second year I noticed more how others were being blessed by Haiti instead of just me. My team for the second year went through some great bonding moments culminating in a three hour testimony sharing on the roof overlooking the ocean. Three hours I will never ever forget.
Couldn't find Steve. Looked all week, no clue where he went. I hope he's okay and that God's working through him, after all he was the bee's knees.
Second year team on the King of the Roads
This is Haiti
My absolute favorite picture from this country
There is hope for these people. They love the Lord, they love each other. I've never seen a group of people that I want to be more like than them. I look forward every day to the next time I get to visit this country.
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Love is patient
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Everyone knows this chapter of the Bible. It is repeated to us so many times in sermons or weddings. However, when you take a second and look at what these verses are saying, you realize how much of a challenge this is. Take the first one, love is patient. I don't know about you, but patience is not something I am naturally gifted with. People frustrate me. Things frustrate me. Life frustrates me.
And God says trust in my plan, I've got your back...just be patient.
Oh.
How do you have patience when things aren't going the way you want them to? How can you just believe that God is going to work it out?
The answer is that we just do. We believe in a God that we cannot see. We believe in a God who is all powerful and is capable of doing everything imaginable. We as human beings, created in the image of our Lord are his children. Therefore, he has a plan for each of us. He's not going to leave us stranded, to do it all on our own. The key is that things happen in accordance to His plan, not ours. And as incredibly frustrating as that can be, it also provides a sense of peace because we do belong to ourselves, but to one God who will take care of each of us. Everyone is going to make a difference in this world, we just have to find the niche that God is calling us to. Some seem to find it before they can even walk, others, like myself, take a little bit longer to get it all together.
Patience, it's going to come together.
Since we believe in God's ultimate plan, we have to take each person, each situation and see the good in it. Every person is placed in our life for a reason, they will impact us somehow. Right now, I see God placing people in my life to teach me patience. I have a lot going on. I'm involved in a bunch of different things at my school and there's just always some people who drive me up a wall. However, I am trying my best each day to see the good that these people have to bring to the table. Give everybody a shot, maybe even a second chance....let's be real, God gives us more chances to do things right than any of us could ever deserve.
It's flipping tough. I struggle every day. But we should all strive to keep our tempers in check, to smile and be polite even when you just want to throw something. Take away positive interactions and experiences and in this way, we can all hopefully be more well rounded in how we handle our lives and see that patience is indeed a virtue that we should all strive for.
"How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience would have achieved success." Elbert Hubbard
"A man who is a master of patience is master of everything else." George Savile
"Patience---learn you must!" Yoda
Everyone knows this chapter of the Bible. It is repeated to us so many times in sermons or weddings. However, when you take a second and look at what these verses are saying, you realize how much of a challenge this is. Take the first one, love is patient. I don't know about you, but patience is not something I am naturally gifted with. People frustrate me. Things frustrate me. Life frustrates me.
And God says trust in my plan, I've got your back...just be patient.
Oh.
How do you have patience when things aren't going the way you want them to? How can you just believe that God is going to work it out?
The answer is that we just do. We believe in a God that we cannot see. We believe in a God who is all powerful and is capable of doing everything imaginable. We as human beings, created in the image of our Lord are his children. Therefore, he has a plan for each of us. He's not going to leave us stranded, to do it all on our own. The key is that things happen in accordance to His plan, not ours. And as incredibly frustrating as that can be, it also provides a sense of peace because we do belong to ourselves, but to one God who will take care of each of us. Everyone is going to make a difference in this world, we just have to find the niche that God is calling us to. Some seem to find it before they can even walk, others, like myself, take a little bit longer to get it all together.
Patience, it's going to come together.
Since we believe in God's ultimate plan, we have to take each person, each situation and see the good in it. Every person is placed in our life for a reason, they will impact us somehow. Right now, I see God placing people in my life to teach me patience. I have a lot going on. I'm involved in a bunch of different things at my school and there's just always some people who drive me up a wall. However, I am trying my best each day to see the good that these people have to bring to the table. Give everybody a shot, maybe even a second chance....let's be real, God gives us more chances to do things right than any of us could ever deserve.
It's flipping tough. I struggle every day. But we should all strive to keep our tempers in check, to smile and be polite even when you just want to throw something. Take away positive interactions and experiences and in this way, we can all hopefully be more well rounded in how we handle our lives and see that patience is indeed a virtue that we should all strive for.
"How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience would have achieved success." Elbert Hubbard
"A man who is a master of patience is master of everything else." George Savile
"Patience---learn you must!" Yoda
Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Do we mean it?
Sometimes when friends of mine annoy me, I might tell them "I'm gonna kill you" or "I'm going to beat the snot out of you" or something along those lines. Obviously, I don't mean what I'm saying, it's just an expression. But what if everything was just an expression? We never actually did what we said we were going to do...what would the world look like then?
I want to believe that people are genuine in everything that they do, but as I examine myself and look at my own life, I see so many times when I didn't follow through, or I faked my way through something, I didn't give it my all, or I let someone down because of my own selfish desires. Do we mean what we say?
I'm posing that question, because most of the people who will read this post are Christians and I bet at some point in each of our lives we struggled with that awful "lukewarm" feeling. Going through the motions but never believing it or following through on a deeper level than just the surface. Are we the same person at church as we are on a Friday night? I know I'm not sometimes.
That's scary on a whole other level. The world holds Christians to certain standards and I'm not saying we have to focus on where the world views us, but how can we disciple to others if we aren't even genuine in our own lives.
This is where I'm at in my walk with God. I want to be that person that God has in store for me. I don't want to be a faker. I also want to believe that all of my friends and family want the same things for their own lives. I think it's huge to take a step back and analyze where each of us are at. Are we faking it? Do we really mean it as we lift our hands in worship or bow our heads to pray? I hope so, but sometimes, I just don't know.
To quote a song that so many of us know, "What do I stand for? What do I stand for, most nights I don't know anymore."
I know what I stand for. Maybe the issue is I don't know how to show it. Maybe I'm too nervous to show it. Maybe I need help showing it. But I want to mean it when I show it.
Do you?
I want to believe that people are genuine in everything that they do, but as I examine myself and look at my own life, I see so many times when I didn't follow through, or I faked my way through something, I didn't give it my all, or I let someone down because of my own selfish desires. Do we mean what we say?
I'm posing that question, because most of the people who will read this post are Christians and I bet at some point in each of our lives we struggled with that awful "lukewarm" feeling. Going through the motions but never believing it or following through on a deeper level than just the surface. Are we the same person at church as we are on a Friday night? I know I'm not sometimes.
That's scary on a whole other level. The world holds Christians to certain standards and I'm not saying we have to focus on where the world views us, but how can we disciple to others if we aren't even genuine in our own lives.
This is where I'm at in my walk with God. I want to be that person that God has in store for me. I don't want to be a faker. I also want to believe that all of my friends and family want the same things for their own lives. I think it's huge to take a step back and analyze where each of us are at. Are we faking it? Do we really mean it as we lift our hands in worship or bow our heads to pray? I hope so, but sometimes, I just don't know.
To quote a song that so many of us know, "What do I stand for? What do I stand for, most nights I don't know anymore."
I know what I stand for. Maybe the issue is I don't know how to show it. Maybe I'm too nervous to show it. Maybe I need help showing it. But I want to mean it when I show it.
Do you?
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Who let the dogs out?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkuu0Lwb5EM
Everyone knows this classic song. I'm pretty sure I like 8 years old when this catchy tune came out. My cousins and I would sing this song all the time when we saw dogs in the street or on a walk and we would yell yippie yi yo. However, one thing always bothered me, and I'm sure that I am not alone in wondering this: So who actually let the dogs out?
The music video for this song starts with dogs actually getting let out of a cage, but the scene quickly switches over to more of a party atmosphere. Now, so many of today's songs are about partying and that whole life, I want to believe that the dogs in this song are actually dogs and not some sick metaphor. Let's all keep our childhoods intact yea?
So we have now established that real dogs did get out, but we are no closer to finding out who released these pups.
Now, as an avid dog lover I would say that if I walked past a cage full of dogs I would be sorely tempted to release them. No dogs deserve to be locked up. I mean, if you make eye contact with them you are so done for. Who can resist puppy eyes?
This is my old dog Mr. Bojangles. When he would look at me, I would do basically anything for him. So if he wanted out of the cage, I could be snuggled up under a blanket, sipping hot cider and watching a movie and I would still go get up and get him out.
So honestly, I could totally see most of the human population releasing these dogs. However, I do not believe that is the intended meaning of this song that the Baha Men so easily made famous. I have another theory.
These dogs, although we have agreed they are real dogs, I think they stand for something. I think each dog is this crazy feeling, idea, emotion or something inside of each person that everybody can choose to release. This may be obscure but honestly, I think that each person has, is, or will be letting the dogs out. Let those puppies run free and live life to the fullest. Make each of those released dogs count! I want to let the dogs out right now. I will probably keep a few for myself because I love dogs and I really want a Siberian Husky so if I ever see one of those loose, I'm snatching it up, but I want to release the dogs.
I think we should all release the dogs. The Baha Men have it right in a way. Get crazy, have some fun, make memories, don't be afraid to let your awesome ideas fly loose and see where they go.
So in answer to the question, I think everybody let the dogs out.
Everyone knows this classic song. I'm pretty sure I like 8 years old when this catchy tune came out. My cousins and I would sing this song all the time when we saw dogs in the street or on a walk and we would yell yippie yi yo. However, one thing always bothered me, and I'm sure that I am not alone in wondering this: So who actually let the dogs out?
The music video for this song starts with dogs actually getting let out of a cage, but the scene quickly switches over to more of a party atmosphere. Now, so many of today's songs are about partying and that whole life, I want to believe that the dogs in this song are actually dogs and not some sick metaphor. Let's all keep our childhoods intact yea?
So we have now established that real dogs did get out, but we are no closer to finding out who released these pups.
Now, as an avid dog lover I would say that if I walked past a cage full of dogs I would be sorely tempted to release them. No dogs deserve to be locked up. I mean, if you make eye contact with them you are so done for. Who can resist puppy eyes?
This is my old dog Mr. Bojangles. When he would look at me, I would do basically anything for him. So if he wanted out of the cage, I could be snuggled up under a blanket, sipping hot cider and watching a movie and I would still go get up and get him out.
So honestly, I could totally see most of the human population releasing these dogs. However, I do not believe that is the intended meaning of this song that the Baha Men so easily made famous. I have another theory.
These dogs, although we have agreed they are real dogs, I think they stand for something. I think each dog is this crazy feeling, idea, emotion or something inside of each person that everybody can choose to release. This may be obscure but honestly, I think that each person has, is, or will be letting the dogs out. Let those puppies run free and live life to the fullest. Make each of those released dogs count! I want to let the dogs out right now. I will probably keep a few for myself because I love dogs and I really want a Siberian Husky so if I ever see one of those loose, I'm snatching it up, but I want to release the dogs.
I think we should all release the dogs. The Baha Men have it right in a way. Get crazy, have some fun, make memories, don't be afraid to let your awesome ideas fly loose and see where they go.
So in answer to the question, I think everybody let the dogs out.
Thursday, 26 September 2013
Get the turf outta my shirt!
4pm home soccer game today. Sweet, can't wait, let's go. Arrive at field, sit in the grass, because only the parents sit in the bleachers. But wait, that's not actual grass, it just looks like it! What is this fake nonsense! It's turf, and it's going to be a part of your life forever.
We've all had it before. You go to support your friends and you end up covered in black dots. You brush them off in one place just to notice them everywhere else on you. Usually what I end up doing is throwing handfuls of them at people. At least that's entertaining right?
Turf is a relatively new addition to the ever changing world of sports. According to good old Wikipedia it entered the industry in the late 1990's and has exploded since then. There are many positive features of turf. Since it is cushioned, it improves safety and allows players to pivot and turn easier than normal grass would. Downfalls include the fact that is indeed fake grass and it's extremely hot.
So, clearly to make this a reliable blog I had to ask real life soccer stars what it's like to play on turf and if they prefer it over grass. I explored the library and found a few players on the Trinity girls team. According to them, it is worth the risk of finding turf everywhere on them after a game to play on it because it makes for a smoother game. As a fan, I'm a little more skeptical.
I asked our friends from the soccer team if they could think of ways to get "those little black thingies" all over them. They suggested to bring a blanket. Valid point. However, I'm pretty sure I've sat through a game on a blanket and still wondered how I had a handful of those black nuisances in each of my pockets of my pants and in my shoes and up my nose and a million other places. So the blanket idea is great in theory but there's got to be a better way.
So here's a list, I would not say that it is exhaustive in anyway. I'm sure there are more ways to avoid getting turf everywhere.
Sit on other people.
Bleachers....loser status, but I've done it before.
Install a blower or 8 on the fences and you stand under it and it blows all the turf off of you.
Bring a lazy-boy chair.
Watch the game from a blimp or hot air balloon.
Hire people to carry you around during the game. This is a potential work study idea yea?
Pretend that it's not there, and then it won't be there.
Bring that nasty bean bag from West Hall basement and sit on that. Eh, maybe turf's worth it.
For the most part, I think it's just time for us all to accept that turf will always be a part of our lives here at Trinity. In our clothes, in our cars, in our beds, closets, bathrooms etc. These little creatures have successfully invaded our lives and it's ok, because I'm going to support the soccer teams anyway.
And at least it's not sand....
Monday, 23 September 2013
Blessings in Disguise
So the Steelers lost to the Bears last night. Thankfully I didn't get to watch the game, I was busy doing homework, I just got the final score and realized that at 0-3 now, the Steel Curtain has got some hardcore work to do if they want to at least function this year. That's my quick vent session because besides that, it's been a decent past few days.
So, Steelers, get your act together.
The beginning of last week was an outright disaster. Long days at school and in the library along with random other issues that I had not accounted for culminated in a lot of fast food runs and coffee in my hands all the time. However, last Tuesday evening when I was sitting in the library doing more homework and thinking to myself that I might actually be sick of McDoubles for once in my life, a friend came up to me and sat down by me. Thinking this was going to be a random distraction, I was super pleased for anything to talk about. But instead, he stopped by to inform me that some student at our school had been praying for me and wanted it to be kept anonymous, but just for me to know that people are praying for me and that people are willing to help even without me asking for it.
So, person out there, you are an amazingly awesome human being.
This past week taught me a ton about how I relate to people. There's a ton of relationships that need constant checking up on, possible mending, and continual building. I enjoy it. It's fun to be at different states of closeness with people and getting to know everyone better. It's rough at times, but at the end of the day, you still know who feel closest to. Now that is a true blessing.
So, friends and family, you be you and enjoy every second with those around you.
Now we get to the current status of my brain. I'm on overload of joy. I just saw my Kenya family, or at least the majority of them in Grand Rapids over the weekend. I could not be more thankful. We experienced a ton of culture, plenty of art pieces, the occasional game of mafia, too many cats, so many laughs and great conversations. When I'm with them I just want to travel the world again. They do too and we connect to each other on levels that not too many other people can.
So, pals in Grand Rapids, keep being cool and chase those dreams.
Speaking of Kenya, that country needs our prayers. Over the weekend, Westgate Mall in Nairobi which we frequently visited was attacked by Somali terrorists. The death toll reached has now reached 68 people and the situation is not completely under control yet. All attacks like this one are terrible and heartbreaking, but to look at those pictures and realize that we bought food from that mall and just walked around it on many occasions makes it much more real. Kenya is such a great nation, they will recover. It just stinks that people do things like this. I could never understand the reasoning behind these attacks, but what I can do is pray for these people, both the attackers and the victims and the whole nation.
So, Kenya, you are not forgotten, we love you.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/22/world/africa/kenya-mall-attack
Let us also remember the people of Pakistan. Over the weekend, two suicide bombers destroyed the front of a church and killed at least 85 people. We live in a broken world, but prayer is powerful.
So, people of Pakistan and all over the world, stay strong and preach the name of Jesus.
This morning, I called my credit card company with a question. It was 6am in Arizona when I called. The man who answered however was wide awake and extremely enthusiastic about everything. He not only answered my question but he asked me how I was doing, what my plans were for the day, how school was going and just talked to me about his life as well. I sat in my car on the phone with him for 20 minutes and I will say that started my Monday off on the right foot. Not everybody who answers a phone is angry, isn't that nice.
So, man in Arizona, I hope you have an amazing day.
So, readers, enjoy the warmish weather before it turns deathly cold and have a great day.
So, Steelers, get your act together.
The beginning of last week was an outright disaster. Long days at school and in the library along with random other issues that I had not accounted for culminated in a lot of fast food runs and coffee in my hands all the time. However, last Tuesday evening when I was sitting in the library doing more homework and thinking to myself that I might actually be sick of McDoubles for once in my life, a friend came up to me and sat down by me. Thinking this was going to be a random distraction, I was super pleased for anything to talk about. But instead, he stopped by to inform me that some student at our school had been praying for me and wanted it to be kept anonymous, but just for me to know that people are praying for me and that people are willing to help even without me asking for it.
So, person out there, you are an amazingly awesome human being.
This past week taught me a ton about how I relate to people. There's a ton of relationships that need constant checking up on, possible mending, and continual building. I enjoy it. It's fun to be at different states of closeness with people and getting to know everyone better. It's rough at times, but at the end of the day, you still know who feel closest to. Now that is a true blessing.
So, friends and family, you be you and enjoy every second with those around you.
Now we get to the current status of my brain. I'm on overload of joy. I just saw my Kenya family, or at least the majority of them in Grand Rapids over the weekend. I could not be more thankful. We experienced a ton of culture, plenty of art pieces, the occasional game of mafia, too many cats, so many laughs and great conversations. When I'm with them I just want to travel the world again. They do too and we connect to each other on levels that not too many other people can.
So, pals in Grand Rapids, keep being cool and chase those dreams.
Speaking of Kenya, that country needs our prayers. Over the weekend, Westgate Mall in Nairobi which we frequently visited was attacked by Somali terrorists. The death toll reached has now reached 68 people and the situation is not completely under control yet. All attacks like this one are terrible and heartbreaking, but to look at those pictures and realize that we bought food from that mall and just walked around it on many occasions makes it much more real. Kenya is such a great nation, they will recover. It just stinks that people do things like this. I could never understand the reasoning behind these attacks, but what I can do is pray for these people, both the attackers and the victims and the whole nation.
So, Kenya, you are not forgotten, we love you.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/22/world/africa/kenya-mall-attack
Let us also remember the people of Pakistan. Over the weekend, two suicide bombers destroyed the front of a church and killed at least 85 people. We live in a broken world, but prayer is powerful.
So, people of Pakistan and all over the world, stay strong and preach the name of Jesus.
This morning, I called my credit card company with a question. It was 6am in Arizona when I called. The man who answered however was wide awake and extremely enthusiastic about everything. He not only answered my question but he asked me how I was doing, what my plans were for the day, how school was going and just talked to me about his life as well. I sat in my car on the phone with him for 20 minutes and I will say that started my Monday off on the right foot. Not everybody who answers a phone is angry, isn't that nice.
So, man in Arizona, I hope you have an amazing day.
So, readers, enjoy the warmish weather before it turns deathly cold and have a great day.
Friday, 13 September 2013
Club 11 Happenings
Scene: Homework being done in my bedroom on this past Tuesday night.
*Door flies open*
Calob: Guys stop doing your homework now.
Us: Umm why?
Calob: We are playing sardines with the lights off in the whole house.
Us: Yes please.
We then proceeded to play about an hour of very interesting sardines. When the lights are off in our house, it's almost impossible to see or find anything. The basement is not even fair. I was blind and groping in the dark, terrified that I was going to step on something or run into things. I ended up going through the floor with one of my feet on accident. However, all is well.
What should have been a normal Tuesday night ended up being a goofy night of 5th grade fun. I'll take that over senior year of college homework any day. I completely love every minute I get to spend in 6107 W. 129th place. My roommates are the kind of friends that everyone wants to be friends with. But wait, does everybody know who they are? Lets do a quick bio.
Andrew Mulder
About: Senior in college, Accounting major, loves the Packers, anything Wisconsin goes, could go for a good game of golf any day, consistently calm even amongst all of our excessive drama, likes shoes.
Movie Character: Jason Bourne
Favorite Food: Burgers
Ben DeYoung (Benny D, Bennyboo)
About: Senior in college, Criminal Justice major, Chicago sports, music-both singing and instruments, complete goofball, great impressionist, abysmal cook.
Movie Character: Batman
Favorite Food: Pizza
Brandon Doorn
About: Senior in college, Accounting major, Packers, Texas, Cubs, so he's all over the board, knows every stat to everything, has a better kill to death ratio in Call of Duty than you do, Youth Group leader.
Movie Character: Gary Bertier
Favorite Food: Burgers
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