Last Thursday night I had an experience with some new friends. Thursday marked the one week mark of being at Fox. I was shocked at how quickly friendships were developing in that one week.
So, on Thursday night I was a bit of a party pooper, and just wanted to go to bed! But one of my new friends wanted to play a game and then I ended up putting up my slackline (great way to make friends at college by the way!) So it's probably around 11:15 and we are slacklinning in front of our dorm. There were 4 of us out there. The stars were so gorgeous! They reminded me of being at home under the gorgeous Montana skies! It was perfectly clear, a little warm outside, it was just the perfect night for staring at the stars! We walked over to the baseball field about a block away, sat in the dugout and watched the stars! And then of course I couldn't just enjoy the beauty without thinking of anything! I got a little homesick for the first time because I was staring at the same stars that I could stare at from my front yard at home! I may have started to cry a little, but that's where these strong friendships come in! As much as I cry, I hate crying in front of people, especially people who don't know me very well. One of these new friends came over to me and asked if I was okay. Of course I said yes, because I can't ask new friends for help, it's hard. This friend obviously knew something was up, and this friend sat next to me in silence. Not a word needed to be said. I knew right in that moment that I had a great new friend. This friend put their arm around me to comfort me just for a moment, and it meant the world. This friend sat next to me in silence until I was ready to speak what was going on in my heart. And they listened.
That right there, is what I call true friendship.
The four of us all ended up sharing personal moments that have helped shape us into the people we are today. They were some deep thoughts.
After we shared pieces of our personal stories with one another (after less than a week of knowing each other) we prayed. The four of us kneeling on the baseball field, praying to God for forgiveness, for thanks, and all out of love for Him. We are all broken people, but when we were kneeling on the field at 1:30 in the morning with the stars above our heads, I have never felt more put together.
God brought the four of us together that night, it wasn't a coincidence.
I have only had more deep conversations with one of these three friends, because I happen to live in the same room with her. And I look forward to what God has in store for the both of us.
But, as for the other two that were on the field that night, I haven't. I'm not sure if God is still using these two great people of faith in my life, or if He decided I already took away what I could from them.
I know that I would like to strengthen friendships with both of these people, partially because they know and understand part of my background, and I know and understand parts of theirs.
I hope God has more in store for the four of us together. I haven't felt like I can take on trials, the way I have that night on the baseball field before. It is such an empowering feeling!
God has a plan for each of us as we grow and change into the people He wishes us to be.
It's amazing what He is already doing in our lives, one week into school at George Fox University
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The Start of Something New and Different
Summer vacation came to an end and now I am in the fast paced life that George Fox University has to offer. I absolutely love it here at GFU in Newberg, OR and wouldn't change the decision to attend here for anything. Yes, the financing was a stretch and a very stressful process, but everything worked out. I've never felt more called to be any place than I feel God's calling for me to be at GFU, it's a wonderful feeling!
Of course the hardest part of coming all the way to Oregon from small town Hungry Horse, MT was saying goodbye to my family and my dear friends. I suppose they were more or less, "see you at Christmas" 's but nonetheless! Sometimes leaving what we have makes us appreciate it even more. As much as I enjoy making new friends and meeting new people, I really appreciate the strong, long lasting friendships back home. There are some friendships growing here as well, but like all good things, they come with time.
But, back to college life! I've dreamed of being out on my own and completely independent and responsible for my life, but once it actually hit, I had a strange feeling. I was excited because I was achieving a dream, but nervous at the same time, because I was leaving everything I knew. It's hard to describe the emotional aspect of flying from the nest of your parents' home. I have to make my own rules now. I have to be responsible for going to bed at a decent hour, for socializing only after I have done a fair chunk of my homework, for finishing my homework and not forgetting any pieces of my homework, ... have I mentioned being responsible for homework? I feel like homework may be the largest transition for me my freshman year of college. I was always one of the "smart kids" who never really had to do homework outside of school and who never had to study for tests and still got A's ... now, I have a ton of work to do and I have to teach myself to study. Studying really is something learned and not just something you are able to do, at least that's how I see it! And there is always something going on around campus or in a friend's dorm room, there is always something, so studying is hard!
Speaking of dorms though, I do have a pretty spectacular roommate, I couldn't have asked for any better! We were only together for a couple days and we started to complete each other's sentences. We have a ton in common and it's really nice to know that I can always count on Katia (my roommate) to keep me accountable for my actions! :) And the environment at Fox offers so much support as well, because it is a Christian environment. It's pretty spectacular.
I absolutely love FOX!!! :) It's a great place to be and to grow in Christ!
Of course the hardest part of coming all the way to Oregon from small town Hungry Horse, MT was saying goodbye to my family and my dear friends. I suppose they were more or less, "see you at Christmas" 's but nonetheless! Sometimes leaving what we have makes us appreciate it even more. As much as I enjoy making new friends and meeting new people, I really appreciate the strong, long lasting friendships back home. There are some friendships growing here as well, but like all good things, they come with time.
But, back to college life! I've dreamed of being out on my own and completely independent and responsible for my life, but once it actually hit, I had a strange feeling. I was excited because I was achieving a dream, but nervous at the same time, because I was leaving everything I knew. It's hard to describe the emotional aspect of flying from the nest of your parents' home. I have to make my own rules now. I have to be responsible for going to bed at a decent hour, for socializing only after I have done a fair chunk of my homework, for finishing my homework and not forgetting any pieces of my homework, ... have I mentioned being responsible for homework? I feel like homework may be the largest transition for me my freshman year of college. I was always one of the "smart kids" who never really had to do homework outside of school and who never had to study for tests and still got A's ... now, I have a ton of work to do and I have to teach myself to study. Studying really is something learned and not just something you are able to do, at least that's how I see it! And there is always something going on around campus or in a friend's dorm room, there is always something, so studying is hard!
Speaking of dorms though, I do have a pretty spectacular roommate, I couldn't have asked for any better! We were only together for a couple days and we started to complete each other's sentences. We have a ton in common and it's really nice to know that I can always count on Katia (my roommate) to keep me accountable for my actions! :) And the environment at Fox offers so much support as well, because it is a Christian environment. It's pretty spectacular.
I absolutely love FOX!!! :) It's a great place to be and to grow in Christ!
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