Quote of the Day #1: “Somewhere there’s a student inside you that likes extra credit.” — my roommate Aaron Gavila, in the middle of class, responding to our Article Essay & Workshop professor saying that extra credit would not be offered
Quote of the Day #2: “I don’t have any slides of Jesus actually being resurrected. That would be a lot cooler.” — Nicole Kelley, apologizing for the poor photos in her Powerpoint presentation
Quote of the Day #3: “If you are in college for any other reason than to reach the nations you are there for sinful, selfish reasons.” — Bryan Lee, member of The Traveling Team, quoting a line out of Walter A. Henrichsen’s Disciples Are Made Not Born
A lot has happened since my last post. First, a long overdue acknowledgment of my sister’s birthday, which was on March 15. She is now 18 years old, which makes me feel older than dirt.
About a week and a half ago, back on March 16, I gave the talk at Nav Night. It was something I had been working on for a few months, on and off, and I finally got to get up there and do it. I went all out. I called in a favor from a good friend and was able to use his LCD projector to show an illustration. Fancy, I know. All semester at Nav Night we’ve been going over the core values of the Navigators. Dave asked me to talk about the value of living in a community of grace. I got to bring a unique perspective to the topic. I got to tell everyone how living in such a community over the past four years made it possible for me to confront the core lies in my life.
This talk was difficult for me to give. You have to remember, I’m used to getting up in front of people and talking. For a year I gave the announcements at Nav Night. I’ve given testimonies, sharing my experiences on this and that. I’ve been on the worship team for three and a half years and led Bible studies and the A-Team and all that. But this was different. I wasn’t just talking about an idea or a concept; I was talking about me. The vulnerable me that I don’t let too many people see. I was nervous all day leading up to Nav Night. But I tell you, as soon as I got up there an amazing calm washed over me. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt so certain of myself before in my life.
How did I do? Well, I said what I came to say. I had a number of people approach me later that night and in the days that came after, thanking me and saying it was just what they needed to hear. So I guess I did good.
The biggest news from this week has been from EDGE Corps. On Wednesday I had my interview over the phone with Sharon Henry, a former student and EDGE staff at UNI. I had a really good interview. Yesterday afternoon I got an email from Karma Bradley, the EDGE personnel director. I have officially been accepted into the EDGE Corps ministry! Now all I have to do is figure out if this is where I’m supposed to be. I have until April 7 to make my decision. It’s going to be a difficult one. I know this is something I want to do. The question is whether I’m supposed to be doing it now or later.
Today was the first of my lasts. This morning was the last ministry team meeting of the semester, meaning the last ministry team meeting that I’ll ever go to. On Monday I’ll be going to my last worship team practice, followed by this Thursday’s final night of worship. It’s all coming to a close. This season of my life only has about a month left. I have a very stubborn heart right now. I have no desire for things to change. I think that’s the most appealing things about EDGE. I’ll still sort of be a college student. I know that there’s a high probability that I’ll be leaving Tallahassee when I graduate. I’m not afraid of my future. I’m afraid of losing my present. I know it’s likely I’ll never have a community of believers and friends like this ever again. How could where I go next possibly live up to this?
Please be praying for me.
you’re totally im my fam’s prayers. and don’t feel old. you’re only 22. but muchos congrats on the getting of the job thing!!!
Fun stuff. Welcome to what they like to call the real world and I like to call the even faker world of post-college. By the way, looking forward to your MLB predictions.