I'm officially in the MAHE cohort

I don't even know what this means, but I was repeatedly called a member of a cohort today and I repeatedly felt like I was a member of a massive crime ring.

Apparently, in this case, it's a good thing because I'm now an official member of the MAHE (M.A. in Higher Education) program at Taylor University and, in the process, am starting yet another adventure in my life.  After learning that the program director and his partners in crime (colleagues) aren't out to destroy my life for 2 years, I became very excited to get this baby rolling.

My classmates and I spent the day getting to know the faculty, the second-year program "cohort", and each other.  It was exciting to get a peek into the lives of the people that I will be pretty intimately connected with 20 months from today.

So I'm taking the plunge into somewhat of the unknown, but it's not one of fear, but rather one of excited anticipation and expectation.  I feel that God has called me to and prepared me for this program and I've been very affirmed in that.  I'm excited to see what He has for me here.  Let the "fun" begin.

Huntington Rush

Today is the day!!!!  All the freshmen are moving in!!  Campus is buzzing.  All faculty are off work so they can help move people into their new homes for the next 4 years of their lives... And I'm sitting in my apt. after an RA brunch/mtg., expecting maybe 3 or 4 people to move in to my 2 buildings... exciting day (sense the sarcasm?)  

No Expectations?!?

Is this possible in our relationships?  Is it possible to have no expectations of people, especially those who you've invested in the most?  Would it be right, or would it just lead to apathy?

This is a thought that I have been confronted with several times in the past few weeks.  I was exposed to it in the book 'The Shack'.  It was a powerful statement when I first read it: God doesn't have expectations of me.  This isn't to say that he doesn't want us to follow Him and his Truth, but He knows our nature.   So instead of feeling let down when we screw up, He simply is there to pick us up and show us the Way.  Because He had no expectations in the first place, He is not inhibited to continue teaching, leading, guiding, correcting, and loving us unconditionally and with abandon.

I was recently at an ACSD conference that gathered RDs from Christian universities around the mid-west, where this exact thing was discussed.  We were called to live in relationships with no expectations.  This is tough for me to comprehend.  Often I feel when I pour myself into someone in a mentoring, discipleship, or even friendship role, they owe it to me to not mess up; to perform at a higher level.  Is it ridiculous for me to think like this?  Aren't we supposed to expect more from those we are bringing alongside us?  

The thing that I have to remind myself of, is that the person is on a journey, and unfortunately we humans tend to learn from our mistakes (many times it takes multiple mistakes).  So when you find yourself in a Paul-type position, don't allow yourself to be discouraged or to give up when someone "let's you down", even if it is the 30th time.  Let go of your pride and realize that they are not living for you; and that their mistake is not a reflection on your ability to lead them.  Rather, be there to humbly pick them back up and continue guiding them on their own personal journey because, although that may be their 30th correction, it could just be that it is the 30th in a line of 31 and there is only one more to go in the process that is molding and shaping them into the image of Christ.  

Let me know what you think about this concept?  Is it way off line?  Is it a challenge to you?  Should we make a shift to start thinking like this?

The Best Day of the Year

The War Room

This past Sunday, nine of my closest friends and mentors and I got together for what truly fuels us.  No, it's not ministry or missions, it's fantasy football.  The long awaited draft that signals the start of something new, new possibilities and hopefully a new winner, was finally upon us.  

This is the day that we live for.  

Where we sit for 4 hours hashing out new bylaws and rule changes and survive through an intense 20 round draft.  It is where we can finally start ripping each other over annoyances, shortcomings, and, in this years case, blogging like a girl, and not feel bad about it.  It is the time when we live to destroy all hope for a championship year after someone makes stupid draft choices (like picking Minnesota D in the 8th rd; nice Teddy).  This is no ordinary league; it's not for the faint of heart.  There is good 'ole fashioned competitive hatred, rivalries, and trash talking taken to another level.  

Now, before you start to think that this is starting to sound like straight cruelty to each other, I should point out the positives.  

1. It allows us to have a healthy release of our competitive natures.  

2. It allows us to hear words from certain people that you would never expect to hear.

3. It adds years to my life because I often find myself, literally, rolling on floor in laughter after reading the message board.

4. And most importantly:  It keeps our group connected and gives us a reason to talk to each other more (for at least 4 months out of the year).

So here's to another fun-filled fantasy football season.  

DOWN WITH 'THE FORTRESS'!

My First Official Day(s) of Work

For those of you that don't know, I recently moved to Huntington, IN to start my new job as an RD at Huntington University.  I'm joined by 3 other 1st year RD's, so I'm definitely not alone in my incompetence (sorry to those referenced if I offended you), which may or may not be a good thing.  My first official day at my first "real" job was last Fri. (Aug. 1).  We went to an ACSD conference which was okay* until we all got icey juicys and then it was amazing (well that and my boss spouting off about reading a book about a rooster that made him cry).   

My first work day on campus was yesterday (Mon. the 4th), but I can't really sum it up better than a new friend and colleague of mine, Steve.  This dude is hilarious and I can't wait to have some great times and memories with him.  Read his blog if you ever get bored.  You'll laugh.  

Basically, I think I'm going to love this job and the people that I'm working with.  Good days at HU. 

*(More thoughts on the not so lame conference will be coming).

My home-boys a.k.a. 'The Association'

Kyle, Michael, Ben, Adam, Nate, Me, Ted

I consider these guys to be one of the biggest blessings from the Lord in my life. I can't sum us up any better than what Kyle did on our blog and Adam did recently on his. We recently spent 4 straight days together which only happens once or twice a year anymore because we think we need to be all over the world all the time. It's so refreshing to spend that kind of time together because of the inexorable bond that we have together and because we can always pick things up like it was just yesterday that we were punk high schoolers trying to rule the world. I love these dudes and look forward to more great times together.

This may or may not be interesting...

but I'm going to give blogging a shot. I started this blog almost a year ago to keep people informed on my life. I was moving all over the place, experiencing a ton, but just didn't think I had the time or motivation to write, so I ditched the idea before I even started. Recently, I've been inspired/encouraged to start it back up, and I'm excited to be able to tell stories of where I've been and how God is changing me, vent my frustrations and concerns, ask questions, and simply write out my thoughts... so here it goes