Bye, Freshman Year

It's May. Woah. How did the year go by so fast? Is it even possible that I only have 1 more week of my Freshman year of college? I have learned so much in this year, and I know that I have grown during my time here. Here are the top lessons that I have learned since going to college.

1. It's hard. College is hard. The workload is hard, being on your own is hard, living with 20 other people is hard. It's hard, but its worth it. I have made the best of friends since being here, and I have grown closer to God by relying on Him to get me through the tough days. The workload is stressful, but always doable, and you can lean on your dorm-mates to encourage you when you feel overwhelmed in homework. Even though it's hard, college is a beautiful adventure.

2. Be silly. Seriously, though. Don't take life too seriously. There is a time to be serious and a time to have fun. Go outside and play frisbee with your friends. Go stargazing. Walk around campus barefoot. Play random games of floor is lava. Build a blanket fort in the dorm lobby. Refer to everything having to do with your dorm beginning with sw- (Okay, maybe that's just my dorm. But for real: Swabby, sward, Swall Council... the list is endless.) But really, college is a great time to enjoy life, and enjoy the company you have.

3. Always walk on the outside of the sidewalk. This mostly only concerns me, and the fact that I got run over by a bike the first day of classes in the fall. So, incoming freshman, all the advice you need is to stay on the edge of the sidewalk.

4. Compromise is key. You absolutely will not always agree with your roommate, and that's why you have to learn that the best way to resolve roommate conflict is to talk it out. Hear each other out, and see where you both see eye-to-eye, and where you don't. Find common ground, and go from there. For your roommate life to be the best it can be, you have to learn to compromise, but above everything, love each other unconditionally.

5. God is good. So, I already knew this one, but, wow, have I been reassured of it over and over again. God made it possible for me to come to Taylor in the first place, and has provided me with supportive parents, beautiful new sisters, a fun-loving dorm, and a year to reflect back on and thank Him for.

This year has been a great one, and as I reflect back on that first day, when my face was tear-stained as my family travelled back home, I think of how terrified I was, and how big the campus felt. I now feel at home here, and I am sad to see the changes that will be next year, as my roommates and I go our separate ways, new beginnings and friends graduating, but I eagerly await the greatness that will come in the next 3 years. So, goodbye Freshman year, you have been good to me.

Megan

ReaLife

Back in August, when I was brand new to Taylor and looking for ways to get involved, I crossed paths with a ministry called ReaLife. ReaLife works in partnership with the Boys and Girls club to give inner-city students grades Kindergarten through 8th a safe place where they can play, enjoy a meal, and most of all learn about God. A lot of these kids come from hard backgrounds, and just need somewhere where they can relax and be listened to and reminded that they are valued and loved by God. I have loved working with ReaLife, and I love these kids!

Watch this video to see ReaLife in action! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjVcRVVNlPw&feature=youtu.be

ReaLife has had a HUGE turnout this past year, with attendance tripling from an average of 50 kids a night to an average of 150 or more a night. This is amazing, but we don't have the resources to provide for this many students. We want to keep the ministry going, and not have to turn anyone away. Our goal is to raise $10,000 this spring so that we can continue this ministry.

We need your prayers that we can raise this money and continue our ministry. Every little amount helps, so if you're willing and able, you can donate here. https://secure.touchnet.com/C21485_us…/…/product_detail.jsp…

Thanks so much for reading all the way through this!! You are affecting a child's future!!!

Top 4 Misconceptions about Swallow Robin

Hey all!

So, I am currently going to college at TU in Indiana, and I live in the smallest dorm on campus. My dorm, Swallow Robin hall, holds 50 women and 25 men. This is significant in comparison to the other dorms holding 300 each. Because we're so small, we are often given stereotypes or even completely forgotten about. I've been living here for over a month now, and I'd like to give you the top 4 misconceptions of Swallow Robin Hall.

1. We're all shy.

This is probably one of the most common stereotypes we hear about Swallow. We are not all shy. Yes, there may be one or two shy people, but that doesn't mean we're all shy. There are shy people who live in Olson or Wengatz too. Don't generalize us.

Story- Campus was having a giant 24 hour campus visit for prospective students last week and there was a few of them sitting at the table that is usually where Swallow people sit at meals. (Before you generalize again, everyone has a "designated wing table" that they sit at.) So, to be kind, we moved to a new table instead of crashing their party and sitting down at their table with them. We sat at the table directly next to the other. While we're sitting there, we hear someone talking to prospectives about dorm stereotypes and I hear the TU student sitting with them say, "And Swallow people are all super shy and never talk to anyone..." Wow. Did I so want to pop over to them and say, "Hi! I'm from Swallow. We are very outgoing and are you aware that you are currently sitting at our table?" I refrained.

2. Swallow is where the weirdos live.

This hurts, but it's totally something we've all heard before. One of my friends who lives in English Hall was having a conversation with her wing mates and one says that her sister told her that everyone in Swallow is weird. Newsflash- you're generalizing again! Maybe your sister met someone who lived in Swallow and was a little off-kilter, but we are not all like that! Take some time to get to know us and you might really like us. Swallow residents make the greatest friends in my opinion.

3. Swallow is where they put the Irish Studies people.

Yup. I've heard this one to my face after I told them that I lived in Swallow. No one in Swallow is currently in Ireland. We have one person in Ecuador, but that's it. And how would it make any sense to have all of the Irish studies students together in one dorm. The dorm would literally be empty for an entire semester. Nope. We live here, all 70 of us, and we like it.

And lastly,

4. Swallow doesn't actually exist.

I don't know how this makes any sense at all, but I have heard someone say that they believed Swallow was a conspiracy because they had never met anyone from Swallow before. We may be small, but we are mighty. Wherever I go I see at least one other person from Swallow. We are here, you just have to look harder.

So there you have it. The top 4 things we hear while living in Swallow Robin. While we may have the longest walk to the DC or the KSAC, we are the closest people to Chic-fil-A and above all, we are a family. Not just our wing or our floor, but the entire dorm. A close-knit family, and that's why I love Swallow.

Megan

College

Hello!

So, I have officially started college! Wow, that's going to take some getting used to! A lot of things have happened in the 3 days I've been here. There have been awesome times and hard times. Such a drastic change in your life is such a crazy feeling, something that you really don't understand (and honestly, can't) until you have experienced it face-to-face. The feeling of being alone and yet over stimulated simultaneously is not describable. It's hard, but it's not impossible.  While I'm writing this, God is actively reminding me that He's with me. That He is protecting me. That He has me exactly where He wants me. In my earbuds I can hear Him reminding me that He's "my shelter through the storm" and "my peace when waves of trouble roll." He is my refuge. No matter how far I am from where I'm comfortable, He's still with me and He is still protecting me.

Now, let me tell you about my first weekend at college!

I got here Friday morning, and the emotions were hot. I was terrified that my roommates were not going to like me, or were not going to be as excited to be friends as I was. That first introduction period was awkward, as expected. It took awhile for us to really open up to each other. We attended the dedication chapel of our freshman class Friday evening. Friday night I got to be a part of my first TU tradition (Taylor is all about the crazy traditions. Google "TU Silent Night.") My floor and our Brother Floor went on an Awk-walk. An Awkward Walk. The name says it all. We walked in two lines, girls in one line, guys in the other. As we walked, we were given an action to do and a question to ask each other. After every question we switched partners and continued on with a new action and question. The actions were anywhere from holding hand and interlocking fingers, to walking with our foreheads put together. I think my favorite question would probably be "What famous person would you least want to be siamese twins with?". I of course said Ryan Lochte! My partner said Obama. ;) The Awk walk is a great way to meet new people and start to break away your shell a little! It was so fun.

Saturday we got to spend our last bit of time with our families before they had to leave. That time was great. They left after lunch, and then we spent time with our O Groups, or Orientation groups. We get to spend time every week for the first half of the semester with these groups to just talk about our transition and learn with each other about our God. I got randomly chosen, along with about 50 other students to take a test on student proficiency. It reminded me of the ACT. At least it was only 40 minutes in all and we got rewarded with candy! ;) Later Saturday we had a back-to-school party with the whole campus next to the lake. It was such a great way to meet new people and break a little bit more of our shell away. It was so fun, but so sweaty as it's been a steady 85 degrees with 90% humidity all weekend! Lot's of dancing, lots of talking, laughing and little worries!

Today is Sunday, and we had a back-to-school chapel for church this morning, we'll go to a local church from now on. We spent more time with our O groups and  we'll be going to Communion this evening.

So, as you can see, this weekend has been packed. I'm looking forward to starting classes on Tuesday, and I am loving all the craziness!

Love,
Megan

Hope

First off- ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
That is basically how my life has been recently. Stress and anxiety over school work was intense, I'm trying to figure out how to pay for college, and I have been battling a serious case of "senioritis." Saying good-bye to the life I've been so comfortable living is extremely hard. I've finished my competitive swim career (on a high note, I might add), 6 years of Bible Quizzing, and soon my 4-H career will be coming to a close. I just took midterms for my last semester of high school. I know that it's time, but I'm not ready to leave my comfort-zone quite yet. It terrifies me to think of living on my own.

We all feel afraid of the future at some time in our lives. Whether its moving out on your own or a sickness being battles, the future is scary. The one thing that can soothe me when I'm making myself crazy thing about what the future may or may not hold is the fact that I have a God. A God in heaven who is great! A God in heaven who is all-knowing! A God in heaven that cares! He cares about me. He cares about my future, He even has it completely planned out. No amount of worrying on my part will ever change the plans God has for me. In Jeremiah, God tells us that He has plans for our life that are for good. Did you get that?? GOOD! Everything that is going to happen in your future is for your good.

Remember this when life kicks you down; God loves you. He cares about you. Talk to Him. Pour your heart out to Him. He listens, and He wants you to know that His plans are not to harm you, but to give you a future and a hope.

Listen Up! ; Guilty

Hi all!
Just a precursor to this blog post; it is completely honest, my heart. This is a huge battle I am facing right now in my life, everyday. If you feel this way, always know that I am here, that you can email me anytime. Find my email address in my profile.

Yesterday I had the immense pleasure of screening God's Not Dead 2, which comes to theaters April 1. It is an amazing movie, with an even greater message. Watch the preview I've attached before you finish this post.

Alright, doesn't that just give you such an excitement? Now, think deep down, would you be able to stand your ground and stand up for Jesus? Would you give up the battle before it even begins? Are you afraid for people to know you are a Christian? Do you skip around your words so that no one will know you love God? 

These are questions that I, unfortunately, answered in a way that I know makes my God so, so sad. My God, who stood up for, and DIED for me. And I can't even tell friends that I listen to Christian music. Why? Am I ashamed? Absolutely not! Am I afraid they'll make fun of me? Why do we have so much trouble merely living our lives joyfully and without worry, just as God tells us to? Why do we have so mush trouble standing up for the God that created us, loved us, died for us? 

Newsboys wrote a song not too long ago called "Guilty", and I'd like you to listen to it now before continuing. 

When did it become breaking a rule
To say your name out loud in school
When your names the only one that sets us free
When did it become incorrect
To speak the truth about life and death
When your life gave us all eternity

Even if it gets me convicted
I'll be on my knees with my hands lifted

If serving you's against the law of man
If living out my faith in you is banned
Then I'll stand right before the jury

If saying I believe is out of line
If I'm judged cause I'm gonna give my life
To show the world the love that fills me
Then I want to be Guilty

I'll rise up and honor you
I'll testify to all the good you do
Cause your Grace and your Mercy have overtaken me

So even if it gets me convicted
I'll be on my knees with my hands lifted

Then I want to be Guilty by association
Guilty of being a voice proclaiming Your ways
Your truth
Your life
I'll pay the price to be your light

My prayer is that my brothers and sisters in Christ and I would be able to speak freely, that we can have the overwhelming excitement and pure joy that God brings to our lives all the time. That we can openly give an answer to where our joy comes from, where our hope is from. That our lives will reflect and shine the Light that gives us life.

I am Yours

I just finished reading an article that I needed to share.

http://www.collegeandseminary.com/college-life/9-sins-christian-college-students-are-ok-with/

I know, the title seems a bit strong, but hang with me. Click on the link and read the ENTIRE article, then come back and read this post.

I don't know about you, but I am feeling big-time conviction. Fear, worry,  apathy, even gluttony... all the sins named, things I would say are not problems I have, but as I read the author's words, I began to see those areas in my life and I never want to go back.

As I gazed over the next sin, each time my stomach dropped, not wanting to see my sins, to feel my disgrace. But, just as the conviction sets in, Jesus comes. I'm not perfect, but He is. He gives me new life. He cleans my sins. That doesn't mean I should continue to sin freely, though. It means I am forgiven. It means I am unconditionally loved. It means that I am His. 

My God hates sin, but loves me. Do you know what that means? It means that I am not my sins. I am not defined by the mistakes I make. I can be forgiven, and wiped clean. In fact, I have already been. God payed the price for my sin. Why did He do that? I'm such a horrible disgrace to Him and His kingdom. Why would He choose to save me? LOVE. He saved me. He saved you. Because He loves me. Because He loves you. Because HE IS LOVE.

God, you are my one and only. You are who I will live for. Not man. Not myself. Not fame. Not fortune. You. Only You. I AM YOURS.
Take me, Lord.