Southern Adventist UniversityFreshman Blogs

Sarah—Th Most Important Blog Ever

So last week I thought it was my last week to post and I signed my blog as such. So sorry to disappoint all of you, but you get to hear from me one more time. But I assure you that this is the last time I will be posting as a Southern Freshman Blogger.

            Memories only do you so much good. If you’re always looking into the rearview mirror, you won’t get very far even if it looks prettier behind you. Let’s face it, the only part of your life that you have control over is the present and the future. And so I decided for this last post not to talk about any more memories but rather to talk about the future.

            And there’s really only one thing to say about my future, or yours: Make sure God is in it. And more than just in your future; make sure He is guiding your future. Let’s face it: a stellar GPA, a summer internship, or a perfect job at school does nothing for you when you realize that you have no idea where you will be in five years. (Or this summer.) Doesn’t it make sense to trust the One who knows the future to guide your life?

            And with God in your future, you never have to worry about things not working out because He said that He has good plans for you and He’s never failed before. Think about how great of a future (and a present life) you would have if you never worried about your future anymore. But the greatest news of all is that God wants to be your life-planner. All you have to do is let Him.

            So if you’ve read anything I have written this year, the main thing I want you to remember is: IT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO HAVE JESUS AS YOUR BEST FRIEND. I pray that you discover His love for you and experience how wonderful His plans are for you life.

Sincerely,

Letting Jesus be My Life-Manager

Sarah—SAU Freshman Year

The year has gone by in a flurry of deadlines, stacks of homework, hours of laughter, days of indecision, and moments of providence. Here it is in 39 miniscule snapshots.

Staring out my window on a foggy morning.

Opening my mailbox, only to find that it’s just another bill.

Understandable Statistics (if you take it from Dr. Brown, it really will be understandable.)

Thanking God for a canceled 8 o’clock class.

Helping countless friends with research papers.

Everybody loves pasta day.

Running through the rain because I forgot my umbrella.

Never give up on Shakespeare. (It keeps coming back.)

Always wanting to get a croissant sandwich at the CK, but forgetting when I go to order.

Diving deep into the Word during LifeGroup.

Very happy that when the café decided to serve Island Chicken again.

Even more happy when I found out that the washers don’t need quarters.

Not being able to find any friends at the café when I go at one o’clock.

Thinking about how long the school year looks in the calendar.

Instead, the school year flies by like a cheetah on steroids.

Suddenly realizing that the VM sells cheesecake.

Thinking I have time to accomplish a million things on Sundays.

Understanding salvation in a whole new way.

Never say “I’m going to bed early.” You just become a liar.

Insults can be considered compliments (according to my roommate).

Value your quiet time. You never have enough.

Everything seems ten times better after sleeping in on a Sunday morning.

Running. My New Year’s resolution that lasted all of two months.

Studying should be your priority.

Instead, you realize your priority is getting a free washer on Sunday afternoon.

Teachers are the same everywhere. Some are bad, some are good, and some are heavenly.

You only live once. (And that’s one good reason to not participate in dangerous activities.)

Forgetting I had Comp class one morning. (Not advisable.)

Realizing that my meal plan won’t last through finals week.

Early in the morning is the best time to study sleep.

Seeing a waterfall cascade over a cliff.

Having crazy fun get-togethers at Stefan’s house. (Complete with forensic scientists.)

Making cookies in the dorm kitchen. (Or rather, attempting to make cookies.)

Almost going into the men’s restroom during an observation at a middle school.

Never eating at the Kayak.

Yap: The tiny island that I will be living on next year as a student missionary.

Eating at Subway in downtown Chattanooga because the ice cream shop was closed.

Always going to the longest worships. (And my roommate always got the short ones.)

Remembering the good times and learning from the hard times. (Because memories are all that’s left of this freshman year.)

Sincerely,

Goodbye for the Last Time… *tear*

But WAIT! If you want to keep up with me and you miss reading my thoughts on life, check out my SM blog:http://smoravetz.tumblr.com/

Sarah—Student Missions Exit Retreat

This weekend could quite possibly be top on the list of “Best Weekends Ever at Southern.” Honestly, what’s more fun than taking 75 college students who have a passion for serving God in foreign lands and putting them together in a huge cabin in Gatlinburg for a weekend? Add a few guitars, ukuleles, hammocks, group games, songs, stories, and hot tubs, and you have the most awesome weekend anyone could ever hope for.

            This weekend all the future Student Missionaries gathered at a giant cabin in Gatlinburg for our exit retreat. We were privileged to have a veteran missionary as a guest speaker and the Student Mission Club officers put together an amazing weekend, filled with crazy laughter, delicious food, new friends, and thought-provoking presentations. Here are a few highlights of the weekend:

Making Melodies: You remember that old camp song, “Making Melodies in My Heart”? Well, we resurrected that song and quite a few others that involved hand clapping, arm waving, and high-volume singing. There’s nothing quite like standing in a living room with 80 other college kids singing songs like we were eight years old again. I kind of felt bad for the neighbors who might have chanced to walk by our cabin during song service and saw us through the open front door waving our arms like maniacs and singing at the tops of our lungs. They might have wondered what kind of tribal dance was taking place in the big cabin at the top of the hill. However, God said to make a joyful noise, and we were certainly joyful while we were making melodies with our hearts and voices.

14+1=Giant waterfall: That’s fourteen people plus one hot tub. Yes, we created a cascade of water spilling over the edge of the overcrowded hot tub and showering onto the gravel below.  At one point we had fourteen people in a hot tub that was designed for about four or five. Nothing like an overcrowded hot tub to get you real acquainted with your fellow Student Missionaries. We just pretended we were practicing for the overcrowded transportation facilities so prevalent in third-world countries. But in reality, we just all wanted to be in the hot tub and no one wanted to get out. Our motto became: “There’s always room for one more” and that turned into a wonderful crazy time hanging out with fourteen people in a hot tub.

Laffy Taffy and Sticky Foreheads: I’m sure we’re all familiar with team-building games. This SM retreat was no exception. From marshmallows on ends of straws to skits depicting a tongue-waving New Zealand dance, our group games afforded lot of laughter. But the culminating activity of the evening was when each team chose a SM club officer to represent them in the Laffy Taffy eating contest. No, this wasn’t “how many taffies you can eat in 30 seconds.” This was: put the candy on your forehead and get it to your mouth without using your hands. Julie Norton, director of the student missions program at SAU, surprised everyone by being the first to claim the victory.

The Still Small Voice: In the chaos and commitments of school, it’s easy to forget about making time to hear God’s voice. On Sabbath morning, we had the opportunity to go outside and find a quiet place to talk to God. It was a blessed time of mental preparation and consecration for the huge tasks that lie before us when we go out to serve. And we were reminded to “Be strong and courageous. Because the Lord our God is with us wherever we go.”

Sincerely,

Ready to Fly Across that Salt Water

Sarah—Spring Romances

There’s something magical about the sunshine and fresh breezes of spring that stir thoughts of romance in Southern students’ hearts. Maybe it’s the fact that the Greenway is pleasing to walk on again after a long, harsh winter. Maybe it’s the fact that some guys get desperate when they have the thought of going all summer without talking to that “special someone.” Or maybe it’s taken all year for the guy to get up the courage to ask the all-important question: “Will you be my girlfriend?”

            Whatever the reason, the captivating, enchanting spring season has a strange effect on many here at Southern. All of a sudden, the air is filled with invisible cupids prancing though Southern’s campus using all the “should-be” couples as targets for their arrows of infatuation. Facebook is alive with updated relationship statuses and the PDA level on campus is majorly inflated. (The poor PDA ninja is working overtime and still can’t keep up.)

            This romantic craze has even affected our previously all single-ladies suite. No longer can we claim the auspicious title of having a suite of solely single ladies because my dear suitemate (and sister) has been one of Cupid’s targets. Now, instead of her hanging out with us on Saturday afternoons, she is blissfully strolling the Greenway or happily hiking the biology trails with her charming lover. This new modification of her relationship status has detrimental effects on all aspects of suitemate life and bonding activities. Now, whenever my roommate and I go somewhere with my sister we are forced to be the third and fourth wheels. (I hate being a third wheel.)

            However if I think long and hard about the situation, it really isn’t as bad as I had feared for my sister to have a boyfriend. Now he can take her to the China Kitchen instead of me. And if I’m busy, I don’t have to worry about her feeling neglected. But the best part of all is that I have gained a new friend and she has gained a new level of happiness. And to see someone you love be made happy, all of a sudden you are happier too. J

Sincerely,

(Somewhat) Loving the Season of Love

Sarah—Seeing Easter Through Young Eyes

Time: Summer 2012

Place: Camp Au Sable Seventh-day Adventist summer camp.

Event: The Passion Play

She had never heard the name Jesus except in response to her sassy behavior or her step-father’s smashed thumb. She never knew the story. Until Friday night at camp.

  She sat on the edge of her chair, her eyes wide, her mouth gaping open. What were they doing to that happy, Healer who had danced with the children and hugged the grandmothers? What had He done to deserve the beatings, mockery, and scorn? Her camp counselor had told her that this was a real story that had happened long, long ago. But she wondered how real people could let something like this happen. If she was there she would have stopped it. She could see herself, barely taller than those wicked priests’ waists, striding up on stage, commanding Pilate to let Him go.

            But no one stopped Pilate, and the despicable priests laughed in wicked joy. Surely He will free Himself, she thought. He brought that dead man to life; He must be powerful enough to save Himself. But to her horror, she saw Him willingly lay down on the cross. She heard the hammer beating the nails, felt the pain of His agonized breathing, and smelled the scent of warm blood trickling down his bare chest.

            It’s not supposed to end this way, she cried in her heart. The hero should not fail; the dark one should not win. But the seal on the tomb confirmed her worst fears. As the dark one danced in victory, she let out a breath all mingled with a sob and put her face in her hands. She could not bear to watch the crushing defeat of the Man she had so suddenly come to know and love.

            But wait! The dark one is fleeing! The light is coming! And all of a sudden, there He was! No more pain, only victory. No more suffering, only soaring music and light and glory. He’s ALIVE!

            She leaped to her feet; she could not contain herself. Clapping, cheering, sobbing, smiling, all at once she looked at her counselor, “You knew it would end like this?”

            Speechless, the counselor smiled down at her, “Of course. Jesus defeated the devil and rose again.”

            She responded with awe and wonder dripping from every word, “He went through that for me?”

            Again the counselor responded, “Yes, dear. Because He loves you.”

And He loves you too. Discover it again for the first time.

Sincerely,

Seeing His Love Through the Eyes of a Child

Sarah—God of the Little Things

“Our God is so great, so strong, and so mighty…” goes the words of the popular children’s song. Sometimes we are so in awe of our strong and mighty God that we forget that He cares about the little things too. But the God who breathed stars is the same God who knows the exact number of hairs on our heads (even subtracting the ones that fell out in the shower this morning.) When we stop and look around us, we can’t even begin to count the little things that God gives us everyday as a demonstration of His connectedness with our mundane, everyday lives.

Here are a few little things that God has done for me recently:

1. Extra Sonrise Tickets:

            Before you criticize me for being lazy and not getting my Sonrise tickets at the student center when I was supposed to, let me tell you about what happened that week. Over spring break I was supposed to be working on my 10-page research paper for Honors Composition. But in the words of our dear Sweet Brown, “Ain’t nobody got time for that!” Honestly, who writes papers when there’s 5 inches of snow on the ground? Definitely not me! I was sledding and skiing with my siblings. Consequently, when I got back to SAU and should have been getting my tickets, I was catching up on my paper-writing. I finally managed to get a ticket for myself (thank-you roommate for standing in line for an hour for my ticket!) but then I found out that my family was coming for Sonrise. And of course all the tickets were completely gone. Thankfully, I have a God that takes care of the little things because, that very day someone gave me enough tickets for my family!

2. Canceled Classes:

            If it was one canceled class during a normal week, that might be coincidence. But if it is all of your 8am classes canceled for a whole week after a particularly busy week, that’s a gift from God. During the afore-mentioned week in which I had to write a 10-page paper I also had three other time-consuming activities that I do not normally have. Needless to say the week was heavy on work and light on sleep. Thankfully, I have a God who cares about the little things and He gave me the next week to sleep in. J

3. Godly Friends:

            In the midst of writing papers and attending classes, it’s easy to lose sight of the main reason we are placed on the earth: to grow godly, encouraging friendships. It’s easy to get lonely and despondent with the work piled so high that you can’t see around it. Thankfully, I have a God who cares about the little things and has given me friends to remind me of where my focus should be.

Sincerely,

Thanking God for the Little Things (because they’re big things to me)

Sarah—The Impossible Game of Hide-and-Seek

Sarah—Life’s Good

Life used to be good………. but is it better now?

I used to scrapbook.

Now I don’t even have enough money to print the pictures at Walmart.

I used to cook.

Now I don’t even have a set of measuring cups or a kitchen to put them in.

I used to take piano lessons.

Now I don’t even have time to listen to music.

I used to ride my horse.

Now I can’t even remember how much hay to feed her.

I used to have a stellar GPA (in high school).

Now I’m taking “real” classes that are real hard.

I used to eat home-cooked food.

Now I eat Ramen and cafeteria food.

I used to workout.

Now I work two jobs.

I used to hangout with friends in the evenings.

Now I hangout with my books.

I used to do all my homework during classes.

Now I do homework in between classes.

I used to know everybody at my school.

Now I see strangers every day on the promenade.

I used to be the leader on campus.

Now I’m just a lowly freshmen.

Wait a minute? Was that the good old days?

What about all of these “Used to’s”?

I used to sign out of a dorm.

Now I can leave whenever I want.

I used to depend on my parents for transportation.

Now I have a car.

I used to have chapel at 7:15am.

Now I don’t have class until 8am.

I used to attend worship every evening.

Now I only have to attend 28 worships.

I used to go to a church where there was no one my age.

Now I go to a church with 50 students my age.

I used to have dial-up.

Now I have high-speed Internet. (Or SAU speed.. )

I used to ask my parents for money.

Now I have a job.

I used to pull weeds in the garden during the summer.

Now I work at summer camp.

I used to share a room with two of my siblings.

Now I only have one roommate.

I used to be bored and annoyed with Sabbath.

Now I can’t wait for it to arrive.

I used to wish to be in college.

Now I am here.

And because I am here, I will make the best of it. There’s no use whining about the fact that the good old days have passed into history. Because whining never brought them back; it only succeeded in making the whiners miserable. Instead of whining, make more good memories so twenty years from now you will look back at this time in your life and think, “Those certainly were the good old days!”

Sincerely,

Enjoying the Good New Days!

Sarah—Mission Update

            Well friends, I don’t know if you remember or not, but way back in the middle of last semester I told you about my student mission decision. If you remember and are wondering what on earth happened to that decision, this blog post will inform you of the latest developments.

            After much prayer, paperwork, and processing, I have made significant progress in my application process. (Sorry for the alliteration, but I’m an English major.) Are you ready for the big news?!?!? *drum roll*…….. I have been accepted to be a high school English teacher on the island of Yap during the 2013-2014 school year.

            Wait, you say. Yap? What is that? Well, I’ll tell you. It’s a little speck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean between the Philippines and Guam. (And if you don’t know where Guam is, that’s really sad because Guam is a territory of the United States.) Yap is so small that map mapmakers can’t make a visible dot small enough that’s it’s proportional to the rest of the world. So that’s probably why you’ve never heard of it.

            And I, barely out of high school myself, will be the teacher for high school English at the SDA school there. Sometimes I wonder if I’m old enough, smart enough, strong, enough, spiritual enough, and wise enough to survive a year teaching kids who would rather be fishing or repairing their thatch-roof houses. But then I remember God’s voice when He said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.” (Jer. 1:7)

            I’ve accepted God’s call; the rest is up to Him. And with an infinite God there are infinite possibilities. All I have to do is be willing and He will make me able.

Sincerely,

Soon-To-Be-Teacher

Sarah—Give Me This Mountain

            It’s strange how faith can boldly make big claims. This morning I was reading about the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites, and I came across Caleb’s big claim of faith. Despite the occupation of giants in the land, he took God at His word and said in faith, “Give me this mountain.” Even though our lives may not be filled with literal mountains swarming with giants, if we take God at His word, we can say with Caleb, “Give me this mountain.”

            The mountain of homework: All students will encounter these in their lives and honestly, it can sometimes feel like an unconquerable giant. It’s hard to know where to start, but even harder to know where to stop. However, God has promised that He will give us wisdom if we just ask. With infinite wisdom, we never have to let the mountain of homework discourage us and we can say with Caleb, “Give me this mountain.”

            The mountain of discouragement: Sometimes we just want to crawl in our bed, cover our eyes with the blanket, and let the world go on without us. All the little things that whisper in our ears, “You’ll never make it” add up to a mountain of discouragement. However, when we read the emphatic promise of God that says, “Be strong and of good courage… . For the Lord your God is with you,” we can say to God, “Give me this mountain.”

            The mountain of witnessing: It’s a Christian’s most neglected duty and when we look around at all of our other mountains, it’s easy to understand why. With all the dishes, laundry, work, and more work, who has time to go tell another about the great God of the Universe? Besides, where, on this SDA campus, are we going to find people who really want to learn anyway? They’re all too busy with the work and laundry too. But God has commanded us that we are to “Go into all the world,” and guess what? SAU is part of that world. Witnessing may be a challenging mountain but the same God who commanded it will give the power to accomplish it. Then we can say with utmost certainty, “Give me this mountain.”

            If God is the same God, yesterday, today, and forever, then His promises are certainly the same too. Therefore, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Maybe He was talking about literal mountains jutting up from the plains. Or maybe He looked all the way down to 2013 and saw the mountains that His loved ones would have to face day to day. Either way, the promises are plenty, and the power is everlasting, and all we have to do is ask in faith, and our mountains will become manageable.

Sincerely,

Still Climbing (and Moving) Mountains