It has been about a month since I have been here at Calvin....and I have learned so much!!!!
The main thing I have learned is that just Christianity is not enough. You need to know what you believe and be able to explain. So often I have lived my life with lukewarm Christianity...I have never been challenged in my beliefs. Tonight, in a seminar we talked about "Holy Worldliness"...two words we do not usually associate together. As Christians we have the reputation of hating the world...why not break the reputation? Why are we content to be luke-warm? Kristin Vander Giessen-Reitsma wrote, "Our call is to 'test the spirits' (1 John 4:1) not to hide from them. In order to do that, we need to grow up-that is, recognize our personal limitations, but also learn how to be able to witness sinfulness without changing our minds about what's good and pleasing to God."
I am no longer content with my walk with God...I long for a deeper, more real relationship....one where I find my place in the world.....the WORLD....not just a 'Christian bubble'. The World is Awesome........
So, the world is awesome...God created it...I can't wait for a new day!!!!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Battle of the Bye
Tomorrow is Chaos Day!!! All the dorms compete in games against each other. So, this afternoon was Battle of the Bye! To compete each dorm had to carry a person on a mattress....six people carrying the mattress and one person on top. The guys carry it down, and switch with the girls who carry it back.
I was able to be one of the girls carrying the mattress. It was so crazy. We were running and we were in 3rd place....1st place dropped their mattress, so we ran hard...and WON!!!!! So, now we have a Bye to the next round! Go RVD!!!!
The boys getting ready to run!
Us girls in a huddle, discussing our plan to win!
The mattress
Our mascot....BIG RED!
RUN!!!!!!!!
I was able to be one of the girls carrying the mattress. It was so crazy. We were running and we were in 3rd place....1st place dropped their mattress, so we ran hard...and WON!!!!! So, now we have a Bye to the next round! Go RVD!!!!
The boys getting ready to run!
Us girls in a huddle, discussing our plan to win!
The mattress
Our mascot....BIG RED!
RUN!!!!!!!!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Update
Here is a copy of an email that I sent out, updating everyone on my life:
Hello Everyone,
First of all, thanks for keeping me in your prayers. I really appreciate it.
Second, I wanted to give you an update. It is somewhat long so you can just skip parts or skim!!!
My orientation went great. Here at Calvin the whole orientation program is called Quest. Wednesday
night, my parents were kicked out at 6:30, and that is where all the fun began! We stated out with an
opening session….basically a bunch of loud music, crazy leaders, and some funny videos. That night I
had a meeting with my floor of the dorm (a floor meeting).
Thursday, my group participated in Streetfest, Calvin’s way of introducing students to Service-learning
(or volunteering). Grand Rapids is divided into several areas called neighborhoods which work together
for the community. So, we went and pulled weeds in a playground and picked up trash. That night, our
group took an outing to Reeds Lake where we had ice cream, made tie dye shirts, and played games.
Friday, my group listened to lectures to learn more about Reformed Liberal Arts. We also participated
in The Great Ball Challenge, a scavenger hunt around campus in which we needed to find an object
and take a picture with it, everyone in our group, and a giant beach ball. It was a lot of fun; although,
I regret to inform you that we did not win. I also had to take a test to see if I could test out of the
computer class….it is a pass fail grade in which “will be returned to you within a few business days”
….so I’m still waiting.
Saturday, the theme was Agents of Renewal. My group watched some drama presentations to make
us think about tough questions. After, we had an amazing group discussion. In the afternoon, in order
to familiarize us with the FEN doctrine (Calvin’s Anti-racism doctrine) we looked at a variety of art.
That night we had our final group meetings and a closing session. Then we all gathered around the
Seminary Pond for reflections. We lit candles and placed them along with a sticky note of our fears
in a plastic cup and put them on the Pond. It was so beautiful!! Finally, we were able to “Dance the
Night Away”…and I actually danced (which you might get a bit worried about)…I learned how to
ballroom dance and swing dance (but don’t worry, it was with a girl)!
So, that brings me to today, Sunday. It has been such a crazy past few days. I’m looking forward to
some rest (and hopefully finishing cleaning my room) today as well as getting into a normal routine.
I want to end with my quote of the day, which I found very fitting. “God is at work in the world, and
He wants you to join Him. This assignment is called your mission. God wants you to have both a
ministry in the Body of Christ and a mission in the world.” (Rick Warren)
Thanks again for your prayers and support,
Kendra
Hello Everyone,
First of all, thanks for keeping me in your prayers. I really appreciate it.
Second, I wanted to give you an update. It is somewhat long so you can just skip parts or skim!!!
My orientation went great. Here at Calvin the whole orientation program is called Quest. Wednesday
night, my parents were kicked out at 6:30, and that is where all the fun began! We stated out with an
opening session….basically a bunch of loud music, crazy leaders, and some funny videos. That night I
had a meeting with my floor of the dorm (a floor meeting).
Thursday, my group participated in Streetfest, Calvin’s way of introducing students to Service-learning
(or volunteering). Grand Rapids is divided into several areas called neighborhoods which work together
for the community. So, we went and pulled weeds in a playground and picked up trash. That night, our
group took an outing to Reeds Lake where we had ice cream, made tie dye shirts, and played games.
Friday, my group listened to lectures to learn more about Reformed Liberal Arts. We also participated
in The Great Ball Challenge, a scavenger hunt around campus in which we needed to find an object
and take a picture with it, everyone in our group, and a giant beach ball. It was a lot of fun; although,
I regret to inform you that we did not win. I also had to take a test to see if I could test out of the
computer class….it is a pass fail grade in which “will be returned to you within a few business days”
….so I’m still waiting.
Saturday, the theme was Agents of Renewal. My group watched some drama presentations to make
us think about tough questions. After, we had an amazing group discussion. In the afternoon, in order
to familiarize us with the FEN doctrine (Calvin’s Anti-racism doctrine) we looked at a variety of art.
That night we had our final group meetings and a closing session. Then we all gathered around the
Seminary Pond for reflections. We lit candles and placed them along with a sticky note of our fears
in a plastic cup and put them on the Pond. It was so beautiful!! Finally, we were able to “Dance the
Night Away”…and I actually danced (which you might get a bit worried about)…I learned how to
ballroom dance and swing dance (but don’t worry, it was with a girl)!
So, that brings me to today, Sunday. It has been such a crazy past few days. I’m looking forward to
some rest (and hopefully finishing cleaning my room) today as well as getting into a normal routine.
I want to end with my quote of the day, which I found very fitting. “God is at work in the world, and
He wants you to join Him. This assignment is called your mission. God wants you to have both a
ministry in the Body of Christ and a mission in the world.” (Rick Warren)
Thanks again for your prayers and support,
Kendra
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