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

College

Wow....this summer has gone by so quickly...I have so much to say and so little time. In 6 days, I am going to be starting school again. This time with no mother to do my laundry and no siblings to pick on and no father to buy me coffee. I have so many mixed feelings about college. Right now my biggest problem is packing...i know it needs to be done, but it is so difficult. So.....this is my very short update for now, I'm off to do more packing!

Home?

Wednesday night, I attended a Bible study. We had an awesome time sitting around a camp fire, discuessing Isaiah 59, and singing. My cousin then brought everyone home (it is such a fun carpool), and we finally made it to his house. By this time I had to go the bathroom, but we were in the middle of a really good conversation. I finally made it home and to my dismay, I was locked out of the house. After consider my break in options, I gave up and rang the doorbell...waking up my grandma....but atleast I made it into the house!!!!!

Service Weekend

So, this weekend was service weekend at my grandparents church. A group of young people got together on Friday night. We went to a beach and sang and had Bible study. Then we had a sleepover and did another Bible study.

Sat morning, we started out by having a car wash. We were able to make $200. Then, we sorted clothes at a mission. After, we helped prepare food for a Hispanic outreach program. We closed the night by having an open cafe.

It was an awesome weekend, and provided a time to grow closer to God and discover what true service is!

Update 2

Wow…what an eventful summer! The last weeks have been filled with late nights with friends, early mornings at work, laughs, coffee, and smiles.

On Thursday and Friday, I went to Calvin College for my orientation. It actually was a lot of fun. Everyone was excited to meet new people and reconnect with old friends. I was able to connect with lots of my childhood friends…which was exciting. And of course a few awkward moments of me remembering people but them not remembering me!

The past few days have been a bit depressing just figuring out the financial side of college. Today, my day was made when I discovered that after two years of sitting in a box, the shop did indeed have a paper cutter!!! Totally made my day!!!!

Tuesday, I visited my great-grandma…we had such an awesome conversation that I was hesitant to leave! It is such an awesome experience just sitting with my grandma, talking. Not many people are able to do that!

Well, that is my short update for now….so until later!

Update

Wow, where to begin? The past two weeks have been a crazy flurry of activities. I was able to graduate from high school. As the class valedictorian, I had to give a speech. Through it God taught me a lot! I spoke about surrendering your life to God and how surrender demands patience, perseverance, and pliability. I had to arrive at school at 8:50 and graduation was at 10:00. As I was preparing, I asked God to take care of my nerves. Normally, I don’t get nervous for public speaking until the person before me goes and then throughout my speech….but God had bigger things in store for me. I was not nervous at all…even throughout my speech!!! So, by surrendering my nerves to God, he showed me the practicality about what I was speaking on! Wow! What an amazing God!!!

That afternoon at 2:00, I had my graduation party. One of the highlights was when a friend turned to me and said, ‘look here comes the rest of the class.’ I chuckled and turned around, but sure enough…most of my class had just entered! They had formed a ‘caravan’ and were trying to go to as many grad parties as they could….it was neat because it showed the unity in my class.

Then on Sunday, I did my profession of faith. It was really neat because my dad ‘personalized’ the form. He talked about the day I was baptized and how he and mom showed their faith, but now I’m standing up and stating my own faith. Then I was able to give my testimony. I shared about growing up in a Christian home and the importance of my parent’s witness. Then my dad sang a song, and I played the violin with him. The song was Majesty (Here I Am).



That Sunday afternoon, I left with some friends for Canada. And yes, I talked for four hours straight…it was a lot of fun! (for me at least)

I started work on Monday and I began my social life on Wednesday. On Wednesday, I went to a Bible study with my cousin. We read from Genesis and talked about the fall. We discussed the curse that God gave, and we also talked about the roles of men and women. It was a very interesting discussion! It was neat because it was not surface level but we really dug into the meaning of the Bible.

On Thursday, I had my violin lessons…I think I’m really going to enjoy my teacher!

Friday, my cousin and I purchased soccer flags to place on our cars. Go Netherlands! (Say the two people who didn’t realize the world cup was every 4 years!)
On Saturday, my other cousins came over…an experience in itself!

So, as you can tell, my life has been non-stop craziness! But I love spending the summer with my grandparents! I believe you really don’t know your grandparents until you live with them and see ‘inside’ their daily lives. That is all my exciting news for now!

My Sister

This past week, God has opened my eyes in many ways. Today, i want to focus on my sister. Starting on sunday, she gave me a gift. This process of gift giving has continued every day this week...i have woken up, gone into the bathroom to get ready, and she 'sneeks' into my room and places a gift, wrapped with card and everything in my room. She writes cute little cards that explain why she has given me the gift as well. So, my gift have included:

- Sunday: So i won't loose my purse when i eat or do anything: A purse hanger
- Monday: Something you can never have too much of in a closet: pant hangers
- Tuesday: To help keep me organized: a dry erase board that is a calender
- Wednesday: Something else that goes in a closet: shirt hangers
- Thursday: Something to help my hands after carrying all my heavy books: a manicure set

These gifts have inspired me so much! The week isn't over, but i can't wait to wake up in the morning to see what my next gift is! My sister has an amazing gift of writing cards and giving gifts! If you ever need any gift ideas...talk to her! I'm going to miss her when i'm off at college. I'm so thankful that we are able to spend the whole summer together....hanging out at our grandparents...driving my grandma's suv...shopping...going to her soccer games (actually, reading along the sidelines for me! lol).

She is my clothes coordinator, shoe picker, jewelry vetoer, advice giving, story telling, awesome sister! Sometimes we stay up so late just talking, laughing, and teasing each other....till we are told to quiet down.

So, thanks Bre...you are an amazing sister and i love you so much!!!