Once again it is that time of year- I've officially finished my second year of college. This year has definitely been one for the books! Every year I reflect on how much I've grown in the past year and usually, it is a significant amount but I feel like this year has brought me twice the amount of growth as normal.
Back in August, I started out my second year and things seemed pretty normal. The only thing new I was adding to my plate from the year before was being a Growth Group Leader (GGL). If you don't know, every Wednesday night at Grace, freshmen are required to go to Growth Groups (upperclassmen are encouraged to go), which are small group Bible studies with a few other hallmates led by an upperclassmen GGL. So as someone wanting to pursue ministry, I was super excited. It was such a cool experience to meet my freshmen girls at the beginning of the year and to start brainstorming ideas in leading them in their faith for this past school year.
Around fall break, the end of our first session of classes, was when things got a little challenging. On October 13th (which was also a Friday ironically), I went to the doctors and was diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression. Now you may be thinking, "oh that's so sad" or "isn't that kind of private information." However, I don't really find it to be something sad or something to hide. I've pretty much lived with anxiety my whole life and to finally be able to identify it and start to understand it better gave me so much more life. I'm always looking up more information on different types of anxiety and different ways to cope. I've learned so much more about who I am and how I operate in certain situations. I've also been able to share my experiences with others. God even placed girls in my Growth Group who would learn over the course of the school year that they too have anxiety and depression. It was such a blessing to be able to see the good in my struggle and pain that God had planned for my life.
As the school year continued on, I continued to grow in my understanding of my anxiety and recognize what my triggers were and how I behaved when stressed. Side note- it was also around this time when I switched my minor from Intercultural Studies to Behavioral Science and grew a passion for Women's Ministries, specifically high school/ college age women. Another area of growth I focused on this school year was trusting God, letting Him have control over my life, and constantly be dependent on Him. I definitely wouldn't say I mastered this but I've for sure grown in this area of my life and it feels so good.
Towards the beginning of second semester, I was finally feeling normal and more confident in myself. I reapplied to be a GGL again for next year along with a couple other positions. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone a little bit more and filled out some applications, had a few interviews, and found myself an on-campus job for next year along with a couple other exciting roles to play on campus. Not only will I be a GGL again next year, in the good old Alpha just like this year, I will be the GGL Student Coordinator. Basically, this means I get to help out with some behind the scenes stuff for GGLs and be a resource for them, including meeting with other GGLs on campus through the week. I'm excited to not only be able to pour into the girls that get placed into my growth group next year but also all the GGLs on campus. (Pictured below is my growth group from this year- in pajamas of course)
Another exciting role and job I have for next year is working as a student secretary in the Student Affairs office and acting as the student leader for Women's Ministries. I'm so excited to get some office work experience and to be able to learn from some wise ladies in the world of Women's Ministries. One of the main components of the Women's Ministries program is the mentoring program. I have been so blessed by my mentor, Kerri, this past year. (Pictured below is Kerri and me at an art studio night we went to)
This summer I'll be back at home working at the mini golf course at the Essenhaus and spending one week working the teen camp at Praire Camp in Goshen. I'll also be going to a music festival with Matthew (my lovely boyfriend who I just celebrated one year with yesterday) and probably do a few other fun things here and there. But mostly I'll be getting excited about the coming school year and trying to relax before I get too busy. (:
As I end this blog post, I want to encourage everyone to never give up on their passions and always cling closer to God. A couple verses that have gotten me through the year are:
Back in August, I started out my second year and things seemed pretty normal. The only thing new I was adding to my plate from the year before was being a Growth Group Leader (GGL). If you don't know, every Wednesday night at Grace, freshmen are required to go to Growth Groups (upperclassmen are encouraged to go), which are small group Bible studies with a few other hallmates led by an upperclassmen GGL. So as someone wanting to pursue ministry, I was super excited. It was such a cool experience to meet my freshmen girls at the beginning of the year and to start brainstorming ideas in leading them in their faith for this past school year.
Around fall break, the end of our first session of classes, was when things got a little challenging. On October 13th (which was also a Friday ironically), I went to the doctors and was diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression. Now you may be thinking, "oh that's so sad" or "isn't that kind of private information." However, I don't really find it to be something sad or something to hide. I've pretty much lived with anxiety my whole life and to finally be able to identify it and start to understand it better gave me so much more life. I'm always looking up more information on different types of anxiety and different ways to cope. I've learned so much more about who I am and how I operate in certain situations. I've also been able to share my experiences with others. God even placed girls in my Growth Group who would learn over the course of the school year that they too have anxiety and depression. It was such a blessing to be able to see the good in my struggle and pain that God had planned for my life.
As the school year continued on, I continued to grow in my understanding of my anxiety and recognize what my triggers were and how I behaved when stressed. Side note- it was also around this time when I switched my minor from Intercultural Studies to Behavioral Science and grew a passion for Women's Ministries, specifically high school/ college age women. Another area of growth I focused on this school year was trusting God, letting Him have control over my life, and constantly be dependent on Him. I definitely wouldn't say I mastered this but I've for sure grown in this area of my life and it feels so good.
Towards the beginning of second semester, I was finally feeling normal and more confident in myself. I reapplied to be a GGL again for next year along with a couple other positions. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone a little bit more and filled out some applications, had a few interviews, and found myself an on-campus job for next year along with a couple other exciting roles to play on campus. Not only will I be a GGL again next year, in the good old Alpha just like this year, I will be the GGL Student Coordinator. Basically, this means I get to help out with some behind the scenes stuff for GGLs and be a resource for them, including meeting with other GGLs on campus through the week. I'm excited to not only be able to pour into the girls that get placed into my growth group next year but also all the GGLs on campus. (Pictured below is my growth group from this year- in pajamas of course)
Another exciting role and job I have for next year is working as a student secretary in the Student Affairs office and acting as the student leader for Women's Ministries. I'm so excited to get some office work experience and to be able to learn from some wise ladies in the world of Women's Ministries. One of the main components of the Women's Ministries program is the mentoring program. I have been so blessed by my mentor, Kerri, this past year. (Pictured below is Kerri and me at an art studio night we went to)
Lastly, but certainly not least, I will be the student leader for an organization I've been volunteering with for the past two years called Sisters Mentoring with a Mission (SMM). This organization is an after-school club for elementary and middle school-aged girls where we do activities, Bible lessons, and small group discussion led by mostly college-aged women. These girls are often a highlight of my week and I'm excited to continue to lead them closer to God and getting to pour into the leader next year as well. (Pictured below is the group of sixth graders I worked with mainly this year, minus a couple)
Ok, I know what you're thinking now- "Wow Emily, that's a lot... Are you sure you can manage all that?" Trust me, I know it sounds like a lot but I wouldn't have said yes to it all if I didn't think I could handle it and wasn't so passionate about it all. Next semester I'll be taking fewer classes and the hours for each role aren't crazy. I'm so excited about getting to work with amazing people on and off campus next year and I know they all support me well.
As I end this blog post, I want to encourage everyone to never give up on their passions and always cling closer to God. A couple verses that have gotten me through the year are:
"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." - Matthew 6:34
"So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy." - John 16:22
- K E E P - D R E A M I N G -
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