How To: Church Hopping in Holland

I’m not sure if “church hopping” is common language or Hope College lingo for “I’m trying to find a church that I really enjoy in the area.” This is the only place I’ve ever heard it, so I’m going to go with the latter. The name is a little misleading, because to me it sounds …

Your “Back to Hope” Playlist

Over the summer I got to thinking about Hope blogging. I felt as if every year I wrote the same posts: back to school, the Pull, Winter Fantasia, Nykerk, SAC events, etc. This year, I’m vowing to make more unconventional and creative posts. My first is this one, a playlist perfected for that perfect back …

A Trip to the Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin

This past Saturday night, I went down to Calvin College with one of our chaplains, Lauren Taylor, some other girls from Hope and a faculty member and his family. Calvin hosts the Festival of Faith and Writing every year, which is probably its most redeeming quality. (They’re our big rival, in case you missed that one). …

The Seven Wonders of Someone Halfway Done With College

I often find myself wishing that time would stop, or at the very least that things would shift into slow motion for at least a week or maybe five minutes. When they say that your time in college flies by fast, they aren’t lying. It’s scary yet exciting to know that in the same amount …

Five Spring Must-Dos at Hope College

Never mind the fact that the ground on Hope’s campus is lightly dusted with snow right now, we’re going to talk about spring at Hope College. There’s so much you can do when the weather starts heating up a bit. I don’t mean summer heat, I mean that nice spring warmth where the sun is …

An Immersion Excursion: New Jersey Immersion Trip 2016

Hope’s campus is filled once again and bursting with life, especially now that the sun is out. Yet I feel a little bit lost and in the wrong, all because I’m not in New Jersey with the 12 other people I spent the last week with. Last Saturday, our group left bright and early to …

Where Do You Find Your Meaning? A Dance 42 Reflection

Last night, I went to see Dance 42, an annual show put on by the Dance Department of Hope College. I wish I had photos to share, but unfortunately photography was not allowed.  Last year, it was called Dance 41 and next year it will be called Dance 43. You get the picture, it’s been …

Pre-Dance Marathon Froyo #FTK

Dance Marathon is coming up this Friday. Last year, I participated as dancer for the full 24 hours. This year, I will be a “moraler” for an eight hour shift on Friday night. Orange Leaf, a frozen yogurt shop downtown Holland, has been running a competition this year to see who can earn the most …

Finding My Home Church

Having a church to go to every Sunday is a little bit like having a home team, I think. A church can be a community of love, support and faith outside of the college context. Up until recently, I’ve only attended Hope’s Chapel and Gathering services. One of my best friends, Rachel, and I decided …

A Day in the Life of a Hope College Student

Recently on the Hope College Facebook page for admitted students, I received a message from a future student asking about my typical day. I told her that I would write a blog post about it, since other future students are probably wondering the same thing. And that’s how this post came to be! I hope …