Calling. What Is It?

As a college student you have to answer this all too familiar question a lot:
“What are you majoring in?”
Which can be followed up by, “What are you planning to do with that degree?”

As an undecided college student I fend off that “What are you majoring in?” question more often than I like.
“I do not know what I am majoring in.”
“What subject areas are you leaning towards?”
*Pulls out the latest “Top 3 Possible Majors* list that’s been floating through my head the last week and reels them off* “But I really still have an open mind, haven’t settled on anything….”
Then follows the kind but still worrisome response:
“Oh, you have plenty of time. You’re in a good place. You’ll figure it out.”

Do I really have plenty of time? This is a good place compared to what? Will I ever actually figure it out?

What is this “it” I have to figure out anyways? Some days “it” is figuring out how to get all my assignments for the night done while still getting a reasonable amount of sleep. Other days “it” is what should I earn a college degree in? Then on other days still “it” is what am I called to do?

Calling. Vocation. Major. Purpose. Career.

A year ago the question used to be “Where are you going to college?”

I fended that question off for a while too.  At first I didn’t know. Then I thought I knew.
Then God was like, “No, you need to listen to me.”
So I prayed (a lot), and I listened. Finally, I knew. God was calling me to be at Hope.
“Where are you going to college?”
“Hope College.”
“Where is that?” (I’m from Pennsylvania where not many people have heard of Hope)
“Holland, Michigan.”
“Wow, you’re going far. Why?”
“Hope just feels like the place for me. Christian atmosphere, small liberal arts school, vibrant community, has all the options degree-wise I am looking for…”
For my college decision I didn’t question “it”. I knew it was more than just my decision. “It” was God’s will.

I pray a lot about this next stage of life’s calling. I was looking for an answer along the lines of a vocation, a major, a purpose, a career. Then I went to Chapel on Monday.

I didn’t get the answer I was looking for. What I got was, once again, God saying, “No, you need to listen to me.” So I listened as President Knapp spoke on the topic of “Calling.”
The thoughts that resonated with me:

“Calling is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ wherever God places you.”
“Calling: to be a vessel of love wherever you are.”
“God needs disciples everywhere.”
“Figuring that out isn’t just finding a major and a job that God is calling you to, it’s not about finding a place.”
“Calling is to be. To be a disciple of Christ wherever life and your career take you.”

30 short minutes on a wintry Monday morning rocked my perspective on calling. I am still sitting in square one of trying to pick a major, but at least now I fully know that being who God wants me to be is in no way hinged on my college degree or even the career(s) I hold the rest of my life.

“It” is living in a way that shares the love of Christ.

That is where I will find my vocation and my purpose and my calling. Within my career, whether or not the major I choose is in that area. Wherever I end up going. Whatever it is I find myself doing.

I still have to fend off that question. But I know what “it” is that I am looking for.
A major and career are just stepping stones along the way.

~Erin
Twitter & Instagram
Have any thoughts on calling you want to share? Any questions about life at Hope or being undecided on a college or a major? Feel free to message me any time at erin.hoolahan@hope.edu

 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

~2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Tutors – They’re Actually Okay!

Hello, Hope community!

I hope everyone is ready for the exciting weekend that lies ahead – residence hall events, the WONDERFUL Winter Fantasia (more to come on that this week!), and just hanging out with your friends!

To kick off this great weekend, I just want to give you all a great piece of news that really changed my view on my education. That news is this – it’s okay that a certain class is hard for you because you can get a tutor and they will help you! Now, you may be thinking, “Mikaila, I am SMART, I don’t need help with anything. I can do it on my own!” Oh, dear reader, you most certainly are smart! But failing a class is not the smartest option when you have so many resources to use here at Hope that will make failing less of an option.

I myself thought just like you when I was a freshman. I am an admittedly prideful person, and thought that if I got an academic tutor, I was admitting defeat and showing a sign of weakness. I was embarrassed to ask for much-needed help.

That has all changed though. I learned that many people at Hope need tutors and tutors are actually in high demand. This semester, I am proud to say I just got two tutors for two of my classes! The material doesn’t come easily to me, and the classes are for my minor, so I really need to make sure my performance is spot on for those classes. As you can see, I put my pride aside, and decided to use this valuable FREE resource that Hope offers to better my education.

Hopefully this second week of classes is treating you well, but if you feel like you need a tutor yourself for one of your classes, this is the link to the classes that a tutor can help you with.

If your class is on this list, you can then turn in the application to the Academic Success Center, located in VanZoeren Hall, Room 261.

After you’ve done this, you should be all ready to go! If you have any other questions about tutoring, you can email me at mikaila.bisson@hope.edu or email the Academic Success Center at asc@hope.edu.

Have a great weekend everyone, until next time!

Five Things to Think On

1. Get out. There’s a college beyond your dorm room door. Don’t keep it waiting; let it in for a chat, maybe an hour of Netflix. You’ll meet some of your best friends for the next three years in the first three weeks, so get out and get busy putting names to faces.

2. Get some sun while it lasts. Holland’s usually good enough to give us all a roughly two-month long grace period before letting the frost creep in around October. Cherish those months; it’ll be the only time of the year you’ll be wearing shorts outside of gym class.

3. Hit the road. Don’t stay holed up in Holland; its a nice little town, but you’ll have seen all of it inside a semester. Don’t be afraid to broaden your horizons and boldly go where hundreds have before you. Sign up for an outdoors club and explore the wider Michigan area; there are simply way too many beaches and parks out there that desperately need to wind up on your computer backgrounds and Instagram photos.

4. All play and no work… You’ll want to get used to spending some one on one time with your books; getting familiar with the coursework schedule saves you from getting blindsided with unexpected assignments and quizzes. Study regularly enough and it’ll become a habit that gets you a few A’s every semester. Don’t plan to write last minute papers. Inspiration’s a fickle mistress… she might favor you on a night you need her least and abandon you when you need her most.

5. Get some space. Get a couple hours of “Me-time” a week, away from the noise and blur of campus life. Don’t overexert yourself on extracurricular activities every week or you might burn yourself out. Sometimes we need to step out of life’s marching band and play solo awhile, before jumping back in line.

The Best Concert of My Life

Listen to this. Just listen to it.

Ahhh, wasn’t that great? The first video is of The Brilliance and the second and third video is of Gungor. These videos are from the Hope Student Activities Committee (SAC) sponsored concert that happened last Saturday (01/10/15). They brought in Gungor and had The Brilliance with the Hope Chapel Worship Band open for them. Both were phenomenal.

Gungor
Here is a picture of Michael Gungor and his wife, Lisa, as part of the band, “Gungor.”

I can truthfully say that this was the best concert that I have ever been to. Here is why: There are musicians…and then there are musicians. Gungor is definitely the second. As a band, Michael Gungor (the guitarist and vocalist), Lisa Gungor (playing the synthesizer and singing), and the rest of the the artists on the stage (the cellist, drummer, bass guitar player, and pianist) would all go in to crazy impressive improv throughout the concert. They didn’t pre-plan those improv times, they just went for it. They just made eye contact and then they went for it. And they. did. it. AMAZINGLY. every. time. Literally, people’s mouths were gaping throughout the entire concert as Gungor showcased their amazing skill.

gungor 2
Here is a shot of the whole band.

Not only did the music ability of the concert make this the the best concert ever, but so to did the power behind all the songs. You can tell that with each song that was written, that Gungor had poured their heart and soul into them. The music played was moving and so so so powerful.

This was literally the best concert that I have ever been to. I remember walking away from the SAC sponsored Ingrid Michaelson concert last year and thinking the exact same thing. Hope Concert series hasn’t disappointed me yet and I am super excited to see who they bring in for next year. Gosh….I love Hope College more and more every day.

For more about me, follow me on twitter @hopejohnluke17 or on Instagram at johnlukehawkins. Until next time!

Why You Should Come To Hope {A Student’s Perspective}

Over the past few days I’ve spent some time looking on the Hope on Facebook site for newly admitted students (if you haven’t joined you should) and I’ve noticed a few different things:

  1. all of you look really nice
  2. you’re all willing to share and get to know each other
  3. lots of you are trying to decide between several different colleges

After having this realization, I thought back to my junior and senior years in high school. Choosing a college is a difficult choice to make. After all, you’re going to spend four (maybe five) years of your life there. Many of your close friends will be made at college. And, you want a good education – or your parents want you to have a good education.

So how do you know where you should attend college? Is it the size, the location, the cafeteria, the people, or the academics that are the most important? While all of those things do play a vital role into selection a college, I think that the most important thing to look at in a college are the faculty members.

It’s been my experience at Hope that the professors either make or break a class. Yes, you do have to put in the work, and be willing to study; however, my favorite classes aren’t necessarily because of the material that I learned, but instead, the professor that taught the class.

Meet Tom Smith. He is a professor in the Department of Management, Economics, and Accounting. He enjoys teaching students, building relationships, and candy. Over the past couple of years, I have had the privilege of having Tom as a professor, study abroad faculty leader, and a friend.

Traveling London

Being at Hope has offered me the opportunity to get to know Professor Smith. He’s had an impact on my life that I will never forget. From dinners in Europe, to ice cream parties, to cups of coffee and conversation, he has challenged me to grow and mature – my college experience wouldn’t be the same without knowing him.

If you’re on the fence with two colleges, think about the interactions you want to have with faculty. If you’re looking to build relationships with professors, and have someone invest personal time with you, Hope College is the place for you!

Choosing a college can be a difficult choice. If you have more questions about Hope College or Hope professors, I would be happy to talk with you. Follow me on Twitter @hopechelsea15 or message me on the Hope on Facebook app.

Events to Look Forward To!!!

Hello everybody! I hope your week has been going well and I thank you for sitting down for a moment and reading my blog! With the new semester well underway, I figured it would be nice to outline some big events going on in the upcoming weeks. Since I live with a member of the SAC (Student Activities Committee), I’m always aware of the major activities going on around campus and even off-campus. Here’s a list of some of the things in January and February that are happening:

  • January 17: This night happens to be Winter Fantasia! It’s a winter dance that is held in Grand Rapids and is open to any student who wishes to go and doesn’t require you to have a date or any dancing skills. There is always yummy food and photo booths that keep people entertaining when you aren’t dancing and laughing with friends.
  • January 23: The Hypnotist—each year, a hypnotist comes to campus and puts on an amazing show that makes people crack up! This is one of my favorite events because the hypnotist is able to make the group on stage do hilarious things that make no sense but are super entertaining.
  • January 30: Hope’s hockey team plays against Davenport! Hockey games are always a popular event because we tend to have a really good team and it’s a fun activity to go to that is slightly off campus. Being able to escape campus just for a bit is a nice treat once in a while, but make sure to dress warmly!
  • February 13: SAC puts on a visit to Skyzone. If you are not familiar with this, it’s an indoor trampoline arena that has trampolines everywhere so you just bounce around with friends until your legs can no longer manage to jump anymore. If you’re looking for an event that allows you to get a good workout, definitely look into going to this!
  • February 20: Dodgeball Tournament! Along with the Skyzone, this activity requires a bit of a workout as well. A huge dodgeball tournament is put on in the Dow involving any students that want to put together a team. This event gets pretty intense once it gets down to the semifinals, so even if you don’t want to participate, it’s a fun atmosphere to be around.
  • February 28: Since there will most likely still be plenty of snow and cold in the end of February, the next event planned is going to Grand Rapids and ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle. It’s nice to get out of Holland at times, so grabbing your friends and some ice skates is a fun afternoon.

This about sums up the events taking place through February, but there are plenty more later into the semester such as Dance Marathon, the Really Big Talent Show and Spring Fling. I always love knowing the events going on around campus so I have fun things to look forward to at the end of a stressful week. Hopefully these activities spark an interest and we see you there soon!

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @hopeleslie15.

Destination: Cameroon

Alright alright alright. Here’s that anticipated post about the Peace Corps! People requested me to talk about my journey throughout the Peace Corps application process, so here it is! Many of my friends have only seen pictures, so here’s the real story. I hope you enjoy it all!

Since my sophomore year of college, the Peace Corps was always a thought, an idea. But I really never pursued it then and just put in the back of my head. The application process was tedious and exhausting, so why even try if a limited amount of people get accepted, right? So, sophomore year went by, and so did junior year.

But senior year. Wow. It’s time to start thinking about what I want to do in life. Graduate school? Take a leap year, or two and work? PEACE CORPS. What perfect timing it was because the Peace Corps recruiter for the west side of Michigan was the Hope’s “Gap Year Fair.” Naturally, I went to learn more and bombard my recruiter with questions. I wanted to make sure she knew that I am REALLY interested in it. But people ask, why Peace Corps? What would you do? Seeing as I’m a nursing major, all I want to do is care for those who may not have means to care for themselves. And I can do that though the Peace Corps while learning about new cultures.

Anyway, after that Gap Year Fair, I went back to my dorm and filled that application out. Here’s the great news about it, the Peace Corps made the application simpler and quicker, so it would take under 1 hour! But because it was me who was filling out the application, I took my sweet time to make sure everything was perfect. After 2.5 hours of reviewing and making sure everything was perfect, I hit that submit button.

Then I waited.

And waited.

AND WAITED.

Until I received an email that would determine my journey with the Peace Corps. The wait is finally over! I took the next step forward and was being considered for a placement in Cameroon!

At this point, I didn’t know what position I was being reviewed for, but all that matters is that I am being considered. I AM BEING CONSIDERED! Finally, I have a destination, and it’s to CAMEROON! This is exciting because they speak French, and I speak French. They have a rich culture, and just the thought of being a part of that makes me want to pack my bags and fly there! I’m glad I made it to this point, but there are still many steps ahead. As great as this news was, I had to do more as part of the application process. Then once this was complete, they would review that to choose candidates to interview. A very intimidating sentence in that email states, “Please note that only competitive candidates will be interviewed.” Yeah, that made me uneasy, but let the waiting begin.

The email that started an amazing journey!
The email that started an amazing journey!

So I waited.

And waited.

AND WAITED.

Another email came only a few days later saying I was chosen to be interviewed. I had heart palpitations, I wanted to vomit, I screamed. Why? BECAUSE THIS IS A BIG DEAL! I am a competitive applicant, that gives me so much ease! Now, I’m onto the next stepping stone in my journey. First, I was being considered, then I was selected to interview. Who wouldn’t be excited!? I scheduled my interview, and that was yesterday! It was 1.5 hours long, but I killed it! Well, at least I think I did. Where am I headed next? This is the biggest step in the journey, it determines if I’m going to serve or not. Weirdly enough, I am very confident and look forward to this email. The latest I will know is March 15, two months from today.

I did it, again!
I did it, again!

But don’t worry, folks. I will keep you updated. To my friends and family, I cannot thank you enough for your love and support. I am so happy to have the support going through this long process! Stay tuned for more news about the Peace Corps by following me on Twitter at @HopeMarvin15 and Instagram at @MarvSolberg!

The Value of Seemingly Spare Change

Change is good, they say. And I agree.

I opened the top drawer of my desk over lunch and found a Ziploc bag of dimes, quarters, and pennies (and probably some nickels) tucked back in the left-hand corner. I was trying to find a pencil, but all I found was change. I’m certain it was a compilation of grocery runs and coffee dates from last semester, but I had forgotten it even existed. All of the coins that seemed so little at the time have now combined to be a considerable amount of change.

In the same way that the spare change from grocery runs and coffee dates add up over time, the change that happens in people and situations add up, too. And that’s something that I am perhaps too good at forgetting.

The little changes prepare us for the big conclusions.

Change is good.
Just a little change can add up to be a lot.

As I found in my desk drawer, the littlest things will add up to be a lot. If we fail to recognize the little changes as they come, we might miss seeing the full picture when it arises – or worse, the full picture will hit us like we never saw it coming.

In classwork, in relationships, in all of the change that life can bring, know that your journey is taking shape the way it is meant to be. If you have something on your heart, keep the faith. Look for the changes leading toward the big picture. Everything will add up accordingly.

Next time you find a penny, I encourage you to pick it up. I can’t promise you’ll have good luck, but if you find 149 more, you’ll be able to afford a coffee at Lemonjello’s.

What changes has this semester brought you so far? Tweet at me @hopesophie17. Questions or comments? Comment below or send me an email at sophie.guetzko@hope.edu. Have a great week!

First Days in Paris!

Bonjour from Paris! I officially landed in the City of Light Saturday afternoon after an exhausting 5-hour delay and 8-hour flight. All of it was worth it when I was in the taxi on the way to my host mom’s apartment in the 13th arrondissement. It was surreal driving through each the different neighborhoods and seeing the buildings, the endless number of cafes and of course, the people. I am living in a huge apartment building that is 1 of 2 and is heavily secured. There is a whole process I must go through just to get into the building alone, but at least I know I am safe once inside!

My room (excuse my mess!)
My room (excuse my mess!)

I have my own room with a fridge, a microwave, a desk, and lots of closet space. It really feels like my own room!

The view outside my window.
The view outside my window.

The view outside my window isn’t the prettiest, mostly because there a number of apartment buildings in the area, but I will have to remind myself to take better photos on my way out tomorrow morning. Everywhere you go in Paris is really worth taking a picture of. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to get lost at all. You’re in Paris after all, there is so much to see and do!

Today I officially began my weeklong intensive French language program before classes start. I will be catching the Metro early each morning around 10 AM and coming back around 5 every night, just in time to have dinner! I haven’t received my final class schedule yet, but I am eager to see which classes I end up taking! I’ve only been here three days, yet this post cannot cover half of what I have done so far. Can you imagine how much I will have to write about in the next four months? Anyway, this post was just meant to update you all that I made it safe and sound:) I will have more to write about in my next post!

Confession: I Like Doing My Homework

If you’re a prospective student, you just read that title, and you’re already closing the window, I understand. You could keep reading, though; that would be cool. Alumni and others may understand what I’m about to say.

I finally think I know what I want to do with my life, and how can I tell? My homework is fun. Don’t take this the wrong way – while I may find peace, enjoyment, and excitement in what I’m currently doing, it’s no substitute for things like friends, donut runs, and other fun activities.

Yet when I’m doing my homework this semester, I find myself smiling at the things I’m reading, and being willing to go ahead in what I’m working on. For those of you who don’t know, I’m a secondary English education major with a psychology minor. My plan is to either become an English teacher, because I love the power that reading has had all throughout my life and I’d love to pass that on, or go to graduate school to become a school counselor.

In my English class, we read about reading and then wrote about what it has meant to us over the years. In my Educational Psychology textbook there are teacher tips that I just can’t get over. I can’t wait to help students grow and learn, whether it be as a teacher or a counselor.

I couldn’t have gotten this far without Hope. I mean that truly and honestly. Without the guidance that I have received since I got here, and the growing that I’ve done as a person through new friendships, classes, and activities, I would not be in the position that I’m in now. I’m forever grateful for what is happening in my life and the ways that God is working.

I’m taking this as a pretty decent sign that I’m heading in the right direction, and I’m so excited about it! My goal has always been to love whatever I’m doing. I’m loving it and loving that I’m loving it.

I hope that you’re doing what you love too!

1 Corinthians 16:14
Esther 4:14

If you have any questions for me you can contact me at brookelyn.wharton@hope.edu, through Facebook, or my twitter @hopebrooke18! I’d love to answer them!