Just another day…
I had a great weekend! It was one of those weekends that you feel like it’s been productive, relaxing, and fun. My roommate Katja and I decided to stay at Covenant while our other roommates went out of town for the weekend. We spent time studying at Starbucks, watching girly movies and eating cheese dip, and staying up late talking. It’s funny, even though when you’re at college it’s like having a never ending slumber party it doesn’t negate the fact that you still need those days to just spend with one of your closest girlfriends. Oh, and I got my hair cut…short. I went into the hairdresser and just said I wanted to go from long to short. The lady reluctantly put my hair back in a ponytail and chopped it off! I like it though…I needed a change. So now there’s a week left until Thanksgiving break and I feel like it’s never going to come. There’s just so much to do before then. Right now I’m in the library trying to get a start on a ten page paper due before I leave. It’s hard to focus on “The role of the teacher and the school according to Dewey,” when I’m already daydreaming of turkey, stuffing, and CHRISTMAS!! Classes around this time always seem to get extra busy with papers, tests, and projects. But it’s just a week, and then it’s over. Next week at this very moment I will be driving home sweet home!
Published on Nov 18, 2008 at 7:08 pm.
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The College Search Process…to not stress out!
Alright guys, this is not to stress anyone out and hopefully it will help some of you guys not feel so stressed. So it’s November of your senior year and your either freaking out because you haven’t even started thinking about where you want to go to college, much less applying to schools or your on the ball already. In any case, I know I never knew exactly how this whole applying to college thing was suppose to work so I thought a map might help. Here’s a map that will guide you through the next couple of months of where you want to be with your college search process. Most of the information is in regard to Covenant deadlines, but it will give you a general idea of most college deadlines. I really hope it helps! Let me know if you have any questions!
November Senior Year: Time to apply
- I know it’s stressful to actually start thinking about where you want to go to college but it’s better to start sooner then later. By starting earlier you have a better chance of financial aide and applying to scholarships. Don’t feel like the schools you apply to are only the one’s you will probably go to; apply to a wide variety of schools. You’ll be surprised at where God may bring you. I applied to Covenant never actually thinking this is where I would go; now here I am! So just start! Close schools, far schools, public schools, private schools…it will be good to see what each of these schools can offer you.
-Applications include ACT, general application, and sometimes essays. This is another good reason to start now. Don’t let the stress of writing college application essay’s stack up on you. Also many people think that they cannot turn in their application until it is completely finished. Although it is nice to send in a completed application don’t let the fact that you haven’t taken the ACT yet stop you from going ahead and starting your application process. Your ACT score can always be added when you get it back.
December 1 Senior Year: Scholarship Deadline
-Although Covenant does have a rolling admissions (meaning it doesn’t have an application deadline), if you are planning on applying for one of our merit based scholarships you must have both your college application as well as your scholarship application in my December 1. Don’t let this sneak up on you!
End of December Senior Year: Finish up Applications
-Most of your applications should be in my now. It’s important to get them in before January so that you can turn your FAFSA (free application for federal student aide) in early and have a better chance of getting federal aide.
January of Senior Year:
-You should be finding out now whether or not you are qualified for one of our merit-based scholarships. If you are qualified this means you will asked to attend scholarship weekend at the end of January for your interviews.
-Fill out FAFSA! The earlier you do it the better chance you have to receive financial aide. Unfortunately it’s not the easiest process to do, but in the end it most likely will be worth it.
January 22-24 of Senior Year: Scholarship Weekend
-Semi-Finalist for merit-based scholarships will be invited to Covenant for final interviews.
February of Senior Year: Time to Start Choosing
-You should have received results from schools on acceptance and scholarships, time to start narrowing down. Start your pros and cons lists, compare schools to the priorities you have in a college…whatever you do to help you make decisions.
March 1 of Senior Year: Last Day for FAFSA applications
-do it now if you haven’t!
March of Senior Year: Time to Accept
-Accept the school that you have chosen.
April-July of Senior Year: Get Ready for College
-The hard work is finished! Now it’s time to just have fun. Start looking for things for your dorm, what classes you want to take your first semester, etc.
Disclaimer: Don’t freak out if you don’t do everything according to this schedule. This is to just help you know what the general trend is.
Published on Nov 16, 2008 at 5:03 pm.
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MAC Movie Night
Every year there is a night when the best of cinema is acknowledged. It is a night of laughter and tears. It is a night of glamor and poise. The ladies put on their designer dresses and the gentlemen pull out their tuxes. Whispers of who is going to get best actress or actor stir throughout the audience. Who will receive best editing or most impressive special effects? But most important who will win best picture? Most of the world knows this night as being the night of the Oscars, however here on the mountain we call this night MAC MOVIE NIGHT! Mac movie night is a dorm competition between halls to see who can make the best movie. Each hall videos, acts, and edits their own film. After they are all finished the entire school comes out for Mac movie night, many dress up to the 9’s. After the movies have been shown and the judges have handed in their results awards (PEZ containers) are given to the winning halls. Mac movie night is my favorite dorm competition! I can’t believe how good some of the videos are. I’m going to try and post one of them here, so hopefully it will work. This is the winning hall’s video. www.vimeo.com/2232900
Published on Nov 14, 2008 at 10:36 pm.
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Idols
Do you have idols in your life? These are the things that have replaced where God should be in your life. I once was told to think of all the things that would be dreadfully painful to lose and those are your idols. Christ longs for my attention though and finds ways to move my idols out of the way so that he can retain his rightful spot in my life. Oh how painful it can be in the process though; him stripping away those things that I love so dearly and hold so close to me. He takes away my worldly comfort and support so that I may realize that the only one to run to is him. He is the only one who will never leave or disappoint. He is the only one to can fill this longing I have inside of me. I can look forever for things to fill it but none of it will satisfy. Where are the idols in your life? Is it school, friends, a boyfriend/girlfriend, popularity, money, etc? Find your idols and allow God to replace them…let go of them! They will never satisfy!!
Published on Nov 12, 2008 at 11:51 pm.
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The Importance of Being Earnest
Last night I went with a group of friends to watch the Covenant production of “The Importance of Being Earnest”. It was hilarious! I am one who always enjoys a good play, but I think that this production would have converted even the most pessimistic play critic to optimism in the arts. I was impressed with the talent and ability: not only was it acted by students but the play director was a senior and the play was the product of her senior project. And I hope she gets an A because the whole audience left ranting and raving about how good it was. Although Covenant does not have a specific Theatre major, many students major in English with a concentration in theatre. I also have one friend who is highly interested in theatre and therefore has been taking classes down at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, which is a college about 15 minutes from the school, so that she can graduate with a theatre degree. Covenant has several plays during the school year and one large musical in the spring, which I have talked about in previous blogs. If you are interested in theatre you should definitely check out the link on Covenant’s website to help you understand more of what Covenant offers, http://www.covenant.edu/academics/undergrad/theatre.
Published on Nov 9, 2008 at 12:10 am.
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A Covenant Fall
Nothing quite compares when the leaves on the mountain begin to change, and boy have they. I walk from one class to another with bright yellow, red, and orange leaves dancing around my shoes. I often have to take one of the little leaves with me, just to savor the beauty. There are so many things to do when this time of year comes around. I thought I might share 10 of my favorite things to do at Covenant in the fall.
10 THINGS TO DO IN THE FALL
1. Go on a long walk
2. Have a picnic
3. Collect leaves
4. Break out the winter clothes
5. Begin preparing for the cold walks to classes
6. Make a paper chain counting down the days till Christmas
7. Prepare yourself for the papers, tests, etc that will soon be due
8. Drink your first mug of hot coco
9. Fall cleaning!…no spring cleaning is not the only specified time to get some deep cleaning done.
10. Have your first bon fire…I love bon fires with friends!
Published on Nov 8, 2008 at 12:25 am.
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Where Have I Been?
Where have I been? You know those times when life becomes so crazy that a month feels like only a blink of an eye. Days become more like moments and months more like hours. Perhaps not, but that is how this past semester has been. One thing after the next. Yes, I’m sure I have said this before…college is so much more then just studies. Recently, I have began to look at college as more of a broad category. When digging into the definition of college we find that underneath it is the word life. What is life? This is everything. Emotional trials, financial struggles, academic work, worries, excitements, accomplishments, distractions, the list goes on and on. When looking at a school it is important to think where you want your life to happen? Where do you want to be when you make a good grade in a class or when a friend passes away? Covenant College has been the home of my life for the past two and a half years. And when life becomes crazy, like it has been lately, it has been a place where I have found the essentials I need for this life of mine. It has provided support, encouragement, accountability, community, and much more. These are great things to look. When looking at potential colleges, ask yourself whether or not the school will provide you with the essentials that you need in your life.
Published on Nov 5, 2008 at 11:56 pm.
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Back In Touch Again
Alright ya’ll…I have a huge smile on my face right now as I write this. It’s good to be back writing. There is so much to say, and I want to tell all and I will soon enough. First of all lets start off with summer life. Summers are so crazy for me, I come home and get straight to work preparing financially for the next year. Right now I am working two different jobs and definitely staying on the move. During the day I am nannying the same family I did last year and nights and weekends I work at a daycare. So once again, kids are my life. It’s hard at times, perhaps frustrating even, and it’s always exhausting but when it comes down to it I love always being around kids. I have been asked so many times whether it’s worth it, whether it’s worth all this work and stress to go to Covenant and there’s not a doubt in my mind that for me it is. I know that not everyone will be able to say this, but I feel the same confidence about going to Covenant next year as I did my senior year in high school when I was deciding whether or not Covenant was the right school for me. It’s a confidence that forces faith. Which I am so glad for, because God knows how hard a time I have with trusting him. I look at life next year and have no idea how it’s going to work, how am I going to pay for it, how am I going to deal with another year away from family and friends, but God is pushing me-pushing me to the edge, and even off the edge at times- so I have to trust him. So I have a month and a half left, and I am seeing God provide for me every day. I hope I never forget that I am so blessed to be where I am. It’s so easy to forget, to get caught up with my crazy schedule, with whining kids, with hard to work with parents. How is God blessing you, through your seemingly frustrating situations. Anyways, there’s so much more to say and trust me they will come soon. Just wanted to touch base. See Ya’ll!
Published on Jul 5, 2008 at 7:15 pm.
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What a Weekend!
Oh my goodness guys yesterday couldn’t have gone better! God is so faithful! It was so much fun. Watching each of my sisters’ talk was so amazing! And oh my goodness it was so great getting to hear my mom. I think she is such a talented speaker and what she has to tell is so practical for girls today.
One of my favorite parts of the conference was the fashion show. Since Dillard’s was gracious enough to let us borrow cloths for the fashion show, the girls had a chance one day to go about the store and pick whatever they wanted for the fashion show. They had a blast! Watching the girls model such different cloths and watching each of their different personalities was so special.
It was so amazing when one parent came up to me after my talk to tell me that she had a daughter that has been going through exactly what I went though in high school. She asked if I would consider meeting with her daughter, which just made me so excited. I love the thought of getting take the stuff talked about at the conference to a deeper level.
I can only hope that God will provide another opportunity for our family to do this again. But until then it’s back to reality. I fly back up to school tomorrow and then finals are coming up this Friday.
Published on Apr 20, 2008 at 5:32 pm.
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My Live-In-Style Talk
Just wanted to share…please pray….
As a teenager, I worked very hard trying to make people believe that I was important… I wanted them to think they needed me. But if we are honest with ourselves, isn’t that what we do. Our interactions with friends are opportunities to try and be “the funniest person,” “the sweetest person,” “the most helpful person”, “the most beautiful person”. You see, my need to belong, be noticed, liked, appreciated, and accepted…yah, it was out of control. I thought that I had successfully fooled everyone into believing I was significant and that life could not go on without me…, and then I went to Africa. I chose to spend a semester of my junior year overseas and when I came back, my friends had moved on in life without me. They didn’t seem to need me anymore, which was a very scary place to be. I was determined to show them that I still belonged and that they did need me.
By the end of my junior year I had become very peer dependent. My attitudes had changed, my appearance had changed, and my desires had shifted…and it was not in a positive direction. My parents and I wrestled our way through my senior year. Now, I want you to understand, drinking, drugs, and sex weren’t my issue. No, my issue was that my choices began to compromise what I believed…what I stood for, and it was ruining my Christian witness. My battles were with materialism, selfishness, deceit, disobedience, apathy…but Oh my goodness, nothing compared with my biggest challenge… fashion and modesty. In order to belong, I felt I needed to look, be, and act like my peers. I was a mess! Can any of you relate?
I started to show up at school with pointed spike heels, tight blue jeans and tight tops that occasionally showed a hint of cleavage. I learned how to make a seemingly “modest” outfit look sexy. It wasn’t hard… you know the outfit is only half the math; it was all about how I carried the outfit… with an air of confidence, and a bit of attitude that communicated, ”I’m hot and I know it.” Oh trust me girls, I know right now you are probably saying, “What’s the big deal if it’s just a little bit of cleavage.” Or, “You really can’t help it today, that’s all they sell in the stores.”…No excuses! The problem wasn’t my fashion…it was my heart. In my heart I wasn’t dressing to honor Christ, I was dressing to entice. I knew it! Anyone can dress fashionably without compromising modesty…I simply chose not to.
Little did I know that my appearance was carrying me right into a world that was so not me, a group I wasn’t prepared for. My friends were all about their “looks! All about buying clothes…the latest and trendiest fashion! And… they were all about impressing guys! Guys took their cues as to how to treat me by the image I was promoting. They would flirt with me and call me “hot” or “sexy”. I hated it, and felt so lost trying to be someone that I wasn’t. I was finally getting the attention that I worked so hard to get, but it wasn’t the attention I wanted. I knew there was more to me, but the world didn’t care. They seemed to be happy with this. So, I became very materialistic, thinking that would fill the void I felt in my life.
You’ll laugh at this one…for those of you who know me, I have a shoe fetish. One day I went crazy. I went to Burlington Coat Factory and bought 6 pairs of shoes… They were on sale…I couldn’t pass them up! My bank account took a nosedive, and I had bounced checks coming in for a week. Ya, those shoes…they ended up costing me a mint. And then there was the parental drama. My mom was stunned. “You really don’t get it do you??? She said. They were desperately trying to figure out a way for me to afford college…and I was spending money on shoes…many pairs of shoes and other clothes as well. Lots of drama…lots of tears that year.
Well ladies, I am here to tell you that you have a powerful influence in the lives of young men you interact with. Men were created to physically desire our bodies. We, women, can use this power to either build them up or tear them down. They are very visual, physical beings and can easily be tempted to lust simply by a girl wearing immodest clothes or by her flirtatious behaviors. An attraction or a distraction? The choice is yours every day in the way you dress, move, touch, talk, and simply in the attitude you display.
And by the way…do you know that you can look “sexy” even when your body is covered up? My mom would call me out on my fashion…I still remember some of her comments, “you look sexy today dear…are you sure that is the look you want to promote?” Or “Look in the mirror and if you and God agree that the way you look will represent Him well, then I am OK with it.” It would make me so angry because for the most part my body was covered.
So lets make a list of things that might give us a “sexy look” and cause a guy to lust?
I think we would all agree that
Tattoos, Body Piercings, Cleavage showing, your mid drift showing, and short skirts and shorts can be very sexy. But lets list some other things that could give the appearance of looking sexy:
Spike heels
Tight clothes
Messy hair
Dramatic make-up
Dark nail polish
Tall boots
Perfume
Acrylic nails
Scented lip-gloss
Big earrings
Ankle Bracelets
Padded bras
My mom would say none of these things in and of themselves are wrong to wear. However you have to wear them carefully…maybe one or two at a time, so it doesn’t give the overall appearance of being sexy. Let me show you.
By summer I finally started to get it. I began to realize that life was so much bigger than my social life, the latest fashions, the sportiest cars, the coolest gadgets, or having popular friends. I realized I was more than a body for people to look at. I had so much more of me I wanted to share with people. But most of all I realized that my value did not rest in what my friends thought about me…I now understood that I was important to God and my family, and that is what really mattered and was enough for me.
But… those struggles, those tear, the restlessness I felt that year had a great purpose…I’m closer to my family now, my relationship with the Lord is stronger, I have stronger convictions, and a stronger desire to serve others. I have no idea where I would be today if it wasn’t for God in my life and the accountability we had established through our deep family relationships.
It took a year for me to begin to unfold my story. Two words describe my senior year… “Very Dark!” Mom asked me, “What was it that caused you to hang on and not completely abandon your faith, your family, or your church. I laughed and said, “This had nothing to do with my hanging on. God and my family, just wouldn’t let go of me…its not about what I did…it’s all about God’s redeeming grace.”
Published on Apr 19, 2008 at 5:23 pm.
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