April 26th, 2010 by Catie Prinzing
BBC participates in two “Appreciation Days” throughout the year: Community Appreciation and Campus Appreciation. Thursday, I had the privilege of being thankful for my campus. Half the student body got to serve on a day-long mission trip to one of the big cities in our area (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and NYC). But the other half got to stay on campus and do some landscaping. Landscaping here means weeding and mulching – and I never had so much fun doing it.
I was in charge of Mulch Export (loading the wheelbarrows) for the majority of the day. It was cool to use pitchforks, but my hands were hurting, my arms were sore, and my face was kind of dirty. However, as I looked around at the students from every class and dormitory, I saw a body of friends working together out of thankfulness for something God gave to them. Several were singing, most were talking and laughing, but we were all working for a good purpose. It’s true that BBC has a beautiful campus, you should visit if you haven’t yet had the chance. Feel free to check out this link to schedule a campus visit: www.bbc.edu/visit.
Sometimes I forget to acknowledge how lucky I am to actually live here. The administration gives me a day off from classes just so I can say “thanks” to the campus where I live and learn and grow. So thanks, BBC. I hope you like the mulch.
Tags: Appreciation, Big Cities, Campus, Classes, Community, Dormitory, Fun, Growth, Landscaping, Laughing, Missions, Mulching, Pitchforks, Singing, Talking, Thankfulness, Weeding, Wheelbarrows
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April 21st, 2010 by Catie Prinzing
Summer is fast approaching. What are the possibilities besides endless? I hope to visit a beach, take a hiking trip, and hit up Blockbuster every weekend with my friends (right before we raid the Taco Bell). It’s easy for me to want to take a break over the summer; to let my mind rest from the stress of daily classes and such. Aren’t we all this way? We feel as though we deserve a little time to ourselves. Usually this also translates into relaxed expectations for my devotional life. Without the structure of a daily routine, Bible reading and prayer gets pushed aside and fit in “whenever.” Is this the kind of approach I should be taking? Not really.
This summer it’s my goal to use the abundant free time (apart from the stereotypical yet necessary “summer job”) and the beautiful weather to walk closer with God. I have the benefit of learning vast amounts about Him and His Word at BBC, and what better time is there to process that information and apply it? Since BBC is preparing me for ministry, why not employ my new-found skills by getting involved in a summer kids’ program or young girls’ Bible study? After taking my theology classes, I can go to my pastors and Sunday school teachers with question I have about what I have been learning. Summer is God’s gift to college students, but that doesn’t mean our spiritual lives have to take the back seat, that’s reserved for a guitar and a long-board anyway…
Tags: Beach, Bible, Bible Study, Blockbuster, Breaks, Classes, Devotions, Free Time, Guitar, Hiking, Kids, Longboard, Ministry, Possiblities, Routine, Summer, Summer Job, Taco Bell, Theology
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April 20th, 2010 by Catie Prinzing
I have done some crazy things with my friends here. Food runs after curfew are a blast and so is man-sized Jenga in the wrestling loft. There’s so much for me to tell about my experience. Mine. But I forget that not everyone just wants to hear about me.
Recently, we’ve had a couple of chapels that have pointedly exposed my fallacy. We have what’s called Praise Chapel where students are encouraged to share what the Lord has been doing in their lives. And Student Leadership Chapel this morning was similar and equally encouraging. People stood up an talked about sharing their faith with strangers and proof of God’s providence in ways that got me excited! I fail to realize that God loves them and takes care of them just like He does for me.
I have been working on looking for God’s hand in my life, and I have definitely been able to see Him move in huge ways lately. But when I can sit in chapel and hear how He can do the same in others’ lives as well, I’m blown away.
So, it’s not just about my situation anymore. How has God been at work in you?
Tags: Chapel, Crazy, Exciting, Food, Friends, God, Jenga, Me, Philippians, Providence, Selfish, Strangers, Witnessing
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April 14th, 2010 by Catie Prinzing
7:53 AM, and hitting the snooze had not been a dream. Dr. Lackey’s New Testament class waits for no man, so I try to appear presentable in seven minutes or less – it will be a new record for me. Since showers are definitely postponable: brush teeth, make ponytail, grab books, and fly down the dorm steps. The clock peals its eighth toll as I slip into my seat in the back of the packed classroom. Exam day. And I am less than prepared. Could a day begin more poorly?
Early classes, among a myriad of other responsibilities, can be grueling to the schedule of the modern college student, and sometimes I feel like I just can’t handle it all. It’s true that college life (and life in general) has its share of hardships, but God has a way of balancing them with other blessings.
I started looking for these blessings, and I was astounded by what I discovered. Like that anonymous $1,000 donation to my school bill, that friend that has been a huge encouragement, or that class that is teaching me something about God I cannot ignore. See, I can handle my routine, no matter how severe, because I have strength from the Lord. Obviously He is working, and I’m just not paying attention.
I could focus on how hard life can be for me, but then I remember: I have peace with God, and that is what matters most. Psalm 29:11.
Tags: Blessings, Donation, Exams, Friend, Hardships, Morning, Peace, Ponytail, Strength, trials
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April 14th, 2010 by Karissa Craft
Making crafts is an easy thing, but even in foreign countries?
Yes, crafts are easy, even in a foreign country. I have had the privilege of being on four missions trips throughout my high school years. One thing I noticed was the fact that making a craft was the easiest way to connect to children and adults in Haiti and Mexico. Crafts opened doors that could not have been opened through the language barrier we experienced.
One of the most effective ways to share the salvation message was through making salvation braclets. Salvation braclets consist of colored beads and can be made to fit infants, children, teenagers, and adults. Along with their adjustability to different sizes, they also explained the message we longed to get across. Each color has a specific meaning: purple- grace, black- sin, blue- water baptism, red- blood of Christ, clear- forgiveness, green- eternal life, and gold- Heaven’s streets. As we instructed them on the order of the colors, we also shared the Gospel message to them.
We also use those braclets here in the states. When people ask me where I got my braclet, I tell them I made it. Then I go right into the meanings of the colors and why I wear it.
Don’t think this can only be done in foreign countries, because your backyard needs to be reached too!
Tags: Adults, Arts, Beads, Children, Christ, Crafts, Experiences, Foreign Countries, Gospel, Haiti, Language Barrier, Mexico, Missions Trips, Salvation, Salvation Braclets
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April 13th, 2010 by Karissa Craft
As I sit back and reflect on my freshman year, I realize two things. Class and dorm life is a lot of fun, and the people here are extremely friendly and personal too.
I thought classes would be easy; its my freshman year. How hard could they be? Well, they weren’t hard, but it was challenging to stay organized. I thought I was organized in high school when I had at least 7 classes. Now I have five.
I’m not going to lie, its hard to stay organized with all the work you need for the week. I found it easier when I got a planner where I could write everything down. Then after I was done with classes I could sit down and go down the list of assignments and cross them off as I completed them.
Dorm life, I would have to say is one of the most interesting things about staying at college. There will be those quiet afternoons and evenings but at night the dorm comes alive (at least in my dorm). During the day the dorm is quiet and peaceful (perfect time to get all your work done), then after curfew when everyone is in the dorm….we start to have some fun. Okay, it doesn’t always happen that way. I enjoy playing Phase 10 and Dutch Blitz during the afternoons with some of the girls and a few guys. During the spring-like weather we have been having, we enjoy sitting outside doing homework together with some socializing.
I cannot express how many caring and friendly people we have on this campus. The teachers not only teach you the information you need to learn, but they take time to get to know you and to make sure you understand the material being taught. The students as a whole are like a family in some ways. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t get a hello passing by a student, whether we’re friends or not. Along with being friendly, the students are very accepting. Coming from a public school this really impressed me. Instead of ignoring what you are saying, they sit down and talk to you and direct you in a godly way. This also goes for the faculty on campus.
This year has been an amazing life-changing experience. When you’re unsure about visiting a college, just remember dorm life is where the fun is!
Tags: Classes, Dorm Life, Dutch Blitz, Freshman year, Organization, People, Phase 10, Reflections, Socilization, Students, Teachers
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April 12th, 2010 by Catie Prinzing
Yesterday it hit me that I was halfway done with my college career. The truth is: I don’t want it to be over. Living in a dorm full of girls that truly care about me, attending class and chapel where the truth is spoken in love, interacting with professors who know their stuff and want to share it with me … I couldn’t dream up a more perfect environment.
Sure it comes with its share of difficulties. Who wants a 6:30 shower slot after late nights writing term papers on books you barely skimmed? But it comes with the territory. I like to think that it’s all a part of the memorable experience, and it definitely builds character. Somehow I managed to cram a shocking amount of memories into my four semesters here. Prayer nights after curfew, intramural victories, dorm bonfires, and my share of campus socials are what make the college experience exceptional.
And I don’t want to leave!
Selfishly, I want to stay here as long as possible and just be fed the truth of God’s Word and fellowship with others who love Him. Actually starting the ministry I came to prepare for? Now that’s seems scary.
My thoughts shift back to high school. I felt almost the exact same way. I didn’t want to leave my friends and familiar surroundings, yet God provided and proved that His plan was better than mine. How many times do I hear that message, and fail to remember when life gets scary? His plan is better than mine.
I don’t know how God wants me to serve Him when I leave here, but I can be assured that wherever He puts me, it’s going to be fantastic. So, bring on those last two years of school… I can’t wait to see what I get to do next.
Tags: bonfires, College Life, dorm, intramural sports, Ministry, term papers, Trust
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