traditions April 27, 2011
Posted by highofseventyfive in documenting life.Tags: intervarsity, senior night, traditions
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i am big on traditions. they mean a lot to me. i value them. we need to have the same food each year at the particular holidays. i have the same types of parties and get togethers each year. they are what keep my life in rhythm and balance, and they mark time. some years there are less people at the table, and you swallow some tears. and other years there are additions to the table and you rejoice at the company. and some years someone forgets the bread, or you use paper plates, or something catches on fire. but the sameness is comforting, its what i look forward to.
one tradition that i LOVE is senior night at large group. tonight we honored (most of) the 14 seniors. i actually didn’t cry but it was such an amazing blessing to hear each student say from their heart what they loved about InterVarsity and finding God and chasing after him with all of themselves. its beautiful to hear the struggles, the ups and downs, the “wisdom” in their four years, that has brought them to where they are now. and, fun little surprises, hearing things from their lives that i never knew all along. God is good, and my heart soars at transformation.
one surprise was that one kid was a senior, and i didn’t know it. ouch! that was embarrassing and i apologized like mad for that.
my job is SO fulfilling. i have the best job every made. these young, firey people who have led the fellowship by example to where it is now, left quite a legacy. these were the “founding fathers” of IV here at Rider, so special, so important. and they are students i will remember forever I hope. my job was to make sure that those students learned about their major, learned about their friends, and learned about the transforming truth of Jesus Christ; how He applies to everything in their lives and demands a response from them. and this is one of the nights where i can just reflect on the hard work, the hours of meetings, the planning, the not sleeping, and know its worth it, that it did something. i mean, most of these seniors hung out more with Eric anyway, but i still feel like i impacted them. no, i know i did. and God was glorified like crazy tonight.
and, as tradition of senior nights, we ended late 
the house, NSO September 4, 2010
Posted by highofseventyfive in documenting life.Tags: 1863 pennington, college, intervarsity, NSO, starbucks
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well, i think this was the first full (maybe second) week that everyone was in the house. I haven’t been getting much sleep.
You see, I have work at 5am every morning (except wednesdays and sundays). And so really, I need to get up at either 4am, or 4:30ish, depending on what I left un-done from the night before. And I should probably get a good night’s sleep since my job is an on-my-feet 8 hour shift of being attentive to all my customers at Starbucks and making drinks and being coherent to remember all those drink orders and which one had no foam and which one had 3 shots.
But, people have been swinging by my room and staying to chat and well I can’t hep but want to engage with them. I haven’t even attempted to go to sleep before 10pm yet. I know the noise in the house could keep me up but usually that doesn’t bother me.
I hope that now that the first week of school is done, my housemates will start getting homework and stuff, and not be around as much. I say that in the best way possible, because its hard for me NOT to stay up and talk. I think I stayed up to talk almost every night this week.
And by today I am literally so exhausted. I think i’ve also taken a nap after work the past few days as well, but that makes me feel unproductive and lazy when i have a wide open afternoon and i use it up sleeping. I need the sleep though.
Next week is NSO at Rider. I’m soooo excited to see all the returning students who I’ve invested my heart in this last year as a volunteer. I am pumped to meet the new freshmen and transfers. Who will God bring us as solid christians who want to be missional to the campus? Who will have musical talent and want to play worship? Who will come along who doesn’t quite know Jesus yet, that we might lead them to Him? Its this fantastical treasure hunt mad scramble the first two weeks of school. There are so many possibilities and exciting twists and turns as we follow God on the campus looking for where He wants to use us to love on people. To bring them to Him. To use them to change their campus, and to send them out into the world as those who long for healing and change, lasting impact.
On top of this NSO craziness (which any student in leadership in InterVarsity knows that NSO takes up your LIFE the first few weeks) I am working 40 hours a week at Starbucks still. I wasn’t able to hand in my availability changes until the funding came in and since it was so last minute, I have to tough it out a few weeks of working a full time schedule there as well. Which stinks. If you asked any of my donor partners or other staff, they would HATE that i have to spend more time in a starbucks than with students, doing what matters on the mission field i’ve been called to. But, Praise Be to God that it is not NECESSARY, only temporary. I don’t NEED to keep working 40 hours a week because I will be part time on campus getting paid part time. Sooooo exciting!!!!
I get to plan the freshmen retreat, (first time for Rider, ever! well, as far as I know) first time for THIS fellowship. I’m excited because the frosh retreats are always so influential. I’m hoping to use it as a time to really build the upperclassmen leaders to RUN the thing themselves. I’ll just delegate and give some standards. I have to plan a meeting for that i suppose.
If you’re reading this, take a second right now and pray for NSO. that i might have stamina. that i might be sustained by God’s strength, not my own, not by caffeine. That when I’m at starbucks, I’m not grumpy or resentful ALL the time. (maybe just on saturdays 
) For the freshmen coming in, that you would help us to find them, that God would be clearly calling and drawing them, us to them, and them to Him. (make sense?)
Pray that we will be SPIRITUAL ALARM CLOCKS for the campus. Awakening dead souls to the glory and love of God. Opening their eyes to the Kingdom, and inviting them to get out of bed and participate in all that God has for their lives.
Explicitly Dependent June 25, 2010
Posted by highofseventyfive in documenting life, theology.Tags: 2100 productions, ethiopian food, intervarsity, madison, ONS, rollerblading
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Day 5 of ONS
explicitly dependent.
what a great little phrase that packs a punch. as we studied the manuscript of Deuteronomy 8:1-18, parts of which say, “Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers…He humbled you…to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD…You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers.”
If I were to summarize the entire passage, my summary said:
Carefully follow the LORD’s leading. There are lots of good things that await you. You’ve been tested thus far, but when you get all the things you want–when you have felt satisfaction, remember that (then and now) it was the LORD who provided.
As InterVarsity staff we have the awesome of privilege of absolutely knowing that we are dependent on God for provision. Other careers receive a pay check, and its not that they aren’t depedent on God–let me explain. Because people have jobs and receive regular paychecks, it puts up a false idea that they are not trusting in faith for that money. Its set up and you signed a contract. But the thing is, its still all on faith, cause that job could be there one day and gone the next. Its hard for the average working person to see it as GOD’s provision and faith in HIM rather than in the paycheck, in the CEO. This might not be making any sense. All I’m really saying is, because we are raising support as staff, we are EXPLICITLY–very very obviously and specifically, dependent on God. When we’ve eaten and had our fill, we will most certainly remember and thank the LORD for the provision.
Explicitly Dependent. what a blessing!
we had yet another jam packed day with studying scripture, learning some best practices for branding and prayer letters, visited the National Service Center, where all the office-y types at IV work, and they were so welcoming! we toured all the different parts and met lots of amazing staff. I especially enjoyed hanging out in the 2100 office, seeing all the creatives! and it was so neat to meet some more of the people who worked on the video of me, and still remember me! They were pumped I’m coming on staff.
Came back and when skating on a sweet path at the Lake. It was kinda weird though because I had to go up/down elevators to get to it! oooo Madison.
then dinner with my small group at an East African place, had some pretty delicious lamb.
Part of me wants to get started on all the amazing things we’ve been learning, and start to put them into practice. But tomorrow is a sabbath day of rest, and then the second half of ONS continues!
June 22, 2010
Posted by highofseventyfive in documenting life.Tags: ear piercing, intervarsity, madison, ONS
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Today: New Staff Orientation Day 2- What did I do?
Well, we got a great vision talk from the big man, and then during free time i rollerbladed around and got my ear pierced! Its sweet but it hurts yo.
We shared our stories in our next session and it was fun to develop the stories of students who have seen transformation through fellowship on campus. Storytelling is such an art form, and I really want to get better at it.
Dinner was the same food I ate for lunch, and go figure, i NEVER get greek food, and twice in one day!
aaaannnd i just finished up playing taboo with some fun folks.
if you go to mcdonalds, just give them your… WALLET!
aaaaaaaiight time for bed peeps. see you in the a.m.
ONS: Day 1 June 21, 2010
Posted by highofseventyfive in documenting life.Tags: intervarsity, madison, ONS, rollerblading, summer
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Orientation for New Staff: today i flew into madison [and got there so early that I] went rollerblading around the capital to check things out, did some (computer) work at the starbucks, and met tons of new staff from all over the country! we ate dinner and did alot of intro stuff.
i can’t decide whether to wake up super early like i usually do and go skating (its sorta supposed to rain) or to sleep in a bit. maybe i’ll sleep in. yeah. i’m exhausted. i’ve met so many people already! its awesome. my E is having a blast. haha.
i want to get my ear pierced either tuesday or wednesday. i have to call and make an appt. i’ll have to see if anyone wants to go with me. its an 11 minute walk so i have to factor that in, unless i go by myself and then i can just skate there really fast.
a night in lancaster county April 10, 2010
Posted by highofseventyfive in documenting life.Tags: driving, intervarsity, lancaster, scenic route, sonic
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white knuckles. white stars. millions. hilly roads that look like they are just going to end, or disappear right in front of you. not being able to see because of how dark it is. roads that wind back and forth, left, right, up, down. pulling over to let the car in front get a “head start”. open road. free. ignoring the speed limits yet ridiculously alert. speed. brakes. fresh air. horse poop on the road. GPS signal fading in and out. Jesus. quiet. loud music. singing joyful noises to my savior. switchfoot. breathing deeply. contemplating a job as a professional race car driver. high beams. sunroof open. not sure whats next. absolutely sure I can handle it. thankful for good tires. thankful for a good car. thankful for an adventurously expectant life. LIFE. LOVE. GOD. Filled to the BRIM. hoping the doors aren’t locked. bed. rest. spirit has rested, now body needs to catch up. yes. door is open. yes laptop is here. yes explosions in the sky is playing. yes. Jesus yes, the answer will (hopefully) always be yes. I’m for you. I’m for this. I’m for real.
LIFE!
and a night in lancaster county. the end.
must be doin something right ;-) April 3, 2010
Posted by highofseventyfive in Uncategorized.Tags: intervarsity
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from a student’s time-waster quiz thingy:
21: Jenna G.
What is the best thing about 21?
How much she loves Jesus…she’s definitely inspirational
must be doin something right 
Lord let it be more true every day.
this week ROCKS. February 3, 2010
Posted by highofseventyfive in Uncategorized.Tags: extrovert, fund development, gospel, intervarsity, Jesus, meetings, talking'
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this week so far:
monday: 6a-2:30. got tip $. went to target with a coworker. Shared the gospel with her !!! met with potential donors. They said yes. Had an beyond awesome CORE meeting.
tuesday: 5a-1:30. took nap. Got free books in the mail. met with potential donors for dinner. They said yes. Learned cool things about them. Came home, watched American Idol.
wednesday: Met with a potential donor for lunch. She said yes. Found out cool things about her. Had SO MUCH FUN! Visited the Princeton Library folks in admin. Mentoring and large group tonight. some chores and errands until then.
This is SO MUCH FUN!
Been reading 1 Chronicles 28-29 alot. its so cool the way King David just lays the plan out there and just says, “who’s with me?” and all the people contributed willingly. They celebrated and gave from their hearts. And David encourages Solomon with such great words, saying,
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. 21 The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing man skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command.”
I am having such an amazingly fun time doing this. It is great to sit down and listen to people’s stories. Hearing their lives, what God has done. What an amazing blessing fund development is. I wouldn’t want it any other way. It seems hard and crazy, but I am getting so much out of this! I get to see the KINGDOM at work. I get to hear what is happening all around the country, all around hte world, and all around mercer county that i didn’t even know about. wow. and about crazy connections.
and this isn’t even working with students, (which is what i get REALLY jazzed about). haha. this is hilarious. i’m just so full of joy. oh yeah.
so now i’m blasting music and bopping around my house.
“fun” development January 26, 2010
Posted by highofseventyfive in documenting life.Tags: friends, fund development, intervarsity, phone calls, raising money
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totally counting a 47 minute phone conversation with a friend as fund development. more like FRIEND development! i love this raising money thing. it gives me excuses to catch up on everyone’s lives. Even if they can’t give for a few years.
I just might sit down and start reading the book I just got in the mail the other day, titled:
Revolution in Generosity: Transforming stewards to be rich towards God.
Quick! Get a paper towel, a sponge, anything! January 20, 2010
Posted by highofseventyfive in Uncategorized.Tags: christianity, evangelism, fund development, gospel, intervarsity, Jesus, prayer, rider university
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“Quick! Get a paper towel, a sponge, anything!”
The Empty Cup
There was a knock on my open dorm room door, a friday night, freshmen year at TCNJ. Jess and Chris came in with a spiritual survey. Soon they were telling me that Jesus came and died on a cross so people could go to heaven. With a dismissive wave I said, “sure, sure, I know that”. But did I know Him? The things they were saying challenged me. The more they talked, the more intrigued I was by this Jesus guy. That night I dedicated my life to getting to know this captivating God who loved me more than I had realized.
Filling
These two InterVarsity Christian Fellowship students brought me to a group that met weekly on campus, paired me with a mentor, and brought me to church. By the next Fall I was in two small groups studying the Bible. Chris led one about sharing faith, which I joined because they had already shared it with me– I wanted to know how to tell other people too! I attended leadership-training camps, and by junior year I was coordinating evangelism and community service events to reach out to my campus. Senior year found me casting vision as the president of the 220+ member group at The College of New Jersey. My eternity has been impacted by the work of faithful students and staff workers, and I have grown as a leader and a person of character through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
Built to Spill
Now, God has called me to be an InterVarsity Campus Staff Member. He is sending me out to invest in students to cultivate another witnessing community like the one that transformed me. You see, as if a glass could contain the sea, that’s the way God is in me. I’ve been filled to overflowing – my life will never be the same!
What_will_you_do? Invest in students. Guide and cultivate witnessing communities so that students can reach each another for Christ, genuinely & relevantly.
So_is_it_like__a job? Yep! In order to begin fulfilling the vision of InterVarsity on campus, I’ll need to raise a salary, kind of like a missionary.
Will_you_be_@TCNJ? I feel called to develop another witnessing community to become as dynamic and passionate as the one that transformed me.
Which_school_then? Rider University, a nearly 6,000 student, Divsion I, private school in Lawrenceville, NJ.
Whens_it_start? I am aiming to be full-time on campus by Fall 2010 (pending support).
How_can_I_help? Glad you asked! Let’s chat about how you can be a part of the vision to reach college students.
This Fall I started volunteering at Rider University. A place where thousands of young adults (tomorrow’s doctors, moms, and professors) are searching for identity, meaning and purpose. Plopped into a community where it’s their job is to be open to ideas and learn, it’s the time for them to figure out what they are supposed to do with the rest of their lives. I’ll invest in these students: Challenge them to pursue healthy relationships; to love people of every ethnicity and culture; train them in Christian principles of leadership to use on the campus, in their churches, communities and in the world. Most importantly, I’ll guide and cultivate witnessing communities so that students can reach one another for Christ, with genuine love and acute relevance.
InterVarsity’s vision, Students and Faculty Transformed, Campuses Renewed, and World Changers Developed, is essentially to give vision. To give students the chance to see the incomparably great power and love of God– for them. To watch God take that and give them the chance to make the campus a better place to live and learn. To give students a peek at the world through God’s eyes, and give them a clear picture of how they can create lasting change in their lifetime.
Sound exciting? (I sure think so). Would you consider partnering with me financially or in prayer as God spills out of me onto the campus? Click here to do just that! Give
Want to get my prayer letters and keep up with the work at Rider? Leave a comment!
