Officially a Graduate Student!

Well, last week I went through training for my assistantship, and orientation for Graduate Students. Then I helped move in the freshman (I was a "receiver" - who helped check people in and answered questions). Monday I started classes. This afternoon/evening (4-7pm) will be my second class. Each of my classes are 3-hour seminar-style classes. Yesterday's class was very good. I liked it, even though I still feel a little nervous about doing well. Hopefully thats healthy humility and not sinful fear! The professor, Dr. Robert C. Cloud, was invigorating in his passion for students - especially those in the public school system (elementary and secondary) and community colleges (where the majority of college students study). I would't doubt that many students have went on to serve God tirelessly at community colleges and the like because of Dr. Cloud's influence. And this is my impression after only one day - what will the whole semester hold? Tonight's class is with Dr. Frank Shushok, who I knew as the Director of Greek Life when I was at Northern Arizona. It really is a small world. I didn't know then that he was a Christian. I barely was myself. I am excited to be in his class, despite what I believe will be rigorous requirements and expectations. He is a passionate man for Jesus (what I've seen so far at least evidences that) and loves people. But he is also passionate about excellence in the field of student services, and his talk to that effect last week at orientation helped me to prepare for this new season of my life. I understood the correlation between being excellent in my profession - about being an expert - and how that brings glory to God. It was exciting and motivating. Its good to post about it, since I'm sure in a few weeks I will be on the brink of weariness and need to be reminded about why I want to succeed in this program. Ultimately, even though its crazy to me that I'm back in college full-time, that I have a part-time job and get paid to hang out with college students essentially, and even though I'm overwhelmed a bit at the idea of the quantity of work ahead of me, and the brain power it will take.... I AM SO BLESSED TO BE HERE. Few students in America go on to University study (only about 1%) and even fewer to graduate study. I understand I am blessed and with that there is responsibility to those who don't have this opportunity to succeed. And that while I take that responsibility seriously, my professors are also taking seriously my success and are committed to it. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds. Its like watching a movie, to me, I have no idea what the ending will be, but the beginning is intriguing... :)

p.s I'm getting through the biography of George Muller: "George Muller of Bristol" by A.T. Pierson. It is INCREDIBLE. Get this book. Read it and be transformed in how you think of God, how you understand prayer and how you act in response to His prompting. OUTSTANDING book and life. Thank you, Lord for your work in Mr. Muller's life, that we can be changed by it even 100 years later!! here is a link to some excerpts from the book.