This past year has been an incredible one, and I am quite grateful for all the opportunities I have been given. I started off my year by joining Rebecca and Jacob for the Friends’ Summit Conference in San Diego, California, over winter break. It was a wonderful opportunity to become more involved with the Evangelical Friends church, and to make new friends. I then finished out my sophomore year at SUNY Dutchess, and graduated with an Associate’s degree in the liberal arts. The summer was well spent, working locally, managing and caretaking farm estates. I was blessed to be able to find the time to travel to Kansas to visit Adam, Sarah, and Rebecca, as well as to participate and counsel at a Friends’ camp. In addition, I was able to make the journey to Oxford, England, to attend the Zacharias Trust Oxford Summer School at Queen’s College. This was certainly a highlight of the year, and I was able to glean much from the lecturers and was greatly affirmed and encouraged by the attendees and speakers I conversed with. What free time I had during the summer season was spent quite enjoyably in the company of good friends hiking, swimming, visiting our favorite pizza and ice cream shops, and watching movies.
As August and the summer came to a close, I packed up and flew out to Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, to continue the pursuit of my bachelor’s degree. I decided to do a dual major in History & Political Science and Christian Spiritual Formation, and a minor in economics. Friends University has offered a phenomenal educational experience, and I am greatly enjoying the rich community of students and faculty. In conclusion, I wish to remind us all of the promise that God gave to us through the prophet Micah; “’But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.’ He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be our peace...” As I look forward to returning home shortly to join the family for my favorite time of the year, I am deeply thankful for the fulfillment of this promise, the embodiment of the logos, Jesus Christ, and I take heart in the abiding peace that His presence brings.
Posts
