Finances and All That Jazz
Hey all,
I hope you are all enjoying the lovely weather! It is beautiful here at the campus and the semester is flying by as I start my countdown to graduation. Truth be told… I started the countdown weeks ago. As I am excited for Spring break and the chance to relax, I know I only have a short time left in the college career.
Lately I have been worrying a lot about finances and how I will pay off students loans. I am sure many of you face the pressure of finances, especially during the difficult economic times. But I have some uplifting news, God is in control! I know what you’re thinking, “man that is such a lame expression. Couldn’t she think of something better?!” But the truth is, God has been showing me a lot of things lately. Currently 90% of students that attend William Jessup University are in need of financial aid and scholarships. I was astonished when I heard the WJU gave out approximately 2 Million dollars in scholarships last year and all the efforts they are doing this year to help raise more funds for students! A group of students were asked to call our Alumni and conduct an “Phonathon” When I started calling recent Alumni, I was bracing myself for a hard night of rejection. Of course, there were quite a few no’s but there were also a lot of people who gave financially. I was blown away by one conversation I had with a woman who evaluated how much she could give. She thought to herself and let out a heavy sigh and said “All I can swing right now is ten dollars.” I thanked her up and down for her pledge and her careful consideration. It was remarkable to me that so many people who are struggling financially still trust God and still see the need that other people are facing.
After work, I went for quick run to have some quiet time with God. My personal finances were on my mind, I was tired, overwhelmed, and in desperate need of some rejuvenating God time. When I was listening to my iPod, the song Hands and Feet by Audio Adrenaline came on. (old school, I know) I felt the Lord saying that I could be His hands and feet no matter my personal financial situation. He desires me to serve Him sacrificially. No matter how I feel, what I have or don’t have, and not dependent on my current situation. My God is my redeemer and rock. He will support me and carry me. He will support you and carry you! Follow Him in His will and everything will work out for His glory. If you are like me and get caught up in the financial rush… Let it go. If God is calling you here, He will make a way! I pray that no matter what school you choose to go to, that the Lord will bless you abundantly! Until next time, friends!
-Becky
Uncategorized | Comment (0)The Lighter Side Of Life
The beginning of this semester has been a world-wind of wonderful events. I have always known my academic career would fly by, but every semester goes faster and faster! Here is a picture of my roommate and I on our last-first day of school.
The semester began with a kick off of “WOW” (week of welcome). The whole week was packed with fun events such as 80’s bowling, open mic night, and broomball! As the first week came a close, I began to focus on the next week and setting my tone for the semester. For those of you who don’t know me, I am very academic oriented. I spend most of my weekends and free time studying and trying to get every bit of knowledge from my classes as possible. I am paying for my education, so I mine as well get the most out of it right?! Well, that has been my motto for my underg
raduate degree until recently. Not to say that I have dropped it all together, because I totally see the value of education. Let’s just say I am learning to see the lighter ,brighter side of WJU and its community. 
My first adventure of the semester enjoying the college atmosphere was playing a joke on my roommate. I got a little distracted from my homework by post it notes. Yes, post it notes. So I decided to put them all over her desk. This is is a follow up prank from last year… My roommate and I love to watch the “Office”, so in honor of our love for the show, Karen and I moved her desk into the bathroom. So this year, I put post it notes all over her desk! Which I thought was from the office, but there is still some debate…
The next exciting step of the semester was Valentine’s Day! I am sure that you hear about the community of WJU time and time again, but it was this day that I was reminded how truly loved I am here. I was spoiled by two of my closest friends 
with the beautiful mug that I wanted for weeks. I received three long stem roses from 3 different individuals and I spent the evening at the Spaghetti with my dearest friends and left the waiter a fun tip. The picture below is what we left our waiter (plus an additional tip).
The last event I will tell you about is formally formal. This event was put on my the Rispoli Hall staff and it was a great time to put on your old formal dresses, play games, dance to some old school music, and just enjoying being with friends. The whole hall played picture telephone and there were many great laughs over the interpretation of phrases and pictures.
That is all for now! I will be writing on a more consistent basis, I promis
e. I hope you enjoyed reading, if you have any questions about WJU, post a comment or come and visit us! We would love to show the love of Jesus through community. Until next, keep on the lighter side of life!
-Becky
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Gearin Up For Next Semester
Well hello there!
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Years! I have spent the break relaxing at my grandma’s cabin, snowmobiling, and celebrating my dad’s 50th birthday. But I know Christmas break will soon come to a close and it will be time to hit the books once again. To tell you the truth… I am really excited to go back to school!
As the break has been filled with friends and laughter, it has also been a great time to reflect on my past two and half years at Jessup. I remember when I was searching through tons of mailers from universities and colleges throughout the west coast, trying to figure out where God was calling me to attend school. Upon visiting William Jessup University I felt God calling me to come to Jessup, but this decision was not without hesitation. I was constantly worried about financing my education and all the other fears that plague one’s mind as they are selecting a school. ( I am sure many of you have felt or will feel all of these emotions.) The reason I am writing this to you is not to scare you, but to ensure you that when you follow the will of God… life is beautiful!
I know that transitioning from home life to school can be challenging, but I am here to tell you that it has great benefits. J As I moved to school, I was challenged in my academics and my spiritual walk with God. Throughout the years professors and chapel services have uplifted my walk with Christ and strengthened my personal growth. I remember one class period when Jim Crain ( Professor) asked me a question. When I replied to his question; he said, “Yes, Rebecca that is the perfect Sunday school answer, but what do you truly believe?“ Ever since that class period I have realized the importance of not just knowing the answer to a question, but actually study and knowing what one truly believes. It is classes like this that have taught me to know what I believe and helped me make the faith my own. (not just what I have been fed since “kid‘s church.”)
So as I gear up for my final semester at Jessup, I know I will be anxious for the transition of graduating. But I can trust that what I have learned from my classes will penetrate my life and be evident in my walk with Christ. All this to say, I encourage to you take a step of faith and follow in obedience to the call that God has placed on your heart. For one can never see the true beauty of life that God has created for each individual unless they are walking with Him in obedience.
Until next time,
-Becky
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Finals!
It is beginning to look a lot like finals around the William Jessup campus. There is coffee brewing in just about every wing as late night study parties are held for all different classes. There is an enormous amount of excitement for the holidays, mixed with the stress of trying to wrap up the end of the fall semester.
Finals week is a great time to hang out with your friends in the commons or go to random coffee shops to enjoy a little time off campus. (It seems as though I am always running into someone who found the latest and greatess tasting coffee.) It is a bittersweet time as I conclude one of my last semesters here are Jessup, but also exciting to see what God has in store for the future.
Even though this week has been filled with the stress of studying, it has also been balanced with the celebration of friends and laughter. One of my favorite parts of finals week is “Midnight Breakfast” . This is an event where all of the resident directors bake lots of treats for all of the students to take a study break in the midst of studying for finals. This year midnight breakfast was on monday night and the resident directors baked monkey bread, eggs, sausage, breakfast burrito’s, and various types of panackes for all of the on-campus students to enjoy!
Let me tell you, after taking three finals in one day, I was beat and it was so nice to have some “homecooked” food and a chance to see how everyone else’s week was going. My friends and I decided to go a couple minutes early to be the first in line, but it was no good. The line had already started to wrap around the pool tables in the student union… I had never seen the line so long before! But eventually the food was delivered and laughter began to fill the room as we ate to our hearts delight.
Overall, the week has been an amazing time for growth; mentally and spiritually. Although it will be sad to say good bye to my friends for the month of December, I know we will all be much more energetic after a month of rest. (Praise the Lord) That is all I have for now. Thanks for reading, I hope you have a Christmas season that is filled with many blessing!
-Becky
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