Hello again! This is such an exciting time of the year. Flowers are beginning to bloom, the weather is warming up, and outside activities are booming. I love walking outside and seeing a group of Grace student’s gallivanting all over Rieger field playing a crazy game of ultimate Frisbee. We all were quite excited for spring break in the beginning of the month, and for those of us in music, it’s been quite a whirlwind. The band members had an amazing trip to Chicago over spring break, and the choir was privileged to travel to South Dakota right after spring break. I personally traveled with the choir, and the tour was wonderful! It was quite busy as we had 9 tours in 4 days, but definitely worth it. The focus of the tour was prayer, and the theme evidenced itself not only in song and in concert but in people. Several instances occurred where certain members of our team were hit by various struggles and were immediately surrounded with heartfelt prayers to Christ.
This theme has been one that our campus has tried to adopt, and therefore been very influential in my life this year. As the school year comes to an end, I keep thinking about the changes that have occurred on our campus because of prayer. I have been so humbled as I’ve heard the prayers of passionate men and women of God willing to take a stand for Christ. Prayer walks have been conducted throughout campus and the community as we have been learning to devote our hopes, dreams, praises and struggles to God.
Taking this to a more personal level, in the last two weeks I have faced a roller coaster of emotions. A few days before everything began I heard someone challenge us to have the audacity to pray a ‘sun stand still prayer.’ I thought this was so beautiful- I had to ask myself why I don’t have the audacity to pray prayers that are so much bigger than myself. Honestly, because it’s terrifying. A few days later everything changed. Last week my cousins wife, a healthy 42 year old woman went in for a routine kidney stone procedure and just stopped breathing. By the time the hospital realized what had happened, it was too late. I prayed with more fervor than I have ever prayed before, hoping and pleading that miraculously she would be healed. She had no brain activity, and there was nothing the doctors could do. I would love to say that a miracle occurred and she survived, but she didn’t. However, by nothing short of a miracle her heart began beating again and 40-60 people will be impacted by the organs that she was able to provide. In life she impacted so many, and even in death she will do the same.
Sometimes I don’t understand why things happen. I don’t understand why my cousin’s wife died. However, God is the master of miracles, and is still performing those miracles today. I am fully confident that I can trust in Him, and in His abilities to take terrible situations and use them for His glory. I am continually reminded how desperately I need Him.
In Christ,
Abbie

It’s time to get back to some blogging; I have not been here in a good long while. Seems like I have been pretty busy ever since I got from Christmas. Here are some of the things that have happened:

Basketball – almost every weekend we had a game either home or away. After Christmas I think we lost six games. The last two of those losses were at the National Tournament which was hosted in Springfield, Missouri. For us to make it to the National Tournament the year after a (6-20) season was something great. I was blessed to be a part of a team that cared about playing and playing hard. We had several great athletes and great basketball players that we could never be satisfied because our vast potential. We also had three great coaches; they are young guys and have a lot to learn about the game from their new perspective (they are all former players), but they came in with a vision and made a way for us all to get on board.

Choir tour- being at a small school has given me the opportunity to be involved in sports and in music. Our choir tour was a successful one. We had nine concerts (plus one impromptu concert at Mt. Rushmore) in Iowa and throughout South Dakota. Over the five day trip we got to know one another a lot better, because we were all on the same tour bus, and we also got the music down pretty good. I was pleased to be able to sing under such an accomplished director, but to be a part of that group was something special and I’ll remember those good times for years to come.

Dr. Lundgren’s class- As soon as I got back from Spring Break I had several assignments that I had to do for Dr. Lundgren. She is a great teacher and a professor in the Education department. Her students know where she stands and respect what she has to say. I had to put together a string of late nights to get these assignments done because of my schedule, but they got done and then I left for South Dakota on Choir Tour.

South Dakota- speaking of this state, I got to see it from east to west and back again through the tour bus window and I liked what I saw. Similar to my home state of Kansas, I think I could live in the land of the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore. I will consider applying there for teacher jobs when I leave here.

Dr. Eckman and Ethics- I took Dr. Eckman’s class on Ethics this semester and it has been one of my favorite. A very Godly man, Dr. Eckman is very wise and accomplished intellectually to the point that I just enjoy sitting and listening to him present information. The class is more than lecture though and he takes time out of class to challenge individuals with questions which I believe helps us to make the material our own. One day we will be on our own maybe with a family and we will have to make ethical decisions on what we know and believe, Dr. Eckman leads us to look in God’s word for our answers. Anyway the reason I put this in the blog is that we recently turned in a research project for Dr. Eckman. I wrote an argument supporting Christians getting involved in politics. I had a few late nights putting this together with a few late nights involved so we’ll see how it comes out.

Those are the things that have kept me busy of late. I’ll catch you on the flip-flop.

-Mark

I came to Grace as a nearly 19 year old freshman in August of 1998. Although I had known about Grace for years and had family and friends who had attended, I had never once been to campus. What a step of faith! As I remember that first day, much of what I experienced is a blur – and not just because it’s been so long. So much happens when you first arrive as a new student that it’s very hard to absorb it all! But, I do remember that even though I was nervous, I felt at peace with my decision.

The next four years flew by – although at the time, I felt as though I’d never see the finish line.  There were good days and bad days but they all blended together to create a catalyst for growth – both personal and spiritual. Four years and two changes of major later, I made it to graduation! I walked across the stage, shook Dr. Eckman’s hand, and went back to my seat as a college graduate. Coming to Grace was one of the best decisions I’ve made to date and I’m very thankful for the way God has shaped and molded my life as a result.

I was blessed to have a full time job in the Admissions Office before graduation so I continued that work once my studies were done.  Now, as a full time staff member, I look back on the last 13 years and am amazed not only at God’s provision for me but His provision for Grace as a campus.  I’ve enjoyed seeing a new gym built, a renovated chapel and library, updated parking lots and classrooms and many more changes to the physical look of Grace’s campus.  The faculty and staff has changed – we’ve said goodbye to some dear coworkers and welcomed new ones who have become just as dear.  The student body is constantly changing with each new semester and now, with Dr. Eckman’s retirement as President growing closer each month, we are preparing for yet another change.

Through all the changes, though, God has remained constant.  I have seen Him provide for us in miraculous ways these past 13 years.  I also know God has used my Grace experience to shape me into the woman I am today.  I have learned so much from my classmates, coworkers and countless others who have been a part of the Grace family.  That step of faith I took 13 years ago was exactly what I needed - and God took it from there.  I’m not a finished work yet and I look forward to many more years of watching God prove Himself faithful – at Grace AND in my own life.

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’  ~Jeremiah 29:11 NAS 

-Angie, EXCEL Advisor

November 29, 2011
I enjoy choosing to write in the busiest moments that we can possibly face!  Currently everyone is in a flurry of activity attempting to finish the year strong. The end of the year brings a sort of hectic race. It comes down to the survival of the fittest. Those that need the least amount of sleep and relatively no form of normalcy may survive. Ok, so this may be a ‘bit’ overdramatic. Especially considering that much of my personal chaos arises from my own ‘slightly’ irresponsible procrastination..

You see, one of the greatest aspects of college is having a group of solid friends constantly around. We can encourage and strengthen each other through all of life’s difficulties. However, these friends can also provide a pretty tempting distraction. While I should have been writing yet another paper yesterday, I was instead sitting in the middle of my room at 12:00 am eating chocolate fudge ice-cream and listening to emotionally luring country music with my roomie…probably not my greatest strategy for time management! However, I will never forget that moment.

Earlier this week, my friends and I practiced a game of ‘hide and seek’ intermingled with some pretty spectacular ‘James Bond’ skills. This entailed peeping out our doors looking for onlookers, and racing through the halls in our strange pajamas, sincerely hoping that no one would notice our strange antics-another moment that I will take with me forever. As the craziness threatens to consume me, I have to remind myself to cherish this moment. I won’t be in college forever, and my impressive ‘Bond’ moves may come to an end at some point..though, this I highly doubt! I’m excited to face the chaos with a renewed attitude of thankfulness, for I truly do have so much to be thankful for!

Have a wonderful day cherishing where God has placed you now!
In Christ,
Abbie

It’s 10:20 here at Grace on a Thursday morning. I’m getting ready to head down from my dorm to the Chapel. Today Dr. Eckman is going to speak; he’ll continue his series on the Christian Walk as Spiritual Warfare. It is definitely a treat to listen to him.

I just finished an assignment for my History of Math class, and I had to write about how God is involved in the field of mathematics. I wrote my thoughts on the idea; basically He created math and to credit humans for discovery and development of the topic is wrong. It is easy however in math to attribute the glory to “self” because, to the world, it appears that a human is behind everything.

I saw the same idea in the book I just finished reading, Through Gates of Splendor. Five missionaries to the Wauoroni Indians in Ecuador were martyred on the beach of a river in the Amazon jungle. The widows of the five men reacted completely counter to the world’s expectation. They never once thought of exacting revenge on the indians, but rather moved to completely forgive them, and now that tribe has received the Gospel and many indians arefollowers of Jesus Christ. The widows could have attributed their reaction to their high level of spirituality, but instead they recognized that all they could depend on was God.

Our God laid the foundations of the world. He set the boundaries for the seas and he appointed the paths of the stars. We have a unique opportunity to be in relationship with Him and yet we often overlook His involvement in our lives. If you are reading this post, stop and consider your relationship with God right now. What is He doing in your life and how can you express an even greater dependence on Him?

-Mark

Things are going pretty good up here in the Big O. I’ll just give you an update of the things that have been keeping me busy.

Basketball has taken a good chunk of my time. We practice hard under Coach Williams; his theme and favorite saying is, “Get Better,” and he does everything he can to provide us with practices that challenge us to do just that. We are 1-4 right now, but I feel that we’re about to hit our stride. This team is athletic and full of talent. When we win, it won’t be luck or chance, it will be because we outworked and outplayed our opponents.

My classes are still going strong even though the end is in sight. The Ed Psych Professor reminded us this morning to finish strong. I know that he plans on teaching to the end of the semester and he expects his students to commit to learning to the end of the semester. I like that attitude, I would feel that I was wasting my money if the professors took the last few weeks off.

Lately I have been working to read a chapter at a time of Elisabeth Elliot’s book, Through Gates of Splendor; a biography of her husband Jim Elliot and the missionaries that he worked with. If you don’t know, Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, and Pete Flemming all gave their lives in the Amazon Jungle in 1955 bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Auca, or Wauorani, people. The book is challenging through the attitude and sacrifice of these men in missionary work, but also in their individual relationships with their Savior.

I am ready to head home for Thanksgiving and see my family. I have missed them, but I know that I have been growing daily in my walk with the Lord here which makes the separation worthwhile. They also are seeking the Lord and it is a blessing to be able to communicate with them through letters and phone calls to hear what God is doing in their lives.

Catch you on the flip-flop,

Mark

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Now, there’s something you need to know about Bucky’s. It’s close to Grace, and it’s wonderful. They always have some sort of crazy sale on their drinks, which is practically essential during finals! So, we drove down to buy our regular 49 cent sodas. I believe that we may be some of Bucky’s best customers, we recognize their regular worker’s and they recognize us. There is always this young woman that has one of the biggest smiles that I have ever seen. Regardless of what she is doing, she is appears happy to be doing it.

As my roommate and I drove away we watched her wipe down the doors and smile as if she was walking down the red carpet. As we took this is in, my roommate simply said, ‘if she can be that happy washing down a door, then I can have a better attitude about writing a paper!’ Sometimes I get so caught up in all of the daily difficulties of life that I forget about the numerous blessings that I receive every day. I have had several short nights this week, and many times I have woken up with little thought of thankfulness. This is ridiculous. I wake up every morning in a college dorm room. I am in a warm room, I have a fabulous roommate, and I am studying courses that I love from godly teachers. I could write pages and pages of blessings that I have been given that I do not deserve. Therefore, now when I wake up, before my feet even touch the ground, I have been trying to stop and simply thank God for the day He has given me. I thank Him to be alive and pray that He will give me a joy and use me to encourage others.

It’s been a good week. Praise the Lord!
Have a blessed day,
-Abbie

Bellevue East: Oct. 13th, 9:54am
Benson: Oct. 14th, 10am
Gross Catholic: Oct. 17th, 9:15am
Ralston High: Oct. 21st, 9:30am
Marian: Oct. 24th, 11:28am-12:43pm
Millard North: Oct. 25th, 10am
Westside: Oct. 26th, 10am
Elkhorn South: Oct. 27th, 9:15am
Mercy: Oct. 31st, 10am
Concordia: Nov. 3rd, 11:30am-1pm
Millard South: Nov. 4th, 9:15am
Central High: Nov. 15th, 9:40am
South High: Nov. 16th, 10:25am
North High: Nov. 17th, 10am
Papio South: Nov. 21st, 10am
Omaha Christian Academy: Nov. 22nd, 12:28-12:54pm
Roncalli: Nov. 28th, 11:30am
Papillion Lavista: Nov. 29th, 10am
Northwest: Nov. 30th, 9:30am
Millard West: Dec. 1st, 9:30am

Hope to see you there!

This semester has already been a busy one. Classes are in full swing now, and my schedule is starting to shake out and hopefully settle down so I can keep track of myself. I have been working on homework most of today and I am pleased to say that I got a solid chunk done. That will free the rest of this weekend up for me. I submitted my first “major” paper on Tuesday this week. It was over a book for American Civ 1 taught by Dr. Eckman. I have really enjoyed that class, Dr. Eckman knows what he is talking about and he enjoys history to no end. I have an essay test to do for that class that is due this coming Tuesday. Maybe I should be working on it now, but sometimes I think a purpose of blogging is to say that you are being productive when there are other things to do. At least can say that now.

This weekend is pretty full of activities that are going on. Today was the SLT fair in the gym. There were a lot of ministries from around Omaha that came in and set up tables for students to peruse. Grace makes sure to provide plenty of opportunities to get plugged into the community and fulfill the Servant Leadership Training requirements.

Tomorrow the volleyball girls play the volleyball team at St. Mary’s college across town, and shortly after that a large group of students will head out to Louisburg, NE for the SBA sponsored campout. Last year we had a blast at the campout, and we plan on doing the same thing this year. There is football, food, crazy capture-the-flag after dark, and a student lead worship service on Sunday morning.

Sunday afternoon and evening prospective students start to show up for the first Campus Preview Days of the year. There are quite a few kids coming again this year and we look forward to showing them around campus, and helping them to get a feel for what life is like between Pine and Pacific streets.

On Monday, I am leaving at 10:30 in the morning with the soccer team for a game in Mitchell, SD. We are 1-4 this year and still looking to get into a rhythm. I have confidence that we’ll get a handle on things though. Our last two games have been close and we have been in the games until the final whistle.

That is what the weekend looks like around here, at least for me. Dr. Eckman says that the more stressed his students are, the better because it creates in us a greater dependence on the Lord for our strength and sustenance. It’s true; I want to be utterly dependent on Him for everything. I want to be humble and poor in spirit before Him.

-Mark