Quote #1

Hi MEP RAs!

I am so excited to see your posts from the summer so far!  I am ridiculously excited to see all of you again in a few short weeks!

I am working in the Student Life office this summer, and am working on writing a "Manuel of Community Life" which basically means that I have to read about community all summer...oh darn :)

Oh also: The RDs and I got to go to a conference at Taylor University!  We learned a lot about student development and hung out with RDs from all over the country.

They had a photobooth!

It has gotten me thinking about this fall, and I have about 1,000,000 ideas for you guys!  Can't wait!

Anyway,  one of the books that I have been working with is Bonhoeffer's "Life Together" I found some quotes that got my attention.  I thought I might share some of the them with you...

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments area :)

"Because God already laid the only foundation of our fellowship, because God has bound us together in one body with other Christians in Jesus Christ, long before we entered into common life with them, we entered into that life not as demanders but as thankful receptors.   We thank God for what he has done for us.   We thank God for giving us brethren who live by his call, by his forgiveness and by his promise.  We do not complain of what God does not give us; we rather thank God for what he does give us daily." 

"Only he who gives thanks for the little things receives the big things." 

"How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from him the little things? If we do not give thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed, even when there is no great experience, no discoverable riches, but much weakness, small faith and difficulty; if on the contrary, we only keep complaining to God that everything is so paltry and petty, so far from what we expected, then we hinder God from letting our fellowship grow according to the measure and riches which are there for us in Jesus Christ." 

"The Christian community is not spiritual sanatorium (Hospital).  The person who comes into a fellowship because he is running away from himself is misusing it for the sake of diversion, no matter how spiritual his diversion may appear. 

He is really not seeking community at all, but only distraction which will allow him to forget his loneliness for a brief time, thea very alienation that creates the deadly isolation of man. The disintegration of communication and all genuine experience, and finally resignation and spiritual death are the results of such attempts to find a cure." 

Miss you guys!  

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!!! 

Getting to know Megan Moffett

           

   NAME: Megan Moffett
1. Food: What do you like?

·         Candy: I enjoy chocolate-the darker the better, almond joy, reese's, take5, and twix.  

·         Fruit: basically all fruits are wonderful, especially berries!

·         Dinner: 

·         Ice Cream: in the summertime at the OCNJ boardwalk I love getting plain vanilla custard on a kiddycone (I just had it last week!) otherwise moosetracks or mint chocolate chip! 
·    Other: nutella with pretzels, peanutbutter rice krispies (courtesy of hick's cafe)
·         Is there anything that you can’t (or don’t like) to eat?                      

     Birthday? September 6, 1992

4  Favorite thing to do off campus? go out to dinner or the outlets, sweet cici's :)

·         In Grove City? beans on broad, thrifty threads, church at FCC

·         Away from Grove City? being at home with the family or at the beach

5   What is something you are excited about this year?  

      What is something that you are nervous about? 

      What is one thing you really want your floor to learn this year? 

      Favorite movie?  WHY? off the top of my head...fun with Dick & Jane because it never stops to amuse, Moulin Rouge especially for the music, The Prestige for its intrigue, Up because it's so darn cute! (so many more...it's hard to pick favorites) 

       Favorite way to worship? warriors is great!                                                                                          

1    Favorite author or book?                                                                                          

1     Love language(s) my top 3: quality time, acts of service, words of affirmation

1    How do you relax? playing piano                                                                               

1     What do you need when you are feeling stressed?                                                           

1    Something I should know about you (as your supervisor): 

1     Something that really stresses you out?                                                                                                  

   How can we pray for you? 

How about some interesting name plate ideas: 

(Back to Childhood-sticks and noodles) 

Try melting some crayons

Or...Making bows out of wire. 

or maybe printing out a cool font. 

Basically, the sky is the limit have fun! 

Getting to Know Elizabeth Howell

Important Note:  This picture is from one of the most epic moments of my life:  petting a sting ray at the zoo!!!  (I might be slightly obsessed with animals...)  FULLY ALIVE

1.        NAME:  Elizabeth Lauren Howell...but I will respond to Liz, Ella, El, Lizbeth

2.       Food: What do you like?

·         Candy:  CHOCOLATE

·         Fruit:  fresh pineapple, grapefruit, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries (in the CRAISIN form!), pomegranate,  peaches, watermelon, coffee (according to Wikipedia, "coffee cherries" aka coffee beans are FRUITS!)

·         Dinner:  macaroni & cheese, bean burritos, lasagna, basically anything that falls under the Italian or Mexican cuisine...but I pretty much like all food and love trying new things! 

·         Ice Cream:  mint chocolate chip :)

·         Is there anything that you can’t (or don’t like) to eat?  Meat - I have been trying out vegetarianism, but I don't know if this will be a life-long thing yet

3.       Birthday?  August 22, 1992

4.      Favorite thing to do off campus?

·         In Grove City?  I like to run around the countryside when it's warm, go to BOB when it's cold, investigate all those little shops and restaurants, go to the outlets, go out for ice cream!

·         Away from Grove City?  trips to Pitt for a variety of things, like going to the zoo or going to the cheesecake factory -  but I am way more interested in  spending time with people going on adventures and having fun than what we actually do!  I really like doing most anything!  

5.       What is something you are excited about this year?    Meeting all kinds of new people!  I'm excited to form new relationships on my hall and with fellow residence life people! :)    I'm also really excited to learn and grow this semester...about God, people, life...
      ________________________________________________________________________________________       

6.      What is something that you are nervous about?  What my role will look like on a sorority/independent hall and how I will find my place there.        
      _________________________________________________________________________________________                                                                      

7.       What is one thing you really want your floor to learn this year?  What it means to truly find security and identity in Christ.
-     _________________________________________________________________________________________

8.      Favorite movie?  WHY?   Oh!  I have so many favorites!  It really depends on my mood... what's coming to mind right now is the Emperor's New Groove because I think it's hilarious, the Titanic because it's so sad but so sweet and sometimes you just need a movie to make you cry, Inception because I love movies that really make you think, and the King's Speech because I love inspiration.  haha I really like watching movies of all kinds...it's so hard to pick one!!                                                                                                                                                       _________________________________________________________________________________________

9.       Favorite way to worship?  Escaping.  Finding solitude and peace in the wilderness to take in the beauty of His creation while having the freedom to talk out loud to God and journal and also listen to what He has to say.  And I love singing too.                                                                                                 _________________________________________________________________________________________

10.    Favorite author or book?   Maybe Karen Kingsbury?  I've only read a few of her books, but I LOVED them...Redeeming Love and the Atonement Child...so so good...HIGHLY recommend reading them.                                                                                                                                 _________________________________________________________________________________________

11.     Love language(s) (if you know, if not that’s ok too)? Quality time and words of encouragement I believe.                   _________________________________________________________________________________________

12.    How do you relax?  Usually try to get out and do something fun and adventurous to take my mind off of whatever is stressing me out!  Or I might find a quiet place to just sit, catch my breath and pray.                                                                                                                    _________________________________________________________________________________________

13.     What do you need when you are feeling stressed?  Someone to listen and let me vent a little bit, then a hug and a little back massage never hurts :)                                                _________________________________________________________________________________________

14.    Something I should know about you (as your supervisor)…  I tend not to like to talk about something I'm struggling with until I think I have it figured out.  This is probably not a good thing and most likely a pride issue...so something I'm working on.                                                 _________________________________________________________________________________________

15.     Something that really stresses you out?  When things that I allow myself to think I have control over (I say this because I know I really don't have control over anything - only God does) seem out of my control.  I get stressed about things I shouldn't the second I allow other things to take God's #1 spot in my life because that means I stopped trusting in His control...academics, relationships, health, etc...                                                                                                                  _________________________________________________________________________________________

How can we pray for you?  The biggest thing that I am praying for and would be thrilled if others would pray too is that I will keep my focus on my RA-ing as a ministry...whatever that will look like exactly.  I want to truly "seek first the kingdom" in everything, but specifically as an RA this year.  I don't know exactly how God will use me as an RA, but would love prayer for confidence, peace of mind, a heart of love, and a servant attitude as I prepare for the coming year.

Getting to Know Michelle Shimrock

1. Name: Michelle Jeanette Shimrock

2. Food: What do you like?

· Candy: Reese’s, or better yet, mostly anything chocolate!

· Fruit: Apples, berries, bananas, kiwi, the list goes on!

· Dinner: My mom makes ranch chicken and cheesy potatoes which I LOVE. However I have developed a taste for burritos lately, as in, I want to eat them all.the.time.

· Ice Cream: Mocha Chip

· Is there anything that you can’t (or don’t like) to eat?: Mushrooms. It's not that I can't eat them, I just really dislike them! I actually am a pretty picky eater, which I hate to admit. I’m usually willing to try things, I just don’t end up liking a lot of them!

3. Birthday?: June 29, 1991

4. Favorite thing to do off campus?

· In Grove City?: Banana Republic + Sweet Cece's

· Away from Grove City?: McConnell's Mill

5. What is something you are excited about this year?

I am excited to serve the girls on my hall, and to have this new opportunity, and all around just making my senior year worth it and meaningful.

6. What is something that you are nervous about?

I am nervous about what I don’t know about. I worry a lot about things I don’t know about, which is a big struggle for me. Also, I am super nervous about managing all the craziness of senior year, trying to soak it all up before it’s over while still being faithful to things I have been called to do.

7. What is one thing you really want your floor to learn this year?

I want my floor to learn how to serve one another and learn how they can always work to become more Christ-like, fulfilling God’s will for them whether or not they know what their future holds.

8. Favorite movie? Why?: Titanic. It’s really well made, and I think it tells a really great story, even if it holds some questionable things! I also love The Parent Trap, it’s probably my favorite to quote J

9. Favorite way to worship?

Either while working out or simply having a writing utensil and paper and journaling.

10. Favorite author or book?

Oh boy…I love the Little House on the Prairie series, but I don’t think I would say those are my favorite books overall. But I don’t have a better answer right now.

11. Love language(s) (if you know, if not that’s ok too):

I receive love through touch, but I give through acts of service. I think that’s how it works…give one way, receive another way? I’m not really sure but I’ll go with that haha.

12. How do you relax?

Doing crafts or puzzles or playing games. Or being with some dear friends. Or watching Friends.

13. What do you need when you are feeling stressed?

Prayer! I know it’s all that can truly change things, and it is a comfort beyond belief.

14. Something I should know about you (as your supervisor)…

When I don’t say much, I am probably really struggling with something. My fears and struggles shut me up not only in that at those times I don’t say much in general, but I have a really hard time talking about the things I most need to open up about.

15. Something that really stresses you out?

Among other things, I get stressed when I don’t know what I’m going to do next. I like to plan!

How can we pray for you?

This summer is going to be crazy! I am only going to be home for 9 days and will spend the rest far, far away from home doing something that frightens me! I am working at a camp in Missouri, and these first 9 days here have been ROUGH. I need the Lord to be the only one I depend on, and I need to trust that I’m here for a reason. It has been really hard being here, but I think God has this in His plan for me. Pray for me to have peace about what I’m doing and strength to make it through the long hard days.

Getting to Know Maggie Dumas

1.        NAME_________________________________________________________________________________

2.       Food: What do you like?

·         Candy:

·         Fruit:

·         Dinner:

·         Ice Cream:

·         Is there anything that you can’t (or don’t like) to eat?                                          __________________________________________________________________________________

3.       Birthday? ______________________________________________________________________________

4.      Favorite thing to do off campus?

·         In Grove City?

·         Away from Grove City?

5.       What is something you are excited about this year?    

_________________________________________________________________________________________           

6.      What is something that you are nervous about?                                                                               _________________________________________________________________________________________  

7.       What is one thing you really want your floor to learn this year?                                              _________________________________________________________________________________________     

8.      Favorite movie?  WHY?                                                                                                                                                          _________________________________________________________________________________________

9.       Favorite way to worship?                                                                                                 _________________________________________________________________________________________

10.    Favorite author or book?                                                                                                                                    _________________________________________________________________________________________

11.     Love language(s) (if you know, if not that’s ok too)                                                                         _________________________________________________________________________________________

12.    How do you relax?                                                                                                                   _________________________________________________________________________________________

13.     What do you need when you are feeling stressed?                                                                     _________________________________________________________________________________________

14.    Something I should know about you (as your supervisor)…                                                   _________________________________________________________________________________________

15.     Something that really stresses you out?                                                                                                                  _________________________________________________________________________________________

How can we pray for you? 

Getting to Know Erin Burlew 

1.        NAME: Erin Elizabeth Burlew

2.       Food: What do you like?

·         Candy: almost all kinds of chocolate, butterscotch and cinnamon hard candy, gummy bears

·         Fruit: raspberries, strawberries, watermelon, peaches, grapes, pineapple, apples, oranges

·         Dinner: Italian and Mexican are my favorites

·         Ice Cream: ALL ice cream!!! (Though, I don't prefer when it has frozen fruit in it) I'll never turn down a trip to get ice cream :)
·    Other: I love Starbucks and Cold Stone Creamery
·         Is there anything that you can’t (or don’t like) to eat? mushrooms, seafood, raisins                                

3.       Birthday? January 28, 1992

4.      Favorite thing to do off campus?

·         In Grove City? Shopping at the outlets, trips to Beans on Broad, Out for Ice Cream :)

·         Away from Grove City? Anything with my family!

5.       What is something you are excited about this year? Meeting all the girls on my hall and building new friendships!           

6.      What is something that you are nervous about? I'm not an extremely outgoing person, and tend to be pretty quiet especially when I'm around people I don't know very well. I know that that's not a required characteristic for an RA, but I know it's going to push me outside my comfort zone a bit.                                                                    

7.       What is one thing you really want your floor to learn this year? The goal of life is not to be perfect, but to serve God and grow to become more like him. That perfection isn't a goal in and of itself, and that we're called to be God's children.                                                

8.      Favorite movie?  WHY? I have so many favorite movies (The Blind Side, Emma, Titanic, Life as We Know It, The Notebook, Pride and Prejudice, This Means War, etc), but my favorite is probably Sense and Sensibility. I love it because in a lot of ways I'm similar to Marianne (though not as outgoing)- I'm a fairly emotional person, I'm the middle of 2 sisters (which... my older sister, Emily, is like Eleanor, and younger sister, Alyssa, is like Margaret). Now that I actually think about it I actually have way more similarities to her than I thought :)                                                                                                                                                        

9.       Favorite way to worship? I love Warriors!!                                                                                                 

10.    Favorite author or book? Humility: True Greatness (C.J. Mahaney); Just Do Something (Kevin DeYoung)                                                                                                                                    

11.     Love language(s) Physical touch- huge fan of hugs! 

12.    How do you relax? Grab my camera and go for a walk, read, edit pictures                                                                                                                

13.     What do you need when you are feeling stressed? Coffee, a hug, and encouragement (and someone to not be afraid to tell me to stop complaining, suck it up and get my work done!)                                                            

14.    Something I should know about you (as your supervisor): I'm a verbal processor. I often think of solutions to problems by talking things through with people, but I also need someone to tell me to stop complaining and get over it! 

15.     Something that really stresses you out? When my to-do list is way too long! Or when I have to take pictures of an event (like a wedding) that if I know I mess up I can't go back and get them again.                                                                                                   

How can we pray for you? I'll send you all an email :)