End of Week 6 and Still Truckin' Through

Winter term has gone by so fast. We're almost at week 7 which means the term is coming to a close. Usually Winter term seems to be the toughest to get through, but with Trinity this year, it couldn't be any better. Girls are filled with energy and enthusiasm and are striving to seek out the Lord through everything. It's definitely the one thing that's getting me through the term.

House meetings have been incredible this term. I decided to try a bunch of new ideas that haven't been done in the past. We had a couple of speakers that really touched our hearts with their life stories and words of wisdom. Both women I have gotten connected with through First Baptist. Amy Weinkauf, who is very involved with the music and arts ministry of First B, spoke on juggling life in college and a relationship with Christ. Kristy McIntyre, who is highly involved with the high school ministry at First B, spoke to us about finding our identity in Christ. I was very encouraged by both of them and I noticed the rest of the girls grasp onto that same feeling. I want to continue to bring in women who have been through what we're going through right now and share their wisdom with us. In a couple of weeks we will be having Stephanie Riley, who is also involved with the church, speak to us on relationships.

Another idea that I decided to try last term and continued to do so this term and spring term is having a group of girls within the house run a house meeting. I decided to split the house into 5 different groups. Each group consists of 7-8 girls. The idea of this is to let them "own" a meeting and do whatever they want with it. The goal is to have each of them has to play a part in some way. Last term, the group put together a game, a devo, and a few worship songs. The second group put together "The Trinity House Prom." Basically all the girls came down in prom dresses (some were actually their actual prom dress) and we had a dance party. It was a great time and everyone loved it. Group number three will be running this upcoming Monday's meeting. I'm excited to see what they come up with.

Lastly, another idea that was brought to the table, that hadn't been done in the past, was having the managers of the AO and Trinity House switch meetings and run them. I didn't really know what that would look like, but I thought it would be fun to do. I ran it by AO's manager Ryan to see if he would be interested and he was. No one knew about the switch except for the Assistant Managers (they're the ones that helped us out...Thanks Darcy and Michael :) ), so it came as a surprise to many. On the day of the meeting, I had already figured out what my plan was but I had a huge overwhelming feeling about it since I was going to be speaking/running a meeting for 25 guys..something I had never done before. Of course God came in for the rescue and calmed my nerves and helped me say everything I wanted to. I spoke on "Encouragement." How I went about this was I wrote a letter to the guys (I do not do well saying my thoughts off the top of my head) on how AO has been an encouragement to my life and the girls at Trinity, especially this year. I left them on this verse: Colossians 3:12-14 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Again I was highly encouraged by all my brothers there and their listening ears.

It's been an incredible blessing being able to live in this community. It's been my hardest term of college thus far, but it's these awesome sisters and brothers exuding their encouragement and Christ's love that keeps me going. The Lord is continuing to surprise me each and every day. As we go on this winter term, please continue to pray for our houses during this school year. :)

Kaela

After assisting in the management of the AO house for a term it has been great to see the power of the Holy Spirit working in the houses. Upon the return of the house residents for winter term there has been a significant change in the new guys in the house. As much as I would love to take credit for these changes I cannot. All I can do is acknowledge the mystery of how God works in our lives.
What I think it comes down to is having a willingness to be changed by God. These houses are places of huge spiritual growth for residents because we are all surrounded by Godly men and women who have this desire. The function of these houses is to bring new residents into this environment and to show them how much God can change a person. Although the management can do its best to exemplify and facilitate opportunities to change, it is ultimately the Holy Spirit that works in the lives of the residents. All that is left for me and Ryan to do is to thank the Lord for using our insufficient selves in the process of changing lives.

Michael Rand: AO Assistant Manager

It's All About Love

I too have been able to do a lot of thinking and learning over the break. My goal was to look back at Fall term and think about what went well for me and what I could improve on. I feel so blessed and honored that God has placed me in this position of leadership but so often I wonder, Lord, why me? I admit that I sometimes feel inadequate.

Throughout my times of reflection and prayer over the break the Lord has made clear to me what the purpose of my leadership position all boils down to...LOVE. He has called me to love my sisters at Trinity, my brothers at AO, my fellow CCF staff members, new people at CCF, people on campus, and the list goes on. He has called us to love. "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:11).

But what does that look like? I came across several commands about love that have given me insight into how I can love others. I want to share a few of them with you.

Ephesians 5:2 (The Message) Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

Romans 12: 10 (NIV) Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

1 Thesalonians 5:13-15 (The Message) Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

To me, all of these verses say that loving others means serving others, encouraging others, and making sacrifices for others.

This is my prayer for the term: Love others. It sounds so simple but we all know how challenging it can be. I want to put others above myself. I want to be able to sacrifice things (like my time) in order to be available for others. I want to love and not have to expect love in return.

Trinity Winter Term 09

Christmas break is over and it is the beginning of a new year. Not knowing what the year holds always seems so exciting. This year a lot of change will take place and for me it is a little nerve racking to think about. It is crazy to look back at the start of the term when everyone was just getting back from their summer vacations and excited to be moving back to school to catch up with all their friends. I can picture it in my head as if it were yesterday. As the house manager this year, I wanted to make sure everything was in order before move-in day rolled around. I had schedules, plans, and expectations for the year that I was anxiously waiting to take flight. Girls moved in and it was time to get things started. Through the term I realized that challenges are one of the ways our heavenly Father grows us stronger because well... the plans and expectations I had sort of flew out the window. It is amazing to see in a span of four months how much you can learn and grow from God, the people you are surrounded by, and yourself. One of the most encouraging things during the fall was being able to watch the freshman start out in a whole new atmosphere filled with new places, a new school, and new people. I've been there and it can be scary and exciting but they jumped right in ready to try new things and get involved. I am truly blessed to be put in the role of manager this year, to be able to work with the women that were also put in leadership positions, and to live with 43 other wonderful women who also strive to live the life that the Lord has placed before them. Times got a little tough, but the girls kept me going. As the year continues, I am eager to see what God has in store for Trinity and the lives of the girls that live here.

After being snowed in for half of the break due to weather conditions (snow), I spent a large amount of time doing things that I hadn't been able to do during the school year like reading (for pleasure...not school), sleeping, and thinking. I'm glad that the UofO is on a term schedule because after 10 weeks and a break, we're able to start a fresh new term. During the time of thinking, I was able to focus on last term and what went well and what needs to be worked on. I am stoked for winter term. There are many things that are waiting to happen and I can't wait to get them started. Fall term moved in the direction of getting to know each other while this term will be focused more on the spiritual aspect, the whole purpose of why we're living in this house. In the beginning of the year I had picked out a verse that I wanted the house to focus on. Though we didn't really think about it much last term, I really want to emphasize it this term. It is Ephesians 4:2-3 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." We have a great opportunity to build this house up in Christ and go out and spread Christ's love to everyone. Continuing to build each other up and keeping each other accountable will also be a focus point. If we can't build each other up, how do we expect to do it to others outside of the house? Another passage I came across that striked a chord inside me was Romans 12:3-6 "For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you outh, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." We all are given gifts and I want everyone to be able to use those. Encouraging girls to own up to things they love to do and using the gifts God has given us to better unify the house. The gifts these girls have continue to amaze me each and every day.

A new term also means a new crew of leadership who all have expressed strong interests in the positions. I'm excited to work with these women and get to know them better on a leadership level. I know they will exceed in their roles far beyond what I can comprehend. Many great things are going to happen and it's nothing one can plan out. I've learned that I just have to take a day at a time and keep trusting that the Lord has it all worked out. Our plans are not necessarily His plans (something that is difficult for someone that likes to plan). Let's wipe the slate clean and start winter term off fresh. As we say good-bye to fall, we say hello to winter.

Kaela

AO Winter Officers

Through the break I have taken on a new place of solitude and restoration. It is called the Beanery. Now any of you, which is probably all, that hail from Thee Eugene please erase the thought of the Beanery as you know it. In the capital, the Beanery is a masterpiece that exudes tranquility. The oak floors glimmer from the christmas lights that line the 15 store front windows overlook the magical city of Salem. Local paintings and photographs line the northern walls and they are light by the individual lamps placed at each booth and table. Towards the middle of the room a large Christmas tree is lit and decorated giving way to the joyful attitude that permeates from customers and employees alike. This place is wondrous! Truth be told, my dad has been coming here from years and I finally started to tag along. Well, the reason I tell you this is to communicate that I am writing from this coffee shop of serenity. 

At the AO House we constantly strive to find better and more innovative ways to accomplish our goal of modeling Christ. This has lead to a significant change in our officer selection process for the term. We had a formal application process and Michael and I were blown away by the quality applications we received. Some might question the need for an application and our rationale was that house officers have significant authority and responsibility and we need to fully understand their intentions and heart for the position prior to granting them with such responsibility. For Winter Term of 2009, we have selected the following officers for the AO House: TJ Banick (Jobs Officer), Garrett Wood (KP Officer), Brad Egbert (Chaplain), Sam Allen (Socials Officer). 

I am excited for this group of guys and they have communicated their strong desire to serve as well as identifying new ways of improving their respective positions. This is also a relatively new group to formal leadership and I am excited to watch their progression through the term. During the term, feel free to look towards these shining stars for any questions you have regarding the house as they are an extension of house management. Enjoy the New Year. Another change I have made over the break is my decision to formally withdrawal from New Year's Resolutions for the rest of my life. My reason for this is that rather that looking at one calendar day as the day for fresh starts I want to live a life that recognizes that Gods grace is new each day. Therefore each day is a fresh start that I want to use to improve myself to better Glorify the creator.

RSD