My Faith Journey in College

College is a time where your faith can be tested for more than a few reasons. As someone who enjoys routine and is a creature of habit, I am usually hesitant towards change or new things.

 My first semester I was really busy and did not seek out a church in Springfield. If I am being completely honest that's just an excuse I told myself- if I really wanted to I could have, I just had no desire. I have been at the same church (SunRise) basically since I was born. When I had time I would go to the on campus ministry that Drury has called The Vine, but my first semester had a lot of conflicts with the day/time they met. I would still watch bits and pieces of my church's online service, did my daily devotional, etc, but I was not as active as I could have been in my faith.

 Second semester began in a similar fashion. I was busy, really busy, but I started going to The Vine more. I would talk to one of my best friends, Megan, after each Tuesday night worship service and she helped me realize something around the end of February/early March. I am alway busy and I could use that as an excuse for the rest of my life. I decided to make more of an effort to grow in my faith and seek out a church home.
Dress rehearsal at church before going to Tulsa for mission trip
Working with the Wah-Zha-Zhi Youth Academy (similar to the Boys and Girls Club) in Tulsa, OK
Heading to retreat at Camp Mihauska
There are a lot more details I could go into but long story short I've found a church in Springfield that I really enjoy (North Point). While I have only gone three or four times, I know that this church will be a great place for me to grow spiritually. Walking in I was a bit skeptical because it seemed like something out of an SNL skit, like it was the church that was trying too hard to be cool. However, after listening to the pastor's sermon I could see that his words were genuine. They also seem to be really active in the Springfield community which I think is important.
Stopping to pray in Joplin, MO, on the way home from Tulsa. Our first two mission trips (my 8th grade and 9th grade years) were to help with relief efforts from the tornado. 
Our baccalaureate service
I'm still not perfect- there are some times where I have other requirements that prevent me from going to every Sunday worship service or to the Vine every week. However, I am much more aware of my faith. College has taught me a lot, but one of the biggest lessons I have learned is to be open to change. 

 Until next time,
Taylor xx

 PS: I hope you enjoyed the throwback photos from my different church experiences. Sorry some of them are repeats, I couldn't find a lot of new ones
Posted by at No comments

Confidence

Today I spent some time sifting through my old YouTube videos and reading my old blog posts. First off- I would not recommend that because it's super cringe-y to see what 2013-me was writing and talking about online. There are too many awkward selfies of me permanently online, too, so that's always a good time.

 No, but in all seriousness, I've seen how much I have grown. In my first YouTube video, which I still refuse to re-watch  I remember how nervous I was (I recorded that video on my iPad mini that I had won in a church raffle but that's another story for a different day). As I look at myself now, I definitely still see parts of that nervous 15 year old, but I have so much more confidence in myself. 
These are some screenshots from videos around 1-2 years old 
LOOK AT MY HAIR!!! Also this video from like 3 years ago has 779 views that is even more stressful to think about
MY HAIR 
I feel like part of that comes from experience- I've been doing this for over 4 years. I have learned what works and what doesn't, what I like to write about and what I don't want to write about. Am I the best writer/blogger/content creator? Not by a long shot. But having this blog has given me a sense of purpose and pride. 

 I think that my confidence also comes from the people who I surround myself with. I know I talk time and time again about how much I love Drury, and while it may get repetitive, I do truly love Drury as much as I say. 

 Furthermore, Kappa Delta is a large part of my confidence. Kappa Delta is all about building confidence and inspiring action- we even have a Confidence Coalition. High school me and college me are two very different versions of myself. I haven't lost who I am, I have defined who I am. I have the confidence that I was lacking in high school- I've become a much more talkative, bubbly person. I'm not (as) afraid to talk to people. In high school I felt so lonely but now I am around people who make me feel good about myself and help me grow. 

 My biggest advice to sophomore year of high school me is to not hold back. Believe in yourself. You will grow so much from sitting in your bedroom making YouTube videos about your favorite books to coming to college and explaining your passion for Greek Life.

 Until next time,
Taylor xx
Posted by at No comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)