Labas everyone!
I have so many exciting things to share with you all! October has been packed full of events and great opportunities for me to get to know my students a little better. Today is the first day of our Fall Break which will last through the end of the month. I will be leaving on a trip tomorrow to fully utilize the down time. The last two weeks were full of midterms and large papers for the students of LCC. Tension could be felt in the air. Although these times are hard on everyone including staff and faculty beautiful moments can be seen when we show care for one another in times of stress. I witnessed so many lovely and selfless acts that left me with great appreciation for this campus and the students that I work alongside everyday!
Currently I have completed my first Grad School class so a big praise for that! I absolutely LOVE what I am studying. I have received wonderful confirmation from above that Student Development is the field for me. I feel so honored to be able to study and enhance my knowledge. This program allows me to do my job better everyday.
Another praise...The Lord provided the funds for me to completely pay off my medical bills from this summer!!!!!!! This was a process that I thought would take me at least four months of saving. I was worried about this credit card debt and didn't know how I was going to handle the situation. I ran to the Lord in prayer and He provided a way through some pretty amazing people and avenues! God put my need on several people's hearts and they came to ME asking if I was in need of more funds!!! That's insane! He is so powerful, prayers go up and blessings come down :)
The first gathering pictured here is my Resident Director Open House event. This semester I am hosting four open house events in my apartment, one for each floor of my residence hall. Students are welcome to come by for snacks, tea, a break from studies, and some good conversation. I host these events in order to connect with students I would otherwise not run into on a daily basis. I always love the conversations I have at these events. I have found that this is one of the best ways to make myself available, approachable, and known by my students.
In Lithuania there is a store called Promo which is the closest thing to a Costco I have seen in Eastern Europe. They too have a walk in freezer section but the added bonus (that Costco lacks) are the provided insulated vests they offer so you don't freeze while shopping!
During Midterms week I wanted to give my team a chance to sit and create. After so many hours of studying, spending some time using a different part of the brain can be refreshing so we personalized our RA binders together and listened to some fun music before we jumped into the business part of our RA meeting.
Group picture with our President Marlene :)
This is my roommate Amanda and I in a party bus! Last weekend our school gym was rented out for a wedding expo and they were offering tours of this party bus outside so we took advantage!
Every time there is a testing week on campus the Resident Directors of LCC plan a Study Break event. This is a time where all of the on campus students of LCC take a break from their notes and come down to the lobby to get a cup of tea or coffee, play a few board games with friends, and then get back to their studies. The RD's serve the coffee and the students are always so appreciative and grateful for this tradition.
Waiting for the bus
Janis (Yanis), Elvis, Liza, and Anna
Group shot with our President Marlene :)
Thats all for now! Please keep my travels this Fall Break in your prayers. I am praying that this time will be restorative for me so I can come back to campus ready to continue serving. The Saddleback Church sermon viewing group has taken a two week break due to Fall Break but I plan to start up again once we are all back on campus. Please keep with group in your prayers as well, I could use guidance from the Lord as I lead this group. I have a very important doctors appointment in the morning that I have been waiting a month for, I would love prayer for that appointment and that the doctors here in Lithuania can follow up with what my doctors in the states were thinking as well. Thank you all for your support and love. Your messages and emails mean the world to me. Please know that whenever you make a donation or send me a reminder that you are praying for me you make my day. Every time I receive encouragement like this it is exactly what I need to keep going, you supporters propel me daily and I rely on you heavily. Love to you all :)
