3 Weeks Down

So I’m done with the first 3 weeks of Sophomore year (read: my 2nd year of college) – so far its been hard, tiring yet exciting and comfortable at the same time.I’ll put this down as briefly as I can..

Coming back to campus has been wonderful. Its so lovely to come back to Tufts and see familiar faces after 4 months of separation. Its so nice to be welcomed back and welcome everybody back

I love my new house! Rather than a dorm, its a University-owned house. So its managed like a dorm but it really is a house! Pretty pictures soon! I love walking to class cos it feels so much more like my neighbourhood rather than a school campus. Having a kitchen is really cool but I haven’t utilised it as much as I’ve wanted to. Getting groceries for one is difficult. My lovely roomie Megan wakes up with me every morning at 8am to have breakfast before I shower and head to class (I have 9.30 classes Monday – Friday). Someone commented that it sounds like a marriage – riiight.

I made myself scrambled eggs with toast for lunch today

My involvement with Tufts Christian Fellowship (TCF) has increased significantly since becoming a Freshmen Small Group Leader, more than I imagined (for some reason unbeknownst to me). I’m really grateful for the opportunity God has given me to lead a small group for the first time and be involved in the lives of these first years. I’ve felt that this is opportunity is a culmination of much growth for me because a part of me has wanted to lead a small group for sometime.  Strangely now that I’ve begun, I feel less equipped and prepared for the role than I realised. I never thought I’d be perfect at it but I feel far less qualified than I had imagined. In addition, these first weeks of starting up school and small group has been immensely draining for me. I feel drained and used. I feel like I’ve been doing alot of things that aren’t important and I’m missing out on the most important thing. I’ve been doing more admin things instead of having time & energy to spend with the Freshmen or my friends from last year. TCF has suddenly gone from something that re-energizes me to interact with people on campus to something that just totally drains me.

I’ve been praying that this will just be a phase and clinging onto the fact that I’m serving God, not pleasing people. Its been very hard not to be frustrated, but Megan & I already each had our own mini-meltdown. I woke up today with more energy and joy in the Lord. Using a Psalm to pray a day has been useful and very encouraging. I’m going on the Freshmen Retreat in a few hours, so I really need all that energy and patience. My church has a overnight event for the College ministry last weekend so this is like my 2nd retreat in 2 weeks.

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.