Jessica's Blog

Kidnapping

Jessica Chen — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:45:52 +0000

This past Saturday, the girls from our group that goes to Church together decided to surprise all the boys by kidnapping them. We sent them kidnapping notes attached to a box of their favorite candy through the inter-student mail system. They then RSVP-ed by e-mailing us back at a neutral, newly created, e-mail address so that we could keep our identities concealed. I’d have to say the event was a success! We blindfolded the guys and took them to see The Dark Knight at the $2.50 theater and then went out for dessert downtown at City Cafe. It was about time that we hung out outside of riding to and from church together. :)

Cold

Jessica Chen — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:29:07 +0000

Today’s low is in the lower 20s. I’m starting to think I should have bought a warmer coat.

I love the cold crisp weather, but man does it make it difficult to crawl out of bed in the morning for classes–or at least it makes it difficult to walk into the bathroom that doesn’t have heat. Even once you make it out of bed, finish dressing and everything, there’s still the difficulty of leaving your dorm and marching across campus to classes.

Oh, but God is so good to me! I have the ability to get out of bed, to walk to class. I have heat in my dorm and the opportunity to go to class. I really need to decrease my complaints and whining; it really fogs up my view of the blessings in my life. I have plenty and I really need to remember to thank God for that.

Thanksgiving–Not Yet Here

Jessica Chen — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:04:03 +0000

I am so excited to go home for Thanksgiving! I really miss my family and friends. I haven’t been home since the beginning of the school year when I came for Orientation Team training–so that would be early August, if I’m not mistaken.

Thanksgiving has always been a uniquely special time for me and my family. Since not many immigrants have extended family here in the States, our church family gathers together and has a huge feast. Everybody brings their favorite dishes or desserts. It’s quite an ordeal but sooo worth it! I think I’ve been dreaming about the food lately…

Yet, Thanksgiving break is still a little more than a week away, which, yes, seems a short time away, but standing in between are many many many papers and tests.

If you are reading this, prayer for the students and professors right now is very needed. Students are worn out and many are sick and very stressed. Professors are trying to juggle their responsibility of finishing out the semester and the mercy they desire to show their students [yes, professors are human too].

Missions Emphasis Week

Jessica Chen — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:27:03 +0000

This week is Missions Emphasis Week–one of my favorite weeks of the school year, without a doubt!

Similar to the Neal Conference, guest speakers are invited and the goal is to encourage the student body and locals to think about the advancement of God’s kingdom around the world.

Here’s a glimpse of the schedule:

Monday
-Roger and Abi Lowther, musicians, will be performing and sharing about God’s work through music and the arts.

Tuesday
-Student led chapel with a missions emphasis
-Ministries and Missions Fair
-International Dinner
-Missions Meeting

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
-Keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Oh, President and Founder of Christ Bible Seminary in Nagoya, Japan will be speaking

MB Mental Health Institute

Jessica Chen — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:07:52 +0000

I don’t remember if I’ve written about this before, but I’ve been doing a practicum down the mountain at Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute (in other words, I volunteer there every week). This could be quite the long story, so in short…it’s been a rough six weeks and I still have two more [but I'm looking foward to them]. It was difficult to be displaced and put into a situation I didn’t understand much about nor did I have any other fellow students going through this transition with me. Every week I dreaded Thursday and when Thursday came I dreaded 2:40 p.m. when I would have to walk down to the parking lot to borrow my roommate’s car in order to drive down the mountain by myself to this secluded place. There was a lot of praying and asking for prayers. Every week that passed it got a little easier and every week God opened my eyes to more and more.

This was all just a preface to what I wanted to share. [haha I know, wow, long preface]: One of the patients gave me a bracelet she made so that I might remember her since she’s being transfered out back into the “real world” this week. This might not seem like much but it means a whole lot to me. I think it made my day.

Mac Movie Night 2008

Jessica Chen — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:56:57 +0000

Mac Movie Night is something the Maclellan and Rhymer resident halls put together annually. Each hall films and stars in their own movie–then the competition begins! All eight movies are played and three pre-appointed judges vote on their favorite. The three requirements for items that must be mentioned or displayed in the movies this year were a cracked egg shell (you can only imagine how that turned out :P), a PEZ dispenser, and ROUS (Rodents of Unusual Size).

Lawrence won this year! Their movie pretty much rocked my socks off. Rowan came in second with a “documentary” on Covenant College’s history (pretty hysterical, if you ask me). Suburbs came in third, also with a fantastic movie!

Might I add that I adore that halls get dressed up all nice for this “red carpet” event! :)

G.L.A.D. Again

Jessica Chen — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:25:43 +0000

Yesterday was my first day back at G.L.A.D. [a mentoring program out of New City Fellowship] after about a month of being away!! (We had two weeks off for break, then the first week we were back my ride was unavailable, and last week the facilities were being used for election purposes). It was so great to be back! I didn’t realized I missed working with my kids sooo much! I was encouraged that they still remembered my name and continued to make progress even while we were apart!–no backtracking involved. :) They’re becoming more open and talkative as they come to trust me. It is such a joy for me to watch them learn and interact with one another.

God is Here

Jessica Chen — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:06:58 +0000

Today is one of those days where I just can’t think of something to write about. Actually, I take that back. I have plenty to write about and much on my mind, but I just don’t want to write about any of it. I think that when I’m writing I’m actually processing everything that’s sitting in my head. There are just some days I just don’t want to process things, so I don’t want to write. School’s getting really busy, not only school work, but meetings and events are piling up as well. Other things in life happen too. There are lots of questions and not many direct answers. I’m just trying to learn to be content with what God has revealed to me rather than upset about what I cannot see. I can do this because God is a good God. He is righteous, he is faithful, and he is love.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
-Psalm 139:7-10

Crunch Time is Here…

Jessica Chen — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:36:16 +0000

Everybody’s getting a bit stressed. We’re at the point in the semester where we’ve learned enough to start giving presentations, writing papers, and doing projects in addition to exams. A good friend of mine made a post on facebook and it was very insightful so I thought I’d share it here. She made the point that she often chooses to be stressed. In making that choice to be stressed she feels as if she is 98% in control of her life (even though she knows she isn’t). What she wrote really hit home with me. I think I often make the decision to be stressed so that I feel somewhat in control of something in my life. How ridiculously silly!–putting my faith into an illusion I created for myself!

Things will always happen, good things and bad things, but to some extent we can choose how we will respond to our circumstances. Are we going to consider it pure joy in facing trials of many kinds and give our burdens to our big big God, or are we going to try and carry it all on our own until we break from all the pressure? Of course it’s all easier said than done, but we have to start somewhere.

I know I always repeat to myself “The joy of the Lord is my strength”. The joy of the Lord, not my own! Not only does God impart his own joy upon me, but his joy even gives me strength! Exactly what I was lacking! Isn’t that just amazing?

Picnic

Jessica Chen — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:42:02 +0000

The Economics and Community Development Department holds an annual picnic for all the ComDev/Econ students, faculty, and their families. I remember, coming in as a freshman last year, I was too afraid to attend, thinking “They can’t mean me, I’m just a freshman”. I regretted it, so this year I made it a point to attend! The picnic was this past Sunday afternoon. There were refreshments and lots of games. Apparently I missed the volleyball game, but made it in time for the annual Polish kickball game. I loved it because professors and their kids played along with the Covenant students. It was definitely more about having a good time than winning. :) [well, at least I thought so] After the time of games we gathered around the campfire and listened as seniors shared their internship experience from this past summer. I wasn’t able to stay that long because I had a Doctrine test to study for, but I’m sure it was wonderful and I wish I had been there!