This Is The Story Of A Girl....

Actually, 2 stories.

In the past week, I have been moved to tears by the stories of guests that have visited Augie and Sioux Falls. 

Last week, Cru helped spread word about an event in Sioux Falls called the Maze. If any of you are in college, the Maze actually goes around to a lot of different colleges and its free with a student I.D., so definitely go if you hear about it! Anyway, the Maze is an illusionist show led primarily by Jim Munroe. Jim's illusions are mind-blowing, but his story of what God has done in his life is the real amazement. Thankfully, it is no illusion. 

This was an outreach event and that was the primary focus of his show, but he didn't tell his story until the end. I was lucky enough to be a part of his show, actually. If you want to hear that story, ask me sometime. It's a fun story. 

His testimony was incredible. The way that each part of his journey fit together like a puzzle was just like his illusions. Until he reached the end, I wasn't sure how it would all fit and once I saw it come together, I was blown away. If you are able to, buy his book to support his tour so that he can tell his story to more college age and high school students. This is his website and I think you can buy the book there. His testimony is really worth reading and listening to.

The second story that I heard tonight could have been a once in a life time experience. A Rwandan genocide survivor came to Augie to talk about her experience in the genocide and why she believes that each person's story is so important. It was unbelievable to hear what she went through at the young age of 6. She didn't really talk in detail about the scary situations or painful experiences that many Rwandan women had because I can imagine it is quite hard to recall. She did speak about moving from country to country as a refugee and how the people in those countries quickly became like family when she thought she had lost hers. 

Speaking of her family, a person from the audience asked her if she would share about what her parents and family went through after they were separated and she talked about how she thought they were dead for 7 years until 2001 when a stranger told her they were alive. Then she showed us the video of when she was finally reunited with her family on the Oprah show. Needless to say, I sobbed. The video is on youtube here. Warning: you will probably cry. A lot. You can just see how happy and grateful to see that they were alive and well and there with her. 

Most of all, she talked about the stories of each individual person around us and the importance of listening to these stories. She told us to recognize our "powers" and our strengths and use those strengths to get to know the people around us in a deeper way. I'm thankful for their stories and the impact they had on me.

Clemantine left the students at Augie with a question, so I'll ask you the same; what are your powers? 

Capture Life

September at Augie in Photos: 

Our entire freshman class (+ some awesome viking guides) participated in a huge flash mob to the song Happy by Pharrell Williams in downtown Sioux Falls! It was great and there's video proof.

HUGE bonfire on the green! There were s'mores and fun people so it was a good time. 

All decked out in lime green for the kickball game with my fellow Sizzling Citrons (pictured below).

We did a ton of competetive activities with our groups during welcome week such as volleyball, hydrofit, kickball, circuit weights, and so on. The goal was to get us familiar with the activities offered at the Elmen center. It was successful :)

One of the nights before school started, we had another bonfire on the green with a fun Augie band called New Squids on the Block. They did a bunch of covers of songs I love and had a total of 6 or 7 different instruments! 

I just had to throw in a funny face picture- just so you all can see I haven't changed a bit. ;)

There was also a fun carnival on campus that had a bunch of inflatables, a velcro wall, a dunk tank, a photo booth, and great food! So of course I wanted to make a fool of myself on the velcro wall (pictured below) and get in on some photo booth action with my roommate. 

Movie night on the green featuring Maleficent! Great movie and an even greater night to sit outside on a blanket and eat some popcorn. :) 

Official first day of school picture. Self portrait edition. 

I can't remember what this was for, but hey, we were both wearing flannel. 

Mockingbird Sun was a band that came on the first friday night at Augie. They were openers for Toby Keith and Martina McBride, I guess, and one of their big hits right now is a song called, "Hey Mary." So that was cool. They were really good!

Mockingbird Sun played in the back alley!

Some fun marker board doodles. :)

MY FIRST PACKAGE! Consisted of a letter from Mom and lots of candy! 

This day made me realize that I didn't have enough warm clothing with me on campus... So I went to target and bought a jacket. Win-win :)

The first cold day of the year means cuddling up on the futon and drinking coffee under cute twinkle lights!

Anytime there's bananas in the commons, I'm sure to grab one for breakfast the next morning! They put a smile on my face... haha

My roommate also turned 19!! Yay Cassi! That's her up there. (Sorry Cassi :P)

For her birthday, we went to Olive Garden and our super cool waiter put 9 candles into her free birthday cake! It was exciting. However, when he brought it to the table, Cassi had just gone to the bathroom! Whoops!

FIRST AUGIE FOOTBALL GAME! GO VIKES. 

Cute walrus sculptures in downtown Sioux Falls. 

Cozy free time in my dorm. (Haven't had much of this since this picture was taken....)

This (some of) my fun welcome week group. We were beasts in the all terrain and were undefeated going into the tournament and got the number 1 seed. Unfortunately, we were set up to play the number 2 seed and lost in the first round due to terrible refs.... We're still bitter. 

Speaking of All-terrain volleyball.... We played wally-ball, court, sand, and mud volleyball. It was super fun and the showers were disgusting after the mud volleyball. Haha

Cassi's sassy pajama outfit.... She usually matches, guys. I promise.

Outing to Falls Park! It's beautiful here.

Viking Varieties featuring my awesome Peer Advisor. Her name is Sarah. She's super bubbly and goofy and fun and I love her. 

Autumn Rose is my background on my computer because she makes me happy. Therefore, studying for hours and hours is MUCH more enjoyable. 

The first of the Viking Days activities! This was before coronation of the king and queen and Kiri made it in for the last two. 

(This picture is actually terrible...)

After coronation, Augie puts on their very own fire works. They are very loud and shot pretty low and it was awesome. 

This is Kaitlyn! She's really great and loves Jesus and is a good friend. :)

This is my dorm!! Bergsaker Floor 2 West is where it's at. :)

This is Lauren! She's in Cru with me and is a fellow ASL interpretation major. :) She is posing by the sign I made for our float in the homecoming parade. 

All the choirs at Augie got to sing at the homecoming football game. I've never sang Alto 2 on the Star Spangled Banner, so it was an experience... 

GUESS WHO CAME TO SEE ME FOR HOMECOMING!??! MY MOMMA :)

SO. That was my September in a very choppy and shortened version solely because I haven't been in the mood to write out how this first month has gone. I'll try to actually write it out soon, but for now, I hope you have thoroughly enjoyed my pictures- however low quality and crazy they are. 

GO AUGIE.

I'm on a roller coaster that only goes up, my friend.

At least, from now on.

Yesterday was move in day and it was quite the ride. My roommate moved in a couple days early, so she was there when I got to Augie and I was able to meet her parents. It was nice having just one person moving into our room at one time, because I could set up my side of the room and get everything organized while she went off and did other things she needed to do! Throughout my process of moving out and buying everything I need for college, I keep being reminded that I am so blessed to have a family and situation where I am able to buy necessities and even things I didn't need, but just wanted. I am also thankful that I have parents who are supportive of me and patient with me. I am just extremely blessed. 

After moving in yesterday, we did activities in some groups and all went fairly well. While I was moving in, a couple girls came to my room with cookies for my roommate and I and invited us to Cru. It was definitely an answered prayer because I have been wanting to check out Campus Crusades! I am nervous about trying to figure out where/when they meet but she gave us a sheet of information on their first couple events! I'm very excited and hopefully this will help me get connected with a group of friends! 

I did say that yesterday was a "roller coaster," so here's the part where the roller coaster goes down a really big hill. (I am being a little bit dramatic, but still)

When I graduated high school and thanked God that I made it across the stage without tripping, I thought to myself, "College will be great. I won't make awkward conversation, I won't trip in front of people, I won't laugh at things no one else thinks is funny, I won't trip in front of people......." 

You see, when you get to college, I guess that awkward and goofy stuff doesn't just disappear. In fact, you may just decide to go roller blading on your first night at college and crash right in front of a field full of (rather attractive) athletic boys who will stop to stare (and even chuckle) at you. And maybe you won't be as ridiculous as me and you'll actually say something to them or even flirt a little. Instead of just getting up in a hurry and sliding around like a baby penguin on the ice. 

Since I left the scene of the accident as fast as possible, I didn't realize that my leg was actually dripping in blood by the time I got inside. Let's just say I'm glad I brought a first aid kit (thanks mom), but I didn't imagine using it on the first day. 

Crazy About Corn

Or maybe I'm not crazy about corn, but corn is making me crazy?

This summer I decided  was forced to take up the annoying and tedious, but well paying job of hand pollination. I put thousands and thousands of bags (of various sizes) on corn plants. It's really very exciting. *blank stare* 

As embarrassing as it is, my mom actually roped me into doing pollination. And since I couldn't find a job that would hire me for the last month and a half of summer, I figured it would be a good way to earn some money. Needless to say, it was my last resort. 

Although, my attitude was not always the best and brightest about heading off to work at 7:15 (sometimes 6:15) in the morning,  I did kind of enjoy it... Shhh don't tell my mom. ;) Many of the people I worked with were fun to talk to and be around and it really wasn't hard work. The heat and humidity was tough to get through at times, but I was fortunate to have a fairly cool summer to work in. Plus, I got a great tan. :) 

Another fun thing about being outside in the same environment everyday is that you start to appreciate simple beauties. Like a bright blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds. Or a cute little caterpillar. Or seeing the corn grow from 2 feet tall at the beginning of the season to about 8 feet tall! I don't think these beauties come by chance. I think God wants for us to be pleasant and hard workers. Christians reflect Christ when we're at work and we should be the most joyful people there. God knows that this job wasn't always fun for me, and I think he knows me so well that he placed little things for me to enjoy along the way. Feeling closer to God, even in the middle of a corn field, made the work well worth it. 

I was able to capture a few of these simple pleasures on long days. Enjoy!