I led the Sabbath School discussion today about peace. The more I studied about it and the more we discussed it, I realized that peace is a huge concept for me, maybe for humanity in general. We are constantly seeking peace in one form or another. I see it as a foundational concept. If I have true peace, I can build on it to improve my compassion, my confidence, my life of God’s love. The peace we talked about was the kind of inner serenity regardless of external factors. Jesus talks about it when he says “Come to me, all You who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest…” I think that’s the peace I’m looking for, a peace in surrender and security.
A Journey 14 January 2010
I brought this over from Facebook.
Querida amigos,
I want to tell you about a journey I have begun. It’s a journey that justifies itself slowly, but one where every experience fits into the puzzle somewhere. I feel like there’s something that God has in mind for me, and I’ve decided to stop waiting around for life to begin. I’m looking for purpose, a life full of it!
One of the things I feel like God has been leading me towards is a change in schools. Last year, while at Southern, I started visiting other colleges and researching all kinds of majors (you know how I change my mind weekly!) Southern is an amazing school in so many ways, from the duck pond to the Promenade and the hundreds of inspiring and beautiful people I am privileged to know. Don’t forget dear Gordon or even the wellness center. The fact that SAU is one of the top schools and is a very successful university isn’t a coincidence. But even with all of these great facts, I’ve come to realize that Southern just isn’t the school for me. I have countless friends whose eyes light up when you ask them how God brought them there. These people feel like Southern is where they need to be.
But I never felt that way. I wanted to, certainly. All the logic pointed to SAU: a great journalism program, proximity to home, and my group of friends I can’t even begin to describe how much I love them. But I still felt like God wanted me someplace else, like there was a plan waiting for me.
So I visited colleges my freshman year in college, alongside all the high school students. I went to Union the week before classes began, then hit Walla Walla for spring break. Finally, I visited PUC right before I came here to Spain.
My visit to PUC was a God thing, to be sure. It wasn’t supposed to be possible. I went to visit my aunt in Loma Linda for a week before flying to Spain. I wanted to visit PUC, but it was an 8 hour drive and my aunt had to babysit her two grandkids that weekend. She and I prayed about it and then starting making plans to go to the beach. Then we found out that both of my cousins didn’t have to work, after all, so they could take care of the kids. That almost never happened! Then, we called PUC and they had an opening the day I needed, and could put us up for the night! Next we called my Nana who lives an hour from PUC and she was going to be able to see us and let us stay with her on the way back to Southern California. Everything fell into place without a hitch, and we were off to PUC!
We prayed a lot on the way up interstate-5. I had traveled that road thousands of times since I was born, so it was all familiar, already. When we drove up the hill to Angwin, I was so excited! It is a beautiful campus and in some ways I already felt at home there. I just had a good feeling about the place.
The visit went well (I won’t bore you with the details) but I left PUC feeling like God had brought me to visit for a reason. It wasn’t like the school was perfect; no school is perfect. But I felt like a lot of things I was looking for were at this school. Here are a few of my reasons.
The school has a major that is great for me: intercultural communication with a Spanish emphasis, something that SAU no longer has. This major combines a practical skill (communication and journalism) with my Spanish and some amazing culture and history classes (good for my future diplomatic aspirations.)
I don’t plan to spend the rest of my life in Collegedale, TN (sorry, y’all.) In fact, I might like to live on the West Coast again someday. In that case, I need to have made connections and professional networks on that side of things. I need to get internships and jobs in the areas where I hope to work someday. In Tennessee, it’s a bit more difficult: I’d probably end up interning for Bob Corker or something 
Living in the dorm as well as down the street at SAU is a great thing, but I don’t feel like I’ve ever gone off to college. This year, living abroad, is great for me. I feel more independent and more like I’m actually off to school. But at home, SAU is too close to home for that! I LOVED going home on weekends and being able to drop in on my parents’ work in between classes, but it’s time for me to head out for a while. Collegedale is home, definitely, and that won’t change, but I need to be away for school.
PUC also has a smaller student body. Southern feels too big sometimes, and I’m excited about a smaller, closer atmosphere.
This is kind of silly, but the cafeteria at PUC is pretty exciting (I’ve heard that they have all day salad bars and sushi sometimes!) And did I mention the coffee shop in the student center?
Some of the reasons are insignificant, but they all contribute to a bigger agenda: I’m looking for a school where I will be able to open my mind, change my perspectives, and become who I’m supposed to be. I honestly feel like God has been leading me to choose PUC as the place for me to do that. I’ve put a lot of prayer and thought into this decision, and I’m very excited about it!
With all this said, please understand that this isn’t easy for me. I’m kind of jumping in without being able to see the bottom. I don’t know what to expect entirely. Also, leaving you guys is going to be harder than you can even imagine. I have always been incredibly blessed with friends: God puts people in my life exactly when and where I need them most, and those people are you guys! Last year I loved all of our adventures and talks and weekends together. I wouldn’t trade our times together for anything! But just because I’m going to a different college doesn’t mean I’m deciding to forget you guys. We’re still friends! I still love you! 3000 miles isn’t that far for real friendships. And hey, we’ve made it this year with the Atlantic between us, haven’t we?
Since this note has gotten rather long and winded, I want to finish up with two things:
1. I’m pretty sure that God has a purpose for all of us. I dare you to find out
2. I love you guys! That doesn’t change, kids!
So this is my decision and explanation. I hope you can understand where I’m coming from and will still love me
Love,
Shanna
