Mr. Clean

I attended the typical small country school where when you finish Elementary you just go down another hall to get to the Junior high end. Or when you finally get to High school you go into a new class room. I had one good friend named, Daryl whom i met in grade 3 and ended up going through all the grades with. Not only did we color together, make science projects and write notes to each other on our graphing calculators we played sports together and rode on the same yellow bus. He was one of those friends where its all Jokes and all you do is laugh when you're together. A few months before we graduated our gym class went scuba diving and on the bus ride home Daryl quietly asked me if i would like to be his escort for grad. I was thankful i got asked and that i got to go with such a great friend. However when the day came it became really awkward. Being all dressed up and getting picked up by him in a suit acting all serious was very uncomfortable to me. And i knew it was for him too because when i opened the door all he could blurt out was, "You clean up well."

I couldn't help but to smile when i walked in the gym for our NBC Christmas Banquet. Staff and Students were dressed to the nines. Ladies in their big gowns with their hair and make-up done perfectly. The men with their hair slicked back standing in their suits and ties. Now i wasn't smiling at the way people were dressed but because i was wondering how many people were looking around starring at their peers saying, "You clean up well." Christmas Banquet is defiantly a break from the sweat-shirt look, those comfy jeans and the heavy winter boots. This event even seals the deal with some potential boy-friend, girl-friend relationships. Some would say this is the highlight of the first semester.
The evening started with appetizers and punch. Which allowed everyone to mingle and take a few pics. Once the meal arrived from the dinning hall everyone found their table and waited for the M.C to inform them which tables could go first. I thought i planned it right by sitting with the M.C because then maybe we would go first. But unfortunately there were numbers on the table and we had to wait til our number got called. After the meal we sang some Christmas Carols and one birthday shout out to the President. After the dress seams couldn't be stretched anymore and the guys were ready to burn their ties. There was time for more photos. Group shots, friend shots, family, shots, couple shots, whatever shots. Right Karissa.
So for those of you planning on coming to Nipawin Bible College next year hold onto that grad dress and black suit it will come in handy.

Heating Up Basketball

In grade 11 I attended the Christian College University Tour in Edmonton in search of a bible school that would suit me. There was so many booths to look at and i spent a lot of time talking to the representatives and reading their promotional material. When i stopped at the small Nipawin Bible College booth i was very intrigued by what they offered. Some would say that it was the school for me but i like to believe it was the Holy Spirit. Because when the recruiter said, "We don't have Basketball," I still decided to go.

I did two years at NBC. And played basketball only scrimmage style or one on one. Soccer started to become a big part of my life and I even settled for shinny hockey in the winter. I was cooking along in other sports. Basketball was on the back burner and i kept telling myself at least i am on the Stove.

But now i am on staff and i have decided to turn this stove into an easy bake oven. There was enough girls interested in basketball to form a team. Not just 5 girls running around but two lines of pro basketball players. We practiced hard. Getting into shape going over drills and learning a variety of plays. We decided to take our talent right to our home court by playing the guys in an exhibition game. The game started of Strong with the two battling head to head but in the second half Andrew Gilkinson became unbeatable. And helped his boys take a lead in the game. I forget the score and to be honest chose to forget it but i do know this. They won that game by spiking the rebounds back in the net.

The Open Door

At the beginning of November i brought back Tim, my life long friend to Nipawin, whom I did everything with growing up. Walk to the school bus, watch movies, go for car rides and even weed the garden. When i would come home from college Tim and I always picked it up right where we left off. So i was very excited to have him as me roommate after all these years. Although Tim, my cat found it very hard to adjust to his new surroundings. And when i let him out for the first time he took off. All day i called for Tim, looked for him and even had a search team hunt him down. Two days went by and no sign of Tim until i awoke to find him sitting on my sidewalk outside of my house. I flung my front door open, slipped on some ice and literally hugged him as i fell. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Love or scold. Get up or call an ambulance.

Its an amazing feeling seeing someone who you care about so dearly. So many emotions running through you and so much to say but so few words to choose from. I believe everyone felt a little of that this last weekend as we attended NBC's Alumni Weekend. Nipawin Bible College has served many students over the past 74 years and it was great seeing old friends reunite. I too was able to see some of my peers whom i haven't seen since we graduated and it was great to catch up with them.

The weekend started off with our traditional Alumni soccer game. Seven teams competed, Fast Orange and Steal Magnolias ended up in the final and Fast Orange took the title after a close shoot out. Buckets of ice cream were provided to refresh the alumni after the tough games.

Brunch on Saturday was enjoyed by all and was then followed by our "U R US" meeting which may have not been as enjoyable however we did cover lots of important items and were able to purchase a new snow blower and speakers for chapel with the Alumina's donations. The afternoon was open to mingle, play games, visit and bid in the silent auction. After supper we all headed over to Jubilee to watch the Alumni play the students in a hockey game. The students dominated and the final score was 15-5. To finish the evening off we met together for a praise and worship concert. Not only were we able to sing songs to God but also share in a time of pray, hear testimonies and encourage one another.

Church the next day was a nice way to close the weekend. Dan Collins was the speaker and did an amazing job sharing the scriptures with us. Lunch was the last meal we ate together and then each one departed.

I find that we often bring one another into our lives sharing many experiences, thoughts, and memories together. However there comes a time when God asks us to open our door and allow them to go there way. Its hard and at times seems so unfair. But he always brings someone new through that door and most often allows our sidewalks to cross with our old friends too. As my Russian teacher would say, "See you in Heaven."

Feed My Sheep

When I was a student at Nipawin Bible College I had a roommate that loved sheep. Posters of sheep decorated her side of the room, trinkets of sheep covered her shelves and a cute stuffed sheep sat on her bed. We even had some hay in our room for a......Just Kidding. It took me awhile but slowly I too began to love the small woolly animal and would catch myself drawing them on my notes. But after graduating from NBC and moving on I sadly forgot the cute sheep and began to adore other things.

This past week NBC had their 2007 Fall Missions Conference. Which is a chance for missionaries to tell students about their mission and the work God is doing around the world. Their booths displayed faces of people yet to hear the gospel and explained how we can help. Students could look, ask questions and maybe even answer the call.

There was also an Ethnic Supper held in the decked out dinning hall. Where all were able to enjoy some delicious food and hear amazing stories from the missionaries. It was a great time to unite with friends, make new ones and even find out where God may be leading.

Services were held each day for worship, prayer, testimonies and to hear God's word. Our speaker was David Smith from Across Borders for World Evangelism and he challenged us to feed God's sheep. Whether that be overseas in a foreign country or right in our backyard.

This Conference added a greatly needed bundle of kindling to the fire for my love of sheep. It reminded me that no matter where God takes us and whom he brings into our lives. May we always have love for God's sheep and be willing to feed them. "The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." John 21:17