What I Learned My First Semester of Grad School

This semester would not be possible without the people above--my family, my best friends, and the SALP staff. My family and friends were able to continuously encourage my journey, reminding me of the richness of the life we live, and the reason we are here: Him.

I've spent many hours learning, laughing, and growing within my assistantship in the Student Activities and Leadership Programs office (SALP) and the awesome staff I get to work with. I've helped plan and facilitate leadership retreats, the emerging leaders program, and am currently working on the Gender and Leadership Summit conference, strengths program, social justice certificate, spring leadership retreat...just to name a few. Which leads me to my biggest lesson learned this year:

#1. Life is about spinning plates

Having nearly 1/2 a dozen programs in the works at any given time, my supervisor Kate continuously stated how it's all about spinning plates. You work on one project and transfer to another and then jump back with enough time that the other one hasn't stopped spinning (i.e. you don't forget about it). At work this was originally challenging, because I can get so immersed in one task it easy to forget of the others--yet 5 months has passed and I am a spinning plates afficionada. I think this mindset has also been beneficial to my life, having family and friends all great distances away. I am learning to 'spin plates' in that regard by sending simple text messages, weekly cards, scheduling phone calls, visits and adventures. Keeping my friendships spinning has been a huge area of growth and improvement to me this year.

#2. Life is about growing where your planted

When I originally moved to Kalamazoo, I was constantly looking to when I could visit Grand Rapids and head home to Saginaw. As much I was enjoying my new life, I wasn't overly concerned with growing roots and planting myself right where I was. As the semester unfolded and classes began, the more I began to pray and reflect on the meaning of now. What does God want me to do here? What is my purpose here? In little ways each day, he began to show me. I began enjoying time outside of class with friends, spending time with my roommates, seeing the blessings in simple interactions with students, getting the Kalamazoo Gazette, attending a church regularly--where I'm beginning a small group with the Women's Ministry director! I feel my roots are off to a great start, and so thankful I recognized that although I have so much I look forward to outside of Kzoo, I have plenty to look forward to, right here, right now.

#3. Working with/for students will be a part of my life's work

Beginning my job and my graduate coursework, I was quite sure that being a student affairs professional and working in higher education is where God has called me, I continuously prayed for His guidance in terms of this time and of what my future looks like. To be honest, I've been overly surprised how much I love my work, my classes, and the everyday thrill of driving to a job and school I love. I feel He has only encouraged me to thrive in His ways, right where He led me to.

#4. Be excited when life goes the other way of "your plan"

Hot damn I am a planner--I enjoy planning for today, tomorrow, next week, next year, and the next century. In many ways I learned this semester that God must continuously laugh at my plans, because many of them did not go as planned this year. He has chartered a course that I certainly couldn't have guessed or planned. And for that, I am daily thankful and grateful for how much He loves me and guides me and has everything occur at the opportune moment, time, place, and with the right people. In short, I am less neurotic about planning in general, because when recently when I have let go and let Him take over more, I have been so unabashedly happy. I truly couldn't ask for much more!

Here's to my first semester of grad school, and the 1.5 years to go! With Him, I am nothing but lavishly excited. 

It's not everyday you get coughed on by a giraffe, and other Jesus is AWESOME moments

I will be the first to tell you I've never been a huge animal person, but ya know Jesus' continues to find creative ways for me to love all of His creations. On Friday the SALP staff caravaned to Binder Park in Battle Creek, Mich., where many wonders of the world reside. We saw a snow leopard, a dinosaur, monkeys, emus, zebras, tortoises, and so many other wonderful animals. We even took a safari to Africa--only 5 minutes to get there!

On Friday I finally felt what people talk about as "love at first site." No not a man,--one of these days, I know Jesus is doing great things there, but anyways--I met a giraffe! They were just the sweetest animals ever. For a mere $1 for a piece of lettuce, you could feed them. This photo captures the giraffe enjoying his piece, and my shock that he didn't eat my finger! There tongues are so long and icky! But he just blew me away with his gentle nature, his charmingly awkward facial look, and his disposition to the world. He just seemed happy, happy for the day, for the company, for the food, for the little lovely life Jesus created for him.

Oh! And a little while later, he coughed on me! There was a little girl next to me and it blew all of her hair back. It was just the sweetest thing I must say!

So thanks Mr. Giraffe. You remind that each day is full of grace, love, and happiness. You were just such a genuine pleasure to meet, and I hope we meet again:-)

If you feel somedays as if Jesus is not close, pray for Him to show you the beauty of each day, and invite him into everything you do--He will 10000% greet you graciously right then. I think that's been my favorite thing about July; I really learned just how strongly He is everywhere.

Jesus was with me in my travels 2,500 miles, and even danced to the music with me.

Jesus continues to affirm my calling to be a student affairs professional.

Jesus continues to tell me 'You got this girl! I'm with ya!'

Jesus continues to feed me and keep money in the bank.

Jesus continues to nurture friendships that mean so much to me.

Jesus tells me its going to be ok, and not to worry, or hurry, or think too much.

Jesus showed me just how being there to give a hug is sometimes all that is needed.

Jesus has shown me that his trust is always the best way to provide wind and direction to my sails.

He tells me to pray, and to illuminate the life He's called me too.

This little light of my, I'm going to let it shine:-)

How has Jesus been AWESOME in your life this month? I challenge you to write a few things down. Is their a pattern? Is their a message? How does this encourage your walk with Him?

My Monday, My Yellow Flowers (16 days until T.Haas & I shake hands)

This week my parents came for the Awards Banquet and brought along with them these exquisite yellow roses. I have enjoyed watching them miraculously unfold with layers of beauty.

In many ways these roses don't just feel like any roses to me. They celebrate 4 years of active voluntary involvement at GVSU. As they seemed to tip toe to unfold, and then suddenly blossomed into magnificence, I feel we've lived a similar life. Who I was 4 years ago was a bud in comparison to the yellow rose I feel to be inside now.

I enjoyed Monday night with my parents in ways that I could not have imagined. The dean of the Honors College gave a keynote speech that encapsulated the rarity and importance of celebrating good work. He recently shared how he performed at Carnegie Hall, and when they ended, the 5-story theatre roared with applause. He said although that meant so much to him, at the end the conductor looked at them and said something that made everything just come together.

Bravo.

I almost begin to cry reflecting on this, because he then said bravo to all those who were recognized. It was very powerful to be graciously recognized for my contribution to student life at GVSU, but he made me realize something so much greater.

He led me to the epiphany that the little bravos are what are the most humbling, rewarding moments of all.

And that's what Monday night felt like. It was a celebration of what has been learned, occurred, transformed, grown, inspired, and humbled within me by Him and all those awesome people of His Kingdom that have encouraged me to become who I am. As much as the award was to me, it was so much more about everything and everyone who I have met, worked with, learned with, laughed with, made a difference with at GVSU.

It was so wonderful to have my parents there, to not only be a part of such a sacred moment, but to congratulate me. I feel sometimes that being at GVSU theirs a disconnect between what I do, and to have them realize how much I love and have been dedicated to student life at GVSU was a tremendous feeling. President Haas even told our table congratulations--how humbling as well.

Monday night reminded me that I am Sarah Amelia Schultz, and I am so ready to continue--not begin, but continue-- to light the world on fire with all of the gifts and spirit and people He has blessed me with.

So for the rest of my life, I will remember that my life changed the day I was told one simple, powerful, genuine word, because I could hear God saying it too.