InterVarsity CSUN (30 Days of Gratitude)

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 23

This is my fourth year on staff with InterVarsity CSUN. After four years of working with college students I can say I really do love my job. There are many days when things are really hard but there are many more days when things are great. And this year there is something uniquely great about the students and student leaders. We've always described InterVarsity CSUN as a family and I think this group of students really embodies this.

We gathered together to give thanks, to eat together, and to be in community with each other. Normally with any potluck or gathering event we prefer to have some planned activities but this year it just slipped us by. But as I looked around throughout the night ever person was engaged in conversation - meeting new people, laughing, telling stories, sharing their lives, and even having arm wrestling contests (yes that did happen).

I'm impressed and amazed by these students - their desire to see more of Jesus in their lives, their hope to see real change on campus, their longing for justice in the world, their hopefulness, their growing desire to commit, and their hospitality to welcome anyone into our family. They make every part of my job totally worth it and I love being a part of the family with you all.

Fall Con 2015

Here are some pictures from our most recent trip to CBS for Fall Conference 2015.

Our tradition of wearing plaid on the way to Catalina.

Sunset on the boat ride over.

Darin is one of the emcees for the weekend.

Our 90's dance party. 

CBS

Greek Staff, Kristina Crosetto was our speaker for the weekend.

CSUN!

Kayaking. 

During free time.

The beautiful island.

Our group again.

Small Groups

Small Groups

Small Groups

Small Groups

Small Groups

Small Groups

Small Groups

Our 14 international students and 3 leaders. They represented half of camp!

Leadership team.

Preparing to go home.

Boat ride home was a little bumpy.

Luke's Fall Con Testimony

For those who got the snapshot of this story through the ministry update or just want to hear an amazing story of what happened at Fall Conference, one of our seniors, Luke, shared this me to share with you about how God spoke to him at Fall Conference:

I have always had a strong "one-on-one" or "pocket God" relationship with The Lord. I was always selfish with MY God and the things that He could do for me. I was oblivious to the fact that by sustaining my relationship in the state it was in that it wasn't really a relationship at all.

A turning point for me was at Fall Con 2015. Before the trip I was feeling a little lost spiritually and was anxious to see what the weekend had in store. I went to Fall Con the year before and said that after my amazing weekend that my life would change permanently. We all know a camp high when we see one and that is exactly what this was. Within a week I was back to my selfish ways once again.

I was not forcing change in my life at Fall Con 2015 but man did it happen! All weekend I felt like Kristina was speaking directly to me. Everything she said resonated with me greatly. It was going so well for me so far, but it was not until the last night of worship and prayer that my faith took off.

Everyone around me was so FULL of the Lord. People were accepting Jesus into their lives for the first time. People that I didn't even know were praying over me. It was then that I realized how selfish I was. I was so focused on what God could do for me instead of what He could have me do for others. This realization really tore me apart and tears began to fall. I closed my eyes and just asked God, "What do you want from me?"

I have never really been one to believe that God could speak directly to someone until that moment. God and I were standing on the rocky beach of Catalina and He picked up a rock. He handed me the rock and said, "Look at this rock. These are all of your flaws and imperfections that I know that you struggle with. Now throw the rock." I did what He had asked and I threw the rock. He then said to me, "Now go find your rock." I looked out over the shore and there were thousands of other rocks that looked just like mine and there was no way of finding mine. God said, "All of these other rocks are the rest of the world. The same insecurities that you have are within a lot of others."

As I sat in tears listening to what He was saying I realized that God was speaking directly to me and I immediately jumped out of my seat, lifted my hands to the sky, and began to praise the wonderful name of God with all of my imperfect brothers and sisters of Christ.

My vision or meeting with God left me with a little interpretation of what should be done with what was shown to me. That night before I went to sleep I laid in bed and thought if there was more to what God was telling me than just "I love you for you." It dawned on me that God was sending me on a mission. By sending me out to find my rock I would be bound to pick up other rocks that looked similar to mine. Instead of realizing that they aren't my rock and just throwing them aside, He wants me to gather them and show them the love that He showed me. God wants me to go out and find the people that struggle with insecurities and self identity and let them know that He loves us and that His Son died on the cross for us.

God was trying to get me to see that eventually I will find my rock but He has other plans for me first before I find it.

Dear Class of 2015

Graduations can come with mixed emotions. For someone in a job like mine or anyone who has a job working with students, it can feel difficult to watch students leave year after year while I stay put. But I'm reminded that graduations come with hope and promise, leaping into a new phase of life and transition into new places God is calling them.

So in the wake of graduation season, I have 5 pieces of advice for the class of 2015 (from the class of 2010).

1) You're entering another season of firsts 
Something I did a lot when I graduated was thought about every "last" I was going to have. The last time I attended class, the last Large Group, the last small group, the last time I'd visit Nautical Bean, etc. I was scared of "ending" but was missing how I was stepping into a new "beginning". Every transition has both its lasts and its first. Remember the first college class? Or the first paper you wrote? Or your first roommate that wasn't a family member? What comes with graduating doesn't have to be a series of lasts but a new season of firsts. This is exciting and scary but it's joyful to enter into a season where new things are happening. There are new jobs and new cars and new apartments and new friends and new cities. But this is the season where you'll experience holding your newborn for the first time or first becoming a member of a church or first getting that promotion at work. As you enter into this season, enjoy all the new things you'll get to do and looking back at college will be like remembering all the firsts you had then (rather than your lasts).

2) College friends change but that's not a bad thing
This was the scariest thing for me. It was difficult to reconcile everyone "leaving" each other to do new things. No longer would I live five minutes from my friends who I could call last minute to hang out. Our relationships post-college look different than they do during, but that's not always a bad thing. Some friends you'll grow closer to after you graduate, some friends will go in and out of your life but they feel like they are always there. However things will look during this time, remember that your friends from college have had an influence on your life. That's something to celebrate. And this is where you can be so grateful for technology - Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, FaceTime, texting, and the like to keep in touch with people who don't live down the hall from you any more. Plus you get to talk about things other than papers and homework. Grown up stuff like what you want to watch on Netflix after work!

3) This is the season you'll grow a ton
Transition can feel hard and scary. Transition can feel exciting and new! Whether going to grad school or the working world (or the unknown), you'll take on a lot more responsibility. Showing up late to class is a whole lot different than showing up late to work. But with this increased responsibility, there is a greater chance to grow. I used to think that all my "growing up" was done in college, but actually it was just a preparation for the intense amount of growth that has happened in this post college season. I learned much more about myself, about Jesus, and about community in this season.

4) Making new friends is hard 
I have a whole blog post dedicated to this but the short version is: it's kind of awkward to do. It takes a lot longer than it seemed to in college and that is ok. You'll make new friends. It will happen. As much as we want to live life like How I Met Your Mother or Friends it probably won't happen. But if you do live a above a coffee shop or a bar - I'm so coming to live with you.

5) It's ok if you don't have it all figured out 
It's easy to want to have your live nicely figured out when you graduate. But you may not know what you want to do. It make take a couple of jobs to figure it out. You may not be ready to do what you are called to do yet. It may take a couple of moves to find out where you want to live. This is the time to explore! Instead of stressing out about not having figured out your life, this is literally the time to doing the figuring it out. Submit yourself to Jesus and see where he will lead you. Just focus on one step at a time. Take risks, explore new places (even if you live in the same town, go to that new coffee shop or cupcake place), read books, blog, serve others, write, take photos - do things that bring you joy. This is the time to figure out what you are passionate about and how to let Jesus use that passion for his kingdom.

Twenty Fourteen

2014 was a good year. It had a lot of joys, a lot of new experiences, a lot of growth, some pain and fears - as do most years. But overall this year felt like a stepping into myself, more of who I am and growing into the person I love being. 

So here are 14 highlights from the past year. 

1. Full Time Staff and Fundraising 

After some very difficult seasons, I felt a sense of joy to step into full time ministry. With that came fundraising. Fundraising was a great way to teach me about story-teling, dependence on Jesus, and humility. 

2. Maintaining and Making Friends 

Making friends outside of college is just hard. This year I've had a lot of new friendships occur, many mature and grow, and taking risks as some prepare to move away. But the friendships I've maintained over this year have been so sustaining to me this year. 

3. Pentatonix Concert 

They are just awesome. It was amazing. There was screaming and shouting and singing. Best mini road trip of the year.

4. Getting a Tattoo

I actually got 2 tattoos this calendar year. It feel surreal sometimes but both carry extremely special and important meaning to me. This is the story of the first one. The second one's story is coming soon. 

5. Supporting Sean and Jenel in the LA Marathon 

In March two of my students ran the LA Marathon. I was so proud of both of them for their perseverance, their training, and their fearlessness. They both inspired me to sign up for a half marathon in May of 2015. Also I got to randomly volunteer hand out water to runners! 

6. How I Met Your Mother Series Finale 

I had watched the show starting in season three. I followed the gang from New York for years. It was both exciting and sad to see the series finally come to a close. But I did finally get to meet the mother and that was legendary. 

7. Teaching Mark I at Catalina

I love teaching manuscript study. And preparing to teach the gospel of Mark was amazing. The text came alive for me again as I saw Jesus' compassion and power throughout the pages. 

8. Orientnation for New Staff (ONS) 

This was one of the best conferences I've been to with InterVarsity. I made lasting friendships, had an amazing breakthrough about my multi-ethnicity, and became reaffirmed in my calling to ministry. Table 9! Yeaaah! 

9. Visiting Nashville

Every year my best friend and I take a vacation. This year we broke our Portland/Seattle tradition to visit somewhere new. Here I grew to love country music, bought a pair of boots, and ate a ton of BBQ. 

10. Hiking to Glen Aulin 

We've talked about it for years and our family finally made this happen. It was a beautiful hike to see parts of Yosemite I had never seen before. I grew up camping here and I loved seeing a new things. 

11. Developing InterVarsity Leaders

This has been the year to develop new leaders in IV. We took on apprentices, taught leaders about intercession and prayer, took risks together. One of the most challenging and fulfilling seasons of ministry so far. 

12. Intercession and Prayer 

Thanks to Molly Ramos, I've learned a lot about intercession and prayer. I'm not an expert at it but I'm growing to see a deep need in my life to commit to interceding and praying on a much deeper level. 

13. Fall Conference 2014

This has been the most memorable Fall Conference I've been to date. Our speaker not only challenged our students to see God as immeasurably more, but I was able to seek healing from Jesus in some deep places. This was the start of some very important growth and seeking more of Jesus not just for my students but for me. 

14. My 27th birthday

I love birthdays and celebrating birthdays. This year was one of the best birthdays I've had. I felt celebrated and relaxed all at the same time. Pizza, card games, and Fast and the Furious movies will do that to a person. And yes even 27 year olds can still have sleepovers. 

Here's to many more adventures in 2015! 

Area Day, Saltiness, and Pokemon

Week of Gratitude Day 3

1) My area team meetings are probably the highlight of my month. It's so great to be able to come to every one now, to bond with my staff team (since it's the only time I get to bond with a staff team), and hear from each other. These are becoming my dear friends. Not to mention for the first time we did so in the Valley!

2) My freshman bible study. I love our jokes, our games, and our scripture study. I't been great getting to know these people and invest in them. Ask us about "salt" and "saltiness" and our metaphysical description of Matthew 5.

3) InterVarsity's LaFe ministry. Just a few years ago, it was an idea that turned into a dream that turned into a full blown ministry. I love that we have a thriving community of Latino students seeking after Jesus - one that goes deep with each other and makes Pokemon references about wisdom.

Humility

When I was a freshman in college, our fellowship did a study on Daniel. I don't really remember much about it because, well I was a freshman. But yesterday one of dorm bible studies I help supervise did their bible study on Daniel and I was blown away. I had forgotten how amazing Daniel was.

We studied how Daniel had humbled himself before the chief official and asked permission not to eat the king's food. And when he had done so he was healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. It later says that God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and reams of all kinds.

As a group we had decided that because Daniel was so humble and obedient to the Lord, there was room for God to fill him with more. This struck me because I often ask God to fill me with more - more wisdom, more understanding, more vision, more love, etc. But I wonder if the reason I don't feel I have more is because there isn't much room left for God to fill. That I have filled my life with junk that there is no room for God to pour out what he could.

The other men ate the choice food and they weren't seen as unhealthy but they were not nearly the nourished that Daniel and his four compadres were. Because they had emptied themselves, God was able to fill them with himself. I wonder if our pride keeps us from being filled with what God has because there literally is no room left for God. We become so full of ourselves and full of other stuff, that there becomes little room for God to do work in our own lives. 

Just a short reflection today. But I did manage to find our video we made when I was a freshman in college of a modern day take on Daniel. Please - enjoy. 

Part 1

Part 2

August Insta-Reviview

Instagram photos in the month of August (follow me on instagram - @melissamonte)

To see the previous InstaReviews
January
February
March
April
May
June
July