To be or not to be ... an RA, that is?

"We are unable to offer you a Resident Assistant position at this time."

This blog is honestly to clear up to a few people my mind set on the ResLife's decision of not giving me an RA position.

I know many of you might not have known that I even applied even though it got brought up while I was home. Those that did know, knew that I wanted this position more than anything. But I came to terms really quick when I got my letter that it wasn't where God wanted me to lead or serve. In fact, that was my mentality and perspective all throughout the process. From the day I got my application in November to yesterday when I found out that I wasn't an RA, my mind set was that God would let me know if this was best for me.

He obviously has something else in store for me. The best part is I'm ready to see what he has in mind. Where he'll take me? I don't know, but he does. Where he'll have me leading and serving? I have a feeling, but it's up to him.

Can't wait to see where he leads me :)

"tug-of-war"

R: He's pulling and he's definitely got a hold on my life. I'm afraid ok? He's holding a part of me that I don't want to be anymore.

K: Then let go.

R: Kyle, It's easier said then done.

K: Rick, it's like a game of tug-of-war ...

"He's pulling, and you're pulling. You're trying way to hard to get a life back that you don't want anymore. Maybe if you just let go of the rope and let him keep pulling, he'll realize that there's nothing left to pull when he gets to the end of the rope. He'll let go of you then, but you gotta let go of it first."

God is definitely using people to speak into my life. Thanks God.

I've got a story ... [Part I of III]

A few months ago I wrote about my experience of coming to Christ at the end of Junior year and summer before Senior year. I also said that I'd eventually write about my Senior year of high school.

Well I lied. I'll say this though, senior year was amazing. God definitely rocked me that year. He especially rocked me at High School Camp. God, at camp, got me ready for that first year of college. Unfortunately he got me ready and all I did was ignore everything he called me to.

College
With that said, let's begin this crazy adventure called my first year of college ...

For those that don't know I go to the University of Portland. I'm a Biology major with minors in Chemistry and Communicatons. I lived in Villa Maria; all male dorm. My roommate was Matt Ortman; we'll leave it at that.

I got good grades. I had awesome friends. I played volleyball. I got plugged int my school early and with ease.

It's funny how on paper, or in this case - scree, it can look so good. That's where you're wrong, my friend.

In the midst of all of this "goodness" was a storm I had never felt so lost in. Until this year.

My grades ended up being so-so. I could have done so much better. Some of those good friends didn't even stand a chance against time. Volleyball was all I had going for me ...

You might be wondering where my faith life was in the midst of this. Guess what? I was wondering the same exact thing. It was honestly nowhere to be found through this turmoil. How I wish it was there.

--> Well, it was, I just ignored it completely. Talk about stupid.

God called me out during Christmas break. Talk about an eye-opener. Did I listen? Of course. I was in a desperate need of hearing his voice. I only wish that I could say that it stuck all of second semester. Alas, it didn't stick at all.

I became apathetic towards serving. I became apathetic towards being a Christian. I hid it really well though. I am thankful for Kellen and Charlie walking me through. I couldn't have done it without them.

To save you the reading and details, just ask me sometime what happened when I was in school. Some of that stuff just wasn't meant to go online...

note to self.

the next time i want to do something because i feel like being a rebel, remember that:

compromising your identity for your feelings and emotions is not worth it, not one bit.

love, rick.

Thanks ResLife.

[this is just a rant, a rant that is probably not necessary, but yeah ...]

Today, I was checking my University of Portland email and I see that I have one from ResLife (for you non-UP students, people in charge of housing on this campus). Anyways, the email was horribly worded and actually freaked me out a tad bit. I'll let you read the email and let you be the judge of how horribly written it was.

Dear Rick Andrew,

Due to an unusually large number of students returning to campus housing as well as a larger than expected number of first time freshman students, some consolidation reassignments have been made to accommodate as many students as possible.

Please find your advanced housing/roommate assignment attached to this message. The regular assignment mailing will also be sent July 15. If further reassignments are made, additional notifications will be sent July 25, August 5 & 15. If you receive multiple assignment e-mails, the latest dated notification will be your official assignment.

For those of you who received a reassignment, we thank you for your flexibility and help in providing housing to others. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

To make matters worse, there was an attachment that would ultimately let me know if 1) Kyle Hamm was still my roommate and 2) whether or not I was still in Villa.

Luckily, I am still in Villa next year and my roommate is still Kyle Hamm. Why I wrote this blog? It's going to be hyperlinked somewhere else and because it seriously was almost the worst feeling that I've had all day. I mean I'm not usually too worried about my history exams, but those give me some uneasy feelings just because history isn't my thing.

That's it for the rant, haha.

incased you missed it.

i'm still here, but i'm also over here now too :)

a quick little update.

I've been really bad at updating my blog consistently. I could tell you guys "I'm busy" or "I'm barely at my computer" (haha)

Despite being busy, I don't have a real reason to update my blog. So with that ... let's go back a few weeks ago.
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I finished freshman year of college. I had a blast this past year. It was definitely a learning experiencing. Not just getting used to the whole "college life" but also making new friends and well ... having those friends be flippin amazing people! I'm glad of all the friends I made, and even some of the friends I lost. It's alright. Things happen, and some of the things that happened were for the best. If anything at all, second semester was WAY better than the first semester. Better classes, better grades, and WAY better friends. It was definitely tough, but it was worth the amount of crying and the amount of breakdowns, haha. By the way, I also had an opportunity to blog with a friend ... check it out. Some of you have already checked it out, but it's quite the blog!

After wards, I was home for two weeks in the good ol' Oak Harbor. It was different, but at the same time it was a lot of fun being around a place that I grew up. But the there was one thing I realized ... it wasn't my home anymore. It took coming home to Oak Harbor to realize that Oak Harbor isn't where I belong anymore. Portland is definitely where I belong. It's my home. I have some of the best friends here with me at school. The thing is ... I could honestly see myself wanting to hang out with them even after school. BUT back to Oak Harbor (haha), it was fun catching up with some people. I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to see, but hey I'll be back at the end of June. I think that's more than enough time to see people.

Now I'm here back in Portland taking summer classes. In my Bible class I'm learning quite a few interesting things. I'm enjoying every moment here in Portland. Wish more people were still here on campus. That's about it :)

Love you guys! Can't wait to come home, but while I'm here - I'm going to enjoy it! Check out my new blog