August 23rd, 2012

Welcome Week Day 1

You walk into the Eisenhower Campus Center. There are greeters to welcome you, and they point you to the check-in point. You are overwhelmed by the new sights, smells, people, and noise. You hit the check-in table. You are welcomed by cheers, smiles, and encouraging words. “Welcome to Messiah!” You give your last name, they check you off, and start you down the line. 12 people down the line, you have all you need. You meet a student chaplain and he tells you how excited they are to have you. That they are praying for you as you arrive and start a new page in life. At this point you go to move into your residence hall. You meet your roommate, your RA, and your hall-mates and “get settled in” as well as you can in an hour, which is minimal. Then you go the sports center for your health records check, and you realize you don’t have what you need. TB test later, and requirement forms in hand. They ship you off to the dining hall. A really good meal for a cafeteria later, free time. Just hang out with parents and enjoy the beautiful weather here in Grantham. 

My favorite part of the day was definitely the Candle Light Service. They call the service a "bookend". You have one the first day as a first year student, and then as you have one for Graduation. The message brought out was from Philippians 3. The main point was, "press on". Do you best for Christ. It was a very challenging message to keep in mind as orientation is so geared around social and the workload is forgotten. 

I have pictures and videos I still have to download off my camera. When I get those down I will put them up here!

~Jacob