Diversity

Diversity is sooo apparant in our alpha group. we're like a little melting pot :)
its so important though because each person in our group has added onto each other and helped each other grow only through the grace of God. He gives us similar circumstances in life to relate to one another. Proverbs 27:17. I have always grown up in a diverse town and i think it is so important to have because it truly opens up your views and allows you to love with the kidn of love Jesus had. I personally want to thank each of you in 84 for the way you have befriended me and encourage me during the first part of freshman year. Each of you is special and amazing and added to much to the group. I love how we all got along but were so different. and i love how much we laughed...like this morning "shut up" hahahahaha i love you guys. and grace thank you for being an encouraging leader with a heart for us and for God....it made all the difference.

Send me

Well...after the guy talked on global expeditions and going out there and doing something, I feel as though I need to go somewhere and serve. Its true what he said about where people end up actually helping. So few people reach those who have never once heard Jesus' name. Thats where I want to help. I know that in this next year, it would be wonderful if I were able to go out somewhere and serve. Somewhere not here where I can grow and gain a new perspective. I think that would be so good for me and my walk. So for now I am just going to pray about it and see where God takes me. Have a great day! Peace.

Geneocide

if the title is spelled wrong, i blame ellen.
anyway...
I really enjoyed the lady that told about her childhood experience with the Holocaust. She was halarious...me and 10 points thought so at least...I love that she was blunt in what she said and she knew who she was and what she wanted to say reguardless of anything else. She said some people like me and some people may hate me and I just say whatever. I think thats so great. But about her experience as child in the Holocaust also had powerful meaning. The way that her life was affected was incredible. I think the part that was so hard for me to hear was that yes she could move on and use the experience in a positive, but that she would never ever be able to forgive the soilders. I think thats understandable given the circumstances and that it is only by the grace of God that we are able to forgive other humans for the mistakes made. I also really appreciated her honesty when she talked about her faith in God. She came out on a Christian campus knowing she was Jewish and still shared her story. So basically I not only learned a lot about the tramatizing past, but more so about her life as a whole and the decisions she has made to get to be where she is now impacting lives.

Alcohol

Lets see...my story and alcohol. I can see the whole principle in a lot of different lights. I can see that some people drink for taste like with wine....and that some people go overboard and abuse it. I have only drank once. It was enough to make me know that i don't need it and don't have a desire to drink right now. In my life, I have seen friends be hurt be the effects of alcohol as well as the effects it had had on my own family. I suppose there is such thing as drinking responsibly, but at the same time, there is such a fine line there that people end up crossing. The speakers at beginnings were good to listen to. I liked the variety in lifestyles, but the message remained the same...to be careful and responsible...and i don't think anyone would argue with that.

Goals

Three things I would like to accomplish during my time at APU are:
1) To not only keep up on my studies, but to get something more out of my classes. Especially the Bible classes...the things I have believed my entire life are already being questioned. I hope to get a better understanding and grasp over the Truth and what is real. My strength od discipline will help me to keep asking questions and seeking guidance from my professors until I reach answers.
2) Another goal of mine is to make lasting relationships. I want girls that I call my sisters....the ones that you have in your wedding. And I want some amazing guy friends...I want to be able to completely be myself and be loved fo rjust that. AND...if perhaps one day down the road one of those guys becomes my hubbie...so be it :) I have the strengths of a restorer and a developer. These will help me to see the potentcial for friendships and the growth that can be made in each individual.
3) Lastly, and most importantly, I want to grow. Grow in God and grow in who I am. But mostly grow into the woman He would have me to be. This again will take my strength of discipline. I am going to have to commit to this with my whole heart. I want to be disciplined in reading the word each day and feeling satified from that.

Strengths

My top five strengths are consistency, discipline, harmony, restorative, and developer.
Consistency applies to me because I like things to be balanced in life. I enjoy equality amongst people and don't like when someone is treated better based on having special "connections". I believe those things should be earned.
My strength of discipline describes the part of me that enjoys having a plan for things. I am usually on time for things. In a lot of ways I like structure, but I have also learned how many things are out of my control...so I think God keeps me in check that way.
Harmony isn't one of my top strengths. I am a people pleaser so I see how that may make me harmonious, always wanting to be on good terms and liked by everyone. But in other circumstances, I believe each person is given a voice and has an opinion and that should be spoken and debated about because it makes each you so much firmer in what you believe.
I am restorative when it comes to being a listener and giving advice based on previous eventsI have come accross that someone else is now facing. I enjoy feeling needed.
My developer strength goes along with my restorative trait. I find joy in serving others and attributing to different aspects of growth in their lives.
The End!

I am Holly Nichole Kelly. I don't really know how blogs work but here we go...as of today I am offically eighteen years old. It seems like it took forever to get here, but well worth the wait. I have an incredible cousin and roomate i got to spend the day with. They truly are the ones that have been making each day special here at APU. To describe myself, I would have to start of with the fact that I am the first born child...that will tell you a lot about me...I have a strong drive and am passionate about the things I do. I am depnedable and in a group of people am the person that usually comes up with the "plan of action" :) ....lets see...im a sensitive person and enjoy caring for people. I loved to be loved and appreciated, i haven't ever really met anyone that doesn't, but anyway...i also prefer to be around people i feel comfortable with, thats when I am most outgoing and myself. I love music more than most things in the world, I LOVE food, and sunshine....and enjoying each day's beauty. Im a sucker for movies...and a romantic person....someday the happily ever after is going to happen :)

For now, I am here to soak up what APU's got to offer. I know God is already working on my heart and I pray I just continue to find out more about myself each day and how to better live out the gifts He has enabled in me.
Well...thats it for now....
Until next time,
Have a wonderful day!