In the Words of a Student

March is officially here, which means we are steadily making our way into the middle of the semester here at UMD. It has been a great semester so far of getting to know even more new students, and going deeper with others.

It is always encouraging to here what the ministry of RUF means to our students, and I'm particularly thankful for one sweet freshman girl who has been keeping a blog of her experience at college. Last night she posted about what RUF has meant to her, and I wanted to share it with all of you, our prayer team and supporters.

So, here is what RUF has meant to her:

"I’m going out of my mind!” -That’s what I told my Mom when I talked to her on the phone. And it’s true! Not only am I taking 17 credits this semester, I have also gotten even more involved in RUF, played an intramural sport, am doing more with my scholars program, and took an anthropology course (which I love) that involves spending exorbitant amounts of work observing and doing interviews with a group on campus, and somewhere in between all that, I am trying to find time for a social life. I am absolutely crazy busy this semester… And it’s wonderful!!! 
  

I remember my first day at College Park, sitting on my bed in my dorm room. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I have nowhere to go” those were the only words that I managed to sob out when my parents got ready to say goodbye to me. And I didn’t. I knew no one, and I had no idea what to do or where to go.

But I did go somewhere- out to get dinner, and I suppose that it’s appropriate that sitting right smack in my way to the Diner was an RUF welcome table. I went from being utterly alone and scared to huddling under that tent talking, laughing, and hiding from the rain for almost an hour. Little did I know then that the people that I met that day would become a huge part of my life and some of my best friends at UMD. When I walked away from there, the knot of fear in my chest had been loosened. It was if God put that tent right there- in my way- to remind me that everything was going to be okay.
And He was right. Like always.

Sitting typing this blog at midnight, I can hardly believe the I’m sitting in the same spot where I crumpled when my parents left me my first day of college. Everything looks so much different now! Instead of bleak white walls, there are posters, pictures, and even Christmas light hung around the room. I have a roommate who has ended up being such a blessing, and who has taught me so much. I am happy and busy!

It’s funny that it was an RUF table that made me feel so much better my first day at college because my life is kinda centered around RUF. I spend most of my time either at RUF or with friends that I made there. Beyond a few (totally awesome) exceptions, the majority of the people that I hang with I met at RUF or through some event that RUF was involved with.

I have spent four evenings this week with my ruffians, and every time I come back to my dorm, the same thought occurs to me- I love this group! I love RUF!!! They can be insane, crazy, awkward, and a million other things, but they’re awesome!! And they truly love Christ!! From taking a knee to pray for a player who injured himself during an intramural game to getting together just to play music and sing on a Friday night, my RUFfians never stop surprising me with how much they care about each other and about this campus. I can’t imagine what my college life would be like without RUF. They have been such an amazing blessing on my life, and I just wanted to stop for a minute, and say how amazingly thankful I am that God has blessed me with such a wonderful group of friends and mentors."
-Kerianna (Freshman, Speech Pathology Major)

You can read more of her blog Here.

It is through your support and prayers that our ministry is possible, and I wanted you to know that our students are grateful to you!


Grace & Peace,