The Meaning of Human Service

I was once told that God him self was a helper. God's work was helping people
and preaching the word of the gospel. As I began my educational career at Point
I really didn't have a clear understanding of what human service really was. My
very first class centered on discovering what my strengths were. A class based
upon discovering my God given strengths. As time progressed I learned the
importance of my calling, and the true meaning of vocation and service. The
Strengths Quest assessment allowed me to embrace my purpose and gain a better
understanding of my calling. I was faced with the question how does my vocation
give God glory? In October 2009, I enrolled in Point University (then
ACC) majoring in Counseling and Human Services. My college education has made a
major impact on my entire life. I have growth spirituality, mentally and
professionally, the application of my strengths in my everyday life has allowed
me to excel. The strengths of strategic, ideation, input, responsibility and woo
have led me to purse a career in human service. I am also a Hand on
Atlanta Americorp volunteer. Being able to serve the needs of children is very
rewarding work. The AmeriCorps are based in elementary, middle, and high school
across metro Atlanta in low income areas. Within even every elementary school
there are four AmeriCorps volunteers. Our primary areas of focus are students
with low scores in reading. We provide tutoring to those students and a Free
after school program to children who need additional tutoring. Much of my
success can be credited to all of the wisdom and insight I've received from
teachers and classmates. Prior to coming to Point University, I had the
desire to attain a Bachelors Degree but I didn't have the confidence in my
abilities. In May 2012, I will receive my Bachelors Degree in Counseling and
Human Services. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those
who love him, who have been called according to his purpose Romans 8:28.

My family!

Being the daughter of a minister has resulted in me attending a lot of schools when I was younger. Except for one, maybe two schools, I did not enjoy any of the ones I attended. So, when I came to Point, I was a little skeptical of how much they emphasized Point is a community. Through my time here at Point, however, I have seen just how much this really is a community; most importantly, a community that I call my family who is always there for me when I need them. This is something that I was reminded of this past weekend when my fiancés grandmother had a rough day in the hospital. My first reaction was to not only call my parents, but to also text those within my Point family. It was so comforting to know that I had a family praying for her, her family, and for His guidance on how she needed to be encouraged.

I love my Point family and I thank all of those who were praying for Nannie.

So excited!

I am new to the blog, so please allow me a moment to introduce myself. My name is Stacie. I am currently a Sophomore at Point University. I am pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Christian Ministries in the Access program. I am a youth leader/pastor/director - whatever you want to call me at my church. It has been such a crazy fun journey getting here. I have to say, most of the teachers are really amazing and I've learned so much. The school is really striving to make us adults feel like part of the college experience. We have chapel services, prayer groups, opportunities to travel abroad, and even more on the horizon. I know this is starting to sound like an ad for the school, and I promise in the future to limit myself to telling you about the issues we face as adults in college. But for now, my advice is, if you're on the fence, go ahead and take the plunge - it's really worth it!

Professor, Friend

This summer I had the opportunity to go to Israel with other Point students.

INCREDIBLE!!!

Years of making up cartoon-like movies in my head as I envisioned the stories I read in the Bible have come to an end because I got to walk where Jesus walked and see the things he saw. While riding across the Sea of Galilee I could imagine Jesus speaking to a crowd on the hillside. Hearing our guide, Gilla's, voice echo across the water's surface helped me understand why Jesus would sit in a boat to teach. I got to see the kinds of toys Jesus would have played with as a child. I always assumed that children in Jesus' day played with sticks and rocks, but they had toys, like wooden animals on wheels pulled with a string. Countless archaeological digs I explored proved that the stories in the Bible are factual. I was able to experience a culture much closer to Jesus' than my own. My interactions with members of the Jewish faith have advanced my understanding of the religious mindset of Jesus' audience and opponents. I was able to see the political position of Israel from an Israeli's point of view.

My experience in Israel was life-changing and faith-defining. I wish I could explain all that I learned and all that I saw. Point is planning a trip to Israel during Spring Break 2013. You should go!! Everyone should experience Jesus' homeland in such a tangible way.

Before the trip to Israel I was expecting to see Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, Bethlehem and so much more. I got those things, but I also got some things I was not expecting. John and Emma Morris, professors for the Access program at Point, led the trip. Before the trip I knew who Emma and John were, but I was intimidated by them. That was not a problem for long. Immediately Emma and I hit it off. The two of us were always trailing behind the rest of our group taking pictures of everything, literally. We came back from the trip with inside jokes and countless pictures to discuss.

That's something I love about Point. Professors know your name. They care about you. And they might just even be your friend.

John and Emma

SPONTANEOUS!

Hello everyone! Since this is my first time blogging, I guess I’ll introduce myself. I’m Alicia, a junior at Point University. I was so indecisive in picking a major that I have a crazy combination of music, children’s ministry, and biblical studies, but it’s perfect for me. I know it’s cliché, but I couldn’t imagine being anywhere besides Point. It’s become my home, and its people are my family. The community here is the kind that surrounds you with encouragement and love, lifts you up when you are broken, and celebrates with you when you succeed.

I live on campus and wouldn't trade that experience for anything. There’s always something to do and people to hang out with. This week especially has been a lot of fun! Thursday night, we had a campus wide game of capture the flag. We were supposed to pick a team (Student Government Association or the Campus Life Ministers). It was a close game with lots of sneaking, hiding, and protecting our sacred flag. SGA won (my team of course!), but I think everyone had fun.

After the game, we walked back to the dorm thinking we might actually go to bed early for a change…we should have known better! Some of my favorite memories here are the spontaneous, spur of the moment, crazy ideas that we come up with. We were all hanging out in my friend's room, and someone jokingly said, “Let’s have a sleepover!” It was already about 1 o’clock, but of course it sounded like a great idea! We all ran to get into our PJ’s and pulled mattresses, blankets, and pillows into a fairly small dorm room. There were 4 mattresses and 7 of us girls, rather crowded! We took silly pictures, giggled like little girls, and just had a really fun night together! Whether it’s a spontaneous trip to Dwarf House, a bonfire on a Friday night, piling into a van to go get lost trying to find something in Atlanta, or an old-school sleepover, I’ve learned that sometimes the greatest moments are the ones you don’t expect or plan for but just enjoy as they come! J

D Group!

D Group is another opportunity given to students to grow more spiritually. My D Group has been meeting since last fall. There are about 8 of us girls in the group that meet about every week. Our leaders Sarah and Bethany like to plan fun events for all of us to maybe get off campus and do something exciting. We have our famous taco nights at Bethany’s house provided by her extremely nice husband. Lucky us, taco night was this weekend! Bethany’s husband, Chad is so kind and loves to cook our group treats. On top of eating delicious tacos, we did an arts and crafts project together. As you can see in the picture, we made cute baby pumpkins. Before the pumpkin designing took place, Chad took us on a hay ride around the neighborhood. Might I add, the trailer was being pulled by an FJ Cruiser. We are not that redneck HA.

D Group is such a great addition to my jam packed week days. I love my friends and mentors that truly care about me!

It’s the raisins that make the raisin bran so great!

Lori is my name. I once did a skit about how “It’s the raisins that make the raisin bran so great!” (Maybe one day, I can post it for you). 5 foot, 3 inches, and some change to spare in height. I am engaged to a sweet man (I just had to throw that one in!). I love to sing and lead worship. I love my job helping people figure out what they want to do with their lives. I have two fish (Lucy and Ethel) and a dog (Chico). My favorite show in the world is I Love Lucy. Most importantly, I am a senior at Point University!!! In a nutshell, that is me.

Now that we are done with the “formal” introduction, I have to tell of the fabulous fall break we just had, my last fall break in college. Sad. Every year around this time, as the leaves are changing to beautiful colors and the wind begins to pick up, Point University gives students two days off from classes to enjoy the wonderful season God has created for us. For most students, this is a time of not only having fun, but also trying to catch up on some homework that you have been avoiding, as was my case. Realizing the limited amount of time that I had to completely compose one of my writing assignments, I jumped into “school mode.” This “mode” placed me in Starbucks for six hours straight, writing until I had seven complete pages. Happy that I just got the paper over within one afternoon, it was now time for some fun! With the crisp air, the scent of burning leaves, and everyone drinking hot chocolate, there was one activity that was calling my name: a corn maze! What better people to do it with than with two of my roommates and my fiancé. After a hay ride, defeating the corn maze, gaining knowledge on honeybees, and buying baby pumpkins for my nieces and nephews, I was exhausted and ready to curl up on the couch and watch some television.

After four days away from school, I was ready to be back at Point University! This time away from my home made me realize once again, that while I enjoy time off from school, there is no place like home at Point University! Here is to rest of the semester!

Home Sweet Point!!

This year for Fall Break like every other year I went home to spend time with my family in Savannah, Ga, where I am from. I realized this trip home that there is always something weird about going home. Not that I don't love going home and seeing my family, but I realized that I don't really any friends in Savannah anymore. All my friends have either gone else where to school or something else. When I'm home I get a home sick feeling, especially when home for the Summer or Christmas Break. It's like Point has become my home away from home and it is, because of the friendships I've developed the two almost three years I have been here at Point University. I remember coming to Point when it was Atlanta Christian College, scared that I wouldn't make friends as easily as I do back home and worried about how my classes and professors where going to be. The weird thing is, is that I didn't really miss home at all, in fact I had forgotten to call my mom the whole second week on being here and she called me to make sure i was still alive. I was having so much fun and learning so much that I had forgotten about home and about my fears and worries. God has truly blessed me with the most wonderful relationships and I know that they will last a lifetime. Being at Point University has made the vision of the person I want to be more than just a vision, but a future and something with in reach.

Fall Break: 2011

Fall break. For many it means an extra couple days home, relaxing, and spending more time with family and friends who live an hour or so away from campus...

Not this cat. I'm leaving today at noon to embark on my 5 1/2 hour journey back home to "the 843" (843 is the area code for coastal South Carolina from Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach, inland to Florence).

Yes, you read that correctly. 5 1/2 hours. In other words, I'm letting my iPod charge to full capacity, and plan on driving straight through to Augusta (where I plan on getting gas at the cheapest gas-station in the area...at $2.98/gal), then from there I'm going to be driving all the way to my dad's shop, so I'll get to have dinner with me padre, and some sales reps (the perk of the pet business: company representatives with very padded expense accounts = free dinner at nice restaurants).

But most of all - I want to do one thing, and one thing only. Go to the beach - Folly, if I get to pick, and smell the salt air. Get "beach hair" (what happens when salt air and sand mix with hair). And most of all - remember why I love my home: big white porches, and floppy straw hats. Seersucker jackets, and linen pants.