SEEK 2015: What Moves You?

This January in Nashville, TN  FOCUS is hosting the national conference SEEK. The team and I put together this video of student responses to the question "What Moves You?"  Enjoy! 

SO WHAT IS SEEK? 

"SEEK is a gathering of college students on a journey. It’s a place where we can come together to take on some of life’s BIGGER questions and, like guides along the way, learn from one another where wisdom and experience lead. Life is meant to be lived and in order to live it to the fullest, we need to heed the wisdom that calls us to ‘ask, seek and knock’ to discover who we are, where we’re going and what motivates us." (seek2015.com) 

PLEASE PRAY FOR US:

Here in Omaha we are hoping to take 80 college students with us to Nashville.

 Please pray for all students at UNO, that they may have the courage to say yes to the invitation to SEEK. The one thing that I have heard from students who want to attend but are not registered yet is that they cannot afford to do so.  The 5-day conference fee is $399 and transportation another $150.  Please pray for these students who cannot afford the cost, that scholarships will be made available through the generosity of others.

I also would request that you pray for all of the students here who normally work over the holidays. That any students who want to go, might have understanding employers who will give them the time off of work. 

The team and I spent the afternoon on campus asking students the question, "What Moves You?" and received a variety of answers. 

Teammate Brian goofing off! 

A variety of answers were given. 

I would like to pose the question to you now. What moves you? What motivates you? What is it that gets you out of bed each day?

It was a great opportunity to speak with students,
and get them to really think about their response.

We had one student who took the question so seriously that he took the card with him to think about his response over lunch. He brought it back about an hour later and posted it on the board. 

Jill helping us out at the booth.

We had around 200 students respond. Here  is what the board looked like:

BEFORE and AFTER

WANT TO COME TO SEEK2015?

-All are welcome to attend the conference! Go to: www.seek2015.com for more information and to register!


CHECK OUT THE RESPONSES FROM STUDENTS:

-Photo blog with real responses from the students at:
https://countdowntoseek.wordpress.com/testing/

Women's Night

At the beginning of the semester we had a women's night to kick off our Bible Studies, and get women signed up. We had around 30 women in attendance! There are now 7 active all female-bible studies on the Campus of UNO, with about 43 students who attend weekly. 4 of the 7 studies are lead by other students!  

At the Women's Night. In this photo are 3 of the students
 I see on a regular basis. From the right: Me, Colleen, Morgan,
Sister Mary Agnes, and Grace. 

Chipotle was catered for dinner and we invited the Sisters of Mercy to join us from Lincoln, NE. Sister Mary Agnes gave a talk about Joy, and referenced shampoo bottles which had all of the girls laughing. (Yes, apparently Nuns do have hair under their veil!) 

Some of the 30+ College women who were in attendance 

 Katie, who works for the diocese of Omaha also helped in the coordination of the event. It was decided that Taylor and I were to hold the women's night at our apartment. Although it was crowded, it was a much more intimate setting for the talk and discussion and I think it went over very well.

In the end it was a successful night. Taylor and I are talking about doing something similar in January when we get back from the winter break!

Meet the Team!

I love team Omaha, and I want you to love them too! Especially since they are going to be my family for the next year, and many of my posts will include them. 

Adam Ybarra: 

Meet Adam!

Adam: He has been involved with FOCUS for 14 years, making him the most seasoned member of the team. Which is great since he is the team director! He has been at the University of Nebraska in Omaha for the past 9 years, and before that worked at the University of Northern Colorado and Colorado State University. This year he will be leading mission trips to Eastern Asia and Russia so keep him and the students that will accompany him in your prayers!

Family: Adam has 2 sisters, and both of his parents live in Lincoln, NE.

Raised in: Lincoln, NE

Graduated from: University of Nebraska in Lincoln (UNL)

Degree:

Fun Fact: Adam is the king of "selfies"



Brian Couri:

Meet Brian! 

Brian: He has just begun his first year with FOCUS. Brian is from Colorado and is pretty good at playing tennis, and mountain biking! 

Family: Brian has 1 sister, who is an amazing pastry chef! Last time he went home, he brought back cookies she had made for the team! 

Raised in: Fort Collins, CO

Graduated from: Colorado State University (CSU)- "Go Rams"

Degree: Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology concentration in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 

Fun fact: Brian uses more sarcasm than anyone I have ever met- and it really adds some humor to the team because I just believe everything he says! 

Taylor Gruber:

Meet Taylor! 

Taylor: Taylor is in her 2nd year both with Focus and at UNO. She loves crafting just as much as I do, and we have a blast decorating out apartment together!

Family: Taylor is the 2nd oldest of 7 kids. Family is probably the most important thing to Taylor and after meeting the Gruber clan this past weekend I can understand why! Her two youngest siblings were adopted from Russia, and her older sister has Cerebral Palsy. Each one of her brothers and sisters are so loving and kind, which is a true reflection of her wonderful parents.

Raised in: Alexandria, MN

Graduated from: South Dakota State University (SDSU)- "Go Jackrabbits"

Degree: Consumer Affairs Minor: Spanish and Non-Profit

Fun Fact: Although Taylor has lost most of her Minnesotan accent, she still pronounces words like "bag, tag, & rag" a little differently!






Father Paul Hoesing:

Meet Father Hoesing!

More information to come :)


Father Joseph Taphorn:

Meet Father Taphorn! 

More information to come :)

Pictures with the team!

1st day of school- with the Maverick

Out for an afternoon hike and
picnic with Father and the team

With teammate Brian

At training with teammate Taylor

Because all of the cool kids
wear jean shirts! Taylor, Fr. Hoesing and I! 

We are a diverse group of individuals, but together we make up team Omaha! 

Fall Outreach: On the Ground and Running!

Student Leaders Retreat:

(Aug. 18- Aug. 20)

The student leaders retreat is the kick off event for the students that are already involved with MAVCatholic. These are students who have come to know Jesus Christ and wish to also share His teachings with their fellow students. (Sometimes we refer to them a Student Missionaries.) 

Some of these students spent this past summer with Totus Tuus, a program that sends young adults to different parishes across the diocese to lead a church camp for the children. These students teach the children about the love of God and helps them to grow in their relationship with Him. Other students worked at the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center as camp leaders for young girls in elementary school and junior high. 

No matter where they spent their summer, the student leaders retreat is a great time to reunite the students as well as introduce them to the new missionaries (aka me) and set the vision for the coming year! The retreat was held at the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center, and we helped the Apostolic Oblates deep clean the retreat center. We grow together through formation talks and then through serving together. 

One afternoon we went to the Retirement Center, and spent time with the residents. It just so happened that we made it just in time for BINGO! 

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
 faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10

Molly playing bingo 

Cole and David

Freshman Move-In:

(Aug. 21-22)

One of the best ways to meet students here in Omaha is to volunteer to move their things into their dorm for them! Not only are their parents relieved to have the help, but often I am the first face they see at UNO, and I am more than happy to welcome the new students! The team and I spent both Thursday and Friday moving in Students form 8am-3pm. Many of the Student Missionaries joined us through out the day and I couldn't have been happier to continue getting to know them. 

Freshman Move in Day! 

Durango Days/ Classes Commence: 

(Aug. 25- Aug. 30)

After this amazing week called Durango Days, I am wishing that every week could be Durango Days! Not only is it a great time to meet the students and hang out with them on campus, but everything is free, free, free! (Maybe I am just reverting to my college student mentality, but I love getting things for free...highlighters, t-shirts, bags, and food! Yep I could get used to this.) Ok enough about the free-bees, I'm sure you care more about what exactly we were doing while on campus! 

Well to start, it is really very simple. We made ourselves very present on campus and available to the students. We did this by showing up to all the events that UNO put on. These events included BBQ lunches, a Pancake dinner, the Maverick Block Party, etc.  It is great because all we have to do is show up. We do not have to plan anything, pay for anything, or get people to come.  And by showing up, you never know if the student that you strike up a conversation with in line for food will want to join a bible study, get coffee sometime, or even just come out to play ultimate frisbee! We meet the students where they are at, and invite them into our lives so that we can share our very selves with them. This week has been busy, but it has been an incredible blessing. 

Team Omaha Day 1!

UNO's original building 

Meet Durango the Maverick and Lexi! 

Mess with the bull and you get the horns! 

BBQ on campus for lunch! 

Hanging out and meeting students! 

The Pancake Man & breakfast for dinner! 

Hanging out at the Block Party! 

To finish off the week, Taylor and I got a group together and played glow in the dark Ultimate Frisbee! We played on campus, and luckily after a week of rain it cleared up and dried out just enough for us to play. After playing Ultimate for the first time, I have to say I wish I had done this with my friends in college! 

Glow in the Dark Ultimate Frisbee

All in all, I would say that it was a very successful 1st week of classes, not that I had to attend any this year! We met a ton of new students through out the week and Taylor and I have begun to get in contact with them. Each day that I spend with a student, whether it is on campus or out to lunch I am reminded why I am here and I could not be more blessed. Thank you for your prayers and for your faith in me. May God do all things through me, and I pray that the students of UNO will come to know Him. 

Week 1: Goodbye Arizona, hello Nebraska!

Driving to Nebraska:

The time has come, and I have said my goodbyes to Arizona for now. My Dad and I loaded up my car on August 7th and together began the 20 hour drive to Omaha, NE.

Leaving Phoenix...
I might not be seeing any cactus for awhile! 

I am sure going to miss those
northern Arizona mountains and pines! 

Arizona -> New Mexico -> Colorado -> Kansas
-> "The good life"

It was a long drive, and I am so happy that my '99 Malibu made it all the way to Nebraska, aka "The Good Life." I took my Dad out for a steak dinner Saturday night and Sunday it was time to take him to the airport so he could fly home. Although goodbyes are never easy, I managed to slow down the car enough for him to make a jump for it!

My Dad and I after dinner in Omaha.
Thanks for everything! 

Sunday night I drove out to Odell, a small town in Nebraska, to see my friend Jenna and we went to the Church Bizarre/Carnival. I met Jenna at training in Florida, and we became instant best friends! I am so happy that I got to see her before she left for California. Jenna is living out her mission with FOCUS in San Diego, please keep her and the students at SDSU in your prayers!

Jenna and I at the Church Bizarre.  

Team Offsite:

 The UNO team and I spent the first week bonding/planning for the semester at a lake house that belongs to my team director's mission partners. They let us borrow it, along with their boats, jet skis and canoe! We invited some of the other Nebraska missionaries and seminarians out to the house for a bbq cook out and s'mores!

Taylor and I on the Jet Ski for team offsite!

Enjoyed s'mores with the team
and our guests! 

Teammate Brian canoeing 

On another night, our chaplain Father Paul Hoesing took the team and I out for a sushi dinner. It was so great to get to know him on a more personal level. I am sure that I will be including more about Fr. Hoesing throughout the year!

Team UNO out to dinner with Fr. Hoesing

All in all it was a great week getting to know the team better, and I cannot wait to begin working with them! Pray for us here in Omaha, as we keep you in our prayers.

Summer Training in Ave Maria, Florida

The Journey Begins: Off to Florida for Training

The drive out to Florida from Arizona was long, but very fun! We took turns driving, and only stopped one night in Houston, Texas. I stayed with my Uncle Tim and Aunt Norma, and the guys stayed with a friend of theirs. After the one night stay we packed back up and drove to Ave Maria, Florida where we spent 5 weeks in training. 

May 28, 2014: The adventure begins
 driving from Flagstaff, AZ to Ave Maria, FL.

On the road with these two goofballs for 38 hours,
driving a stick shift,
still not sure how I survived!
(We had a blast!)

Week 1: Welcome to Ave Maria, FL

I immediately felt comfortable in Florida, with a welcoming carnival and plenty of friendly, outgoing people to become friends with. After the first week was over it was as if we had been friends our entire lives! 

We had a very strict schedule, with class and prayer as the priority. I wouldn't have it any other way! As you will see I still found plenty of time to have fun and for the most part I enjoyed all of my classes (but classes just aren't the most interesting photos so you won't see any of those). We studied apologetics, the Bible and salvation history, mission partner development and fundraising. We also studied budgeting and finance, servant leadership, FOCUS history, small group formations and mentorship mentorship. Basically anything to help develop us as disciples of Christ. 

Weekly Schedule: 

8:00-9:00 Holy Hour A (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

9:30-12:30 Class

12:30-1:00 Rosary 

1:00-3:00 Lunch Break

3:00-5:00 Class

5:15-6:00 Daily Mass

6:00-7:00 Holy Hour B (Tuesday, Thursday) 

7:00-8:00 Dinner

8:00-10:00 Class or Activity 

Rain or shine, we must get to class!
Jackie Fischer and I sharing my umbrella. 

Ave Maria, Fl. The rain brings the most beautiful rainbows! 

At summer training we were put into small groups, called colleges. Each college was named after a different saint. Meet my college, St. Bernadette! These are some of the most amazing and inspiring women that I've ever met, and each of them has come so far in their journey with Christ. They will make amazing missionaries and will go far, wherever life takes them.

College of St. Bernadette in business casual for class...

...and at the beach to relax! 

Every Wednesday night was women's recreational night. We did a variety of things such as dancing, making crafts, singing, we evern went on a scavenger hunt, and the first week we played volleyball! We used this time to grow in virtue and character as women. 

Women's recreational night: Volleyball! 

Week 2: Next Stop...

Reveal night is when I found out that I will be moving to Omaha Nebraska! Omaha is my new "Homaha." 

Meet Team Omaha! (Adam, Brian, Taylor, and me)
It is going to be a great year! 

Meet Al the gator! Actually there were a lot of gators that I called "Al" but don't worry I kept my distance. Florida had some of the most beautiful Sunsets. God is great, and this was just another reminder of His creation. 

Beach day with Katie Bandy. 

Week 3: Meet my fellow missionaries

"Work hard, play harder, pray even harder!" A lot of time was spent in class learning. I went to the beach to have fun and play in the waves. I also spent time in church, in small groups, and alone praying. I was blessed to be surrounded by such strong people who are on fire for God. At the end of the 3rd week I went on a retreat, so no photos from the beach to post. Instead, I focused my time growing in my relationship with the Holy Spirit. Then on Monday we had the day off to explore Naples. 

Feast day of Corpus Christi: Procession

Meet the 2014 focus missionaries! Over 500 missionaries have committed
themselves to the mission for the 2014-2015 academic year
and we will be serving 100 campuses by the end of 2014.

Monday after week 3: Naples Peace sign.
Fun place to take a picture, after eating Chipotle!

Week 4: My birthday

In week four I celebrated my 22nd Birthday! It couldn't have been a more special day. My friends took me out for pizza and wings. Then we all went to the "Mission's Fiesta," a party that the FOCUS missions group throw to celebrate and promote the mission trips that are taken every year. We played sand volleyball, danced to music, and just enjoyed hanging out with each other. To top it off they surprised me with a brownie cake and a cupcake! I could not have asked for a more special birthday. 

Me fellow Arizona missionaries,
helping me celebrate my 22nd birthday!

My fellow Pi Beta Phi sisters.
You meet a sister everywhere you go! 

Week 5: The 4th of July and goodbye.

As new staff training came to a close, we reflected on all that we had learned. 

 This is how our family and friends back home see us...

...and this is how we see ourselves! 

The NAU crew inside the Oratory after the commissioning mass.
 Last day in Ave Maria. 

Happy 4th of July! 

I spent the 4th of July on the beach watching fireworks with Jenna and Jackie. It was so much fun, and the show at the pier was unlike anything I had ever seen before. This was my last night in Florida. It was great celebrating the Independence of America at the beach with friends! 

The end: actually it's the beginning!

Although I am done with New Staff Training in Florida, this is just the beginning of this mission. In August I will be on campus in Omaha, NE. I've never been to Omaha before, but I am sure it is going to be great! Please keep me in your prayers as I begin this journey. Thank you to my mission partners who are making this possible! I am happy that I get to share in this expercience with you! 

On the road back to Flagstaff,
 this time Jackie is driving with us!

Stopped off in Austin to stay with my Uncle Chuck,
 and saw my cousins El, Val, and Eusébio. 

Finally we made it back to Flagstaff, Az.
We ate lunch downtown and then I made my way back to Phoenix.
I sure am going to miss these guys.