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!