Secret to Student Success

The agenda of the graduate student welcome was designed to be the pep talk to survival for the next two years. I scrambled to take notes as the engaging speaker shared the secret to student success and wondered if it would really be the answer.

First, take care of yourself. “Pop tarts are not a food group and right clicking is not exercise” (Moore, 2003, p. 238). Somehow I managed to go the whole semester without eating pop tarts, probably because I am fructose-intolerant. The Campus Recreation and Wellness Center on East Campus is the place to go for exhilarating group workout classes. Three levels of equipment, gyms, and a golf simulator make taking a break from right clicking worth it. About halfway through the semester one of my classmates became my workout accountability partner, which helped increase my consistency.

Second, relationships outside of the grad program help with perspective and balance. Devote time and energy to keeping relationships strong. Go to counseling. Thankfully my family is here in Lincoln with me and they have been a huge support system. Keeping in touch with friends faraway and taking breaks to celebrate with friends here has been a must.

About a month ago I went away to the Kansas-Nebraska Conference of SDA Women’s Retreat with my mom. I felt impressed to go to a particular breakout session and to stay even when the topic turned out to be about parenting strategies. The speaker, Pearl smiled at me and said that it’s never too early to prepare. Pearl is a professional counselor and is the person God has used to encourage and focus my energy on what Jesus has to say. She is the first Christian counselor I have ever encountered who always puts the spotlight back on Jesus. When I have situations that are frustrating and daunting, she has me make a list of the facts, my emotions, and how Jesus brings the two sides together through Scripture. Together we pray bold prayers and I have already seen God answer.

Third, develop strong relationships with peers, faculty, advisor, and advanced grad students. My peers have hugged each other through the happy moments, wiped each other’s tears from the stressful times, and laughed through the long hours. The faculty have shared wisdom each day, brought in exercise instructors in place of class, spoiled us with sweet treats, and given us grace when we needed it most. My advisor has mapped out the best course of action and believed in me when I was unsure of myself. Advanced grad students have not ever flinched to help steer fellow students and me in the right direction, no matter how busy they were.

Fourth, no peer comparison. Time management and organization are critical. Set goals, prioritize, develop schedules, and meet deadlines. The past four years I have used an hour-by-hour planner that maps out my location, to do list, and accomplishments. Instead of comparing, why not thank God for other people’s strengths and collaborate with them to improve your weaknesses? “Being a graduate student is like becoming all of the Seven Dwarves. In the beginning, you’re Dopey and Bashful. In the middle, you are usually sick (Sneezy), tired (Sleepy), and irritable (Grumpy). But at the end, they call you Doc, and then you’re Happy.” ~ Ronald T. Azuma

Fifth, you are not here because of a clerical error. Admissions process is rigorous and you made it. During the first week of speech-language pathology orientation I was still in shock that my name was on a mailbox and that I had a key to my own desk. There were times that my own study guides helped other students perform better on exams than myself and times when I thought that choosing me was a mistake. We are each allowed to have a total of two B minuses as our final grade in the entire program before we are asked to leave. It was tempting to give up when I entertained the lie from the enemy that I was not going to make it academically. Pearl, taught me how to take scripture and fight back those lies with truth. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep her in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because she trusts in You.” James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

This first semester of graduate school has unleashed the peace that comes from the power of focusing on God. Praying through the productive days and praising God amidst the overwhelming days is what I want my life to echo. One semester down, five more to go until the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is complete. Thanking God for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in-state tuition, family that has spent hours on their knees in prayer for me, the wise counsel of Pearl, the challenges that allowed me to give God the glory when victories happened, you, and no B minuses.

In His Joys,

Hannah Elise Abbott

Champions Do Not Crumble to the Cares Christ Has Already Conquered

            If you like getting clues, Jesus is hinting at valuable information in the book of John chapter 16:33 which says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Knowing we have a God Who knows what we are up against should give us perfect peace.

A good teacher knows the assignments and tests are hard, but they prepare you to overcome them. Similarly, God understands the minor and monumental difficulties each one of us will ever face yet He offers the powerful potion of peace. Somehow the sadness will settle, the craziness will mellow, and the demands will decrease. So, why not take peace for every piece of the puzzle? After all, one day it will all turn into a majestic masterpiece.

Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble. Issues, derailments, and problems have no right to take us by surprise. Expect there to be trouble because that is exactly what Jesus warned us would come. When trouble comes say thank You Lord for giving me strength to overcome this. Thank You Lord for knowing this was going to happen and for already having a plan of victory.

Do you remember the feeling of winning? Maybe your high school sports team beat the opposing side. Maybe you won an award at work for good work ethic. Maybe you won the heart of your spouse. You are invited to be on the winning side of a war that has already been won. Jesus says, “But take heart! I have overcome the world!” Victory, jubilee, hallelujah to the Highest, God is victorious! Champions do not crumble to the cares God has already conquered. Where there is celebration of Christ’s extravagant, valiant love for you, there is no room for panic, just peace.

Photography by Jessica Ray

In His Joys,

Hannah Elise Abbott

            

How God Takes Grief and Gives Gladness

When you are going through challenges in life, it is easy to think that it will never get better. Extreme blows to your health make it hard to think that healing is just not happening. Losing loved ones feels like your heart has been ripped out. Not getting the outcome you expectantly desired hits hard. It is tempting to fall into the trap of thinking that grief is all you got.  

This morning I read John 16:21-22 which says, "A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

What would we live like if we truly believed when Jesus said that there will be a time when “no one will take away your joy”? Certainly, Bible characters who lived this example must have believed that complete joy amidst grief is a gift from God. One of my favorite stories about joy breaking down the chains of grief is Paul and Silas. The Bible says in Acts 16:25-26, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose.” 

Can you imagine if the first thing we did in the midst of our despair was to break into song about our Savior? Chains would be broken. Healing would take over. Matters that seem colossally challenging would crumble. You don’t have to give birth to a child or be in prison to start discovering how God takes grief and gives gladness! Open the gift of gladness and God will unwrap your grief.

In His Joys,

Hannah Elise Abbott

25 Ways to Celebrate Sabbath

            Over the years, Sabbath has consistently become the most refreshing twenty-four hour period of my entire week. It was so loving for God to set aside Friday night sundown until Saturday night sundown for us to stop and rest in His goodness and grace. There is nothing sweeter than stopping the chaos to celebrate Sabbath! 

            My parent's contagious joy for the Sabbath has encouraged me to have the perspective of Sabbath being an absolute delight. Since my dad is a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, our family has been blessed to have a large church family that spreads from Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, Hawaii, and Nebraska. My prayer is that Sabbath will spark joy in you and that you are encouraged to expand the way you experience the depth of God’s vast love for you, on the most blessed day of the entire week! 

1. Hammocking—There are so many hammocks to choose from! I think I might go with…eeny, meeny, min, ENO. This has become such a relaxing leisure activity. Whether you bring your Bible to read or friends to hammock with, it is really rejuvenating.

Swinging on by to say Happy Sabbath

     2. Digging deep into the Word—The Bible contains heavenly wisdom, direction, and encouragement that is unlike any other book sold on the shelf. Divine advice is freely given to all who ask the Holy Spirit to show them. Memorizing Scripture has saved my sanity on multiple occasions because when I am at my weakest, reciting the verses shatters any darkness that attempts to overtake me.

     3.  Visiting other churches—Having a home church where you can consistently be involved in is beautiful. It is also exciting to take opportunities to visit other churches. While I was learning Spanish, I enjoyed worshiping with the Spanish church family. It was great because the Holy Spirit interpreted for me.

     4. Charades—Acting out Bible stories and taking on the role of Bible characters is so much fun, especially with groups of people. This is fun for the whole family and helps engrain the stories into our minds. Some healthy Christian competition between teams can be a light-hearted way to enjoy time together.

I wonder what it was like to hold baby Jesus?

     5.  Sabbath School—Babies to the baby boomers all have their own fellow believers that they can look forward to seeing each week during Sabbath School. The Northside Seventh-day Adventist Young Adults meets every Sabbath morning at 9:45. Engaging lesson discussions, time and money ministry decisions, and a delicious breakfast treat, makes celebrating the Sabbath sweeter together. We would love to have you join us soon!

Sabbath School at Camp Au Sable's Campfire Point

     6. Exploring the outdoors—Our Creator has lavished His love for us through designing nature into a masterpiece. Exploring the waterfalls in Hawaii to the mountains in Colorado, God’s handiwork is everywhere! Go outside and discover the creatures that are alive, soak up the Sabbath sunshine, and ask God to show you something that He designed that you have yet to realize.

Manoa Valley Rainbow

   7. Camping—Saying Happy Sabbath to shooting stars is one of the ultimate ways I like to welcome the Sabbath. Don't delay this family getaway, bring the bug spray, and enjoy it in every way!

Spent this night under the sparkling sky and woke up to bonding around the bonfire

    8.  Hiking—Makapuu Lighthouse Trail on the Island of Oahu is gorgeous. Walking through parks, around lakes, and along rivers is healing. There is nothing like getting some much needed exercise all the while enjoying all of creation. 

Makapuu Lighthouse Lookout

     9. Glow bombing—Passing out encouraging literature to strangers is often what God uses to restore hurting souls. Visit glowonline.org to find out more about Giving Light to Our World. At Camp Au Sable it was so much fun to take a busload of campers and staff to downtown Grayling to pass out GLOW tracts to the community.

We let it glow in Grayling! Glow spread the good news!

     10.  Baptisms—Witnessing hearts surrender completely to God is what it is all about. There is nothing more fulfilling than living a life with Jesus. Baptisms are my favorite birthday parties to go to!

Three Camp Au Sable campers were born again

    11. Blogging—If you think that writing is therapeutic to you, blogging could be a way for you to spend some time. As a graduate student, I do not have the leisure of blogging throughout the week. Thankfully, today is Sabbath so I am able to blog about God’s goodness! There are some stories that if you had written down, they could be an encouragement to you when you need to remember what God has done for you. The beauty of blogging is that you can save these stories and share them with others who would be blessed to read them.

    12. Potluck—Churches hold different potluck traditions, so it is key to find out exactly which Sabbaths of the month they are held! In Hawaii at the Honolulu Japanese Seventh-day Adventist church in Manoa, there was a potluck held every single week. There are always two food lines plus a dessert table, one is American and one is Traditional Japanese food. My favorite position was to strategically place myself in between both lines so that I could weave in and out to get a variety of cultural and American foods. Ending on the dessert table (or going there first some weeks) was always a must. At the Northside Seventh-day Adventist church in Lincoln, Nebraska, we have a delicious potluck the second Sabbath (Saturday) of the month. On weeks that the church does not hold potluck, take a picnic to the park with some friends, invite some old and new friends to your home for a meal, or go serve the homeless at the local shelter.

Japanese line

    13.  Vespers—Union College and Andrews University hold diverse vespers that I looked forward to going to when I was a student. At Andrews we usually end vespers with giving someone a Sabbath hug. It is a delight to welcome the Sabbath with peers. Even though I am a graduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I plan on going to Union College’s vespers again. Even if you are not near a school that holds vespers, you can start holding vespers at your place and get a solid group going or you can live-stream Andrews University Vespers at https://www.andrews.edu/livestream/.

Vespers

    14.  Blessing a family member—Going around the circle and saying a blessing that you claim for a family member or friend, could be by far the most tender words of affirmation they will ever receive. Asking God to bless them in a specific way is empowering. Ellen White tells us that Jesus records kind words as if they were spoken to Himself.

    15.  Treasure Experiences—There are moments that have been set up by holy angels waiting for you to take advantage of. Pray for divine appointments to happen to you and for the courage to share your faith with someone else whether that is ministering to their physical, spiritual, or emotional needs. Share the miracles God has done for you because that may be exactly what another person needs to hear to be encouraged on their own walk with God.

    16.  Sabbath traditions—In middle school my teacher held Sabbath celebration every Friday before we were dismissed. Students took turns bringing a special treat for the class. Miss Beardsley would light the Sabbath candles and we would sing, “I’m Happy It’s Sabbath.” Think about what Sabbath tradition you can start in your own home. My family gets a kick out of saying a Sabbath blessing for each other and saying what we are thankful for.

    17.  Instrumental—The gift of music is something we will continue to explore on the New Earth. The sweet tunes of praising Jesus brings a melody to my soul. Bring your ukulele, guitar, or violin to Sabbath School to help lead song service or serenade the sick and elderly at the local nursing home. Write a song and carry the tune with you throughout your whole week.

Getting in tune with God

    18.  Character development—The only part of us that we get to take to heaven is our character. God is going to give us new bodies free of aches and pain. Why not give God the tools now to chisel our character? Victoriously conquering bad habits and destructive mindsets starts with surrendering ourselves fully to God. Ask Him to show you what needs to change and He promises to give you the strength for transformation.

    19.  Family time—Nothing beats good times with the family. Take your zoo pass with you and enjoy meeting the animals Adam got to name.

    20.  Rest—Letting your body recoup from a whole week of go-go-go is a must.

    21.  Break from school and work—Taking a 24 hour break from all school work has never hurt my grades or performance at work. It has only ever served to boost my stamina for the rigors of academics and increased my trust in God’s faithfulness.

    22.  Prayer—Call up your far away friends and ask if there is anything you can pray with them about. Message someone with a written out prayer that you are claiming for them. Pray for your husband, wife, children, siblings, parents, co-workers, and colleagues. Praying that God blesses those who have hurt me has healed multiple relationships and all the glory goes to God’s restorative power!

    23.  Giving Bible Studies—The adventure of giving Bible studies to children with my dad began today! When my dad asked one of the kids who they want to meet someday they said, “Justin Bieber.” I said, “Never say never.” Haha. Encouraging these children to deepen their friendship with Jesus is a Sabbath adventure we are going to continue together!

Today's Sabbath adventure was studying the Bible together

   24.   Sermons— If your pastor is like my dad and has a study guide for you to follow along, make sure to bring your pen and Bible along with you to church. Prayerfully consider asking God if He wants you to preach someday. It could be as simple as sharing your personal testimony with your church family. It is an experience that is worthwhile!

If a 10 year old can give a bee-autiful sermon about how honey was the sweetest ingredient in Bible times and that we need to crave Jesus, then all of us can too!

    25.  Mission trip—You can locally serve through missions on college campuses and reaching the hearts of the homeless, or by crossing into uncharted territory to bring the gospel with you! The past year a group of my closest friends and I enjoyed going to Chicago to share the love of Jesus with homeless people and quickly realized that the people we met on the streets ended up blessing us more than we ever could bless them. Check out our Facebook page called Least Of These Ministries https://www.facebook.com/chicagoutreach/?fref=ts

During our first trip to Chicago we met Rabbit and he had us read out loud Matthew 25, which inspired Least Of These Ministries to continue

Exodus 20:8-11 says, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

            Sabbath adventures are waiting for you to discover every single week. If Sabbaths are this invigorating on earth think about how extraordinary they are going to be throughout eternity! Sabbaths were made for you, have you truly enjoyed them yet? 

In His Joys,

Hannah Elise Abbott