A spirit renewed

Summer came, went and left somewhat of a bitter taste that I've endlessly tried to combat for the past few months. I worked over the summer out of need and my entire mindset changed. The bills were getting paid, I had money to play with, but nothing satisfied. I guess the whole "money can't buy happiness" became a reality for me.

School is in session at the moment and with the same drained mindset, I've not been happy...until today. I missed an important "retreat" that I was supposed to attend, but by default ran into something way better: an epiphany of peace when conducting, planning, and engaging in service work.

I've found that my peace is in helping others and my motivating factor to keep going, over achieve and be the best I can be, for the benefit of others. :)

Look for more info on service work, and grand opportunities in the near future.

Til then, ask not what others can do for you, but what can you do for others.

Peace, Love, and above all Joy!

-Jalisa

Water to Thrive Efforts on Campus

Student expresses TLU's interest in helping the cause. 

A Will for Water to Thrive

The Presidential Award for Leadership in Service, PALS, is an organization on campus complied of students who had shown leadership in community service, prior to attending TLU. As PALS recipients, we endeavor to be the leaders of service on campus actively involved in the community.

This semester the group separated into groups to do community service in a variety of different ways. One group helped with the Seguin community garden, which generated much positive feedback and future expansion of the project. Another group worked on My Father’s Farm, a non-profit organic farm that feeds orphans in Columbia. A recycling group endeavored to make recycling a convenience on campus, and then my group, Water to Thrive, hooked onto an organization that builds wells in Ethiopia to supply natives with clean water.

While the group didn’t get off the ground as early as we would have liked, we were able to meet with Christina Stade, Water to Thrive representative, who informed us of the realities that Ethiopians face simply trying to fill their jugs of water.

The goal for the group is to raise $3,500 to build one well in Ethiopia. We plan to do so by selling t-shirts, and accepting donations. Further extension of the project has yet to be determined, but the group looks forward to making a difference in a place where clean water is not readily available. 

The Harleys, a charitable event

The Harleys at Austin Street Live in December playing for charity

Left to Right: John Masterson, Greg Ronning and Mike McGrew

Four guys walked into a bar, threw back a few drinks and geared up to play requested tunes for the rest of the night. They sought no glory, no fans, just the genuine $5 donations to raise money for cancer research for leukemia and lymphoma. One of the band members is the father of someone running a marathon in support of the cause.

“We just love to get together and play rock-n-roll and make a difference in the community,” Greg Ronning, lead singer of the Harley’s, said. 

The Harleys are a well-know play-for-charity band in Seguin and are directly tied to the TLU community. All members of the band are either currently employed, or have been previously employed by TLU.

Since the band’s conception seven years ago, The Harleys have raised over $300,000 in donations to local and national cancer research foundations.

At local shows at bars, and charitable events on and off the TLU campus, a jar is set up in front of their set for donations. All proceeds are strictly for charity.

“We feel like this is kind of our ministry to give back to God for what he’s blessed us with for a little bit of musical ability, so we just get a chance to give back,” Mike McGrew, bass guitarist, said. 

Students Making a Difference: the little things that count

I have a knack for noticing little things that may sometimes be overlooked. Perhaps it’s the inner perfectionist shining through when I see minor changes that can be made in and around the community that motivate me to get involved and make a difference. Simple things such as restoring a shabby fence, helping serve refreshments to disabled veterans at a benefit, beautifying the garden surrounding around a building and playing music for elders at nursing homes are just a few things that SMAD, students making a difference, has done to improve the well-being the community, even in the slightest way.

In the past, SMAD has done several “odds and ends” jobs around TLU’s campus and has been the “glue” element in major events around Seguin; driving people to and from sites for a rodeo, for example helped make a difference.

The one thing that I especially love about the group, is it’s willingness to get out and into the community and sincerely be willing to help with anything that may come our way regardless of the amount of labor. What makes it better, is that all of it is voluntary. The most beautiful attribute in a person is a giving heart. SMAD has exceedingly shown a giving heart, in their work and work ethic.

Sometimes, to fix or perfect a broken entity, all you need is a little elbow grease, tape, glue, or staple. I find simple changes like this to be perfect.

Overall, this group has provided that for the university and community at large; the group embodies their name whether their work is publicly noticed or not. 

*above  photo, SMAD at the annual pumpkin patch at the United Methodist church on Austin Street. We helped unload pumpkins off trucks and set them up for public viewing, this past fall.  

Ronald McDonald House Charities event on campus hits home

Ronald McDonald paid a visit to TLU’s campus this past Saturday to visit Seguin residents hoping to help a charitable cause.

Beta Alpha Sigma sorority sponsored their annual philanthropy supporting the Ronald McDonald house. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. free BBQ, games and live music was available to the public. Throughout the event, coke tabs were collected to raise money for donations.

The event had many in attendance, and fun was had, but after visiting the event, I realized that I’d connected with it on much deeper terms.  

I’m the firstborn of a family with five children, and have been rewarded and entrusted to provide leadership for younger blood to follow. At times, however, I feel as though I learn more from my siblings.

I have a younger sister who has outlived specialists’ expectations for someone diagnosed with her conditions. By the grace of God she still lives, and is one of the most inspirational people that I know. Accompanying her to her weekly visits to a local hospital in Austin, I’d pass by the Ronald McDonald House. Every time I passed the house, I wondered if every child in similar or worse conditions as my sister had a spirit or character as she does to get them through. After learning about her friends who are physically ill, I learned that many children out there do find support, love and encouragement, thanks in part to others who love, help and support charities such as Ronald McDonald House Charities.

I sincerely appreciate awareness about these charities that make a difference in the lives of youth, especially those who are blamelessly ill. Thank you for your support, I’ve seen first hand in the eyes of a child, that these efforts are much appreciated. 

Frat says unzip, get a grip - News

Frat says unzip, get a grip - News

Frat says unzip, Get a Grip

For the last few days, a fraternity on campus has dedicated itself to promoting testicular cancer awareness with the national "Get a Grip" campaign. Taboo as the issue may seem, it's important that people know: more men will die of undetected testicular cancer than women diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Statistics speak volumes, but actions resound louder. On the TLU campus, information regarding testicular cancer, is made readily available for those interested in learning more of the disease. This past Friday, free screenings were available on campus. The doctor was able to explain how to detect the symptoms and teach others to check themselves. Further activities during testicular cancer awareness week include the philanthropy's finale, in concurrence with a baseball game in which the players will support the cause by wearing light blue wrist bands. A table to further inform the onlookers about testicular cancer will be set up to spread the word to the community.

Seeing a fraternity eager to spread the word on the issue is refreshing.

The link to the full article on the fraternity and their first philanthropy for "Get A Grip" in the Lone Star Lutheran is available.

Provided is a link to the Testicular Cancer Awareness week Web site. 

Houston enlightenment and relief

The Houston Trip in retrospect proves to be a enlightening experience. 

From the moment we arrived, we were received in a by Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church with open arms. A carpeted gym, and upstairs loft area (that normally houses Salem’s youth ministry) became our home for four days.

Day one of work began early Saturday morning. We underwent LINC orientation at 8:30 a.m. and disbursed into two separate groups; one to paint and the other to start laying carpet.

While we were there, we were able to interact and connect to our LINC “mentors,” Steven and Saul. Both were previously a part of a large gang in Houston and had been incarcerated. Stories ranging from why they changed their life around, to how tattoos are done in prison captured our interest and enlightened much of the group to different circumstances.

One particular house that we worked on was supposed to be torn down and rebuilt, but insufficient funding did not allow for that to happen. Restored to the best condition possible, we were able to come in, clean out the house and lay down the carpet tacks and foam padding before the carpet arrived- a handy new skill that we all acquired.

Sunday, after morning service, we took a Hurricane Relief class and learned the cycle of relief work. Within the course, we learned of the dangers of helping when professionals are involved, and the need for help once “the big guns” have moved out. Oftentimes, after federal services are through conducting their work in an area, it is up to non-profit organizations, trained members of the community to take over relief efforts. Volunteers are then advised to step in, especially when free labor is needed in order for families to return to their homes.

We met another service group from Illinois, volunteering during spring break for LINC as well. With so many of us working together in one location, we finished before lunchtime and spent the remainder of the day reflecting on the work that we’d done, and learning more of the hurricane relief process.

 “When the Levees Broke,” a four-act documentary for HBO by Spike Lee, gave us a new insight and multiple perspectives of what it was really like for different people of all economic and social backgrounds when Hurricane Katrina hit. We discovered MUCH more than what the mainstream media covered.

Daily devotional times allowed for each of us to share what was on our minds and connect to one another on the basis of faith and personal views on morality and ethics; a time that allowed for us to truly bond beyond the level of peers and co-workers. Of course staying up past 2 a.m. playing basketball, Ga-Ga ball (in essence a game of dodgeball in a pit using only hands with contact below the knee), and Dutch Blits (a “very good” card game) added to this as well.

The overall experience was amazing; a trip that we all agreed was productive, informative, eye opening and fun. We've seen the actual remains of homes piled in their front lawn, took part in rebuilding it for a family who lost it.

Whether you build one bunk bed, or build one home, every contribution makes a difference.

Vacation vs. Vocation

Spring Break and my birthday have always been in the same week. Traditionally, I've always thought of it as a week to enjoy myself and reflect upon the year I left behind, watch how I've learned and grown, and look to the future with much enthusiasm of achieving my goals. All too often my goals are aimed and becoming a beneficial element to the well-being of others; this year I wanted to go the extra mile and go beyond self.

Victims affected by Hurricane Ike are still in need of assistance with rebuilding and reconstructing homes. For the first four days of spring break, a group of students (including myself) at Texas Lutheran University will volunteer to help families to recover their homes. 

My excitement at this opportunity is beyond words. Being a college student, I work hard day and night studying to make something of myself; be independent and sturdily stand on my own two feet with a wonderful career to wake up to every morning. To understand that another person went through what I'm going through and lost a part of what they worked for be gone at the hand of mother nature is appalling. A hurricane is inevitable. I look forward to helping them rebuild what took a lifetime to achieve. 

Why does this matter?

A matter of hours destroyed a major component to their lives. A matter of days and good will and the sweat of our brow will help them rebuild that. Good deeds are contagious; if college students can give up half of their spring break for others, it is possible to spread that care and concern for others. Find pleasure in spring break, enjoy yourself, but don't overlook the opportunity to help those in need. 

photo found on linchouston.org