Samantha Huntley

   I have now endured two years of the honors program and have had the entire summer to reflect on my time in the program and at the university. Through constant reflection during the past two years I have gained fresh perspective on how I really feel about my experience with it all. So this is how I really feel about ALL of it:

   I really enjoyed the opportunities that the honors program gave me. The volunteer/internship was the highlight for me. I loved the course work in my first year, I felt so challenged and engaged in what I was learning. I strongly disliked the video projects. I strongly disliked the extensive amount of time that was spent learning about Martin Luther--yet those experiences were still a huge learning experience for me. I could not be more appreciative of the people in the program with me. It is a blessing (and sometimes a curse) to be in a classroom full of engaged learners. 

   When it comes down to it I have no regrets--but I wish that there were something's that would've been clearer. Maybe I was blind to these things but still . . .

   Here is what you MUST know if you are starting in the honors program or thinking about being in the honors program:

-If you commit to being in this program, you have to stay at Concordia University for all four years of your undergraduate career. If you decide to transfer NONE of your credits will transfer and you will have to start over.

-Because the program is faith integrated into learning, there is very little diversity. Even so it provides for an interesting perspective.

   Things that must be known about the University:

-In general at the university everyone assumes you are Lutheran, unless you blatantly proclaim otherwise.

-The art program is hardly supported by the university in comparison with the athletics department--especially not financially.

-Do not recycle, will not recycle, have not recycled.

-Martin Luther is treated like a god.

   These opinions are my own experience and in no way represent anyone else in the program or university. I mean no harm, I just need to share my truths hoping that they would inform a future student of the things I wish I was informed of.

***Special thanks to the honors program fer learnin' me some critical thinkin' skills and for giving me this blog to say whatever I want. 

     Horse Powered learning! What an interesting idea! What does that mean? On May 2, 2012 the idea of horse powered learning was presented by Dr. Michelle Pickel and Dr. Sally Baas for the concluding convocation of the year. The best way for them to describe what they do with horse powered learning was to bring the horses to the knoll and have people demonstrate what horse powered learning is. A brave few students and staff volunteered to help demonstrate the concept as well as the two horses whose names I cannot remember at the moment. Drs. Pickel and Baas set up a challenge course of sorts for the teams to complete. They were instructed to carry the horse and any other items with them along the course passing all items along to the next team member in relay fashion. The items all represented different things in life such as spiritual life, fitness, sleep, social life, family etc. Of course to make it more challenging they also had to guide the horse while carrying all the items and an egg balanced on a spoon. Both teams successfully completed the challenge with some speed bumps along the way.

     The idea proved to be quite interesting. Those participating in the event really struggled to balance so many different things and still be able to move forward. They all reflected and concluded that is was quite similar to their own lives. Balance is always being sought after and sometimes priorities must be made. Through the Callings readings that have been discussed in class we have often talked about the priorities and higher order that different Christians throughout time have presented. Many of the Monastics that we read about put prayer above serving others while modern day Christians tend to put serving others above prayer. This hierarchy of things that serve God seemed to be very prevalent in how people functioned in the challenge course. It seemed that everyone was always making sure that they were aware of the horse and kept the horse moving along. The hierarchy of priorities reflects real life and how people choose to serve God.

     The activity was intriguing to be able to watch and to understand a different way of learning. The way the set up the course was a way in which people would have to engage in the activity in a positive yet challenging way and then be able to talk through and understand what they just did. Watching it reminded me a lot of my work at camp last summer. We did lots of challenge course activities as a part of the training and with the kids all summer long. It was so beneficial to the staff to be able to work together and really be thoughtful of listening to one another and learning to communicate in positive ways. I remember leading groups of kids through different challenge course activities and being so excited to watch them mess up and learn from their mistakes, encourage one another, and then be able to reflect and relate the activity to their lives. I understand why Dr. Pickel and Dr. Baas chose to create a program like this because it is a really effective way of learning for many types of people and engages everyone to be involved unlike the classroom setting. Hurray for alternative learning options!

   This section of callings is snippets of Thomas Merton's No Man Is an Island. Merton is a man who led a bohemian lifestyle until he converted to Catholicism. In his writing the reader gets a sense that God calls Christians in many different ways and through other things besides occupations. Merton talks about finding one's calling as finding one's happiness. Merton outlines that human beings have a hunger in the depths of our being for wholeness and finality. Merton shares perspective on the Monastic, priestly, and married lifestyle and how one can live out God's calling through those lifestyles. To conclude Merton talks about how finding one's calling on earth is to find divine life in the world.

   Merton outlines numerous points that resonate with how the world is today. Today's world is full of temptation and immediate satisfaction, where humankind always wants more of something. Merton talks about how God loves us more than we love ourselves. Merton's discussion of God's love for us can be tied to 1 John 3:19-24, which talks about God knowing the human's heart better than one can know their own heart. Towards the end of the section Merton uses the phrasing 'scale of vocation' implying that certain vocations are above others. This viewpoint of Merton's shows that he is a man of this age, he is thinking in terms of competition and which is the best. The writing talks about marriage as a vocation; that God has called human beings to marry and bear children and teach them to serve the Lord. Merton seems to address the marriage in the context of family, so what if a couple is married without children, does that mean their calling is elsewhere, not through their marriage? It could be argued that Marriage is not a calling in today's society simply because of how loose and casual marriage is to many people.

   Merton shared a perspective that I really appreciated and felt intrigued by but I don't agree with him on everything. He used the terminology 'The Blind Spiritual Instinct' describing it to be the thing that tells us that our lives have purpose and importance, which urges us to find a vocation and dedicate our lives to that purpose. I feel really aligned with the concept of a blind spiritual instinct; that is how I feel about finding a calling and following God's path for my life. I think that Merton is off by using the term scale of vocation. He contradicts himself by using this statement in the same section, "All vocations are intended by God to manifest his love in the world--gives him something to do for the Salvation of all mankind."(426) I really like this statement because it is straightforward about what our true calling is: to manifest God's love. No matter what one feels God is calling oneself to, the intention behind the action is simply to manifest God's love. 

 On Tuesday April 24, 2012 the 11th annual Poehler Lecture was given by the adored Concordians the brothers Trapp. The Brothers Trapp--Dr. Dale Trapp and Dr. Thomas Trapp--are professors at Concordia University. Dr D Trapp teaches science and Dr. T Trapp teaches theology. The Brothers began the night with a lighthearted attitude talking about their background and their life history, including the many births and re-births they have experienced and have yet to experience. The title of their address is "Head to Head, Heart to Heart." They describe this phrase, 'head to head' to mean a collaboration between minds and heart to heart to be the confiding and sharing of one's soul.  Both Drs. Trapp think about teaching as a way to share their experience and framework with others so that they can understand and build their own framework. The theme of their talk is faith and learning and they take turns talking about how faith and learning are a part of their lives and what it looks like for their faith and learning to be intersected.

     The Honors program was created to offer students a classroom experience fitting to the mission of the University--integrating faith into learning. Dr. Dale Trapp talked about how he ties his faith into his science curriculum. He believes that God created the universe and all that is in it and that it shows his wisdom and power and he is glorified because of it. Dr. D. Trapp also discussed mystery vs. miracle in which he concluded miracles can happen because the laws of science are not always obeyed. Dr. Thomas Trapp talked about the multiple perspectives in viewing faith and scripture. He stated that God is active in justification and sanctification and that Christian beings are passive in justification and active in sanctification. Both concluded that faith and learning integrated enrich one another. They described that as teachers they are proud to be able to integrate faith into learning. The focus of the honors program is to be able to allow students to connect all aspects of their education with their faith. To hear from two teachers who are very oriented to integrating faith into learning is reassuring the honors student.

   One of the most beneficial experiences a college student can have is to have the chance to listen to their professors and understand their passion and why they are doing what they do. The most satisfying part of being a student at Concordia University is that there are many faculty and staff who are passionate about what they are doing and strive to create a positive classroom experience. Hearing the brothers Trapp was yet another chance to hear and affirm the passion and integrity of the faculty at Concordia. I have really enjoyed my experience with the faculty at this school. I have not had either of the Trapp's for a traditional class, but from their talk I can tell that they are among the great faculty at Concordia. As a student I thrive off an environment where I feel that I am supported and engaged in learning. This is the kind of environment I have found at Concordia, and I am grateful to the staff and faculty for creating that sort of environment for all of the students. 

   On Wednesday April 25th the Concordia baseball team faced off against Augustana. As per any official college sport, the teams were decked out in their matching uniforms and gear. The game began with the national anthem--also an essential for sporting events. The game began, there were some hits, outs, and all that then the game ended. All the while the sun was shining, skin was roasting, and eyes were squinting. One could say it was a great day to have an excuse to sit outside with some friends--for a baseball game.

   Concordia is known for its lack of school spirit. The student body just does not have much support in numbers or enthusiasm. Although there is a lack of spirit, there is not a lack of support. The majority of the noise during the baseball game consists of the rest of the team in the dugout cheering their team members on the field. It is a default, automatic support system. They have enthusiasm for each other and for their whole team. The honors program also has a great support structure. The small group is an automatic group of team members and supporters. No outsiders are expected to cheer us on and come to our classes--we support one another.

   I have never been into sports. I don't value competition and team support like most athletes seem to. Why did I go to the baseball game? I needed to for a blog. What happened in the game? I truly could not tell you. I know a little bit about baseball, but only the gym class version. The baseball game was a great way for me to kill two birds with one stone--enjoy the outdoors with fellow honors friends and get a blog done. 

     On Thursday April 20, 2012, many artsy fartsy types, fabulous faculty and families, and art-appreciating folk gathered in the gallery for the annual Student Art Show. Any student at Concordia--art major, closet artist, someone who wanted to try something new, was encouraged to enter an art form to be judged by local artist Rachel Breen for the annual exhibition. All the work was viewed and judged by Rachel to be put in the show and the especially interesting pieces or collections were given a little bit of extra recognition. The show displayed a wide range of art mediums: sculpture, ceramics, photographs, paintings, prints, and drawings. It is impressive to look around a room knowing all the work on display was created by a student at Concordia. Who knew that Concordian's could fill a room with so much creativity?

     A gallery of work that displays the best of what people have to offer is a unique idea. For people to have a space where they can display their creative work or present something that they have created is a really cool thing. It allows people to openly display something that they have put passion and time into. Callings and vocation are subjects that have been heavily discussed in honors this semester. Passion for an area of interest can often lead one to discover what that one's calling from God may be. The work in the gallery portrays a wide range of passions among Concordia students and shows that creativity and passion are being pursued in our institution.

     I enjoyed the art opening for many reasons that I didn't expect to enjoy it. It was an honor to receive 2nd place for one of my ceramic pieces in the show and to have the chance to display my work in the show, but I found more pleasure in seeing my work as a part of something. It feels really good to look at quality work produced by my fellow peers and be able to come to the understanding that I am a part of a talented, passionate, creative community. It is easy for me to get annoyed with the school and the campus life or lack there of, but seeing the work in the gallery allowed me the gratitude to see that I am really lucky to be in a hugely supportive art community. I feel that my calling is to create meaningful diverse community through engagement in the arts. This calling becomes so much more impassioned when I have the support of a creative community.

     John Henry Newman was a Christian in the 19th century. In this time Christians are looking at callings and vocations possible through careers and occupations as well as different options for men and women as far as calling. In this time it is also considered to be a plus if one is able to live out their calling through their career and working in harmony for the genuine good of the human race. Christians in this era often ask questions like; what can I do that will give my life purpose and meaning? In john Henry Newman's writing Divine Calls he talks about calling in connection with scriptural texts. He give examples from the bible that outline that God's call allows one a choice of obedience. He also describes that God's calling to human beings for salvation is constant but there are different callings that will also happen in one's life.  He describes that God's life callings to us require instant obedience because callings are in the present.

     John Henry talks about the importance of accepting God's calling for one's life. He illustrates that as infants we are called to state of salvation, and that we are living as God's servants and children. A passage from this section that sums of how God is calling us, "Christ works through our natural faculties and circumstances of life." This passage shows that the many callings one may experience are a natural part of first accepting the call to salvation. John Henry describes 'accidental' callings as the best callings that exist because they are the ones that are unexpected and special. The way that he talks about calling is very relevant to all human beings in today's society. Many people feel called to find purpose and meaning in their lives no matter what they believe in. Many college students start up their college education and hope that they will discover that meaning and purpose for their life. If college students follow John Henry's advice they will allow God to tell them what they are called to and accept the callings even if they don't seem right at first.

   John Henry speaks relevantly to my life but I think to many others as well. I have struggled with trying to find a purpose for my life and found myself always trying different things just hoping that I would find a passion and purpose for my life. For many years that didn't work out for me, I felt very stuck. When I realized that wasn't working for me I decided that I really had to leave it up to God to tell me and be at peace with whenever that would happen. This past year I decided I was going to pursue art education and I started visiting different schools to shadow art teachers. While visiting schools I realized that it was the exact place and environment I wanted to be in. It felt so right, God wanted me there and I wanted to be there. I'm not sure what made me realize that it was God's calling for me but I know that it is right. My work at the Cedar has made me want to pursue art education even more. It has helped me to find purpose in my life and not be afraid to pursue a career that isn't needed or doesn't pay well. What society says about the career is not what matters, what matters, is: God has called me to do it. "Work at your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God that worketh in you."(348)

   On Friday April 13th--yes, FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH! the annual Christus Choir spring concert took place. The spring concert is a chance for the choir to showcase all of their tour music, which correlates with the theme of the year. This year the theme is "We are God's People" The concert is divided in sections with each section having music that correlated with one of the words in the theme. The First section had songs correlating to 'We', the second section correlated to the 'God' part of the phrase and the last section to 'People'. The concert is interactive and allows the audience to sing along and be a part of the concert. After all . . . "We are God' People" not just the choir.

   The theme fits really nicely into the honors curriculum this semester. The honors class has discussed vocation and calling countless times. Many members of the choir believe that it is a calling to sing God's praises in the choir and to share the message of the Gospel with many. In May the choir is going to South Korea for a choral tour. The Korea trip will be a great opportunity to spread music for people to live out that calling in a whole new part of the world. The passage from the beginning of the callings book truly fits this situation, "The place God calls you is the place where your deep passion and the world's hunger meet." Honors has also spent time reflecting on service. Some early Christians believed that through service to others, one is serving the Lord. The choir will surely share something special with the people in South Korea, making a bond that truly expresses 'We are God's People'.

   I am a part of the Christus Choir for my second year now and find it essential to share my perspective being a part of this event. In complete honesty, I have found choir to be a huge struggle and complete task this year. It has been a huge commitment to something that I am not very passionate about. I am grateful to have been able to sing under a fiercely passionate director but it gets tough when I realize that I am dispassionate about choir. I am beyond thrilled to be going to Korea and experience a trip with the choir--as a part of a group--As God's People! I know that God is calling me to find the time to engage communities in the arts. I look forward to spending my time in an area of passion and being able to support the choir by attending their concerts. God is calling me to move on and be done with choir after this year and I don't argue with God's calling.  

   In this time of the church William Law writes from a perspective in which he chose a simple lifestyle, and one devoted to his faith and his relationship with God. Law talks less of vocation and how one should act out one's calling and more how God should be integrated into one's lifestyle. Law talks about God and his rule over the world and how all truly belongs to God; thus we must respect and treat all things like they are God's. Law takes his writing outside of vocation and into the lifestyle of a Christian. He talks about the glorification of God and how Christians can live to glorify God in all that they do.  In class it was further discussed about what it looks like to 'Glorify God'. The class struggled to list the things that do glorify God and found it easier to list the things that do not glorify God. The class tried to synthesize that glorifying God can happen through actions that work to fix the brokenness in the world and relationships and our relationship with God.

   Law's writing of how one should act out calling in everyday life outlines a new way to look at calling and vocation that becomes more relevant to life in the present compared to the early and medieval church. A passage from his writing reads, "As all things are God's, so all things are to be used and regarded as the things of God. For men to abuse things on earth, and live to themselves, is the same rebellion against God." (305) This passage puts our calling into the category of how we live out our lifestyle and how choosing to respect all things is a part of our calling from God. Law further outlines this idea of glorifying God in everyday life,  "Most of the employments of life are in their own nature lawful, and all those that are so may be made a substantial part of our duty to God, if we engage in them only so far, and for such ends, as are suitable to beings that are to live above the world, all the time that they live in the world. " Law further outlines what is not glorifying to God by describing one who would live life for money and use what God has given that one to seek riches and profit. Law's text speaks to Christians today by stating the idea that one's calling can be lived out and can glorify God in many ways. In today's society many people are unhappy in their occupation but are able to glorify God and live out their calling by allowing their occupation to shape them in a positive way and finding other ways to live out their calling.

   The class discussion revolved around the idea of what it means to 'Glorify God'. It was an interesting point that really didn't strike me as I read the writings of Law. I think it is important to differentiate to what the Bible says about God and Glory and what society says about Glory and God. I feel we over talked it in class and it doesn't need to be complicated or a question that needs an answer. I think that 'Glory to God' and 'Glorifying God' is often used in the context of giving thanks to God. The sense of glory being thanks to God and respect of all things-- like Law said-- is what I believe is a fair way to define it without biblical opposition. Law's writing was enjoyable in how it got rid of the compartmentalization of vocation and occupation relating to calling. I like to think of my calling being a part of my lifestyle not just my occupation. 

   The fourth international Hmong conference on Hmong Studies featured a speech on 'A Tale of Two Peoples: An Overview of the Hmong and Laotian in the United States' by Dr. Kou Yang. Dr. Yang spoke about the change in the Asian populations-- with a focus on the Hmong population, in America and the factors that have attributed to the ever-changing statistics. Dr. Yang's thorough studies on the Hmong and Laotian people illustrate the lifestyle and the factors that are a part of the way that they live. Dr. Yang's studies on the Hmong and Laotian people show his passion for the preservation of the culture and care for the various communities throughout the United States. Dr. Yang outlined the definition of Hmong being one ethnicity and Laotian consisting of multiple ethnicities. The Hmong people are the minority among the Asian populations in America. Dr. yang also notes that the Hmong population is one that is very young with the median age being 20 years old and only 3% of the population being 65+. Over the past two decades Hmong poverty has been decreasing the more that the Hmong population has been able to assimilate into American culture. The reason being, because the Hmong population came to America with no training or vocational preparation for the culture and are the minority among the Asian cultures in America. Dr. Yang's research outlines how the Hmong culture has progressed in education and income over the past two decades by showing degree, income level, and property and village statistics. The Hmong villages throughout the country provide a sense of community for the Hmong culture and economic growth for their community.

   The Honors Program chooses to acknowledge multiculturalism as a vital part of a learning experience and lifestyle. Having a multicultural perspective allows one to further understand the world better and be accepting and helpful to the needs of others. Dr. Yang has a perspective on the Hmong and other Asian populations in the US that many Americans are unaware of. His perspective broadens the scope of what America actually is and how people should act towards each other. His perspective addresses multiculturalism and accepts it for what it is. The information given can help one to be a better servant to the Lord and the public good when they have knowledge about the different types of people that are our neighbors.

   I found Dr. Yang's information to be very informative and insightful. It wasn't presented in an interesting way but it provides insight that allows one to further serve others and understand the true culture of this world. I feel that a multicultural perspective is one that is vital to have in the world the more connected we become to one another through technological advancements. I am glad I had the opportunity to learn more about the Asian populations within my neighborhood and in the country that I am a part of.  I pray and hope that others are able to understand the many cultures that make up this world and understand that a multicultural perspective is one that we must have.