So as most of you know I have a bunch of stuff going on this summer. Moved out of the IV house (16) ,working multiple jobs for vcu, my parents moved, doing leadership stuff, planning multiple things for next school year, and lastly finding housing for this upcoming fall semester. Yea I know you all are like, these aren't a big deal, but they really are; especially my housing situation for the next school year. I have been trying constantly to find decent housing to live in, but it is difficult. I even at one point was applying to be a Residential Assistant for my university. It was going well, and I would love to be an RA more than anything, but half way through my application proccess I got one of those feelings saying it was not in my best interest. It would have been an amazing opportunity seeing as I already work with the freshman classes that come into VCU, and I am loving the VCU classs of 2014. Not to mention that my brother is in that class. Yea!! An awesome individual he is.

But I have been praying constantly and seeking what God wants me to do living wise, because I feel called to work with college students and to be on VCU's campus. Now that it is drawing closer to the school year, it seems that I will be commuting from my parent's house which is 30 minutes away from my school. Yea, the drive is not the best and commuting is a pain; but I was thinking of all the good opportunities that could and WILL come from it. I could spend more time with my family: since I work to much on campus and don't go home enough to see them, I could see my second family more :the Felps', I could see my cute niece, I could have more time to spend with my friend Andrew Lewis who my parents live closer to now. So living off campus wont be such a bad thing right?

Well let us hope so, this year is going to be a challenging , but great year. Oh and I am getting ready and planning for welcome week/ New student programs and the beginning of the new school year. A ton of personal time planning events, games and get togethers is in order. So most of my time is spent e-mailing, calling and sitting down with people and planning. Man this is very time consuming and stressful. Well all I know is that it is going to be one great, awesome, and amazing year, and I can not wait to see what God is going to be doing on VCU's campus



Song Of The Day:
2000 Years
Travis Cottrell

Another summer is here and almost gone. It seems that it is short lived , like I have only been in summer for a few weeks; but I know that is not the case. In exactly a month I will be back in school , reading books, studying vigorously, and doing multiple organization work. So I am enjoying what time I have left of my summer. And it has been very enjoyable. I have gotten to work many conferences at vcu with foreign students and work all of vcu's freshman orientations. The orientations has probably been the highlight of the summer though, along with my roommates wedding.

Being able to work all the freshman orientations and meeting the vcu class of 2014, has been pretty sweet!! One of the things I do for orientations is work the campus ministries table, and it is so encouraging and actually really cool to see a ton of first years wanting to get involved with campus ministries. Some have even specifically asked for the organization I am in : InterVarsity. Or they asked for organizations I have been apart of and are still connected to like : Chi-Alpha, and Young Life. I thought this was so cool. To see a class that is three years behind me to have a good group of them on fire for God and wanting to know more about Him. Not only that but , I have gotten to meet a bunch of talented individuals and can't wait to see what they offer vcu.

One of the best things is also happening today. Yep!! That is right, I said it, one of the best. Another Harris is coming to vcu. Heck Yea!!! My brother is coming to join me at vcu, another Ram. How sweet is that? And I know he has a bunch to offer vcu. Possibly one of the coolest guys I know, oh and smart. But his college experience is going to be his own college experience, not mine. Not saying I wont be willing to help him out or anything, which I of course am. But just like when I came into vcu and had to learn the ropes, make my own friends, and find my place at vcu. He also has to do so. Which means , no I not going to force him to do organizations I do , or take some of the same classes, although that would be sweet; especially if he was the same major as me. Think about it Robert!! I already have all the notes for you as well :D

But whatever he does , it is going to be a great time and year at vcu. Also with my new First year buddies it is going to be an adventurous, daring, and a very enjoyable year. I can not wait to get this upcoming school year started. So everyone be on the look out , oh and my new First year buds, be on the look out for a little ultimate Frisbee , water balloons, movies, food, soccer, and more the first week of school.


Watch Out vcu, we are taking you by storm

This past weekend has been one of the best highlights to my summer. Some of you might be asking me why I am not counting the rest of summer. Well for most of you who don't know,two of my best friends Jacob Easter & Hannah Glasgow; now Hannah Easter, got married. I have know both of them for 4 years each, and it has been truly a blessing knowing them and getting to know them. These are two of the most loving and caring individuals I know. Witnessing their wedding was and is truly a testament of their love for each other and their love for God. They are always willing to put others first and always placing God in everything they do. It is really inspiring to see.

To Jake:
Knowing you for the past years , since freshman year has been one of the most encouraging, humbling, and best experiences of my life. From coming to your room and annoying you freshman year to being your housemate for the past two. You have taught me so much and I thank you for that. I hope we will continue to be great friends and Im sure we will. Also maybe hanging out every so often would not be so bad. Love you so much man!!! thanks for everything you have done

To Hannah:
It has also been a blessing to know you since freshman year. You always trying to find me a girlfriend, and just being so loving and caring. I admire you and Jake. I remember coming to visit you with Jake in GRC and watching movies, or you coming to Rhoads to see Jake and I would be there. You a truly an amazing person. And have been like a sister to me here at vcu. I thank you for that and everything you have done for me.


well I will stop being a sap now, but I wish you both well in your marriage . I love you both!!!

Over the past couple of days , I have been reading articles and will start reading some books on community, and what it means to be in a community of grace. What does that look like? Is it even important? Well yes it is. We are called to be in community with one another, and it seems to make everything a lot easier, especially to be in a christian organization like Intervarsity. By us engaging in community with other Christians and people inside Intervarsity or any organization we do, it helps to build authentic relationships.

So key word here "engage" you have to be willing to feel uncomfortable and break away from your normal constraints and engage in relationships with others. One part of being in community with people in Intervarsity is the willingness to seek out each other as accountability partners. Holding each other responsible (accountable) for their actions, whether it is lying or telling a small joke. I feel that this is one of the most important things anyone could be doing, having accountability partners. People who you have genuine , authentic , growing relationships with, and who are there to pray with you. But of course with that comes vulnerability. In order for growth to happen, you have to be vulnerable. Yes, I know. people think you have to tell all your deepest darkest secrets to everyone. Not true. Having an accountability partner, or someone who you can be in constant prayer with helps us to fight all temptations or issues facing us. God has given us all the authority we need, through Him. Also Iron sharpens, Iron.


Im also not telling people to constantly hang out with only Christians, or people in their organization. First that can cause problems on it's own. People get tired of each other, it's like a family and there is times when everyone needs breathing space. But if we are constantly hanging out with other Christians, who is out there spreading the Gospel? And by us hanging out with the same individuals constantly ,is not us having a welcoming (invitational) community. So I ask you this what: Kind of community are you setting up and presenting to individuals not in your very own Community? Is it one of invitation and grace? Well until my next post. I'm out



Song of the Day:
It All Belongs To You
Damita Haddon

It has been almost a month since I have started my summer job working as a CFA (RA) for VCU's summer conference. Oh how I thought it would be easier. A lot of sweat, and labor goes into this job. Especially since more than half my residents are either foreign (Spain, Korea) or high school students that can only speak the language of their program which is not English. This is going to be fun!! Well it gives me a chance to brush up on a few languages I know. It's also really cool being able to connect with my residents on God , church , and campus organizations like Intervarsity. But the language barrier creates a little difficulty. So we will see how the rest of my summer turns out, may end up being quadrilingual. That would be awesome.


Anywho enough about conferences , I decided that I am going to share a song with every post. So here it is , one of my all time favorites . Sorry I can't post the video , but check it out


Song of the Day:
This is the Day
Fred Hammond

So it has been a fun and crazy beginning to summer. Figuring out where I am going to be living, since I moved out of the IV house. Helping my parent's move (still helping) , my brother's graduation and other stuff. But through it all I have been extremely blessed. This summer has possible been one of the best since coming to college. God has given me several opportunities on VCU's campus and just where my passions lie and I am taking them.



Of course everyone knows I am very active in doing stuff at VCU, sometimes a little too much and having a huge passion for the performing arts. Well I have been given this awesome opportunity to have two jobs this summer. One of which I am an RA that gives me free housing until August 10. So awesome since I still have no clue where I am living yet, and then the other is working in the card office on MCV. Well they might not seem like amazing jobs. But they are!! Especially the card office. Since working there one of my undergrad professors who I did research with last summer, saw me working and asked if I wanted to help her with some more studies that would be for the undergrad physiology lab. Wow!! I get to make studies that every other pre-health undergrad would be doing in their lab class. How crazy is that? To be an assistant researcher and still in undergrad. Of course I am taking this. I not only get to learn more: physiology and Portuguese, but this wonderful professor might be writing me a recommendation to Grad school. But besides that, one of my co-workers wife is a physical therapist at VCU, and did her PHD program here. How cool is that. I actually got to talk to her yesterday about her experience as a physical therapist and going to the Grad school I am applying for. And through talking with her I might be able to volunteer with her and get a handful of hours working with her. Amazing!!!



But with all this amazing stuff piling up, God just opens another door. I have the chance to audition for an Off Broadway National Tour. CRAZY!! This is the chance of a lifetime. And I am not going to let this one go. God has given me amazing gifts and talents and to not use them. Is a waste. By all means, im not saying I am good or great. But God has given me so many opportunities to use what He gave me a passion for, why not use them. After all I am trying to go into Performing Arts Medicine. Now I just need to figure out how to finish school, and do all this amazing stuff. AHH!! God is GREAT!!