Time Out

I love Time Out, it's definitely what I look forward to throughout my busy week.

Today was an official "time out" for me.

Where's my heart? Where's my mind?

I continue to dwell on how I busy I am and how much I procrastinate. I know I have countless obligations, but I continue to take on more responsibilities for everyone else's benefit. I do not know why I do that, I feel like I have to put myself in that position. I also focus too much on my relationships with specific people, which typically has the tendency to make me feel desolate.

I've been so adamant on pleasing everyone around me that I've lost sight of who I really should be striving to please.

To say, "Jesus you're all this heart is living for," would be a contradiction to where I am right now; however, I am striving to reach that point. I long and work to be in a place where my entirety is with God, from my heart to mind, body, and soul. Though I continue fail, fall, suffer, and question, my faith is undoubtedly irrevocable.

So here's my prayer.

Jesus Be All My Heart Is Living For.

I am currently in a confusing place in my journey, but I will continue to persevere. This video is awesome and it's a reminder to just give it all to Christ because even though you feel lost and empty, He is your guide and your light. That reminder is absolutely powerful.

<3 Sharon

QuEen B

Man, I didn't realize how ridiculously busy I was going to be before entering college. I feel like weeks are just flying by, we're already going into Thanksgiving break!!

The last few weeks I've been thinking about all of the changes that have been happening in my life. My fall job has ended, the semester is almost over, a lot of my high school friends are different, and I even got my nose pierced! There are just so many different things that are going on around me and it's crazy.

With all of the changes and busyness I really haven't had much time to just hang out. However, I did to get to experience one of the coolest things ever!

HOMECOMING

Although I wasn't able to engage in all of Saturday nights activities (including the game) due to work, which was still amazing, I did get to go to the variety show! It was absolutely hilarious and my RA, who is incredibly amazing won Homecoming Queen! Erin is awesome and I couldn't have been placed on a better hall. We made shirts and all showed up to support her.

Homecoming made me realize that I really need to slow down and engage in what God has blessed me with, a fantastic group of girls that I live with! Seriously, N3N is what encourages me daily, they're all such beautiful people and I love the time spent with them. I know that it may sounds bizarre that something like homecoming can bring me such a major recognition of how much I love the people on my hall... but it totally did!

<3>

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-9

God Always Provides

I've been going through these crazy phases here at Loma. As much as I know I love being here, I wasn't allowing myself to truly engage on this campus because I was afraid of not being here next semester due to financial issues. My excuses for transferring seemed legit and I was beginning to convince myself that transferring was the "right" thing to do and it was what I truly wanted.

I was absolutely lying to myself.

How could I ever want to leave this beautiful campus? This place that makes me feel so at peace with Christ... this place that has introduced me to some of the most amazing people I've ever met? This place is His work. It's authentic, beautiful, and more than I could have ever asked for.



Well, God has been listening. With the help of N3N, financial services, some of the most amazing professors, and an advisor that I'm absolutely blessed to have... I'm here and I'm cleared.

God has placed me here for a reason and His plans are still in the works of my life. I am still in absolute disbelief, but I am ridiculously stoked! God works in such mysterious ways and I'm learning to just fully trust that He will undoubtedly provide. I will continue to live here at Loma; I will seek Him, love Him, and make Him my center.

Everything.

So, school has been busy busy! Lately, I've been so wrapped up in school that I was losing site of why I wanted to be at Loma originally. The great thing about it is that this school is a CONSTANT reminder of Christ.

College is not easy, and all of the expectations I had have flown out of the window. I've never been so relieved to see a Friday. This week I had 3 essays, an exam, rigorous daily assignments, and a FINAL! All of the work made me overwhelmed and extremely frustrated with school and seeing the other girls on my hall full of the same anxiety didn't help the situation. N3N was in HW mode all week, which is soooo different for us. Of course, there was an occasional break-out dance party. Gotta love the Nease 3rd North Girls.

Well with the frustrations I was feeling, I was neglecting to pray and seek God daily. Time Out was a huge wake up call. (Megan Libby Rocks!) God's miracles are always around, even when you don't realize it. Don't pass up the chance to be someone else's miracle. Uhhh I can't even express the feeling I'm feeling right now. God is just so good and His works are so precious. I wrote a paper on Habakkuk and I am finally understanding how just trusting that God will lead you through everything is settling. I'm letting Him be my everything.




<3 Sharon.

P.s. - I have successfully completed a college course! I'm going to miss Old Testament!

Take My Life

So no one is a fan of poop... well at least the poop of other people right?

CAUTION: If you have a weak stomach, scroll past the story!

Here's the story:

In good ol' Nease 3rd North our toilets always seem to get clogged! A few days ago I had to use the restroom and I noticed there was no water in the toilet... so I decided to flush it in the hopes that water would fill up. To my dismay, the toilet began to growl at me! Rather than "clean" water filling the toilet... Brown chunks started to overflow from the hole (clearly I do not know any toilet terminology). I was so confused and disgusted... In attempt to solve the mess that was at this point flying towards me and leaking out under the stall... I grabbed the plunger and plunged EVERYONE ELSES backed up POOP! After screams, tears, and laughter the toilet finally stopped catapulting poo; however, the result of this disastrous toilet was a disgustingly foul smell and a bathroom that looked like it could be on the set of fear factor! Thankfully our bathroom is back to its original state.

I hope the N3N poo story made you laugh... because we get a kick out of the experience. If all else fails, I hope the story made you understand the importance of plunging your own poo so that no one else has to pay the consequences!!


Now, on a happier/clean note. Life at Loma is going amazing! I'm finally out of that awkward funk and God has truly been working in my life and his presence is so enduring. The lonliness is shattered and the peace is settling in. I'm seeing more and more of this beautiful campus and my head is no longer glued to the ground. I've been so blessed with the hall I was placed in and my Covenant Group is the epitome of a family in Christ. These girls are so beautiful and so awesome, God is continuously pushing us closer together. Dorm life is one of the BEST experiences I've ever been exposed to.


I'm finally starting to call this place HOME with a smile. This song was played a few weeks ago in chapel... it's been on my heart lately and it's definitley been my prayer. Just dwell on the beautiful words and give it all to God, nothing else matters.



<3 Sharon

p.s. Here's an awesome verse I heard in bible 101 :)

From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe. Psalms 61:2-3

His Presence.

I've always been thankful for the people who've come in and out of my life. I've realized how absolutely blessed I am to have such major impacts on my heart.

Lately, life here at Point Loma has felt a little lonely. It's really hard being around so many people and not knowing where I fit in, especially, coming from places where I knew exactly where I stood. It was nice knowing a handful of people before coming into Loma and rooming with one of my best friends, but its still been... different. Every time someone familiar walks past they ask me the same question, "How are you doing?" I continue to give the same answer... "good." I wonder what my answer would be to, "How are you doing, honestly?"

With all of these different feelings the one thing I needed was just silence and prayer. Even though it was past 10, I decided to leave Nease to find a quiet place to write and pray... I went and sat in front of a cross that over looks the ocean, with Nease still in sight. I stayed in that same spot until about 1 a.m. I wrote a lot and prayed even more, but mostly I just listened. After an hour or so I started to realize how comfortable I was sitting there. This place is so beautiful and enriched with His presence. I put my head down to pray and I heard a guitar playing in the distance. I continued to pray and the sound got closer, the melody reminded me of, "On This Beautiful Night" by Urban Rescue. The lyrics began to drown my thoughts... specifically,

"Now it seems I'm all alone

Sailing far away from home, out on the ocean

On a wave against the tide

You placed Your hand in mine so I could see."

And

"Looking up into the sky

The tears fall from my eyes, out on the ocean

Like a fire in the dark

You broke my world apart so I could see

On this beautiful night..."

I don't want to lie and say that everything is great now and that I'm fully developed to this new life. However, I'm starting to understand so much more about my faith. God is here, and He's holding my hands through all of this. You may wonder how I'm getting all of that through some random guy walking by playing his guitar... but that's not the point. It was the words that overflowed my mind and the weight that seemed to melt of my shoulders. The reminder of His grace and how He will continue to work and live in all of us. God gives strength to face this life and this campus definitely advocates that power... I Love it. I know I'm supposed to be here and I know that He will continue to challenge and mold me.

In the mean time, I will continue to let Him guide me and I will remember that I'm not the only one who feels this way. (Thanks Jess.) This campus is so beautiful and refined, it is truly amazing and every where I turn I am reminded of his works. Seriously, I wake up to this EVERY morning.

Yes, I have an ocean view as a freshman!

<3 Sharon.

Week One. Point Loma Nazarene.

So, it's finally Friday night... well Saturday morning. This week has been INSANE. Adjusting to the college life has been hilarious, fun, intense, and overwhelming.

I guess I'll begin with classes. For the most part they're all pretty great! I really like my Sociology class and my Bible classes (yes plural.) Modesto and Rodeheavor are really entertaining and the classes just seem to fly by. I've had a TON of homework but I managed to get through it... even though I did reach a point where I had to leave my hall and study outside of the PBC until 12 a.m. Speaking of 12 a.m. Here's the sleep aspect of college, or lack thereof. I honestly laughed when I was told that I wouldn't get much sleep. That's an understatement. I feel like I'm nocturnal!

Now, here's the stuff everyone always wants to hear about. NEASE 3rd NORTH!!

Dorm life is one of the coolest experiences ever. We all call ourselves truly lucky because of how quickly we clicked and how much fun we're already having! Some of the things we've already done together are movie nights, dinners, Living Room nights, dance parties, soccer games, (Go Tiffany Brahhhh) and so much more. Everyone in my hall is fantastic! I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls to spend the next year with.

High lights of the week:
1) Shannon realizing that someone has clogged the toilet. Shannon is a very gracious person so of course she attempted to unclog the toilet even though it clearly was not her poo. However, when she flushed the toilet and the water began to rise... she panicked! It didn't help that the toilet water got on her pants and we all stood around the bath room laughing while she screamed at 2 a.m.
2) Getting my room Toilet Papered and my screen saver changed to a picture of this creepy girl named Jennifer on my hall. (She's actually hilarious!)
3) Jennie and I teaching girls in Nease how to jerk. Classic.

Well I've wrote a lot about how great college has been and how I’ve been having a wonderful time... but I'm not going to lie. The infamous college breakdown DID take place. The transition into college was a lot to handle and at times it was very overwhelming. I didn't understand why I was so upset or emotional but I think I just needed to cry hahaha. I sat in the middle of my room and just tried to take it all in. I prayed and bawled for more than fifteen minutes. Yes, I am from San Diego but I really missed home and my mom. It's just a really different feeling that is incomprehensible. After crying it all out, I talked to a few girls on my hall and apparently I was not alone! There were about five other girls who had the college breakdown as well! It definitely made me feel a lot more comfortable… and not as lame for breaking down haha. I guess it’s pretty typical within the first few weeks of school.

Despite the break down, it really has been an AMAZING week! Now that I am accustomed to this new life, I'm really excited for everything that lies ahead. From classes to chapel to the crazy inside jokes I have with my hall, I know this is going to be a great year full of crazy fun memories. God is great and I love how freely faith is exhibited on this campus, it's the best part of being here.

- Sharon Simmons

NSO - Point Loma Nazarene University

Whooooooooooooooo. I'm here!!


To think I've been praying, hoping, and dreaming of coming here over the last seven years and I'm finally here!
God is so great and his power is so incomprehensible. I love this place and I know it's exactly where I am supposed to be.
NSO has been... overwhelming, but I'm so ready to jump right in!


My hall is FANTASTIC! Yeahhhhh Nease 3rd North! The girls are awesome, my roommate is great, and my RA is amazing!

I can't wait to get acclimated with the campus and I'm so ready for the Lord to just challenge me, shape me, and rock my world!

More posts to come on my experiences here at Loma!


<3 Sharon

SoCal Nazarene Sr. High Camp 09

So we're back home,

I can't even explain how much God worked in my life just over the week. From giving me the courage to speak during campus hour to blessing me with amazing new friends and strengthening the bonds I've already made!

The message was quite simple, step outside of your comfort zone and share your faith, befriend someone you would typically pass by, and be a shining light for Christ.


This year was full of beautiful and authentic worship and messages that made me think, made me contemplate my actions, and that began to mold me. It was an amazing year of teams for me (yeahhhhh Kings and Queens!) Of course Kajaba has always been a high light.. but playing it with such an awesome team just made it that much better... and the mud pit was FOR SURE a plus!

There was so much passion and life spread through camp... now that we're gone I know that this is more than just a camp high... It's a new way of life! This year was an amazing experience... and after seven years... I went out with a bang!

Here I come LOMA!!


Pictures from the week!


Senior Grads!! whooo!


Kings and Queens!


Normal reaction... to EVERYTHING!


OneGirl... Jessica!


C-LINA!


Hahaha I don't even know!


Kings and Queens!!! - We Dominate!


Coolest girls EVER!


Whoooo


Human Foosball


Sugarpine 09 so fine! hahah


White Teal San Diego 1st!!

Graduate

Some people say it's the beginning of the rest of your life, or a new chapter in your book.
The fact is, the door has closed, the time has passed and can never be retrieved. Forget about the times you were forced to sound sufficiently articulate or the times you were forced to do equations with eyes shut tightly.

The truth is I'm afraid. I loved where I was, so safe and unchanging. The gritty sanctuary full of comfort and the idea of knowing exactly where I stood.
The feeling of being pushed on is so hard. It's like I've given all that I could give. I was needed, everyone depended on me, I triumphed and I led. But my turn is dead, it's over, and has reached its end.
I suppose it's time to start my new chapter, but I am realizing I needed them more. I continued to tell my self how much they needed me, but I failed to see how much I depended on them.

Yes, I am more than afraid, but I think I'm ready. Maybe it'll be full circle or I might end somewhere I never imagined. This intoxicating rush of contemplations are drowning through my worried thoughts. Giving my wonders to God is finally beginning to ease my mind. I understand the importance of moving on and letting someone else find their great potential the way I found mine.
My embedded footprints were long lasting but now the steps of another must walk over them and leave their own mark.
Indeed it's time to move on and take my knowledge, my experiences, and the love I've gained and put it to use somewhere else in my path.

Hail Point Loma High. I love you SDFC

Ocean.

Beauty in its mystery
unbelievably united but out of sync
they whisper the truth and roar the lies
I wish to merely lose myself in the tides

My tears, they're washed away
I swallow my pride and I am encouraged to stay
Can I be swept by the waves
So purely take my life in this daze

My shallow eyes cannot mend
Laying helpless on the bend
In the path I'm on
I used to be so strong


This hurt and pain
I give it to my father not in vain.
I pray to be rescued and nourished
By his love and power, I'm relinquished.

Despite the fight
I'm back into his light
The ocean questions my faith and points out my fears
I do not turn back for my God is here.

This conceit just flowed out of me, I wasn't sure how much it ment to me until I was done writing it. My battle with the ocean (world) and how it feels like it'll just take over me leaves me with such disparity. I keep trying to fight it alone rather than giving it to God and completely let him control my life. It's so hard to conquer but once I just give everything to the lord everything else seems so insignificant. My God continues to save me and hold me through my struggles, it's incredible.