Life Update, Photo Edition

I've been so terrible at keeping up with my blog, I apologize for that! I've decided to do a photo log of this school year to update on whats been going on in my life, so here we go!

FALL SEMESTER

In the fall I became a part of IFC (International Friendship Connection), the international ministry at Cornerstone Church. I have absolutely loved every minute of it. I'm a part of the Freml family group (which have become my second family!) and have been blessed in establishing some amazing friendships. We have a bunch of pretty goofy people (myself included) which has made for some pretty great photos and memories. Here are a few photos of my family group:

Fall semester was my last semester at Iowa State. Getting involved in IFC was definitely a highlight of the semester, but here are a few others as well:

 Being asked to be a judge for the CSSA Singing Competition...

...which is where I met Raymond for the first time (he is the leader of the IFC band I sing in)

Being an angry bird for halloween...

...that couldn't even fit through a door! 

Being a guinea pig for my friend Destri. College senior photo shoot fun :)

Staying up all night and going black Friday shopping with family group friends

The "Comm Studies" classmate posse Christmas party! Can't tell you how many times I went to Applebees happy hour with this group during the past few years. These guys were my classmates, study buddies and good friends. My ISU experience wouldn't have been the same without them!

 All the single ladies!! Christmas photo fun

ISSO Graduation Reception. So good to see old co-workers and friends and celebrate graduation!

Graduated from ISU in December! Undergrad degree, check!

I couldn't walk at graduation because I played music in a cousin's wedding but my friends took me with them- I was there in spirit! :)

 Quality "M-C-C-L-A-N-A-H-A-N" family bonding time at my cousin Laura's wedding in December.

 Cousins!

Siblings :)

Group planking at family Christmas

SPRING SEMESTER

That leads me to spring semester! I continued to be actively involved in IFC in addition to working during my semester off. The IFC spring retreat was in January and was an encouraging time of learning and fellowship!

My family group at the IFC retreat

Two dear friends Yi and Fadzai got baptized in February. It was a joyous day! :)

In February, I went to Oregon for about a week to interview at Oregon State University. I fell in love with the mountains and ocean-- absolutely breathtaking!

I also had to try one of the famous bacon maple doughnuts from Voodoo Doughnuts in downtown Portland.

The week after I went to Oregon, I took off for the University of South Carolina. I stayed with my dear friend Rachel and her husband Stephen for about 5 days while interviewing for assistantships at USC. I had a FABULOUS time exploring the campus, making new friends (above: other interviewing candidates and I in front of the library on campus) and getting a taste of life in the south.

 In March, a friend of mine from my semester in Scotland, Siobhan, and her band French Wives were on tour in the U.S. and did a show in Des Moines. A group of friends and I were able to drive down for the show. The band stayed at my parents home that evening and I got the chance to hang out with them the next day for a bit. It was so fun to be surrounded by the Scottish accent again- I had truly missed it!

The French Wives- full of Scottish swagger. You can check out one of their music videos here:

 

I volunteered to organize the IFC Prom in March. The event was last Saturday and was a blast. Since most internationals haven't had the chance to experience an American prom, we tried to give them that opportunity. There were poofy dresses, dancing competitions and even the announcing of prom king and queen.

At the prom with my friend Yi.

My friend Destri was the photographer for the evening and set-up a photo booth which everyone LOVED. Fun props and lots of quirky people combined to create some fantastic photos.

So what now?

Well, after receiving offers from graduate schools, I decided just last week to pursue my Master's in Education at the University of South Carolina. I loved the HESA (Higher Education & Student Affairs) program, the current students, prospective students, location and faculty. It'll also be wonderful to be in the same city as my friend Rachel and her husband Stephen. I'll be working as a Residence Hall Director (RHD) in family and graduate housing on campus. I'm extremely excited for this new chapter of my life! I was offered a summer position and so will be making the move at the end of May to begin work on June 1st.

It has been a blessed year and I'm so excited to see what is in store in the years to come. :) God has been faithful in my life and I'm thankful for the friends I've made, the growth I've experienced and the opportunities I've been offered. All the best to you and yours.

Much Love,

Sarah