ex(PR)essed

This has been one of those weeks when I’ve been reminded why I love my job.

I work with talented, fun people, and I work for women of real integrity. And, I don’t ever dislike my job. But, yesterday, I experienced a surge of new energy and a valuable reminder of why I love Messiah College and am so grateful to work here.

Yesterday was move-in day for first-year students. Around 10:15 a.m., I scooted across campus to meet a Patriot-News photographer so that he could grab some photographs of the day. The campus center was packed with students and families checking mail, purchasing textbooks, filling out forms, grabbing cups of coffee. Plus, there was traffic everywhere! Minivans parked in every inch of space on campus. Bumper-to-bumper traffic as parents patiently waited to get within walking distance of their child’s residence. Scores of Messiah faculty, employees, and alums donned in awesome orange shirts (good job, Scott) helping families unload cars and carry belongings to rooms. It was so energizing to see the campus work together to welcome the newest members of the community to this place we each love so dearly.

I took my shift in an orange shirt at the end of the day. There wasn’t much to do by then, but I did help a few people find their way to Wal-Mart. But, even standing in the rain without much to do, I felt totally excited for the 700+ students who had taken the brave step of furthering their education at Messiah.

So, I hope they will come to love Messiah like I have. My prayer is that their faith will be stretched and shaped into something deeply meaningful and essential in their lives; that their minds will be challenged and expanded with new ideas; and that their hearts will be blessed with deep relationships and a better sense of self.