I haven't blogged since my extravagant roadtrip this summer but have been inspired to start once again (thanks Matt). In the midst of my last finals week of my college career I've managed to find some time to be with the people Olivet has brought me closest to; the friends I've made over the years, some old some more recent. "The Next Chapter" is something I've put off thinking about but as sad as it will be to part ways with Olivet I am so ready for what God, and the world have in store for me.
A lot of people talk about not being able to get away from the bubble, but I've gone the other way. The overused "You only get out as much as you put in" comes to mind when thinking about my time at Olivet. Yea you can complain about the rules as much as you want but they're not going to change. You can skip chapel more than three times and not care about how many fines are racked up. Or you can deal with the rules and see that they're trying to better you as an individual and learn to live with them, you can go to chapel and be attentive and actually get something out of it. I'm not saying that Olivet doesn't have any flaws, but I'm also not ashamed to say that I love Olivet and would push the experience on any young person that I can.
So what do you get 4(1/2) years later? that ---->
I'm still the same dufus on the inside, jumping at the opportunity to goof around and have a good time, but I've developed into much more. My maturity has gone up (some) and my theology and outlook on life have both expanded into things that I never thought possible.
Will I miss Olivet? EEEEEEEYAAAAAAAP
Zachary, I am so proud of you and the young man that you are. As I read your post I was reminded of how i felt at the end of my 4(1/2) years at Mount Vernon. People thought the rules were silly and the bubble wasn't preparing us for life and even complained that we could only miss 8 chapels a semester (I'd like to point out that is more than twice your allotment) but the fact remains . . . you only get what you give. I am with you . . . I proudly say that I love MVNU (and ONU) and do push every young person I have influence with to attend. MVNU is a huge part of the man I am today . . . ONU is now a huge part of the man you are. I believe we are both far better for our slight extended time at each than we could have been otherwise. I love you, Zack. I am SO excited for you to experience the great adventure laid out before you.
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