Faith in God transcends distance

Adam Davis, a 2006 Bishop Seabury Academy graduate and member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, will attend the University of Arizona in the fall:

After high school I will be moving more than 600 miles away from home and literally will be all on my own – no parents, no teachers, no friends, just me.

Although I may not go to every Sunday church service, I will still know that I can call on God and my faith as my support system, especially during stressful times when big projects are due, during midterms or when I’m having a bad day.

My faith will serve as one of my parents, guides and advisers when the physical ones are not present. Also my faith will serve as an outlet to frustrations, complaints and the overall stress of college.

Having this support system will help me manage all of the collegiate activities that I will be participating in. My faith will give me strength to avoid the pressures of skipping class, cheating and not doing homework, not to mention numerous other temptations of college activities.

My faith will be my companion on my journey away from home. My journey may test my faith, but I must trust in that faith because ultimately there may be times when that will be all I have to go forward.

There is never a good time to lose your faith, especially when you are about to embark on a long journey. In fact, that’s a time for your faith to become stronger, more powerful – and it will guide you throughout your life.

Faith prepares you for life on your own

Karen Kroge is a 2006 Free State High School graduate and a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6001 Bob Billings Parkway:

No more comforting wake-up calls. No more home-cooked meals. No more expectations of going to church with my family every Sunday. This fall, I will be leaving the daily lifestyle that I have become accustomed to during the past 18 years. As I venture off to Emporia State University, I will be moving out of my house and into the dorms on campus.

While living apart from my family, I will be in total control of making decisions for myself. I believe that my faith will help me establish a smooth transition into college life and, eventually, the real world.

One of my goals for college is to become involved in several activities and organizations. A few weeks ago, a friend introduced me to Campus Crusade for Christ at Kansas University. The organization’s goal is to bring together students on university campuses who are seeking God in their lives. I was thrilled to find out that Emporia State University also offers this wonderful Christian group.

I feel that joining this group will help me grow in my faith and spirituality. When surrounded by other people of faith, it not only strengthens the individual, but the group as a whole.

In addition to becoming active in Campus Crusade for Christ, I plan to attend mass and other activities at Emporia’s Didde Catholic Campus Center. The center caters to the college crowd by offering intramural sports teams, weekly dollar dinner nights after Mass and numerous volunteer opportunities. I believe joining organizations that coincide with my religious values will help me adjust, learn and grow immensely throughout my college years.