"Freely you have received; freely give."

So, the exciting news is I'll be at Pepperdine for sure starting next fall! It's amazing how everything worked out so quickly; two months ago I had no idea where I wanted to go or what I was going to do come next school year. I'm not one that belives in a "crown of favour" from God; in other words, I don't think every single thing in life is decided or prohibited by Him. But He definitely does intervene in our lives when it is in His will. This was one of those times. My academic record is not that impressive at all, especially compared to incoming Pepperdine Freshmen. I barely even made the SAT requirement for admission: the requirement was a 1930, I got a 1940. Don't get me wrong; I'm not a slacker. I really do like learning about things, for the most part. But I honestly haven't pushed that hard in this last year to apply to scholarships and colleges and such; no offense to those diehard academics, but to a certain extent it's "meaningless under the sun", as my dad likes to say. That's why both me and my parents were extremely surprised that not only was I accepted to Pepperdine, but it was possible through financial aid for me to attend. This was, and is, definitely a "God thing"; I'm just hoping and praying I won't take it for granted.

The school's motto is "Freely you have received; freely give." I've found that pretty hilarious, considering school tuition is far from me; but I suppose it still applies to life. I wasnt aware of the context of the verse until this last saturday, when a couple of us guys went over John 10. The command is found in John 10:8, and is given immediately following other commands: Heal the sick. Raise the dead. Cleanse the lepers. Cast out demons. John 10 is Christ's "instructions for service" to His disciples; He's sending them out on a mission. On saturday we talked about which verses were given specifically to the disciples, and which still apply to us today (take the time to read John 10. Don't see your bible? Go get it. =P). It was awesome, because verses 9 and 10 speak exactly to my attitude towards college/careers. They say, "Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money elts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support." For the last year or so I've been struggling with the concept of college. It's not that I have a negative view towards it; I just don't put as much importance on it as most people. It's a tool that we can use to serve God, and that's the extent of it. But the focus should never be on things like getting good grades, getting a high-paying job, things like that. I don't know quite how to express it... if I try any further, I'll probably end up just rambling. But it is something I like to talk about with people, so feel free. :)

Pepperdine does seem to be a good fit, most definitely. I googled student reviews for the place a few weeks ago, and the results were pretty hilarious. Many were positive, and those that were "negative" were actually positive for me. They said things like, "Christianity is way prevalent here; if you're not religious, don't come". Maha. On the other hand, some hard core conservative Christians complain of it being too "liberal"; the inbetween sounds just about perfect for me. :)

One review I found summarizes it pretty awesomely:

Most Pepperdine students are happy with the college they picked, their minor critiques of particulars giving way to an overall appreciation of the experience and benefits Pepperdine has granted them that no other school could. Students who don’t gush forth wholehearted and unwavering words of love usually cite the school’s size and social climate as the source of whatever dissatisfactions they may have. When people decide to transfer from Pepperdine, it isn’t because of the lack of dining halls and parking availability, or some qualms they have about student housing; it’s because of the other Pepperdine students and the community environment they create. For example, some religious students are dismayed to discover that many don’t share their Christian enthusiasm. Others, in contrast, find the Christian atmosphere to
be overwhelming.

Many students complain that the high schools they attended were larger and less strict than Pepperdine, with more to do on the weekends, while others with similar high school experiences find Pepperdine a welcome respite. And while some find the small campus and even smaller student population comforting, others find that Pepperdine’s quaintness inhibits their growth and restricts their social life. There’s nothing small, though, about the 125-foot cross that stands at the forefront of the Malibu campus the job of which is to proclaim loudly and clearly that Pepperdine’s mission is not merely academic.

Ultimately, Pepperdine’s considerable Christian affiliation defines it as a school. More specifically, it’s the interaction between the religious emphasis and seemingly contradictory elements—luxury automobiles, non-Christian students, high heels and mini-skirts, a broad liberal arts education with its overwhelming price tag, the desire to let loose and party once in a while—that makes Pepperdine a dynamic and truly unique environment. The most amazing thing about Pepperdine may be that it has managed to hold onto its religious inclinations while still maintaining an excellent academic reputation. The University’s mission statement affirms that “the educational process may not, with impunity, be divorced from the divine process.” This language contrasts markedly with the prevailing public opinion that religion and academic rigor simply don’t mix, and it highlights Pepperdine’s willingness to approach higher education in unconventional ways. In the end, Pepperdine is a small Christian school that really wants its students to grow into people who might make the world a better place. It is not for everyone, but it offers plenty of rewards to those willing to take advantage of the educational and spiritual environment that is, after all, the reason they built Pepperdine in the first place.