Jordan Ashcraft
[God] took my anxiety and hardships and turned them into joy and comfort. |
In high school, I started practicing my faith more consistently, but it still felt like something was missing. My Sundays were full, but the week still had a slight feeling of loneliness and emptiness. Going to college revealed the reason for my loneliness. Our campus minister at the Newman Center reached out to me the summer before my freshman year of college and invited me to attend rosary and games with the Newman Center. My first Wednesday, the third day I was living on campus at GCU, I attended rosary and games and this began my journey with the Newman center. First semester was a little rocky because I did not come to Newman as much as my soul desired. Second semester, I began coming to Newman multiple times a week and my heart finally began to feel full throughout the week instead of just on Sundays. My friendships began reflecting the love of Jesus and because of that I was finally able to shine the light Jesus gave me.
During the summer, we went on a pilgrimage which was truly life changing. After the pilgrimage, I started attending daily mass and volunteering at the Newman center. Glorifying God and doing His will became my biggest mission in life and my constant prayer. Now, I am a sophomore and my life is fully engulfed in the Newman center. From holy hours to Duc In Altum and Newman night and even the rare and small moments of silence around this center, it has become my place of safety. There is a sense of familial love in the people here but most importantly, God is here filling each of our minds and souls. God is giving us a home here and family amongst one another. Through a small house across the street from my college campus and the beautiful souls that make the house a home, He took my anxiety and hardships and turned them into joy and comfort. He has immensely changed the lives of each individual here, so why not give Him a chance to do the same for you. |