What are you most passionate about? What are your goals and dreams? I’d like to think that most people who attend Evangel University have the overwhelming desire to change lives. We all plan to do that in different ways.
For me, it’s through governing. I love the stress of a good campaign or the process of writing a good piece of legislation. The entire city of Washington, D.C. is basically Disney World to me. Don’t worry, if we go out to coffee, I won’t spend the entire time talking about my predictions for the 2016 race.
However, sometimes, when you’re ¾ way done with your college career, sometimes you have little moments of, “What in the world am I doing with my life?” and “Did I choose the right major(s)? Do I have time to completely change?” Don’t worry, that is totally normal and acceptable but also incredibly frightening.
So, here I am, in the middle of my ¾ college-life crisis, we’ll call it, when I get a phone call from one of the best professors at Evangel, Dr. Bryan Sanders, chair of the Department of Social Sciences. It went a little something like this:
“Hey, Hannah. Are you back yet?” I had previously been in Florida. Fall break is the best. Anyway, I digress.
“No, I’m in Atlanta, but I’ll be back around 11 tonight. Why?” My curiosity was piqued.
“Well,” he said, “Attorney General Ashcroft just called me. He’s going to do some appearances for a pro-life amendment tomorrow and has an extra seat on the plane. Would you like to go?”
Wait. Did he just say Attorney General Ashcroft? Like, the former Attorney General of the United States John Ashcroft who worked under President George W. Bush during 9/11? Is this a joke? Am I being pranked?
“What? Seriously? Yes! I’d love to go. Count me in!” Play it cool, Hannah. Play it cool.
The next morning, bright and early, I walked onto a private plane complete with a box of Krispy Kreme donuts and orange juice and began the three hour flight to Bismarck.
The most incredible experience of this trip was being able to converse with the Attorney General. What knowledge and wisdom! It was all I could do not to pull out my phone and record the entire experience. We discussed life, faith, and government. Then, Dr. Sanders and I assisted him in writing his statements for the day’s press conferences. The only word I have to describe it is monumental. How wonderfully monumental. The former Attorney General of the United States cared about what I had to say!
After two press conferences in Bismarck and Fargo watching General Ashcroft affirm the supporters and sway the undecided, my ¾ college-life crisis was quickly disappearing. The flight home, we talked about lighter things, reliving the high points of the day and evaluating the lows.
I share this with you not to brag (well, a little bit to brag), but mainly because I want you to be encouraged and hopeful. This incredible experience would not have happened if I wasn’t a government student in the Department of Social Sciences at Evangel University.
My point is this: When you are where you’re supposed to be, it is apparent. I not only got the experience of a lifetime, but was shown that God speaks to us through the things we love. There’s no place I would rather be than Evangel University.