XA Fall Retreat

AZ XA Students joined for our 2011 XA Fall Retreat in Prescott, AZ. We were extremely blessed to have missionaries Scott and Cristal Martin hang out with us for the weekend.... they both challenged our students in such a powerful way!

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship." - Romans 12:1

Students were asked ..."How much of you does God really have?"

A challenge to be 100 percent-ers

Students were encouraged/challenged by testimonies of others who have chosen to give 100% --- a challenge to take the focus off of self and onto the things that advance the kingdom of God.

ASU students left feeling more connected to one another and to the Lord.

Here are a couple testimonies of ASU students.

Before the XA Fall Retreat, I was excited about getting to know people better and nervous to help lead a breakout session. I went into the weekend with an expectant heart but I had no clue how big God’s plans were. For me, the theme of the retreat was complete submission: laying everything down at His feet. This challenge rocked me hard – even prayer and worship needs to be focused on Him rather than how it makes me feel. Throughout the weekend I also realized that God has so much for me, and all I need to do is accept it. Although I don’t quite understand everything He’s teaching me, I can surrender all control to Him so that He can use me in His perfect way. Coming out of Fall Retreat, I have a renewed excitement about my faith. God really moved everyone and it was amazing to see! - Sam, freshmen

Fall Retreat was a true retreat. I got the opportunity to step back and evaluate how much I was surrendering to God. And in that God showed me just how BIG He truly is - in His faithfulness, goodness, and wonders. The first night, Pastor Scott spoke about giving 100% and it hit home. I realized that I was only giving 50% and letting the other 50% be dictated by other outside factors. I needed to let my God be my God and have the first say. One of the areas that I had been struggling with was baptism of the Holy Spirit. It confused and frustrated me. During the morning devotional and the Saturday, I wrestled with God, flipping through the Bible for evidence. I told God, “If this is good, I want You to be clear and tell me “this is good’. I want there to be peace.” He told me “When have I not been faithful and good?” During Saturday afternoon when ASU Chi Alpha convened, we started discussing the baptism of the Holy Spirit and I felt a wave of excitement and peace. I knew there were “what if’s?” if I went through with it, but I knew this was the time. That afternoon, I prayed with conviction and I was baptized, praying in tongues. It’s crazy, miraculous, confusing, unbelievable. But it is good, because God is good. And I know that is just the beginning.

-Emily, sophmore

Check out this VIDEO for more testimonies about Fall Retreat!!

Spiderman, Batman and Ironman

Celebrated Super Hero Style for Trenton's 4th birthday party!! Trenton was very excited to be dressed up as Spiderman and Averi was Super Woman... his friends all came in various costumes for the celebration!

A highlight of the party was when Batman came and visited!!! Most of the kids were super excited to see him... with exception of a few (namely Averi!)

They also really enjoyed the Batman pinata... even though the pinata was larger than most of the kids and it seemed to be indestructible!!

Favorites of our Four Year Old:

- Preschool and Teacher Ms Lyndi (picture above)- Trenton attends on M, W & F and looks forward to those days! He is currently working on identifying letters and learning to write his name.

-His best friend Logan - he has informed us that they are "bad guys" - they enjoy chasing and roar-ing at the girls ( O the fun the begins!)

-Ironman, Batman, Spiderman

-LOVES anything from Toy Story - he is already quoting movie lines -- "It's Mister Evil Dr. Pork Chop to You!"

-Nana & Papa and Grandma & Grandpa -- we are super blessed to have both sets of grandparents nearby!

-The Chi Alpha kids - Trenton makes sure to pray for the Chi Alpha kids on a regular basis!

-Daddy - he has definitely always been a daddy's boy.. he loves spending time with Shawn and working with his "tools" in the garage.

We thank the Lord for this wonderful little boy... He is full of life and energy... keeps us on our toes...and constantly makes us laugh. We are continually amazed at his sharp memory and try to keep in mind that he is listening and watching everything we say and do!

We pray that with God's help... we will be good examples to him and be able to model God's heart to him.

We are extremely grateful to all of our friends and family that have invested in Trenton's life... your prayers, presence and example mean the world!!

Thank You!

ASU XA:: One Family :: - Vicky

"Ever since the beginning of the year, I was told that Chi Alpha was a big family, but I didn't understand that completely until the Salome Creek Canyon hike. The trip was on my birthday and I had never been hiking before, but I wanted to spend time with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, so I took the challenge. The hike was difficult and I grew tired quickly, but I was so excited to see what was around each corner that I kept pushing myself.

Unfortunately, because of some unplanned occurrences, a small group of us had to swim back to the trail in the dark. The water was cold and our bodies were tired, but the seven of us helped each other swim to dry land. Once we were out of the water, we realized it was too dark to see the trail, so Shawn quickly came to a decision. We were going to climb the mountainside. Though I was scared, I threw any negativity out of my head. I knew God was with us and He would get us back home safely.

The climb was rough... and I have countless scars and bruises to prove it! But with the help of God and my dear Chi Alpha family I was able to push through the physical exhaustion and pain. "Have hope," everyone kept saying, "the trail is around here somewhere!" Thankfully, God heard our prayers, for a few feet up we noticed some people walking with a light. We called out to them and I heard a familiar voice, rescue had come at last! A sweet man named Brian who had been camping out with his girlfriend heard we needed help and hiked down the trail to look for us. Thanks to him we were able to find the trail and walked back to the truck where we met the others and hugged each other in relief. All in all, the trip was a great experience! I enjoyed the time I spent with everyone, but I am definitely glad to be back on solid ground.

As for Chi Alpha, it really is like a family to me. My brothers and sisters in Christ have taken me in and showed me how to love God more deeply than I did before. I'm a new believer, I was save just over a year ago... my passion and love for Christ is ever growing. My family back at home is not Christian and seemed to be strongly against my newfound faith. That being said, home life was slightly difficult for me this past year. Before Chi Alpha, I would only be able to spend a few hours on a Sunday morning with God, but I knew it wasn't enough... I soon realized I needed more. Thanks to Chi Alpha, I can now spend as much time as I want with God. I pray on my way to class, I worship Him in the middle of my dorm room and I course, I sit in the prayer house into wee hours of the morning when I should really be sleeping...

Regrettably, my family at home has concerns that I'm not making the right decisions, but I know that this is what God wants me to do. God loves me and wants me to be here with these wonderful people. Chi Alpha is my Christian home away from home, and for that I praise God."

~ Vicky, freshman at Arizona State

Princess Averi

"Downscaled" this year for Averi's party... we had 20 kids and 28 adults... hahah!

The party was wonderful... to be surrounded by such great friends, family, kiddos running all over the place, girls dressed as beautiful princesses and lots and lots of Pink... Awesome! :)

Shawn said, "I am little concerned that Averi did not seem to mind having all the attention focused on her." hahah!

She did love it... she sat very comfortably in her pink "throne" and held her princess wand for quite some time!

Hard to believe our beautiful princess is already two years old! Averi is full of life and energy and continues to love "all things girl" but she can also play in the dirt!

She has quite the personality and you can see the leader and fashionista developing within her!

Her favorite gift was her new pink retro kitchen and the pots, pans, food and other accessories that went with it! She has been baking up a storm ever since! :)

For all of you who joined us in this celebration... Thank You!

We are blessed!

Lake Powell 2010

Arizona State Students and Embry Riddle Aeronautical Students joined together in September for Chi Alpha's annual Lake Powell Adventure.

Over 100 students camped out on the sand under the stars for the weekend. Boating...Tubing....Cliff Jumping....and Building Amazing Relationships and Memories that will last a lifetime!

We were so excited to have so many new students join us on this trip. It's amazing how a 6 hour car ride and shared experience at the lake can turn strangers into close friends... I love that!

This year was Trenton's first year to go with the "Chi Alpha kids". Trenton and Shawn left late Wednesday night and didn't get back until late Sunday night. Trenton had an absolute blast and has not stopped talking about the trip.

Someone asked me if this trip was worth all the set up and work... and if it was just a "fun" trip or was it "spiritual"..?

My answer is YES.. the work, the time, the money, the effort... TOTALLY worth it.... and having fun... surrounded by God's awesome creation and building authentic relationships is definitely Spiritual!

In the last many year of this trip, I cannot even tell you the many stories of students coming to know the Lord and being transformed by godly community!

Praise God that He is not confined to a building or a particular place .... and that we as His followers, are the Church and we have the awesome privilege to take Him with us and share His LOVE everywhere we go!

Please continue to pray for the relationships and the conversations that began at the lake.. may they continue to develop and bring each student one step close to their Maker!

Check out this awesome video made by ERAU XA!

Beaver Creek

An hour and a half of driving, 9 cars, God's amazing landscape, and fifty-some people and I find myself beginning, for about my 8th year in a row, our annual Beaver Creek hike! This past saturday we took our largest group ever to a fun hike into a box canyon with cliff jumping and swimming just east of Sedona. While hikes are a fun break from the normal day-to-day campus life and everyone loves the adrenaline rush of throwing yourself from a rock ledge into the crisp cool water, the real joy is found in the relationships that are formed and strengthened during these shared experiences. Whether its the student leader who spends two hours hiking discussing who Jesus is and what he did for us with the Hindu student, or the new freshman who has felt completely alone at ASU having her first real conversations and finding her first real friends at college in a group she heard of for the first time only a week before, Beaver Creek always proves to be more than "just a hike". If you want to get a chance to know someone I say take a walk. If you want to get to know them well and have deep, meaningful conversation, make it a 3.5 mile walk (each way) set in the backdrop of a beautiful arizona canyon with a great place to swim and hang out in the middle of it all.

Ready, Set, Go!!!!

Hard to believe another school year is upon us! New students...new opportunities... just something exciting about New beginnings!

We gathered with our student leadership team a couple weeks before school began. We continued to plan and work out the details of our Fall Welcome 2010. We joined our hearts together in prayer for this upcoming school year and asked the Lord to bring divine appointments our way! Our student leaders discussed what godly community looks like, what it means to serve under godly authority, how to engage in meaningful conversation, how to live an intentional life and SO many other topics!

It blesses my heart to see that our students have already put so much of what they discussed and learned into action!

We asked our leaders to spend 6 hours on campus before school was officially in session... to hang out in dorms, the student rec center... basically anywhere new students would be. Amidst nervousness and uncertainty, our students took the challenge! Many were amazed by how easy it was to meet all kinds students.. to play games... engage in cool conversations... invite them to church, Chi Alpha, etc.

Just a little sampling of what we have been up to...

First day of classes began on Thursday, August 19th... students came together on that first night of school to pray and worship together.

Friday, August 20th - XA Sports Night -- students played soccer and other games on campus and invited new students to join them.

Saturday, August 21st - XA Welcome BBQ - We enjoyed a yummy lunch together with old and new friends. We were extremely blessed by a couple of women in our church who coordinated and prepared the food, side dishes and desserts. The BBQ was a huge success.... we were thrilled to see so many new faces!!

Saturday, August 21st- Passport to ASU - This is ASU's club fair for all incoming freshmen.... literally tons of the ASU student organizations set up tables for all the students to come by and get information (kinda feels like a huge cattle herd coming through!). Everything from Environmental, Dance, Sports, Academic to Faith groups.

Sunday, August 22nd - Campus wide BBQ's ... Chi Alpha, along with many other Christian ministries volunteered to make this possible... the evening ended with ASU 1st Laugh at Gammage Auditorium ... a night of clean comedy, hundreds of new students attended this event.

Throughout all of the above mentioned we have met many new students.. our XA team has worked hard and have invested themselves for the cause of advancing His Kingdom at Arizona State University.

Would you please pray with us.. that God would continue to lead our team and water the seeds that have been sown.

This Wednesday night at 7:30pm will be our first Chi Alpha Service. We are believing God for a historic night... for hearts and lives to impacted by the Good News of Jesus Christ!