An Update From SNU: Cora Cummins

I'm sorry it has been a while since I last posted an update. A lot has happened since then and I will do my best to fill you in. Classes are going well. To say the least, some of them have been challenging but that's a good thing, right? My yearbook practicum has been keeping me busy going to events and taking photos. This has really helped me put myself out there and assisted in helping me make friends. This week alone I will be covering to events and taking photos while I'm there! Oh, by the way, I got an official mailbox on campus! I am so excited!! If you are interested in writing me my address is: 

SNU Box 2578

6612 NW. 42nd St.

Bethany, OK 73008

Even though things are sailing smoothly academically, I would greatly appreciate your prayers. This last week has been difficult for me physically. Several times my heart has started racing and beating abnormally which is rather scary. The hardest part though is not knowing for sure why. Unfortunately, it is difficult to time these 'episodes' and I don't know how to react when they happen. Thursday morning I went in to have an EKG done however, the nurse asked me to come back at 2 pm when the Dr. was in so that they could do a second EKG, compare the two, and form a conclusion. When I went back in the nurse took some of my blood for testing and analyses. Friday when I went back in they indicated that they saw nothing of concern in my blood and that it was normal. However, they also expressed that they thought I should have a 24-hour heart monitor to try and 'catch' one of my 'episodes' for analyzing. All-in-all though, at this point they are fairly certain that I have been having anxiety/panic attacks. However, that has yet to be official diagnosed. 

If you are unfamiliar with the symptoms and causes of anxiety attacks the following may be helpful for you. "Anxiety Attack - an acute, psychobiologic reaction manifested by intense anxiety and panic. Symptoms include palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, faintness, profuse diaphoresis, pallor of the face and extremities, GI discomfort, and an intense feeling of imminent doom or death. Attacks usually occur suddenly, last from a few seconds to an hour or longer, and vary in frequency from several times a day to once a month." Anxiety attacks are normally causes when an individual is undergoing a lot of stress or anxiety due to change or a compilation of previous stressful situations.

Although there are several ways to handle these attacks, in my case, the nurse has recommended counselling to try and help me talk through things that could potentially be causing me to have attacks. Please pray for me as I continue my semester at SNU. I would appreciate your prayers for me physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. These last few weeks have been extremely draining and I know that staying close to the Lord is the only thing that has brought me through. 

Thank you so much for all of your support. Blessings,

Cora Cummins

Week One of Class

Well, I've done it! I have completed my very first 'week' of class at Southern Nazarene University. Technically I have only attended three days of class because our semester only began on Wednesday.
All of this aside though, I would like to give you a glimmer of what my experience at SNU has been like so far. Wednesday, day one, was perhaps one of the most exciting and invigorating days I have experienced so far.

It started off with the sound of my alarm ringing. I snoozed for a few moments before "rolling" out of bed. Breakfast was quick and then off to campus. I scoped out my first classroom - Herrick 228 and then found a comfortable bench to sit on and wait. At 9:00 my Vietnam War Film and Literature class began. Primarily my Professor talked through the syllabus but we also had some moments to talk and share about ourselves.

At 11:00 my Interviewing Techniques began in the same classroom as my previous class, Herrick 228. The format for that was fairly similar to my Vietnam course. My Professor talked for a while about the syllabus, her expectations, and the assignments to come. We ended class with a neat "get-to-know-each-other-game". Then I was off to English Grammar on the next floor up in room 321.

After English Grammar finished I headed across the lawn to the Fine Arts building. Upon my arrival I was informed that Choir would not be meeting due to extended auditions. However, we would commence class on Friday at 1:00.

Thursday began similarly to Wednesday had. However, instead of a class first off I had Chapel. Now for some students on campus, Chapel is a boring waste of time. For me though, it is an opportunity to slow down twice a week and really hear God speak. It can be so challenging to find devotion with the Lord in the middle of a busy schedule. Therefore, I find the time designated for Chapel to be both helpful and refreshing.

When Chapel was over I headed downstairs to my Persuasion class. That time-period followed much the same format as my other course - devotion, introductions, going through the syllabus, and a wrap up time. When class was finished I made my way back to my room to eat lunch and study. Although I knew the amount of homework I had I was a little bit surprised at how long it took me to get through it all. To sum that up let's just say I slept very well on Thursday night.

Friday morning was primarily a repeat of Wednesday. The major difference was that instead of focusing on the syllabus, we looked more in the content of out text and used that to launch discussions.
After my third class of the morning, English Grammar, I walked over the the Fine Arts building for Choir practice. Our first meeting was primarily covering the basics: proper breathing, correct pronunciation, warm-ups etc. Overall I really enjoyed it and am eagerly looking forward to meeting again on Monday.

I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I continue to study and learn at Southern Nazarene. Please pray that I will be able to find a good balance between studying, sleeping, class time and eating. Thank you in advance!

My Adventures at NSI: Day One

Yesterday was my first day on campus for the fall semester at SNU, and our New Student Institution, NSI. Leading up to this event I was very nervous and anxious. I am the kind of personality that enjoys knowing what is around the corner, all the time. Don't get me wrong - I love surprises, I just like knowing that they're coming. Therefore, I was a little bit concerned about the scheduling of the event.

Anyway, yesterday started off with breakfast at Grandpa and Grandma's house in Choctaw, Oklahoma. Around one o'clock my parents and two of my sisters headed over to the SNU campus in Bethany, OK, which is roughly a 35 minute drive. When we arrived I registered and then proceeded to pick up my pre-purchased laptop. Following that my parents, sisters and I walked around the University Fair for a while and looked at all of the booths.

After spending a little while on campus we headed over to the house of my cousin "Aunt" Ellene and her husband Jimmy Howell's house to get my stuff settled in their room. "Aunt" Ellene and "Uncle" Jimmy have been so gracious to offer me a room at their home, which is very close to the campus. It is an incredible blessing and opportunity!


A couple of hours later we had my entire room set up and we were ready to head back to Grandpa and Grandma's house to drop off Morelle and Elsie. Dad, Mom and I then headed back to the campus for an evening on events.

NSI had provided a evening of events including a meal for the parents, a mini session, and a panel discussion. While the parents attended their events, the students shared a picnic on the lawn with their family groups. Following dinner, I participated in icebreaker discussions, introductions, games, songs, and the Lamp of Learning ceremony. All in all I can say that I really enjoyed my first day of NSI and I am excited to begin the next one. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to meet new people and experience new adventures.

God's Promise For My Life - Jeremiah 29:11

As the days till I leave for school grow fewer and fewer I begin to reflect more and more on all the things in my life that will change, both for the better and for the worse. I have questioned many times whether or not going off to school is the right choice. However, after racking my brain and questioning my decisions I always think back to the day my parents and I made the ultimate choice and the verse that has encouraged me through it all - Jeremiah 29:11, where God says, "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse reminds me of God's promise and helps me to strongly believe that at present, Southern Nazarene University is the future that God has for me. It also helps me to remember that God will never lead me or forsake me. Please pray for me as I continue to make this transition.

The End of A Long Chapter And The Beginning Of A New One

This last week was very bitter sweet for me. July 2nd through the 7th my family and I attended a National Bible Quiz Competition, Q2012, at Olivet Nazarene University. This competition is different than some of the others affiliated with our Nazarene quizzing program. Although qualified quizzers may participate on a Regional team, at Q events, they may also do so on both a district or local as well. Because of the stress levels and time commitment, my siblings and I only quizzed on two teams. I participated on our regional, SNU B team. As well as a local team with my siblings. Elsie, Adelaide and Tella also participated on district, Dallas, teams.

As I previously meantioned, although, these events are a blast, they can also be extremely stressful and long. Several of the days participants quizzed from 7:45 pm. to 6:00 pm. Additionally though, to the quizzing we also had services/chapel, a service project and time for fun and games. During this time my siblings and I were able to get to know our friends from our district and region better. It was a great time of fellowship. More times than not, we stayed up and talked until 1 Am or later until sleeping and awakening again between 5:30 and 6:00 am or another full day.

Friday was the last day of quizzing for most individuals, several quizzers participated in the championship rounds on Saurday, however, my siblings and I finished Friday afternoon. This afternoon was challenging for me in particular. Honestly, I shed a few tears reflecting on all of the great times I have had while quizzing and it was very sad to see those years end.

On the other hand though, I am excited to see a new chapter unfold before me as my future expands to include my upcoming semesters at Southern Nazarene University. Although I am thrilled to be attending there, I am also nervous and apprehensive. I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I prepare for this transition in the weeks to come.

I Choose Jesus

Last night while running, I had a simple but incredible realization. I had reached close to two miles in my run when my phone started playing a wonderful song called I Choose Jesus by Moriah Peters. I love this song because it clearly exudes the solid foundation of a relationship with Christ but until last night I honestly hadn't thought much about the words.

The song explains that individuals after becoming a Christian cannot be content with living the same as before. Instead they must adamantly profess to the world that they have chosen Jesus as their Savior and that nothing else matters. We as Christians should follow the Biblical exhortation from Matthew 5:14-16. It says, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

I personally have been impacted by this song and am encouraged to a better witness of God's love to those around me. I hope that this has affected you as well and hopefully, by our example many will come to Christ.

"I choose Jesus, I choose Jesus. The one who first chose me. I choose Jesus, I choose Jesus for now and eternity!"

Post Graduation Blues and Upcoming Events

Yes, from the title this post may sound silly, but I have been struggling with boredom. Graduation was only a few weeks ago but it already seems longer than that. I have been trying to fill my days with a mixture of productive and fun activities.

Progress on my transition to attend Southern Nazarene University is going well. Thankfully the finances, which were the initial concern, are by the grace of God working out fine. Housing also has been taken care of through an incredible blessing from some family members in Bethany, Oklahoma, which has made it possible for me to live off-campus, saving a huge sum of money, but also living in close proximity to the campus. I would really appreciate your prayers though. I am still struggling with finding a major that is the best fit for me. I have considered several different options, but none of them seem to feel right.

One of the activities that have been filling my days has been studying for our up-coming Bible quizzing competitions. Last weekend was our regional competition at Southern Nazarene University. The weekend went very well and was both exciting and fun!!

Because this was my senior year in highschool, this also was my last year to participate in quizzing. Therefore, I had a very big push to do well. At the end of the weekend I placed 3rd in the A division and also qualified to quiz for SNU at our national event at Olivet Nazarene University on July 2-7.
Because of this my siblings and myself will continue to study for this big competition. 

In the weeks and months to come I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I continue to seek the Lord's will for my life.