Elizabeth's Blog

Elizabeth Kool

Shelbyville, Mich.

Junior

Major: English

I lived down south this summer leading mission trips for youth and there I met a new love... sweet tea! If y'all want to get on my good side, grab an ice-cold glass filled to the brim and we'll find a front porch and talk. During the school year if you are looking for me on any given Saturday, you will discover me writing papers at a local coffee shop. I love painting pictures with words and telling stories. Bedtime stories are my specialty!

A Glimpse of Things to Come

May 3, 2010

This past month has not only been spent preparing for finals: two of my friends, Amy and Stacey, and I have also been searching for a house or apartment to rent. We finally signed the lease today to our very own home!
This means that next fall when I begin blogging again, you will be introduced to my new roommates. However, I thought I would give you a tantalizing glimpse of my new surroundings first.

Now, I’m sure you can’t wait until I return with stories from my summer in Asia and living in my new house; however, this blog post will be my last until next fall, so until then…
To God Be the Glory!
Elizabeth Kool  

---

We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Apr 30, 2010

Q. Where do you find more Cornerstone students than Meijer, the local grocery store?
A. Eating Ice Cream at Cold Stone
Tonight, I was at Meijer with my friend, Sharon, when we received a phone call from her roommate, Laura, asking if we could join her at Cold Stone Creamery. I called my roommate, Caley, and she came and joined us too. On the Friday night before finals, life calls for a little ice cream.
Apparently a lot of other students agree with me since while I was waiting in line and eating my ice cream with my friends, I ran into at least six other people from Cornerstone. It felt like a regular University event! 

Just in case you were wondering, I ordered the “founder’s favorite,” kid’s size. The brownie they added was bigger than the scoop of ice cream! I definitely got my $1.50 worth of ice cream and brownie.

It definitely hit the spot before returning to my dorm room and rearranging my room. I needed all of my strength to stack the beds and dressers and move everything around. As I sit at my desk (which has been on top of a dresser all year), it feels like exams are finally here.
I can’t believe it is already the season for ice cream, and furniture rearranging, and exams. Time flies when ice cream is melting!

Candlelight

Apr 29, 1010

My friend Laura’s candlelight was on last Thursday. She lived in my section freshman year and she and her fiancé began to hang out then, though they didn’t begin to date until sophomore year. I thought to myself, “How could I miss this opportunity to support and congratulate her?” I decided that I couldn’t.
So last Thursday, I hung out in the library until almost midnight, struggling to keep my eyes open since I had been up since 6:45 that morning. At last, I packed up my computer and walked back to my room. After dropping off my backpack, it was time to go to the candlelight in the basement of Pickett.

When I arrived, the couches were filled so the floor was my best option. I decided to sit next to the couch where the bride-to-be sat along with some of her bridesmaids, who are also some of my best friends.
It is called a candlelight because the ring is tied to a candle which is then lit and passed around the circle of women. When it reaches the bride-to-be, she puts the ring on her finger and sits in the middle of the circle, where she answers questions such as,
“Where was your first date?”
“Where was your first kiss?”
“If he were a flavor of ice cream, what kind would he be?” (This is asked at every candlelight!)

Finally, after Laura answered all the questions, she chose a couple women to pray for her. Afterwards, we all went outside and created a tunnel to the bell tower with the guys who are waiting for us. Laura then came out and ran under the tunnel of arms and met her fiancé Brad at the other side. And when I say run, I mean sprinted.
After Brad climbed the bell tower (using a pulley and straps) and rang the bell, he came down and he kissed his bride-to-be. Then Brad was carried to the pond and thrown in on the count of three.

It was a classic candlelight, but it felt very special since I can remember a time when they weren’t even dating. It is always exciting to watch a couple mature and fall in love and prepare for marriage. Since I have been at Cornerstone for three years now, I’ve been able to watch more and more couples fall in love, but it never gets old!

A Rubik’s Cube of College

Apr 27, 2010

Have you ever tried to solve a Rubik’s cube? Can you remember that moment that you finally got all the same color on one side of the cube, but then you realized that you have to jumble it all up in order to solve the whole puzzle? (To be honest, that is about as far as I ever get on a real Rubik’s cube puzzle!)
College is like a Rubik’s cube.

You have all these classes and extra-curricular activities and jobs that need to get on the right sides of the puzzle, but they are all constantly shifting until you finish up the semester. Of course, it can be a lot of fun to juggle all the different tasks until it finally comes together.
This past week, I’ve been playing an especially challenging Rubik’s cube with the end of my semester—placing projects just so, hoping to complete each one in time to begin the next side (see computer screen picture).

However, like I mentioned above, it rarely works to complete one side at a time. So, I’ve begun to shift projects, rescheduling times and due dates (yes, on occasion I create my own due dates ahead of the teacher’s due dates), in hopes of still being able to fit everything in.
My book report for Pauline literature is completed, but I have just begun a book report for my Sociolinguistics course. Then I have to complete my finals for all four classes, all due within four days of each other. Oh, and I have to work at my three jobs; in addition to that, I have to find a place to move after school. With only a week and a half, it will be an interesting puzzle, indeed.

I hope you have a chance to solve a life-changing Rubik’s cube here at Cornerstone! It will be challenging, but when I think of the completed product, it is most definitely worth it.

Help Haiti

Apr 20, 2010

Q. What is round, but doesn’t roll?
A. a “Help Haiti” bracelet
For the past several weeks, a group of us on campus have been selling “HELP HAITI” bracelets as a fundraiser for Haiti Foundation Against Poverty. So far we have raised at least $300 selling the bracelets, but we still have a few hundred bracelets left.
We have sold them at Evensong, the campus Sunday night student-led worship time, every few weeks, and this coming Sunday will be the last time we do sell them. Since this is the last week, Stacey designed a splendid poster and yesterday we meandered around campus, putting up twenty of the posters. Our adventure took us across the softball field, past the dugouts, through the beach volleyball court, on the wooded path, in the financial services building, and over the stony gravel on the parking lot. (Stacey wearing no shoes nonetheless—now that’s dedication!)

We had fun hanging the posters in strategic places, matching the push pins to the poster’s red and blue motif when possible. They are very eye-catching so stop and take a look at one if you are on campus... and I mean anywhere on campus.
If you haven’t bought a bracelet yet, do it this week! If you are unable to make it this Sunday night, feel free to email me at Elizabeth_M_Kool@cornerstone.edu and I will deliver it to you. They each cost $2. We are hoping that even non-students might email us with some interest in buying some bracelets. If you want to donate to the organization, but don’t want a bracelet, feel free to do so. Any donations are welcome!

Urban Vibe

Apr 19, 2010 

Last Thursday night, Dave, an RA in Pickett, held an event on campus for everyone interested in urban ministry. He spoke on the tenets of urban ministry: the why, what, and how of it. He also invited Antoine, a former gang leader in Chicago who became a Christian, to speak.

When I arrived to the student corum at 10pm, the hip-hop music was blaring and the coffee was percolating (the coffee should have been my first clue to how long the event would last). I sat on one of the hard, but shiny, wooden chairs in the front row next to several of my friends. We chit-chatted amongst ourselves until Dave stood up and began talking about urban ministry. Fueled by coffee and, more importantly, God-given passion, Dave spoke about Christ’s love for people, particularly those in an urban setting.

After he finished his PowerPoint, Dave reread the scripture passages that had been sprinkled throughout his presentation; it always amazes me how much God has to say about life today through words written centuries ago.

Antoine began by reading 2 Chronicles, the passage about King Jehosophat waiting on the Lord to win a major battle against several other armies. Likening these armies to the different gangs in Chicago, he continued on to speak about the Lord’s work in his life—how he had been a gang leader in charge of a million dollar operation, treated like a king, and then realized that something was missing even in the prestige of his position. He had been arrested at one point, which made him realize that he needed to make a serious change. Now rather than pressing people to join his gang, he unashamedly invites people in his old neighborhood to his new church. He views his story as a tool to use for God’s glory.

It was after midnight by the time the event wrapped up, but I didn’t regret the late night. It was totally worth it. I love hearing the stories that remind me that Jesus is alive and at work in lives of ordinary people

A Beautiful Day on Campus

Apr 15, 2010

Today it is nearly 80 degrees in Grand Rapids MICHIGAN. On April 15. In Michigan! It is such a joy to feel the sun shine on my face and the soft ground beneath my feet. While I know many people are saying that tomorrow it will be cold, I can’t help but choose to ignore them and enjoy it while it lasts.

Cornerstone campus always looks lovely in the spring, but with the weather being warmer than usual, it is looking exceptionally lovely this year. All the pictures on this blog were taken on campus and are (nearly) unaltered. I don’t think I can improve nature.

One last thought.
As I watch the buds bursting before my eyes and feel the balmy breeze blowing softly over my skin, it is as though I’m watching God create the earth all over again.
Enjoy the front row seat to creation!

Masquerade Ball

Apr 13, 2010

Friday night, Cornerstone’s English Society hosted the third annual Masquerade Ball on campus. People came from far and wide (at least as far as the apartments on campus and Cook and VO) and enjoyed an evening of refinement learning how to waltz from professional dancers and eating delicious food prepared by other students.

What could be even better than that? Why, I’m glad you asked. The answer would be an evening of refinement combined with raising money for Haiti. Every year, the Haiti Foundation Against Poverty collects the proceeds from the English Society’s Masquerade Ball. Last year, a lunch program at the school near Cite Soleil was partially funded with the money raised. This year, the money is going towards whatever the organization needs most.
Everyone dressed up and looked very handsome and beautiful. This is the one event when everyone pulls out that old formal from high school or the bridesmaid dress that you never thought you could wear again. Masks are required and they lend a certain mysterious air to the event.

Sharon, my roommate from freshman year, and I even danced a couple dances, including the Virginia Reel, my personal favorite. Although, I did get confused once since I was dancing the man’s part—it is difficult to keep everything straight when one is weaving in and out and sashaying up and down the aisle. We had a lot of fun!

This year’s ball was a huge success and I can’t wait for next year… so bring your formals and your suits, curtseys and salutes, and come have a ball with us!

---

Chorale Three Drums

Apr 9, 2010

Our Chorale choir at Cornerstone is comprised of many of the most talented singers on campus. It is an audition only choir, and I am always so impressed with their beautiful tone. They sing in chapel every once in a while, and I love to hear them sing. I just happened to have been in chapel Wednesday morning when they sang.
When the conductor told the audience that they were going to sing a song in Haitian Creole, I knew I had to record it. The song tells the story of three drums, one is the loudest and biggest, one is the most beautiful, and another the smallest and wisest. When the two bigger drums argued about their own obviously superiority, the small drug became angry and told the other two that it would be the best if all three drums played at the same time. In the end, the two bigger drums listened and joined the smallest drum.
I loved the story and the choir sounded fabulous. It was a wonderful way to start off my morning. As soon as I find out more of the copyright information on the song, I hope to post it so you can enjoy it as well!

Charades with the Stowell's

Apr 7, 2010

Dr. Stowell, president of Cornerstone University, and I played charades last night. And I have the pictures to prove it.

My Resident Director, Kimberly, hosted an event for Keithley and Pickett and President Stowell called “Charades with the Stowells.” Sadly, Mrs. Stowell was unable to make it, but we still had a lot of fun. There was good food, great company, and a lot of laughs. Having a president who enjoys his students and wants to spend time with us is so awesome!
We all took turns and many people went up in groups of two or three people. Charades is such a great way to relax after a long day of homework and work.
The teams were men versus women—the competition was stiff. We almost won, but ended up losing by one point. (I still think that if Mrs. Stowell were there, we would have won.) The evening was finished by all the students gathering around Dr. Stowell, while Dave, a Pickett RA, prayed for him. God has definitely blessed our school with a great president who works very hard for us, and this was a really cool way to bless him in return.

Creative Arts Festival

Apr 6, 2010

Q. What do you get when you cross art and Cornerstone?
A. Our annual Creative Arts festival!
Last week, we had our second annual Creative Arts festival. A group on Cornerstone campus collected artwork from numerous students. I didn’t submit anything, but I enjoyed looking at the gallery of art in the student corum. Even though Cornerstone does not have an art program, we do have many talented painters and photographers. Two of my roommates for next year submitted artwork to the festival, and I can’t wait to see all of the artwork on our walls next year.

As part of the festival, you picked your top four pieces of art and voted for them. The computer was set up so you could vote anytime you were able—which is always convenient as students are always walking through the corum at all hours of the day. It was difficult to pick my top four since there were many pieces I really liked!

As I admired the talents of our student body, the art fascinated me. The physicality of art as the concreteness of creation helps me understand the beauty of form. Art is a reminder of God’s creative power in this world—though we create out of old form and make new form, He created out of nothing and created the very form with which we create today. Form arrives out of the imagination, and causes imagination.
Form is both the end and the beginning of art; it trips the wire of imagination and ideas and also completes the circuit of meaning found in artwork.
Physicality and imagination find their culmination in art—to me, it represents two of the most beautiful gifts God has given us.

Of course, that is just my thoughts on art. I like to think about the implications of beauty in creative work, perhaps that is just the poet in me.
Next year, maybe I’ll see your artwork on those tables!

Here Comes the Bride

Mar 30, 2010

Last Saturday, I stood next to Mara as she married Matt Olson, the love of her life. It was an absolutely perfect wedding for the two of them. The day went so smoothly, and it was a pleasure to be a part of it.

Mara was perhaps the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen—she actually did glow. Yes, her dress and hair and makeup were perfect, but really, she could have been married in jeans and a sweatshirt and she still would have been lovely.
Although I nearly tripped on my dress on the way back down the aisle (thanks to the best man for keeping me upright), the ceremony went well. I will never forget watching my friend walk down the aisle in her stunning dress with a look of pure happiness upon her face. The pastor’s sermon on marriage almost made me cry, as did the letters the bride and groom wrote to each other. Time passed so quickly and before I knew it, the bride and groom were married. Afterwards, Ben, the best man, and I were witnesses for Matt’s and Mara’s signing of the marriage license. It was such an honor to sign the line under Mara’s.

After the ceremony, we went for a ride in a hummer limo. It was such fun to cruise around Grand Rapids for a bit over an hour in this. The bridal party was a lively bunch of people, and we made it a lot of fun. Plus, Mara and Matt were so happy to finally be married that their happiness radiated throughout the limo.
Waving goodbye to Mara and Matt after the reception was over, I realized again that the day was such an amazing picture of God’s goodness. It was so clear that their love was intended. They complement each other in ways a couple ought to. Mara brings out the best in Matt and vice versa. And really, isn’t that how it should be?

Into the Unknown

Mar 26, 2010

Quite literally, this summer I am journeying into the (personally) unknown continent of Asia. I haven’t started to dig my hole yet, but how long can it take to tunnel through the core to get to the other side of the world? Not too long, by my estimation. After all, isn’t it about the journey, not just the destination?
Seriously, though, this summer I am traveling to Asia for three weeks of teaching English to high school students. It is something I’ve been praying about for several months now and I have finally felt like I can go without reservations. This means the lovely process of fund raising is about to begin. I’d really appreciate your prayers that people will be generous and I will trust in God’s providence.
One of the reasons that I finally felt peace about going is the realization of how God may use this in my life. I am an English major with a TESOL minor (teaching English to speakers of other languages), and I am not sure if I want to teach overseas or in the states. This summer, I have a feeling, may hopefully help me to make more educated choices after I graduate next spring. There are so many opportunities that I just don’t know what to do or what I want to do.
It seems that there are so many paths in life, so many possibilities and experiences, that life can be tricky to navigate. Trust is a huge issue in my spiritual life, and I have to constantly remind myself that my Father in heaven holds the map and knows exactly where I’m heading. But it is hard when I can’t physically see my trail leader. Hmm… maybe that is why faith is blind.
So I move forward into the unknown, learning to trust and to listen for the directions to come.

A Grand Passion

Mar 25, 2010

The ACT:S group on campus put on a event last night called the Broken Bread Meal. It focused on the issue of global hunger, an issue that is especially apt since 2008 with the global inflation on food. I remember shopping the last time when I was in Haiti, December 2008, and we bought a jar of peanut butter for $10 US. It was utterly ridiculous since a large majority of Haitians make the equivalency of a US dollar/day!
So Wednesday morning in chapel, Chip Huber spoke on living with a grand passion, asking students what we were living for, what kept us up at night, what didn’t we mind being exhausted for. It made me think… and I still don’t have an answer. Of course, sometimes the best questions are the ones that we really have to search to find the answer.
As a part of the event, students were encouraged to fast and pray for the global food crisis, to pray for the hungry, to pray for solutions. Then we all met at the student corum at 5:30 to break the fast with a simple meal of porridge, the same kind of porridge given to AIDS patients and their families by World Vision. The turn-out was great—a lot of students came and shared a meal of porridge together.

There was a sign-up for a petition we were sending to the government for hunger advocacy, and Cornerstone Food services donated a portion of each student’s meal ticket to Haiti. I was ecstatic that Cornerstone agreed to do that.

Sometimes, I just really like my school.

When I went to bed last night, my stomach grumbled that one bowl of porridge was simply not enough food for an entire day. It was a sobering reminder that millions of people every night go to bed hungry, and that most people eat just enough to stay alive. I can’t say that it kept me awake for a long time, but I will say that maybe it is one step closer to answering the question.
“What is my grand passion?”

Spring!

Mar 19, 2010 

It is that time of the year again… the time when I hear laughter out of my open window, birds chirping vigorously in the budding branches, and light rain plinking a funny little melody on the tin roofs.
I have taken several walks around the pond on campus this week and watched the light skip across the water like static on a television screen. Ripples caused by fish startled me, and I can’t help but be caught up in awe at what God’s hands have created.

Spring breathes hope until the air is filled with the wonderment of it. What a blessing at this time of the semester—as projects mount and stress builds like steam in a boiling tea kettle.
I was reading Psalm 104 this morning before chapel, and I thought I would share. This week has been a difficult one for me and I definitely needed this reminder of the goodness and power of God.

¹ Praise the LORD, O my soul.
       O LORD my God, you are very great;
       you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

² He wraps himself in light as with a garment;
       he stretches out the heavens like a tent

³ and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
       He makes the clouds his chariot
       and rides on the wings of the wind.

⁴ He makes winds his messengers,
       flames of fire his servants.

⁵ He set the earth on its foundations;
       it can never be moved.

⁶ You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
       the waters stood above the mountains.

⁷ But at your rebuke the waters fled,
       at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;

⁸ they flowed over the mountains,
       they went down into the valleys,
       to the place you assigned for them.

⁹ You set a boundary they cannot cross;
       never again will they cover the earth.

¹⁰ He makes springs pour water into the ravines;
       it flows between the mountains.

¹¹ They give water to all the beasts of the field;
       the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

¹² The birds of the air nest by the waters;
       they sing among the branches.

¹³ He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
       the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.

¹⁴ He makes grass grow for the cattle,
       and plants for man to cultivate—
       bringing forth food from the earth:

¹⁵ wine that gladdens the heart of man,
       oil to make his face shine,
       and bread that sustains his heart.

¹⁶ The trees of the LORD are well watered,
       the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

¹⁷ There the birds make their nests;
       the stork has its home in the pine trees.

¹⁸ The high mountains belong to the wild goats;
       the crags are a refuge for the coneys.

¹⁹ The moon marks off the seasons,
       and the sun knows when to go down.

²⁰ You bring darkness, it becomes night,
       and all the beasts of the forest prowl.

²¹ The lions roar for their prey
       and seek their food from God.

²² The sun rises, and they steal away;
       they return and lie down in their dens.

²³ Then man goes out to his work,
       to his labor until evening.

²⁴ How many are your works, O LORD!
       In wisdom you made them all;
       the earth is full of your creatures.

²⁵ There is the sea, vast and spacious,
       teeming with creatures beyond number—
       living things both large and small.

²⁶ There the ships go to and fro,
       and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.

²⁷ These all look to you
       to give them their food at the proper time.

²⁸ When you give it to them,
       they gather it up;
       when you open your hand,
       they are satisfied with good things.

²⁹ When you hide your face,
       they are terrified;
       when you take away their breath,
       they die and return to the dust.

³⁰ When you send your Spirit,
       they are created,
       and you renew the face of the earth.

³¹ May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
       may the LORD rejoice in his works-

³² he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,
       who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

³³ I will sing to the LORD all my life;
       I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

³⁴ May my meditation be pleasing to him,
       as I rejoice in the LORD.

³⁵ But may sinners vanish from the earth
       and the wicked be no more.
       Praise the LORD, O my soul.
       Praise the LORD.

WOW!

Mar 15, 2010

Saturday night, I had my friend Mara's bachelorette party, which went splendidly, thanks for asking. Earlier that day, I drove to a salon and watched a hairdresser dry, straighten, back-comb, curl, and pin Mara's hair until it looked like it will for her wedding day. She will be a stunning bride!

I spent my first night in Chicago with my beautiful roommate Caley, then packed my bags the next day, jumped on the Metra and the L, and met up with my site director, Whitney, from last summer. I hadn't seen her since August so it was really exciting to catch up with her! I loved my team so much, and it was very difficult to say goodbye to them. We spent most of the time talking about last summer and our lives since then. She shared a story about a certain special friend, Patrick, and I told her about my possible trip to Asia this summer. We reminisced about last summer... like the time window blinds fell on my face and left my nose all black and blue, or the time a youth pastor jumped from the back of a fifteen passenger van and fell face first on the pavement when he called a Chinese fire drill. Crazy times indeed.

After Whitney and I ate lunch at "I dream of falafels," we walked several blocks to Argo Tea, the Starbucks of tea. They make the most delicious tea lattes! In the four days I spent in Chicago I went to Argo tea three times- once with Whitney, once with Amy (another person who came to the Youth Works reunion), and with Caley, who introduced me to Argo tea last spring break. I am forever indebted to her!

All in all, I think the wanderlust in me will be satisfied for quite some time!

---

An Honor 

Mar 4, 2010

My friend Mara is getting married in less than 25 days. My time speeds past me like a sugared up preschooler on a tricycle—there is never enough time for this maid-of-honor to do everything. I realized this especially as I’ve been planning Mara’s bachelorette party this Saturday, although perhaps that is only because I started a week beforehand.

For this past week, I’ve been busy writing invitations, scheming up games, calling people and responding to RSVPs, making reservations and creating menus, and even assigning tasks to people. It is fun, but exhausting work. Of course, if I can say so myself, it will be a great bachelorette party.

My computer tabs that are always open right now!

To start off, we will be going out to dinner at Mara’s favorite restaurant downtown, XO’s Asian Cuisine, then we will head back to our friend Jonna’s house, where we will play our games and Mara can open her presents. I can’t wait!

Watching Mara as her wedding draws nearer is so exciting! College life is so often intertwined with weddings and engagements (my friend Amber was just proposed to last Saturday!). It is one of the most exciting parts of college—to watch your friends fall in love. Although I may be quite single, I have the joy and honor of being part of Mara’s life as she experiences this. I can hardly believe that she is getting married so soon, and that as I stand next to her on March 27, she will become Matt’s wife! 

Amber and Andy are engaged!

Chuck's Swan Song 

LENT

O-N-E C-R-A-Z-Y L-I-F-E 

Whole Phone... and it works!