#brianr

[insideazusapacific]

THAT ONE PART

You know that one part in movies where a song plays at the end and everyone is smiling, hugging and tearing up? That’s an accurate description of what I am feeling as I write this post. I have just finished moving out of my mod having finished finals and am sitting on the floor of an empty living room. I am sitting here reminiscing on my second year at Azusa Pacific University  that is now over, and I can honestly say that I have grown in immeasurable ways as a follower of Christ, a friend, a brother, and as a man. 

Being an APU student, you are challenged, called, and supported. I felt that so much this year through the new friendships that began and ones that were strengthened. I felt loved in ways I had never experienced, and I felt stronger in my identity as a man of God. 

While I can try and describe how powerful this year was and how much it shaped me, I think some pictures can capture more elegantly depict some of the feelings of this year. Attached you can see some happy times of community and friendship as well as a time of peacefulness before class. 

This is only a snippet of what it is truly like to be at APU and I hope if anyone is considering checking out this amazing place that they will do so with an open mind and heart you never know how you can be shaped! 

-Brian R. 

[insideazusapacific]

LA LISTENS

Coming from out of state, one of the coolest things about going to school in greater Los Angeles is that musical artists actually come to town! This past week, me and my roommates had the incredible opportunity to take advantage of this perk and see famous film score composer Hans Zimmer and his orchestra perform! 

The boys and I decided to dress up and go to his concert, and it was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. The concert started with the opening song from Disney’s The Lion King, with the famous African chant and instantly I was an eight year old watching Disney VHS tapes in my grandparent’s basement. As the night went on, the orchestra and Zimmer went through some incredible film scores and finally ended on the music of my favorite movie; Inception. The music and the moment was so beautiful that it brought a tear to my eye, it was truly a concert experience I will never forget. This night was one I won’t ever forget, and I’m not sure I would have the opportunity to experience it if I wasn’t at an amazingly unique place like APU. 

APU is truly a hot spot for just about any fun activity you can imagine, whether you’re into surfing, skiing, hiking, or relaxing in the shade, Azusa is a special place. I am so glad I chose to be in a place that is surrounded by so much opportunity and encourages me to grow and try new things! 

-Brian R. 

[insideazusapacific]

G(O.A.T.) OFFICE 

One of the amazing opportunities of going to college is the chance to be connected and involved in some sort of leadership role on campus. Part of what that looks like for me right now is that I am a part of what is called the OAT office at APU. OAT stands for the Office of Orientations and Transitions. It is our job to help new students feel welcomed at APU and at home in their new home! My position is what is called an Alpha Coordinator. I am part of a team of other incredible people that gets to train student leaders who will be directly involved with orientation of freshmen and transfer students next semester!

Not only has this position given me a chance to sharpen my leadership skills, it has allowed me to become incredibly tight with some fantastic people I may have not had the chance to meet on campus. I can honestly say that some of the friendships I have made while working in the OAT office will last for life! I would urge any student (high school or college) to get involved at school! You never know how it could impact the lives of others and even your own life! 

-Brian R. 

[insideazusapacific]

PHYSICS FILLED FAITH

Today I had my mind blown in class. This phrase is a common one among students at APU, and specifically for myself in my science courses. This morning in my physics class, my dear professor began class with a problem. He gave us the dimensions and formulas to solve for the force exerted on a doll’s arms by gravity which he had propped up in front of class. We solved for the force exerted on his arms in the pull up position versus the force on his arms in the extended position (pictured above). After finding and comparing our answers for the force put on the doll’s arms in both positions, we found that when his arms were extended he was being pulled down with nearly four times the force of if he was simply hanging from the bars. 

After this demonstration, my professor asked the class, “Does this remind you of anyone?” Somehow I had not caught on that we were solving for the approximate force that Jesus was feeling when he was crucified. After realizing this, I was almost brought to tears. So often I feel that we brush over how brutal Christ’s crucifixion was and just how much he had to suffer in order for us to be saved. Today was an very powerful reminder of that and just one example of how APU’s courses integrate the Christian faith.

-Brian R. 

[insideazusapacific]

AMP THE THEATER

This past week at APU I got to attend an annual event called Amp the Theater. Amp the Theater is a time dedicated to music and its influence on APU’s campus.

This year, like every year, free tacos were provided, and they were incredible! Not only was the food great, but the entertainment was incredible! Performing in the Wynn Amphitheater on East Campus, we had a band formed of students (with one of my super talented friends Aaron) named Ron and the Dinosaur! They played a great set of heart filled songs and were a great opener for the main attraction, the band Branches!  

Not only is Branches a great band, but they have roots at APU! In fact, their two lead singers and one of their guitarists went to APU and played in the chapel band! In their performance they connected with the students in the audience in some really cool ways and wowed everyone with their tunes. I would highly recommend checking out their music if you get the chance! This event is just another great example of how APU can connect with students and facilitate community with a great event!

-Brian R. 

[insideazusapacific]

Night of Champions

Every year, APU hosts what is called The Night of Champions. It is a very exciting and powerful one-night ministry event put on annually by the university and sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This ministry focuses on reaching unchurched youth by offering them an opportunity to meet sports and entertainment heroes, and listen to their personal testimonies concerning their relationship with Jesus Christ. 

The aim of the event is to create a Christian environment that is not intimidating, as well as a program of activities that are attractive to non-Christian teenagers. This year, the university was proud to host Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, among others. He delivered an incredible message that focused on something bigger in his career than the NFL, his life and faith in Christ. 

It was a night of incredible motivation and deep calling. Many people accepted Christ for the first time and countless others made the commitment to follow him more intentionally. I even had the humbling opportunity to be part of a prayer team which was available for those who desired personal prayer after this time of devotion and commitment. I can honestly say it was one of the most impactful and powerful nights of my life, and it just so happens that it was put together by my favorite university! I continue to be blessed by people and opportunities that the Lord places in my life here at APU

-Brian R. 

[insideazusapacific]

San Diego Siesta

This past week was a week of rejuvenation and rest as I had the privilege to spend my spring break with my roommate and his family in the San Diego area. Not only was I treated to some amazing food and incredible experiences, I was treated with Christ like hospitality.

Perhaps the most calming and relaxing time came when my roommate and I visited some museums in Balboa Park. It was a beautiful day to walk in the sun and be reminded of how small we are in the big picture of God’s plans, and also how incredible we are. 

Not only would I 10/10 recommend visiting Balboa Park in the San Diego area, I would ∞/∞ encourage whoever reads this to thank the Lord for people in his or her life who are selfless and display Christ. They are a light and a blessing in lives like mine and should not be taken for granted, but rather appreciated and looked to as examples of how to live. 

-Brian R. 

[insideazusapacific]

Workplace Wisdom

One thing is certain about college; it is a lot of work. And the truth is that a lot of that work is done either on a computer or written on paper at a desk. This desk or workplace is typically either the desk in one’s living area from the school which they attend or in the library. Another truth is that upon first use, the desk is plain and boring and a can be a place of sadness and stress...if you let it be that way. 

Something that I think is very important is making one’s workplace their own. If one makes the place where they do work an extension of their personality, they will be more comfortable in that place and should be able to get more accomplished there. 

One of the best decision I made this year was to personalize and make my desk area my own. As you can see in the attached picture, I put up a cork board and some posters on the wall by my desk. I pinned up some of my favorite pictures of my friends and favorite places so that every time I am sick of doing homework or can't seem to focus, I look up and these things bring a smile to my face. Not only that, but I also hooked up some speakers and my record player to add some soft tunes to my work area. Now I look forward to sitting down at my desk and getting work done. It is a place where I feel comfortable and at home, and I would strongly advise making one’s workplace a place such as this if it seems hard to get things done in one’s current workplace!

-Brian R.