Kardyn's Journal « First-Year Student Journals

Gray Hairs

September 1, 2005 | 22 comments

Even though God opened every door for me to come to Biola, I had a lot of doubts. What if I couldn't make it? What if I failed my classes? Many questions consumed my thoughts. I should have been ecstatic that I received scholarships and financial aid; that I was becoming independent! Still, I found no peace.

The day came when I had to say goodbye to all my friends and family. Everyone came to my house and when it was time to leave, we all held hands in prayer. The tears were streaming down my face and I can remember thinking, "I can't believe this is the day." In my heart I was praying that God would help me.

I cried all the way to the airport. On the plane, I had a hard time sleeping. When we arrived in La Mirada, I felt very far from home. While I mentally tried to coach myself through the process, my mom kept encouraging me and reminding me of all God had blessed me with so far.

Each new day in California was an adjustment to me. In Hawaii, the air is fresh, the water is pure, the weather is sunny and warm, and almost everyone treats you like family. Over here, it's like, "Watch your purse and your suitcase, everyone is only looking out for themselves, and don't go anywhere by yourself." It was hard to get used to all of these reality checks.

While I was settling into Biola during orientation week, I did not know what to think or expect. Meeting my whole SOS group was a little intimidating the first day. For our meeting, we sat down on a patch of grass and were each given a pipe cleaner and were asked to mold the pipe cleaner into a shape that would describe what we were feeling. The moment I got it, I wanted to tie it in a bunch of knots, but instead I graciously made a box with an open lid symbolizing my effort to get out of my comfort zone.

That whole first week, I was a little cautious about making friends. But to my surprise, the Biola community quite literally welcomed me with open arms and friendly smiles. One night during orientation weekend, all the SOS leaders made a circle around us on Metzger Lawn and individually came up to us, shook our hands, and gave us hugs. I was overly impressed with their desire to make each freshman feel like a part of the community.

As time went by, I could see God's hand at work. I was able to wake up early (without the aid of my mother) to attend all my classes. My professors in every class were challenging me, and I was slowly gaining the godly foundation that I so desperately desired. If Biola were not God's will, I would have flopped on my face the first day. He has made it possible for me to have a Christian education and godly friends.

If Biola is a school you're considering, pray about it. I prayed through every obstacle and every doubt. The Lord not only met me where I was, but He blessed me with more than I could have imagined. I have learned that in times of stress, I need to refocus. I need to see all the blessings instead of all the obstacles. I wish that I could have saved myself from all the gray hairs by just trusting in God. He has a plan for everything.

Comments

Tori said... on Nov 9, 2005

Kardyn,
Isn't it wonderful to know that God has a plan that includes provision and grace when we aren't always able to trust where He's taking us? Praise God for all He's done and all He will continue to do in your life! And even more stoked that you'll be coming home for break soon! =)
Love you!
Tori

Andrea said... on Nov 11, 2005

Kardyn, You rock my world. I am so glad that God has brought you here and blessed me with your friendship. Peace.

Auntie Rose said... on Nov 13, 2005

Kardyn,

Happy belated B-day. (Heard about the flooding that was happening in HI.) Coming from the family around the world, we are very proud of your accomplishments and look forward to more from you on your journey. (Bear in mind that these are just tests put before you.)

Crystal Johnson said... on Nov 14, 2005

Hi Kardyn. I'm Crystal, I also live in Hawaii (but on the west side), want to be a psychologist, and I am too strongly considering Biola as my school of choice. We have a lot in common don't you think! lol. I just, as a matter of fact, had my interview with one of the admission counselors on Friday. And it went pretty well. So anyways I just wanted to acknowledge you and tell you that your entry was really awesome. You were very honest and direct. And that's cool. Hope the rest of your stay there well be blessed! And I hope to see you in the future.
Sincerely,
Crystal J.

Auntie Pam said... on Nov 14, 2005

Kardyn,
We are really proud of you as you step out on your own. Now is your chance to truly place yourself in God's providence. We continue to lift you up to the Lord. Our Love. Auntie Pam

cousin felicia said... on Nov 14, 2005

Hi Kardyn, miss you cuz! My dad told me about your site and i'm just checking it while i'm working on a school project. Hopefully I'll see you some time while you're still in California. Good luck in school! Happy belated birthday and remember, "when a door closes God will open a window some how." oh and of course, don't be shy to show your CHAMORRO PRIDE! luv ya! and God bless
~Felicia

Andrew WA said... on Nov 16, 2005

What is pipe cleaner?

Lucy Medrano said... on Nov 16, 2005

This is my senior year I would like to join the many people of the Biola Community in faith I hope to see you in one of my Psychology class because I also want to study that major please e-mail me about what to expect for the next year.

Emily Pohl said... on Nov 16, 2005

Yay Kardyn! Super excited to see your web journal up. :)

Yesenia Romero said... on Nov 16, 2005

Hey there! Many blessings from Our Lord to you! Just like Lucy Medrano. . . I'm a senior too and I'm strongly considering Psychology as my future career and an area of service to God.

Thanks to God for your last paragraph. Even though I don't live as far as you do, I'm conserned about my admissions into Biola. I know that it isn't about traveling distance the determines your admission or not, hehehe. I'm trying to leave my concern to God and instead just have faith to continue strong and to persevere no matter what. I've been told that if that's the university that God plans for me to attend then He will open every door possible. Also, some how I seem to connect with people that have gone to Biola, go to Biola, or others that have just mentioned Biola w/o them knowing that I want to go there. I'm not sure why I am sharing this with you, really, but since you already went through the experience then I feel good about sharing my feelings toward this higher education stuff. I guess I could relate you the stuff you had written. So. . . .thanks!
May God Keep you Blessed!
~Yessi

Kelsey said... on Nov 18, 2005

Hey! I'm not part of your family(haha) but still decided to post a comment here:)
You took a step in faith as you traveled to CA, sooo far from your home! And, you are right-God will lead you where he wants you:)
Thankyou
Love,
Kelsey

Kardyn Flores said... on Nov 21, 2005

Hi everyone!
I am so glad I could help you feel more confident about Biola. It has definitely been a major blessing coming here. Some of you would like to talk with me and ask me more questions. If so, please email me using the "Email Me" option at the top of this page. Thank you for responding to my journal, it encourages me just as much as it encourages you.
Blessings,
Kardyn

Cristal Godina said... on Nov 22, 2005

I love Karydn :) I can't wait to see you again.

Sara Clock said... on Nov 22, 2005

Kardyn,
you are pretty much wonderful. I am glad you can tell your story to everyone who wants to read it. Ya, thats all! Love ya and God Bless

Sara said... on Nov 25, 2005

Hey Gurl!!!!!
I am so bleesed to have met you and to enjoy your friendship... yuo surely are a joy to know ...... I know that you are far way from home bUt think of the family that you are creating here..... I am here for you babe!! love ya lotz
keep seeking the Lord... he will guide your every move...

Mike said... on Nov 26, 2005

I would love to hear more about SOS.
Did it continue throughout the semester or simply stop at the end of Orientation? What kinds of things did you explore through SOS? What did you learn while a part of it? Will you consider becoming an SOS Leader in the future? Why or why not?

Thanks!
Mike

Kardyn said... on Nov 28, 2005

Hey Mike!
To answer your question, SOS is a week long. SOS is supposed to be that icebreaker stage. Every new student feels overwhelmed when thrown in a group with a bunch of strangers, but we do things like scavenger hunts and other games to make ourselves open to fellowship with other people. There are two people from my SOS group that I still talk to and see often. Biola wants to bring you into the community of believers. Many of the friends I have made at Biola, I met at SOS. I would like to be an SOS leader, but I do not think that is a calling for me right now. Even though SOS is only a week long, the SOS groups meet later on in the year just to see how everyone is doing. Its a wonderful feeling to look back on the semester and see how you have grown. I hope that answers your question! You had very good questions...
Blessings
Kardyn

Mike said... on Nov 28, 2005

Thanks, Kardyn!

Your answers were great!
Orientation is a very important part of being a freshmen, so I wanted to get a feel for how your program works. I would really encourage you to consider SOS if you feel led at a later date (or year). Working with freshmen and loving them unconditionally is one of the most fulfilling things to do as a college student! (Well...assuming God is leading you there.) I hope SOS develops its leaders as diversely as it claims to. It looks like an interesting program.
Thank you for your insights!

Mike

Ashley said... on Apr 27, 2006

Kardyn,
I just wanted to say thank you for your article. I will be attending Biola in the fall and I am so excited, however, i am nervous as well. Moving to something new will be hard. But I was encouraged by your posting and I know that Biola is the place for me. God has talked me through the process of choosing schools. I also know that if I have misunderstood his direction, I will find it out very quickly. Thank you again!
Ashley

David said... on Apr 28, 2006

Hola, soy de Chile, quisiera saber si tienes e-mail para poder contactarnos,

Bendiciones,

Chao

Kardyn said... on Apr 30, 2006

Hey Ashley!
I'm glad I could be of some encouragement to you. I guess I'll be seeing you around campus!
Blessings
Kardyn

Kardyn said... on May 5, 2006

¡Hey David!
Lo siento no tengo otro E-mail, si usted tiene una pregunta usted puede preguntarme aquí.
Bendiciones
Kardyn

Subscribe to the comments for 'Gray Hairs'

Your turn...

Name

Email [will not be shown]