Inspire
I’ve come to the realization that I am only eighteen in this big bad place we call earth. So much work ahead of me, yet it feels as though I’ve come so far. Sometimes we forget to put things in perspective. However, tonight I feel as though my dream has been lit back aflame.
As I was watching a program on television about poineers of a just beginning organization, I felt a sense that I was not alone. You see following your dreams comes with a lot of hard work and determination. When you’re young the people you look up to most neglect to tell you that many people will come against that vision. Sure it is not going to be easy, but that is what life is all about. You fall, you get back up, right? But after perservering until your wits end something will break loose. God always seems to come through in the eleventh hour. When it’s the last minute, do not lose hope. I guarentee when you feel alone, you are surely not. Like my Dad always told me, “Hekla, always do the best you can possibly do, you never know when someone is watching!”
God has a hand crafted destiny for each and everyone of us. I’m simply encouraging you to pursue whatever it is that destiny may be. In whatever you do, do it whole-heartedly. Don’t let the report of others stray you from your goals. Stay focused to achieve what you have worked so hard for, I assure you that the finish line is just around the corner. You never know who is watching. Who will you inspire next with your relentless desire to achieve your dream?
With Hope,
Hekla Goodman
Just the Beginning | Comments (2)Who’s against me?
Well, as the first half of the Spring Semester ends, I find myself dwelling on the word love. You see in life there are going to be challenging times, and not so challenging times (which we all see as more desirable). Sometimes we need to sit back and let God do his work. Even when it looks as though nothing is going on, on the surface. I can almost 100% guarantee you that God is doing a work inside of you. Through media messages, it seems as though we are constantly being bombarded with images and examples of fear in our lives. Fear does not come from God.
In case I am not getting the point across, I’ll provide a real-life story that happened just this week. Of course I will relate this blog to sports, after all I am an athlete. Since the track team didn’t have a meet this week and we were going on break (where not everyone can be monitored about if they are doing the workouts or not) –we had a lot of hard work cut out for us. Wednesday was supposed to be the hardest workout we’ve had all year. During a normal average day word started to spread that we had an immensely hard workout in the afternoon and the only way we would end practice is: 1) if we finished the workout of death or 2) four members of the track team puke during the workout. Speaking for myself, I do not like to throw up by any means; I start shaking and tears run down my eyes, and it is just flat out embarrassing. However, I wasn’t about to let my body go through that rigorous training. So as lunchtime rolls around I start eating in large amounts. After lunch I ate another meal. Then I went to the softball game and had yet some more food. I was packed in with sustenance to my eyeballs, and had probably gained about ten pounds by that time. At SFG (spiritual formation group) I had my last and final snack before practice, an apple. I was planning on taking one for the team, just so our legs could be saved for one day. I was taking the fall and becoming a heroin all in one. Needless to say we, as a team, get to practice and start doing the workout. All I can feel are my four meals trying to creep back up my throat. I had been worried about this workout all day, and it hard don’t get me wrong. But I had put myself through so much trouble, and since the workout wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be, there was a sense of relief. However, i still had to get rid of all that extra food intake somehow. It came to the point where I just needed to expel the food out of my body because I was starting to feel sick just because of what I had eaten. So mid-workout, I ran to the trashcan and regurgitated all four meals. Man did i feel better after that!
Let’s take an inside look to see what God says regarding these hard times. Matthew 6:33-34 says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” The moral of the story is, whatever it may be, don’t worry about it. God has it covered. If I would have just said to my workout, “I will get through you no matter how hard you are,” then I most likely would have not thrown up that day.
I said all of this to say, if someone is trying to throw you a curve ball, step up to the plate and hit it out of the park. Life is not perfect by any means, but God wants us to embrace every new day as its own. Show love to those who are with you, and show even more love to those who are against you. If God is with you who can be against you?!
With Love,
Hekla Goodman
Just the Beginning | Comment (0)Reveling Reminiscence.
Reminiscing on this past week I have been well pleased. On Saturday I had my first track meet with the track team here at William Jessup. We woke up early morning, as usual, had a breakfast together and headed off toward CSUS (Stanislaus). After arriving you could see the excitement starting to build on everyone who was competing that day. As a soccer player I am all about the team aspect of the sport; well track is a lot different, you have to focus on your individual abilities. However, at that moment when we all walked in together and began to set up camp in the bleachers i said to myself, “Now this, this is my team!” I was so proud of everyone and how far we’ve come from the beginning of the season, knowing we only have so much more room to grow as well. But at that moment, I was able to step out of the situation and revel on how we have become so unified. I mean it is only expected when you are with these students and coaches 6 hours out of everyday. We’ve become family.
Midweek is usually my favorite time of the week. On Wednesdays I have an SFG (Spiritual Formation Group), which is basically a group of people getting together with a leader to talk about spiritual stuff, school stuff, family stuff, any kind of stuff you can think of. It is a time where you put off your daily schedule to just hangout with people you either usually or don’t usually hangout with.This week we talked about what we like about God the most, which characteristic do we most appreciate. Personally, even though I am a curious cat and love to know everything in every situation, I love that God is unpredictable. Do you ever get that feeling where you find yourself thinking, “All signs point to yes, this must be the right decision to make (or path to choose).”? I am sure we all get this feeling. I always catch myself trying to make my own decisions. When in reality in the back of my mind I somehow know God is going to bring it about a different way. He is so mysterious in how he designs things, and I think it keeps us on our toes waiting for what will happen next. If we do not put God in a box, and accept that he is going to do things his way, we can just sit back and enjoy the journey.
Winding the week down, some of the girls from the soccer team organized a baby shower for our coach Jamie and her husband David. It was so nice to spend time with my teammates who I have become so fond of. We played games and opened presents. I am so glad we were able to celebrate this wonderful and exciting time with our coach. After the baby shower I met back up with the track team. We all went over to Parker’s (our track coach) house and hung out for awhile. Some of us were making smores while others of us were watching a movie inside–just enjoying each others company. We shared stories and had laughs together and set a good tone for the track meet at UC Davis this weekend. Everyone is refreshed and ready to get the job done!
Lastly, it is a Friday here on the Jessup campus. A day where I can just relax and get a little homework time in. It is so peaceful around here when everyone is at class or sleeping. I’ve had a blessed week, and I hope you do too.
Just the Beginning | Comments (2)Jessup could “Use Somebody”
The new Spring Semester is now full speed ahead. As opposed to last semester, I find myself even busier than ever. Now that I have joined the track team, I have been so consumed with the workouts that I have not had the time to just stop and think about how smoothly this semester commenced. However, I am pleased with the coaching and camaraderie among the team. Track is a whole other dynamic than soccer, so the change has been good for me. I’ve always think to myself, “Hekla, you need to try new experiences and broaden your horizons.” That is exactly what I do. Jessup also provides an excellent environment to venture out. There are so many activities you can get involved in if you just apply yourself.
This semester, so far, my classes have seemed better than the previous, and I feel as though I’m really engaging more in classes; which is great! In the midst of all of this, a couple of events around campus have sparked up a little bit of life around here. This semester Dodgeball has started and so far has been a great success. I personally am on a team myself with a few other female athletes, and boy is it a site to be seen. The boys, mostly, get all into this sport. Whether it’s dressing up or just getting psyched out for the game, to them Dodgeball is all business. Another event that has blossomed is Open Mic. It is simply an event where the students at Jessup can express themselves through the arts. Basically the sky is the limit at this cafe style event. Students will recite poetry (either their own or by an author), play music, or just tell jokes and stories. This time a friend of mine, Alissa Adkins and I performed a cover of “Use Somebody” by the Kings of Leon. We both sang and I jammed on the acoustic guitar. Overall there was a good response of performers. Even a couple of preview students managed to muster up the guts to sing in front of everyone which was marvelous.
The point I am trying to get across is that life is too short not to take chances. At Jessup if you want to succeed and have fun while doing it, you have to get involved. Through that you will create relationships that could potentially be for a lifetime. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, when you are vulnerable and let your guard down is when people will see you for who you truly are. God has created you perfect, so act like it haha. Jessup is waiting for someone genuine, just like you!
Just the Beginning | Comment (0)Just the Beginning
Hello, all prospective students! My job is to let you into the wonderful world of Hekla Goodman, as i go along my journey at William Jessup University. First off, since i have not formally met you, let me give you a brief background. I am from Clovis, CA–not many know where that is, so i mostly just say, “I live in Fresno.” Anyways, I am a Pastor’s kid (p.k.) and really wanted to give the next four years of my life to a Christ-Centered University where I could grow to be who God wanted me to be. On-top of that I play soccer for the Womens’ Soccer Team. I cannot wait for the upcoming years, and for what God has in store for me next.
Well the first semester has come to a close. As i look back and reminisce on the events that occurred, i find myself smiling upon them thinking, ” Wow, I had a great first semester of college!” The care and support I received at William Jessup is just not like any other University. As I talk to my best friends back home about their college experience, their stories all seem to be the same–lost in the crowd. At Jessup that is definitely not the case. I feel as though I can grow in so many aspects. Whereas my friends are just going through the motions, and are going to end up in the same place they were before college.
What does this mean to you, you may ask? I am simply encouraging you to really search deep into your heart about where you want to spend the next four years of your life. Not necessarily what is popular among your peer group, but where you know you would be taken care of and treated like the next CEO of a company, or next Pastor living to the glory of God, or even next World Leader. Possibilities are endless! So I urge you, write your own story, do not let others sway your decisions unless it is God leading you. Let me tell you, by making the right choice you will not be disappointed!
Remember this: “The steps of the righteous are ordered of the Lord.”
Just the Beginning | Comment (0)