This past Monday or Wednesday (I can’t remember which one), Nicole Braddock Bromley came to speak to Covenant during Chapel. I’d have to say that it was one of the most heart-breaking and heart-wrenching stories that I’ve heard in a really long time. Nicole’s story is one of sexual abuse, and she openly shares her testimony in the hopes and dreams that she can help other people who suffer silently through sexual abuse. In her words, “I believe that sexual abuse is the best kept secret in our nation today.”

Nicole speaks from the heart of one who has learned to thrive, no matter the circumstances. Having been viewed as the “perfect girl” all her life, excelling as an athlete, scholar, artist, and class leader, she appeared to have it all. But at the age of 14, she realized her entire childhood had been ravaged by the torment of sexual abuse. Nicole tells her story in an effort to educate and raise awareness about this trauma, and to offer hope and strength to others, by sharing her own journey from victim to Victory Over Impossible CircumstancE. She communicates the overwhelming effect sexual abuse can have on a life, but empowers students and adults to work together to overcome this issue, working toward healthy relationships, decisions, and adulthood.

Chorale is singing their final Christmas concert, along with the Covenant orchestra and Madrigal Singers, tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Covenant Chapel. I’m excited… my parents are coming up to see me and Bets sing (along with the rest of the chorale, obviously). I do believe this will be the first time I have ever sung or performed on stage in front of my parents.

It’s going to be good, so be there. We’re singing four a capella songs — Joy to the World, Lux Arumque, Sing We Now of Christmas, and What Sweeter Music Can We Bring… followed by several other songs with the orchestra from “The Many Moods of Christmas,” suites 1 and 3.

Covenant just made a blog for the Chapel. I thought it was interesting, and I know some of you might like to know more about what goes on inside the walls of the chapel. Rather than me giving a little essay each time we have chapel (which I will still do at times), here’s a link to the actual chapel blog.

It’s been a good, long, daunting, and exciting start to the fall semester. I’m tackling 18 credit hours with Statistics, Accounting I, Christian Doctrine, Microeconomics, Intro to Art, and Chorale. I have never been so excited starting into a new semester. I’m excited about what God is going to be teaching me and where He is going to be leading me this year… anywhere from classes to friendships to the Five Points. I’m excited about the changes that are happening on campus. The new residence hall is up and running, and the new academic building is making progress towards the spring deadline. But past the new building changes, I’m excited about the people.. the new RAs, RDs, professors, and even our own beloved chaplain Aaron Messner who gave his first chapel talk this morning. What a blessing to be a part of this change, growth, and maturing spreading throughout campus.

Today is the first day back after Thanksgiving break… classes have started up again, and I am preparing for another busy final few weeks. It’s hard to think that I only have another seven days of classes left.

Thanksgiving break was a blessing. I decided to stay on campus over break. It would give me a chance to get caught up in work study hours, as well as spend some time with my sister Bets who had to stay in duty as an RA.

So yeah, I definitely didn’t end up getting as much work done as I should have, but it was a much needed break. I did some paint work for Dr. Kapic, one of the Biblical and Theological professors here at Covenant, on Wednesday. And I spent a lot of time hanging out with Bets – playing tennis, having campfires down by the pond, carving pumpkins, going on walks, and just enjoying an empty campus. It was quite an amazing break.
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