Dan Wessner
B.A., Stanford University
J.D., University of Virginia
M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary
Ph.D., University of Denver

This is my Constitutional Issues professor and pre-law advisor. How many people do you know who got their undergraduate degree at Stanford, went on to law school at UVA, seminary at Princeton, and finally wrapped it up with a doctorate? So I'm already in awe of this man, and then yesterday in class he told us that in law school (at UVA, that's awesome enough) he roomed with the son of SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR. No matter how you feel about her, to room with the child of a Supreme Court justice is pretty incredible. Not only that, but it was while she was being confirmed, or whatever that's called, so he got to go to her hearings with the Senate Judiciary Committee. We all just kind of sat there staring at him in disbelief. Wow.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you."
-John 15:1-3

Singing "Psalm 121 (I Lift My Eyes Up)" during Celebration, the student-led Sunday night worship service...

I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from you
Maker of heaven, Creator of the earth

Oh how I need you Lord
You are my only hope
You're my only prayer
So I will wait for you
To come and rescue me
Come and give me life

Me: "Lord, I do need you now, more than ever."
God: "No, Karissa. You don't need me any more than you've ever needed me. It's just that right now you choose to recognize your unfluctuating, intense need for me."

Lord, may I never lose sight of that lesson...

My life just changed a lot. It's not time to divulge details in this type of forum, but your prayers are appreciated. Thank you...I really will need them.

"My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9, The Message

I'm back. And it doesn't feel bad at all. It was comforting to realize that I was excited when we were just a few miles from school, and even more so when we pulled up beside my dorm. It would be nice to know that I'll be able to get home before Easter, but that's just another opportunity for me to work on trusting God--that he'll either make a way for me to get home some weekend, or that time will fly and I'll have a great, fruitful time until then. He has been nothing but faithful, and I know he will continue to be.

On another note, I am going to Camp Hebron this weekend as sort of a student representative for EMU at the Lancaster Mennonite Conference youth retreat! One of the admissions counselors had space for two people to join him, and he invited the EMU freshmen from LMH (since we're connected to that group). Since that weekend was so influential in my college decision process, I jumped at the chance to go, both for my personal growth and enjoyment and, perhaps, as a way to somehow give back. I'm really excited!