Now, I hope you do not misinterpret this to think that I did not receive a quality education from Fort Lewis College because I did. I graduated with a music degree from FLC last April. I was so excited that I could now spit out musical facts and claim to be an official college graduate. What I did not realize however, was what I really learned from Fort Lewis. In addition to the book knowledge, I was challenged to think outside the box into a global perspective. In addition to the normal education I would have received at any university, this is what I also learned:
Preparation for Ministry
In Education 222, I learned about the different schooling systems around the world. I remember talking about how some children will walk across unsafe bridges to get to school. Here I was in Lesotho, walking up a mountain with school kids just to get to class. I also had the opportunity to tutor children and teach classes while being on the mission field. I have experienced what I learned about and researched in class.
Intro to dance and the production, Thoroughly Modern Millie prepared me to spread the love of dance across the sea. I taught two boys a complicated tap step: the triple time step. We spent afternoons learning the individual steps required to put it all together. Dance crosses boundaries and languages.
In Elementary Music Methods, I learned how to teach a song to young children. I tapped into the knowledge as I taught children songs in every country, one line at a time through repetition. I realized that the little tricks my professor taught work. The kids know the songs word for word, action by action, and LOVE them!
Preparation for Living
In my backpacking class, I learned the basics of gear, safety, and camping. Upon preparing for the World Race, I had no backpacking material, but the information I gained from the class made the process so much smoother in purchasing and packing a pack to live out of for a year. Fort Lewis is also filled with adventurous folks and surrounded by the best places to explore new territory.
Preparation to Lead Worship
Through the series of piano and music theory classes, I gained the knowledge to learn a new instrument and read chords. I taught myself how to play the ukulele and continued my practice of the piano for leading worship. This has led into my time for both personal worship as well as corporate worship.
In Instrumental Methods, I learned tips when forming smaller ensembles. As the squad’s worship coordinator, I have worked on forming smaller groups with different instrumentation for a variety of worship services.
During the conducting classes, I spent many hours learning the proper techniques to conduct the music. While in Swaziland, I sat in on a choir rehearsal where the girls self taught themselves harmony and how to conduct. Their conducting was on point, with passion, and all correct! The harmony was so bold and beautiful. I learned independence from musicianship in my conducting class, and I was reminded of that watching them sing and conduct with such boldness and passion.
Empowered to Empower others
During my time working as a Senior Orientation Leader and a peer tutor, I learned to empower. As I coordinated worship for the squad, I began to step aside, ask other‘s opinion, and incorporate the ideas together to include everyone and the new, creative ideas into worship.
The Registered Student Organization and student ministry, Rooted , was where I was gained confidence in college. I was empowered to lead peers through preaching and worship. While being on the World Race, I have led worship for my team, squad mates and ministry partners. I also was able to help bless the elements for communion during a special worship service with my squad. It was the opportunity through the leadership team in Rooted that I gained boldness to know that age is but a number and God has equipped me to fulfill my call.
I could go on about how much Fort Lewis College has prepared me for the real world. A piece of paper saying you finished so many credit hours and graduated is great, but the experience you receive while you are in classes and how that will impact you for the rest of your life is priceless.
So I THANK YOU FORT LEWIS. THANK YOU for your programs and opportunities. Most importantly, however, I would like to say THANK YOU to the people. You were the ones that helped shape me to be the person I am today.
