For us “first years going on into second year”, it’s been about 11 months since we first step foot on campus. A lot has changed in those months. I thought it might be a good idea to reflect on all the ups and downs I’ve personally been through, and publish it for people to read. However, I’ve been convicted this term of my struggles with pride and also learning how to listen to others. Upon realizing this, I was reminded that other frosh have amazing stories to tell as well. Thus, I set out to compile these stories in one blog article. Below, you’ll find transcriptions of a few conversations with a few frosh. The aim of these conversations are to paint a holistic picture of how transitioning to university has been for some of us, and how God has been working through it all. Whether you’re a fellow frosh, upper year, incoming frosh or even a curious alumnus, I hope you find these conversations encouraging and insightful!
Who introduced you/how did you get introduced to CCF?
Alisa Lin: Daniel Ye introduced me, but I found out more at Frosh Connexion. I found out about FX when my friend going to McMaster clicked “Going” on the Facebook event, and I saw that in my feed. I didn’t even know what it was, but I signed up, and ended up there a few days later. I found that UWCCF was actually massive. Even without Frosh Connexion, I had intended on going to fellowship, as I saw positive change in Daniel Ye whenever he would come back to our home church. I began to feel integrated once I joined a DG, which Jeffrey Liu (I went to middle school with him) encouraged me to do. I made DG a big priority over my life, more so than (unfortunately) church, main CCF, school, sleep. But the DG was definitely very fruitful, and it made me feel connected and cared for. Someone suggested that I organize the Secret Santa potluck thing, after which us as frosh began spending a lot more time together and actually bonding.
Euan Ho: I think it was Bonar and Angus who went to the first one, and I just tagged along. I had good experience in high school fellowship, and I kind of wanted to continue that. In first term, I didn’t really go to Frosh Cell, but I attended CCF. By 1B, I started getting more involved and integrated into the community.
Joanne Szeto: So I always knew about CCF since coming to Waterloo, and I knew there always a very strong Christian community here. Jasmin was the one who pushed me to come, since she was also a frosh cell leader, and I felt comfortable having a couple of friends to come with me. I got integrated when I joined a worship team for CCF, which is where I got better understand the purpose of musical worship.
Josh Issa: I was talking with Hannah Wong about theology and the Bible one day at Conrad Grebel, and she ended up asking if I was in a campus fellowship. I told her I tried out P2C, but it wasn’t really for me. She told me to try out CCF/Frosh Cell. I told her “I’m not Chinese.” Apparently that didn’t really matter. I didn’t really feel all that integrated for a while, I only really talked to Hannah. But after retreat and spending a lot of time with certain people, I felt more at home and chill.
Ryan Chan: One of my church friends, Verena Siu, told me to go to Frosh Cell. I thought Frosh Cell was some type of small group, but it turns out it was something bigger than that. Once, I met up with Verena, and she was also with Jasmin, one of our frosh cell leaders in 1A. She also encouraged me to attend, so I went and realized that it was actually a big thing, and through Frosh Cell I found out about CCF. It was a bit of a struggle to get integrated in 1A, I had a hard time making friends/talking to people in Frosh Cell. I wasn’t used to the new environment and lifestyle in Waterloo. Everyone seemed a lot more chill than I was, I was very serious and stoic. At one point I ended up breaking down, and I took time over the winter break to reflect and meditate on why I was not being mentally/spiritually active and mature. In 1B, I started praying a lot more, praying on being strong in my faith, in doing devos, and being more open with others. People, at some point started talking to me more, and encouraged me a lot. I appreciated the mutual respect I found in 1B, after I got out of my cocoon and got to know people better.
Steph Hsu: At my home church, I have an auntie who used to go to Waterloo, and was involved in CCF when it first started. She said it was a pretty strong place to grow in faith, so I was on the look out for it, and joined. In 1A, like a lot of others, I wasn’t very integrated, or open to idea of being integrated. I was a bit intimidated by it all. Over the winter, I took some time to reflect and pray, and by 1B, I think I got an overall change of perspective of the situation, and became more open.
Terry Chen: First, it was people from my church, not necessarily from Waterloo, that mentioned how CCF was a great fellowship in general. I think it was Alex Lai that told me that university was a place where you would either grow in the faith greatly or fall away. I found out a lot about it through events like TC, Frosh Connexion, and Transition 101. Through speaking with people in university, I heard a lot about how UWCCF was a supporting environment and a great place to grow in faith. I remember at Frosh Connexion, the huge amount of upper years there, sharing what CCF meant to them. After that, I had my first exposure to f r o s h b e n e f i t s (at McD’s) which was kinda crazy to me, how people were so generous and caring for the years younger than them.
How has an upper year poured into you personally?
AL: In 1A, when we were studying for finals, someone I didn’t know very well was going through a tough time, which I noticed through their social media activity. It was a heavy topic, and it wasn’t something I wanted to divulge to any of the frosh (as people were stressed out over exams and stuff). I ended up sharing this burden with our chair, Dana. We spent a lot of time in prayer, reading Scripture, and the like. I got the sense that he truly cared so much, ready to give this two or three hours of his life with no notice, so prepared to support this person with Scripture, and it was unexpected because we hadn’t spoken extensively before.
EH: I think Dana really poured into me this term. He’s a really knowledgeable guy, and was my SG leader this term. He knows a lot about the Bible, and frequently messaged me to keep me accountable in terms of Bible reading, or how my day was going. he was also really good at planning meet ups for the entire SG. Without Dana, I wouldn’t have been involved as I am now. Because of Dana, I got really invested in the Bible studies, just in the way he explained things, and his love for the Word.
JS: So this year I was in a worship team with Hok and Newman, and they gave me a lot of guidance on what it means to serve, and how I should use my gifts to serve at CCF. They guided on how I can lead others in music, and how to lead the worship team. I learned a lot about the theology behind songs, and how to construct sets based on the theme of the night. I’m really glad that they spent so much time pouring into me; it really helped me get through this term. Theo as well, he really encouraged me to do evangelism, which is something that I haven’t done before. He was the one that pushed me to do it during Jesus Week and CCF evangelism night. Also, Amanda was my DG leader this term, and I really do believe that God placed her at a crucial point of my life. She was really was really there to walk with me in my faith, and was a really supportive sister in Christ. I’m so grateful to have met her this term.
JI: A big part of me feeling comfortable at CCF was me talking to Alex Lai, a really cool guy. Spent time playing board games with him, went to this potluck thing at his house. Overall a stand-up guy. Very happy he’ll be on comm in a few months lol.
RC: If there were no upper years, there would’ve been no one to tell me of their experiences in university. They’re able to relate to the struggles that they faced in first year, and give you tips and advice. They’re willing to help you, and are very approachable. Every one of those upper years have encouraged me to be the person I am now. Without them, I wouldn’t have integrated into CCF well at all. They also showed me a really example on how to be accountable to one another, and support one another. One example was, right before my anatomy midterm, Immanuel patiently guided me through everything I needed to learn and pushed me to study as all the content was new, but at the same time, reminded me of how God needed to remain my number one priority.
SH: I guess being in a DG really helps. Our leader, Bonnie, has really been able to facilitate conversations about our struggles, growth, providing advice, providing anecdotes on their own lives and experiences. Just in general, this term has been very fruitful in terms of DG.
TC: In regards to upper years, the person that I can think of that had the greatest impact on me through CCF would probably be… wait I don’t want to name names. This person has been a brother to me for the longest time, we knew each other before CCF, through church. He has constantly cared for my spiritual walk, checking in with me, etc. I’d say that the past two terms, the upper years in my DG have done similar things, and cared for me. Through all these examples to look up to, my life has truly been changed, seeing God work in them, to love me.
What is one way God has challenged you these past 8 months? (or, how has God worked in you over those 8 months?)
AL: (she ate a pretzel and it cut into her gum, please stand by) Although 1A and 1B were very different from each other, they shared a common theme in how things I thought I had were taken from me. By that I mean mental health, physical health, academic success, other success. Coming into university, I had the mindset that I wouldn’t place my worth in any of those things, but having these things taken from me really tested me in that conviction. I feel definitely more confident, at this point, that I can actually say “I put my worth in Christ” after all that. So basically proving a conviction that had previously been unchallenged.
EH: One thing would be challenging my priorities, and making me consider where God is on that list. I think, with me being involved more this term, I’ve gotten closer to God, but there’s still many moments where I’ll put worldly things in front of him, like my relationships with friends. I’m hoping to begin seeing things through His point of view, and not my own.
JS: I feel like God challenged me in my intentions of serving. I questioned my intentions of serving because before when I did worship in high school, I didn’t do it for God, but I did it as a task to do every Sunday. God showed me what it is to worship him, that worship is a 24 hours, 7 days a week lifestyle, so your whole life should be glorifying to God. This is what really hit me this year.
JI: Well I guess, a big thing for me, is/was trying make my faith my own. I grew up with every adult around me being Christian, and so I never really was aware of that until moving away from them. For the majority of 1A, I wasn’t really around Christians, and it made we grapple with questions in terms of where I stand with my faith, why I’m a Christian in the first place, etc. One night I remember I was crying over some of these things, I ended up calling a friend from home and talking for 3 hours. That Sunday, Pastor Jacob preached on Matthew 7, and he hit us with the “are you really saved message” which kind of shook me. Spent a lot of time praying with my friend from home, and reading Scripture, and at the end I think I felt at peace.
RC: Trying to show His love to those who may be less spiritually mature. When one of my friends was struggling, we would constantly be talking and struggling to console him through his struggles with faith and with school. There were times I got really tired of it, but we continued to spend countless nights going through it. We were hit with a lot of questions that we couldn’t quite answer, and positively wording our responses was very difficult, as we tried to guide my friend.
TC: Definitely one way God has challenged me these past 8 months… I’ve been going through a lot of temptations. But overcoming them, God has continued to sanctify me. Being a very academically-oriented person, 1A was a time where I really turned back to putting my identity into school work. As a result, I ended up spending a lot of time with non-Christians, and neglected my faith. Eventually, this led me to a time of reflection and realization. realizing that I was not living a life that was sanctified or glorifying to God. The temptation to go back into these ways, drifting away from God, and into academics, in 1B, I truly sought after overcoming this, through spending more time with CCF, in prayer, and reading Scripture. The process has been amazing, to say the least. I think I’ve truly found joy in God because of it.
SH: Coming into university, I wasn’t really all that strong in my faith. So seeing how strong CCF was as a community, and seeing how rooted in faith the upper years were, I felt a bit out of place. But it was also an encouragement, to begin taking my faith more seriously, like, it wasn’t something I could put off anymore. If it weren’t for that change in mindset last term, I definitely wouldn’t have gotten through 1A.
If you could go back to the beginning of 1A, what would you tell yourself?
AL: I think, honestly, even though I never expected to deal with any of the problems I did, I was somehow, by God’s grace, prepared/equipped to deal with them. There was never a point where I felt hopeless and unable to get back up. Though I was utterly unprepared to deal with anything coming that way, I somehow pulled through. Looking back, God used these things to sanctify and grow me. Considering that, there’s nothing I can say to myself that would change that. I definitely made some poor decisions in 1A, but those were a part of those “good” challenges.
JS: I would tell myself not to be so shy around people in my year and upper years because CCF is honestly a great place to be in. A lot of people to support you, uplift you, so you don’t need to feel shy around them. Also, time management is important in university. Don’t always stay in your room, but be sure to go out, serve in fellowship, make new friends, join dg, and take time out of your day to spend time with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s going to be a rough 8 months, but also the best 8 months.
JI: Oooh. O wow. That’s a good question. Maybe try harder? Like, I didn’t work in 1A at all. Maybe get more sleep too, cuz I slept like 2 hours a night. Yeah I think those are the only two things I’d change. I’m pretty happy I ended going to CCF in 1B, because in 1A I was able to form community at Grebel. But yeah, I’m glad things worked out the way they did. Probably read more theology too. I read a John Calvin biography, but that’s about it. Kinda lacking there. I’m planning on reading Augustine’s Confessions 🧐
(Note from the Editor: This is a very good read, I’m going through it right now, I recommend it. Also the emoji was explicitly requested to be included)
EH: Go to Frosh Cell.
RC: Rule Number 1: Listen to the upper years to spend all your meal plan money. Number 2 would be knowing where your classes are way before classes start. I was late to one of my finals, I didn’t know where it was. Another one might be me not spending too much time in residence. Constant parties, plumbing problems, bug problems. I’m in REV, so parties were definitely a big problem. If you get placed into a bad residence, get out and go off campus! Also, number 4, if you have back to back midterms, try to switch it up. I had that in 1A, and it was not nice. If not, just pray. Don’t think it’s like high school, where it’s just two small quizzes on one day.
SH: I’d tell myself to be more open from the beginning. I kind of hermitted myself from being to Frosh Cell a few times, everyone was intimidating, and I didn’t necessarily have people that I knew. But I guess, in hindsight, that’s what everyone’s 1A is like more or less. It was also really convenient to be back in Waterloo for co-op, to continue to be a part of the community and grow. If I went somewhere else for co-op, I might’ve gone back to my state in 1A.
TC: I would tell myself to NOT SKIP DG. And also not skip CCF. And that “your average is literally worth nothing compared to the greatness of the kingdom of God.”
What are some goals/visions for next year (or the summer)?
AL: I want to read the Bible, increasing in frequency, volume and thoroughness. I think I’m lacking in that area, but even if I wasn’t, I would still want to pursue it more. I don’t think you can “read the Bible too much”. I don’t typically set specific, tangible goals because, especially with this past year, I’ve learned to trust in God more and not force my control over any situation. I guess the goal is always to please God more. For myself, that looks like more prayer and Bible reading. I know those sound like cop-out answers, but I do very intentionally want to do both of those things.
EH: For summer, I just want to stay connected to God, and not stray away over the long break. it’ll be challenging, as I won’t be seeing CCF/Frosh Cell people all the time anymore. In the coming fall, I hope to continue to grow with my brothers and sisters, and in my walk with God.
JS: I would love to join another DG again in 2A and hopefully 2B. I would also like to do worship again, and maybe try another ministry, maybe internal or external. I want make sure to turn to prayer as much as I can, so I can listen and obey what God plans for me instead of turning to my own plans.
JI: Read. A lot. Like a lot a lot. I have a lot of books that I want to read. I also want to the memorize Philippians in a month with Caleb. Gotta pick up on that. Listening to sermons as well. At the moment, I don’t supplement my Bible with anything, so I probably should. Also passing 2A would be good. It’s not that serious though, to be honest.
RC: Being able to continually grow within the fellowship, and see the fellowship grow. There are definitely flaws, it’s not perfect, were all sinful, but I want to see consistency in terms of that. For myself specifically, I want to connect to more people on the fringes, breaking off from friend groups/cliques, so that we encourage more people. At the end of day, God doesn’t want us staying in group, we are called to go out.
SH: In terms of CCF, I want to serve in some way, because it has been a big part of my growth, and I’d like to give back. For my own personal spiritual growth, I want to continue being open, doing devos, asking questions, and growing through my struggles. A lot of this term, I was pretty chill and nothing really happened, but then recently something came up and I grew so much. I’d also really like to pour into the frosh next year, in the same way the second years have done for us. Oh also small group @ Trinity.
TC: I feel like God has placed a burden in me to care for others. And yet, I realized that I am very much a sinful person, who struggles with being intolerant and cutting myself off from others. Just in general, “jumping the gun” too quick on people. That’s definitely something that I’ve been trying to working on, to be tolerant, gentle, loving and kind. As Christians, we’re all called to be image bearers of Christ. If Christ loved all, who are we to reject. As well, I’d like to less passive in the relationships I build, actively trying to reach out and develop. Another thing is working on evangelism, CCF has really put a lot of emphasis on spreading the Gospel, and I know that I have not quite been so great at that for the past 8 months. I know that I can sometimes be a coward, but something that’s helped is knowing that it’s God who works to change the hearts of others, not us. So I guess not seeking instant gratification through it. And I guess, I’m not sure if this is in the scope of the question, but I’ve noticed that since coming to university, I’ve become more willing to give up my plans for God’s plans.
**Note: Every time “this term” is used, it’s referring to Winter 2019. Oops. More importantly, huge shout out to all the friends that bothered to take the time out of their day to answer some questions, but also to the rest of our year, the upper-years, and specifically Arthur for helping me get this idea off the ground. Above all, thanks be to God for the amazing things He’s done this year.
