Becca Anderson's Blog

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My roommate and I are making these for our boyfriends and friends! Enjoy this quick and easy gift idea for Christmas.

1. Heat the oven to 170F. Set a number of bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels (one for each treat) in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then top each pretzel with an unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss or Hershey’s Hug.
2. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes (the white chocolate will melt more quickly), until the chocolates feel soft when touched with a wooden spoon. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and quickly press an M&M’s candy into the center of each Kiss.
3. Allow the treats to cool for a few minutes, then place them in the refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes. Place handfuls of the candies in clear plastic bags and tie on colorful ribbons.

I have had the biggest case of Christmas fever ever since Christmas on the Promenade. There is something wonderful about Christmas music, sparkling light, and the pure delight of knowing the time has almost come.

I’m so anxious for break. This week has been overwhelming with papers, projects, and tests. I am ready to be in the very large house i’ll be staying in at the beach, going Christmas shopping and delighting in the holiday musical at the Carolina Opry. Almost every time I go home the song pops into my head, “In my mind i’m gone to Carolina….” Ah, James Taylor really knows how to emphasize the right mood.

YAY for home and Christmas. One week. One day.

<3 love.

Today is the beginning of my Thanksgiving break. Shouldn’t I be excited? Honestly, I have been so overwhelmed this week that break is the last thing on my mind. Unfortunately, being the anxious person that I am requires a long wait of emotional freedom. I’m so tired of always being worried. I have struggled my whole life with the ups and downs of my anxieties. As I get older I realize that my anxieties are in my genes. My grandfather always worried about everything often results in family frustration. I have seen my dad have to be the calm leader for this own father on a number of occasions– I don’t want that to me.

Last night, I tossed and turned thinking about EVERYTHING. I realize that I worry about some of the dumbest things…
I have a great life– yet I still worry about being abandoned and not measuring up.
I have proved myself talented in class– yet I don’t want anyone to look at my work.
It’s a problem that I want gone. I don’t want to live my life being tense and down on myself.

My anxieties from last night were mainly because of a medium article (800-1200 words) that I am writing for my Magazine and Feature Article Writing class that needed to be submitted by 3:30 today. These articles will most likely be published in the schools alumni/parent magazine, Columns. My topic is definitely something I am passionate about, but I have had the hardest time putting my thoughts onto paper. For days, this paper has been eating away at my anxious body. So far, my mind has been able to grasp my anxiety, but my body has not. The results of anxiety on my body is usually bad stomach issues and a night of no sleep.
I woke up at 7:00 to review my article one last time– and the ending was lacking in intellectual structure.
I called my father to get an ending quote from him, since my paper highlighted his musical leadership in the SDA church. I read him a couple of paragraphs in the article only to hear the silent breath of this mans “voice.” I immediately react with doubting my writing abilities.
He then answered with, “I can’t talk when I have tears in my eyes.”
What I had not realized was that what I had just read to him was touching him deeply– to the point of tears. WOW, what a difference in how I was feeling…. And completely worth every minute I lost of sleep.

I realize after today, that I should stop doubting myself. And yes, I know, easier said than done. But lesson learned, God is working on my life and continuing to bring people in my life than encourage my talents and uplift my spirits in the darkest times. I am so thankful for this break. I am ready to FINALLY have a break. I can breath, relax, and have a new beginning

Engaging a Note at a Time

Engaging God in worship; engaging the church in fellowship

I distinctly remember sitting in the back row of church, the holiday season was approaching and the ground was covered in snow. With Christmas, comes some of the best music ever and on this day in particular I was very impressed. The man I looked up to most was up front, singing with that pure first tenor voice, and I was proud; the man was my father. My father was a living example of being active in the church. He used the gifts God gave him as an act of service and thanksgiving.

As the daughter of an Adventist school principal, I admired my dad singing with a number of quartets, and helping to guide high school students to use their musical talents. At a young age, music became a core value in my family. Home videos reflect my two brothers and me singing loudly to contemporary Christian artists such as, Glad and theHeritage Singers. In later years, as teenagers, we would sit in our garage and attempt recording a popular song or two; these are the memories that have molded my love of music.

The arts at Southern are also valued. A program called Engage Ministries, previously known as Yes Ministries, allows students to get involved using their passion of praise music. Engage utilizes the musical skills of students and travels around the Southern Union on behalf of SAU.

I have had the privilege of traveling with Engage Ministries and continuing on my musical journey. My brother, Rick Anderson, took to my father’s leading of worshipful praise and has had the opportunity of working in SDA churches in San Francisco and Maryland. This past year, Rick, a SAU graduate, accepted a job at Southern and currently leads Engage Ministries. “The worship experience at Southern is like no other,” Rick said. “Engage Ministries’ purpose is to take that experience and share it with other young people throughout the Southern Union.”

This year Engage has been able to lead music at a number of youth rallies and church services throughout Tennessee, Alabama and North Carolina. “I love sharing the love of God with others through music, especially with some of my closest friends,” says Jeanette Frescino, sophomore music major.

One of our favorite trips was participating in Mount Pisgah Academy’s youth rally, where I learned a valuable lesson about the importance of volunteering time and gifts. We as Christians don’t realize the impact of small gestures, such as time and service. One of the high school girls made me realize the sole purpose of the mission of Engage Ministries.

The praise team was up early Sabbath morning practicing for yet another cold praise service. The meetings were being held in a tent in early November; conditions were not easy to play in. The string musicians (cello, violin, guitars) had to take breaks every ten minutes to put their hands near the outdoor heaters in order to keep playing without numb fingers. All of the band members were beginning to get cranky, due to cold weather conditions, and on top of that we had not settled on a set list yet. We prayed earnestly that our hearts would be in the right place and most of all the cold weather wouldn’t be an issue. I continually tried to keep my focus on the mission of the service, but was quickly distracted by mood swings of being tired, hungry, and cold.

The time came, we had to decide what songs we were going to sing. A few high school students trailed in a few minutes early, so we decided to ask their opinion and sing some of their favorites—after all, we were doing this for their blessing. A girl I had never met before, sitting in the second row, yelled that she liked the song, “Better is One Day.” We were able to run through the song once before it was time for the service to start. By the grace of God, it sounded like we had practiced ten times.

After the weekend, I got a message from the young lady saying how blessed she was and how much it meant for her to hear that song. “I just burst into tears, it touched my heart so much,” said Kali Huskey, high school sophomore.

Not only are Engage members sharing their music with the Southern Union community, but also getting acquainted with people who know very little about Southern Adventist University. We are driven not only by our passion of God and music, but also by what Southern has done for each one us. “Music is my favorite way to worship. When I can get together with a group of super talented musicians and share that worship with a large group of people, my personal blessing is greatly multiplied,” said McKennan Cook, sophomore pre-med major.

Engage’s slogan is “Engaging God in worship; engaging the church in fellowship.” This slogan brands our purpose because we are not only an institution, but also part of a larger church community. It is important to reach out to people of all ages and share the gifts and abilities of our student body. God has given each of us a special gift. I appreciate the outlets Southern gives students to use those gifts, and better yet, help strengthen their abilities to become strong leaders in the church. “I like to foster in my students, the love and appreciation of music,” said my dad, Rick Anderson Sr. “I think it is one of the best ways to keep our kids active in the church.”

Its not very often when I feel the emotion of–anger. But last night, I had the constant drowsy feeling of anger. At 12:20 a fire alarm went off in Talge Hall. It was not the kind of drill that starts of kind of soft to get the initial wake up, but the one that wakes you suddenly from a deep sleep. In fact, so suddenly that in my gazed sleepiness, both my roommate and I forgot our key cards to get back into our room. No problem though, we’re suitemates with our RA! As we stood outside waiting to go back inside the NOT burning building, it began to rain. So lets catch up– 1. WAKE UP from deep sleep 2. Forgot our card! and now 3. It’s raining, i’m cold, and extremely tired.

As we’re walking back into the dorm, the alarm still not off, we realize our RA’s are not behind us. We wait. We wait. We wait.

No sign of our RA. The only sign of anyone not sleeping was a sweet (sarcasm) neighbor down the hall who thought it would be funny to laugh and walk by a number of times to see if the two dumbies who left their key were asleep while laying on the floor in front of their door. Not cool. We both thought she was scheming to prank us (even though I don’t know this girl).

Either way, not a very happy evening. On top of that– CLASS TILL 9:15 TONIGHT!

Moral of story, bring your key.

I love November. The beautiful Fall colors, the cold crisp air, but with those wonderful events comes a DEEP yearning for the holiday’s. I get anxious, a bit depressed, and most of all antsy. I have always loved Christmas– I have always loved Thanksgiving. Both of these times are the few moments in the year that I get so spend with my family, enjoy seeing my breath in the chilled air, and SHOPPING galore. This Thanksgiving I’m extremely anxious about because my aunt, uncle, and cousins are coming. I will be meeting their significant others and being able to relax on a full stomach. What’s not to love about Thanksgiving?

Every Thanksgiving break, my dad and I go and pick out our Christmas tree. I truly enjoy this moment. Last year I photographed the experience. There is something about Christmas time that makes me feel like a child again. I think of all the wonderful memories of growing up with my family, all the snow, and the overflow of love from everyone.

Another wonderful landmark hits this year– this will be my 4th Christmas dating my boyfriend. A milestone I cherish. How exciting a time. CAN’T WAIT.

It’s 10:36 but it’s up here…..

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So since the Fall is in full swing, I thought I’d share some of my Fall pictures from 2010. Hopefully I will have updated pictures in the near future. Enjoy!

Midterm Break 2010: Gatlinburg, TN

Midterm Break 2010: Gatlinburg, TN

Halloween 2010: (left to right) Becca, Emily, Katie, and Hannah

Soddy Daisy 2010: Reflection

Soddy Daisy 2010: Happy!

I’m currently writing an article for my Magazine and Feature Article Writing class that hopefully will be published in Southern’s alumni magazine- Columns. I figure I might as well share the concept with all my blogger peeps. Engage ministries is a team of young people from Southern Adventist University who share a passion for music and Adventist education. I am one of those people. This year, I’ve been able to travel to Alabama on a number of occasions with this team, and this weekend I plan to attend Mount Pisgah Academy’s youth rally, where we will be doing a clinic and also provide the music for vespers, church, and a closing of the Sabbath together. If anyone would like to participate in Engage Ministries please contact Rick Anderson from Southern Adventist University in Enrollment Services.