Pursuit | Fall 2016

Vo lu m e 7 . I s s u e 1 . Fa l l 2 0 1 6 .

L e a ps & Bo u n ds Pediatric therapy ranch helps children make strides

P r ac t i c e M a k e s Progress Healing through the disciplinary art of dance

ONE OF US The search for a personalized president

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F E A T U R E S

One of Us The search for a personalized president

Practice Makes Progress Healing through the disciplinary art of dance

Leaps & Bounds Pediatric ranch helps children make strides

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C O N T E N T S

6

Dress for the Occasion What to wear to your next interview

8

When I Grow Up The limitless opportunities

10

Pursuit Staff Tries Brush Lettering Joining the popular trend

16

21 Days of Happiness A journal of self-awareness

18

College Cookbook Recipes for broke college students

26

Fall Music Review

28

Directed by Ambition A filmmaker's success built on fortifying relationships

38

Insta Vision Female voices in relationship blogging

40

The R-Word Is the church afraid to discuss race?

44

Precedence Over Preference The case for small and large churches

46

Take the Pacific Northwest Finding community on a road trip adventure

50

The Hidden World of Geocaching The guide to becoming a real life treasure hunter

52

California Missions Tour Through Time History finding new life

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S T A F F

Courtney Coleman Managing Editor

Brooke Biddle Relationships & Travel Editor

Natilee Ruiz Arts & Trends Editor

Krysta Hawkins Lifestyle Editor

Caleb Bol Design Editor

Mariss Eanes Photo Editor

Allison Cordova Assistant Design Editor

Alem Carcamo Assistant Photo Editor

Dr. Michael Chute Director of Student Publications

Writers: Leti Bernard, Chase Burns, Kathryn Goldsmith, Katie Kostecka, Raegan Melfe, Randy Plavajka, Daren Stevens, ChloĂŠ Tokar

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Sonya Singh Assistant Director of Student Publications

Jim Veneman Photojournalism Consultant

Photographers: Courtney Coleman, Kathryn Goldsmith, Katie Ring, Lauren Shelburne, Daren Stevens

Designers: Lisa Orona, Micah Wong

I N O F

P U R S U I T C O U R A G E

1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Makenna Sones Editor-in-Chief

s we began the fall issue, Courtney Coleman and I sat at Lift Coffee Roasters crafting the layout of the stories that have now come to fruition for us to share with you.

Unfolding before us was the theme we described as “the human condition.”

Since the day we sat and discussed what the human condition meant to us, this theme has stuck with me as I have watched each story go from an idea to published words on a page.

The human condition is full of depravity and heartache. Through history, we see hate of others because of the color of their skin, separation in churches over prideful disagreements, and biases based on job titles or someone’s status in society.

But, for all the bad, just as much good can be said for those who have done something to change the conditions around them. The ones who have stood up and had

A

the courage to share their gifts and talents with others by starting a pediatric therapy ranch for at-risk children, men and women who use dancing, or any other form of self expression, to stay mentally for themselves and those who love them, Christians who choose to listen to the voices of their hurting brothers and sisters during times of racial and ethnic distress, and those who choose to pursue happiness and their passions when they wake up in the morning, even with the trials of life.

Reading through these stories, I hope you see the beauty in each trial these humans had to go through to have a story worth telling. I pray you have the courage to stand up for what you are passionate about and speak out against injustice done against those who cannot speak for themselves. Be courageous in living your story, so that one day your human condition is one God used for great triumph in his name.

Each one of us has a story — differing

in the details — about what it means to truly have courage. As Christians we know who gives us the courage to press forward because our labor is not in vain. The hope we have in him is unshakable, because even with the uncertainty of tomorrow — what we will be when we grow up or who will be the next president of the United States of America — there is nothing passing through his hands that he does not see first: “. . . let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” ( John 14:27) Have courage; your story is not over yet. There is still more to be done, more to be written. Pursue him wholeheartedly.

Keep your eyes on him and he will not let you falter.

Love,

Makenna Sones

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This outfit would be suitable interviewing for numerous professions such as: small businesses, publications, retail jobs and the traditional “desk job.”

dress for the What to wear to your next interview Written by Raegan Melfe Illustration by Caleb Bol and Allison Cordova Imagine showing up to an interview wearing an effortlessly fashion forward outfit not suited for the job for which you are interviewing.

Way back when, wearing a suit to an interview was a given, but now fashionable choices for interviews depend on the type of career in which the person wants to be. Certain employers will require business dress, while other employers may be more chill with what they expect to see someone wearing. Here are three interview attire options to choose from for the next time you need to make a statement at that first-glance impression.

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Business Formal When interviewing for a corporate job, look less to personality and more to a professional outfit, including suits and dresses. Keep colors neutral, adding intricate details or touches of color for added personality.

Lisa Singer, employer relations specialist and event coordinator at the California Baptist University Career Center, says once a student graduates the interviewers determine what he or she want to see someone wearing to an interview.

“If you’re an engineer the look is going to be clean cut and professional. However, maybe a designer or an artist, depending on the audience with whom they are interviewing, may be able to be a little bit more unique," Singer says.

Morgan Teruel, career counselor at the Career Center, says, “I would even do different colors at different places. Like with Apple, I would stick to more neutral or softer colors that I knew looked good.”

For a casual and artistic look, dress according to the company's culture.

Trendy outfits for retail stores like H&M, artistic for hole-in-the-wall boutiques, or adding flare and style.

Neutral tones would be suitable for sleek, tech companies such as Google, Apple, Yahoo, Facebook and Microsoft.

Business Casual

Casual/Artistic

Mackenzie Freed, CBU senior communication studies and philosophy double major, competes in pageants, allowing her to wear chic outfits with color, individuality and sophistication.

“Men come to the interview wearing jacket and tie. Women can come in slacks and a jacket, as well, or opt for a knee-length skirt/dress.”

For business casual, add a pop of color and personality to your outfits. Stay modest and professional, but add some flair to the outfit.

“You try to find an outfit that the judges recognize and they don’t just look at you and they don’t just look at the (outfit), they look at both together," Freed says.

She suggests picking clothing materials carefully. Denim, spandex and jersey are almost always a no go. When wearing a pantsuit, jumpsuit or a jacket and pants, keep it comfortable, but avoid going too casual with jean pants.

When interviewing for artistically infused companies, feel free to dress trendy and stylish. Retail stores may want to see fashionable staples. Scoping out the trends specific to a particular company shows an interest in personal style, as well as in the company.

Emma Olsen, senior communication studies major, is a sales associate at H&M. “Ironically, I wore the same dress that I wore for my first job at Tilly’s,” Olsen says.

“When you are doing a job interview it is like their first look at a­ possible future employee and that first looks go a long way.”

While this is a guide on how someone should dress for specific companies, it is also important to look at the interview guidelines for the specific company or store.

When dressing for corporate, stay professional; when dressing for small businesses, keep it business casual; while dressing for retail, dress casual yet artistic.

Also, details within a look are important. Make sure hair is styled and cover up any tattoos or piercings unless it is clearly allowed. ◆

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WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE

WHEN YOU GROW UP?

THE LIMITLESS OPPORTUNITIES Written and Photographed

by Kathryn Goldsmith hat do you want to be when you grow up?”

Though many have answered this question since kindergarten, it is a question that may not be asked in other parts of the world. America is known to be a country of opportunities, freedom and success.

People emigrate from all over the world to experience prosperity and to seek a better life. Though the question seems so simple, it may inspire children to set goals. This question could be fundamental in the development of an individuals career, however, is this question, which allows children to dream so profusely, based on the opportunities of this first-world country?

Dr. Kathryn Short, program director for early childhood studies at California Baptist University, says this question is culturally-based and children living in 8 | Pursuit

poverty would not get asked what they want to be when they grow up because they need to find jobs that focus on immediate needs and familial support.

“When you look in countries that have caste systems, they pretty much know they’re not going to get out of that caste,” Short says. “America is the land of the dreams. It is a free opportunity to be whatever you want to be and we tell that to our children all the time.”

Khai Ho, CBU alumnus, grew up in Vietnam where futures are often determined by which class someone is born into.

“If you were born in a poor family you would have to start working when you are (young) to sustain your family, so you don’t have the opportunity to go to school,” Ho says. “In Asian (culture) they have an expectation for you of what you will become.

America is more liberal and you have more

chances to explore different areas so you can choose what you like.”

Ho chose to move to America to get his education because it has a better education system and more opportunities. Post college, he hopes to use the skills he gains to help improve his home country.

Tucker Hartwig, senior aviation flight major, is an American student actively pursuing his childhood dream of becoming a pilot.

“When I was younger I just wanted to fly and be a pilot, and now I’m at the point where I want to do mission aviation,” he says.

Hartwig’s family-friend, who taught flight school at Glendale Community College, encouraged him in this dream and took him on flights. Ever since then, his passion has continued to grow.

“You should enjoy, to some point, what

you’re giving your life to,” Hartwig says.

“There should be some sort of passion where you love what you’re doing.”

Brittney Johnson, senior psychology major, is an American student who has changed her childhood dream. As a child, she wanted to be a veterinarian. However, as time went by, she says she began to realize her heart was drawn to helping people facing adversity.

Johnson says she began to see how valuable reaching out to disadvantaged children was after going on an International Service Project to South Asia.

“I see value in what we pursue, but I see more value in the type of person I am,” Johnson says. “In (South Asia), they are more interested in who you are rather than what you do. It’s important to to see what we are passionate about, but I think developing character is more important.”

Elizabeth Brosman, senior nursing major, has committed herself to her dream of being a nurse— a dream she has had since sixth grade.

Brosman had to push through the discouragement after not being accepted into nursing school the first time she applied. However, disappointment did not stop her from striving toward her goal.

She dedicated herself to pursuing more volunteer hours and studied even more diligently and as a result, was accepted into the nursing program her second time around.

“Sometimes you will feel like you’re so overwhelmed and want to quit. When that happens to me I just remember God put me in this program for a reason. I know that nursing is where he has put my heart and he won’t ever challenge me with obstacles I cannot overcome,” Brosman says. “I know this work will be worth it when I am living my dream.”

Joan Kalimba, CBU alumna, grew up in Kigali, Rwanda, where she overcame inequality in school because of her gender.

However, the expectation for her to be less intelligent than her male peers and only capable of achieving a low-paying job did not stop her from becoming top of her class

throughout high school. “(My mom) makes sure that we know that we can do as much as our brothers can do. This really influenced my dreams and I started changing from being a teacher to being a doctor,” Kalimba says.

“Initially I was so reluctant because I felt that was something higher than me and was something maybe for my brothers or somebody else, but with that influence I started to actually think about it.”

Though she overcame this adversity and proved her academic abilities, Kalimba says many girls in Rwanda still give into the cultural expectations because the competition is too challenging.

“They settled for the norm that they could not beat guys,” she says. “It gave me anger, but a good kind of anger that made me feel like I’m going to do all I can to just show them that it is all possible. That is one thing I had to overcome.”

Kalimba says in Rwanda most children are pushed to pursue STEM jobs because the

country is still developing. Many Rwandans feel like they have a duty to advance their country and they can most easily find jobs in the science, technology, engineering or math-related occupations (STEM).

“It’s hard for kids who do not want to be that because they feel like they have something else they want to do and their parents are pushing them (toward STEM) because they want them to easily get a job when they’re done with school because those jobs are more available because the country really needs it.”

Kalimba says she loves how children are asked what they want to be when they grow up in America and appreciates the equal opportunities between men and women here.

“When I got to the United States, I was so inspired by how children are so encouraged to start thinking about what they want to be because it’s something that I did not know.” ◆

Joan Kalimba (left), CBU alumna, uses her medical field expertise to teach nursing students how to make aspirin in.

Tucker Hartwig (top), senior aviation flight major, prepares his aircraft for flight. Because of the opportunites available to him at a young age, he was able to pursue his passion of becoming a pilot.

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Joining the popular trend

Practicing thick and thin brush strokes is what makes brush lettering textured.

Written by Makenna Sones Photos by Alem Carcamo ll eyes are on the guest instructor as the Pursuit staff grip their brush-lettering pens and prepare to create something inspiring and creative — hopefully.

“These are called brush pens,” says Samantha Elias, California Baptist University alumna and owner and illustrator of the Etsy Shop Ink & Laurel, holding up her Tombow Dual Brush pen. “They are for this specific type of lettering and the little tip on it is really flexible. That’s how you get the really thick lines and why you need to push down so hard; it’s to make the pen flex against the paper.”

Elias draws custom designs, like her popular couple illustrations, and brush letters quotes and words. She believes people like brush lettering because of its imperfections.

“Design goes in trends,” Elias says.

"Right now, the trend is a push back against pre-made or machine-made work. Brush lettering isn’t perfect and that shows the 10 | Pursuit

character of the artist in it. People are drawn to things that show imperfection and have a sense of vulnerability to them."

Elias began her instruction by having the Pursuit staff draw thick and thin lines in small boxes on traceable practice sheets she created in order to become comfortable with their pens. Once they had filled the boxes with lines, she had them trace over low-shaded letters to familiarize themselves with the look and design of each letter of the alphabet.

She continually had to remind the staff to push down on the paper for the thick lines.

“You won’t break the pen," she says, smiling. "They are made to be pushed down on for thick lines.”

Slowly, each staff member worked his or her way through their tracing activity sheet, commenting on the flashback-feeling of being in kindergarten, drawing letters for the first time and not yet having a grasp on the correct way to write.

“There isn’t a right way to brush letter these letters,” Elias says.

After a few seconds of less-thanconvinced nods of agreement, Caleb Bol, junior graphic design major, says, “But there is a wrong way,” as he looks down at his multiple attempts of brush lettering a “P.” Laughter breaks the intense concentration and they move on from tracing to practicing without a guide. Most begin by trying to write their name in brush lettering, and while most are beginning to get the hang of it, others stop half way through and begin their name again. One even spelled her name wrong.

“Does anyone want me to write their name mediocrely?” says Natilee Ruiz, senior public relations major.

The staff’s final test in brush lettering is to write the inspirational quote, “Change The World.” A few cries of protest escape as they look at their work so far.

“Brush lettering isn’t like cursive where you have to keep your hand on the paper at all times," Elias says. “You can pick your hand up at any point in the letter and you can disguise it because of the thick and thin lines. That’s really what you should do, so you can transition easier between the thin and thick.”

As their brush lettering skills are put to the challenge, each aspiring artist focused intently on their thin up-strokes and thick down-strokes, casting sideways glances at their neighbor’s work to compare their preschool-like masterpieces. ◆

The staff tried brush lettering without the grid, and some succeeded.

To get the feel of the brush lettering pens, the staff traced the alphabet before they began writing phrases.

Tools needed for Brush Lettering: 1

Watercolor paper

2 Tombow Dual Brush pen found on Amazon, Michael s and The Weathered Feather in Downtown Riverside 3 More artistic talent than the Pursuit staff possesses Pursuit | 11

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The search for a personalized president is suit was navy, Email?” asks comedian Zach Galifinakis his shirt crisp to Clinton, with a deadpanned stare white and his tie matching her unenthused expression. as red as the party The mock interview show “Between he represents. He Two Ferns” acted as yet another avenue leaned in his chair the candidates are utilizing in efforts to the left slightly, to reach Gen Y. his lips in a tight With the Cencus Bureau revealing grin before the hand of “Tonight Show” Millennials finally surpassing the host Jimmy Fallon ruffled his hair into a Baby Boomers as the largest voting mess. Presidential population, it Written by Chloé Tokar candidate Donald comes as no Trump swept Illustration by Caleb Bol surprise the fastest his hand over his way to connect to disheveled mop before applauding, voters and make it to the Oval Office loosening his tie for a night of civil is by creating Spotify playlists and joking with a “Saturday Night Live” making Vine video updates about their alum. whereabouts.

The business mogul-turnedThey are scrambling to appear possible president has been the face relatable and authentic, values of online memes berating him since Millennials hold near and dear: ➸ early in his candidacy for comments many deem childish, insensitive or even hateful, but he still holds the primary position for the Republican Party against Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton. She’s on the receiving end of criticism, too — “Crooked Hillary,” her opponent calls her, for her disingenuous, email-hiding, politicsas-usual track record. And it is nothing new: The New Yorker published an article called “Hating Hillary” about the then-first lady back in 1996.

“You Decide,” the network news banners read. These are the candidates chosen by the people, for the people.

Now the people seem to be unhappy, and no one more than young adults.

“What’s the best way to reach you?

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craft creations over corporate conglomerates, vinyl records over digital downloads, social media that mirrors a real person’s life. To our credit, Millennials are able to deftly cut through an insincere facade, a longtime hallmark of political campaigns.

“Many young people are in a position of being really fed up with inauthenticity,” says Erin Smith, assistant professor of psychology and director of research at California Baptist University. “This may also (partially) explain why so many leave the church … because it turns out that many aren’t leaving the faith, they are leaving a ‘put on your Sunday best and a happy face’ kind of religion (which is not the kind of Christianity I see Jesus explaining either).”

Authenticity has become the beacon of hope so many young Americans crawl toward, sooner loving the candidate and then loving their platform rather than loving the candidate for their platform.

Frank Luntz, conservative pollster, surveyed 1,000 adults in the 18 to 26 age demographic and found Bernie Sanders coming out significantly higher than Clinton or Trump.

In an age of crippling studentloan debt and high unemployment, the candidate who marches in saying the status quo is broken certainly sounds appealing — something Donald Trump has working in his favor, too. Arguably

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one of the most defining qualities of Sanders and his campaign was his impatience for the political game, refusing to be bought by big business, rather, aiming to serve only the people.

As he often notes, “Change begins from the bottom up.”

And so, a perpetually flustered old man became the champion of the young and disenfranchised, charging forward

"Authenticity has become the beacon of hope so many young Americans crawl toward..." with fists raised and Brooklyn accent strong. I once even remarked I hoped he would adopt me as his granddaughter if we ever met. Sanders was the cool, no-nonsense grandpa who defends you against your critical uncle or aunt who insists Millennials are all lazy and entitled, he was a candidate for a generation of people already tired of the system, who want to cling to the

rarest breed of politician: genuine ones.

“Millennials care deeply about their futures, and in this election cycle they are laser-focused on issues like access to educational opportunity, women’s equality and the economy,” says Maggie Williams, Harvard Institute of Politics Director, on the Harvard IOP website, who conducted a survey that found nearly half of America’s 18-29 year olds believe today’s politics are unable to meet the country’s challenges. “This survey reflects their passion, their worries and most importantly, a growing awareness that their voices have power,” William says.

In the social media age, this election has brought issues of public personas matching private ones, and it really calls into question what voters are looking for in their next Commander in Chief. It seems that rather than following the nearly constant battle news agencies are in to break stories, young people would rather choose the candidate who seems most relatable.

While there’s something to be said for genuineness, is this any way to pick the leader of the free world?

When the director of polling at the Harvard IOP, John Della Volpe, asked young voters last year what they value most in a presidential candidate, half said “integrity" and a quarter said "authenticity.” “Political experience” finished near the bottom of the list,

only edging out “business experience.”

“If you have the option of endorsing perceived authenticity, you know what you’re getting into — and can act accordingly — whether you agree or not,” Smith says. “If you endorse inauthenticity, it doesn’t matter how much you agree with the stance, what’s the point; they aren’t going to follow through anyway.”

As Millennials hungry for change face their first opportunity to cast a presidential vote, actual voter turnout is still the most apathetic in recent history.

“Most people in the 18 to 25 age demographic are not personally interested enough to take the time and discover the presidential candidates’ actual policies and plans for themselves,” says Tyler Wessel, senior biology major.

Politics is the dinner topic one person excitedly brings up, while two other people groan and that one guy always tries to work in a rousing argument over the legalization of marijuana. As Election Day draws closer, more and more of those conversations turn toward the presidential candidates and how one of them is really out to “destroy the country.”

But they’re what we have. Clinton brings decades of political experience and has championed some noble causes in women’s rights and education, and

Trump is a deal-maker who rejects the elite political establishment. It’s only recently, though, that either have truly broken through the barriers preventing them from connecting with Millennials, and really, this is primarily because they are the last ones left in the race.

Characteristic of an apathetic generation, many young adults live their lives online where the Internet draws up the most extreme headlines.

This leaves many to read a small piece on the negatives of Trump and Clinton, as well as a sour taste in their mouth preventing them from connecting with the presidential hopefuls.

“When time comes to support a candidate, they rely on reliability, what their parents are telling them or whichever has the least negative media coverage, especially regarding this year’s presidential candidates,” Wessel says. “It appears that my generation is simply voting for the lesser of two evils.”

The Internet provides plenty of opinions on that sentiment, offering up such gems as, “I don’t think America should elect any president in 2016. We need to be single for a few years and find ourselves.”

On Nov. 8, droves of red, white and blue-blooded Americans will wait in line to cast their vote in a monumental election in which the outcome will be history-making no matter who wins.

The humanization of our politicians

is both a necessity and a detriment as we charge forward, forcing Millennials to confront the line between merit and relatability.

“We’re tired of being lied to as a culture — as a society — because we know that everything has a bias, especially the media,” says Seth Bugg, senior biology major. “During our education, we’re taught to always seek out the truth and authenticity whether it’s good, bad, whatever light it’s put in, it’s still honest and that’s why the Millennials favor those candidates over others regardless of how much experience they have.”

The need for a genuine leader toes a fine line between surface and substance. We must consciously set aside any consideration based on who seems like they buy locally-grown produce or who has the most downto-earth social media presence. It is a need that will have a radical affect on the outcome, especially when fewer people are watching the debates and instead focusing on the online memes that come from them.

The yearning for someone real is the crying anthem of young people waiting for the day that they feel represented by someone they can genuinely connect with politically, professionally and most importantly, personally — a yearning that is both necessary and potentially dangerous. ◆

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A journal of self-awareness

Written by Katie Kostecka once read happiness is a combination of how content or satisfied you are with your life, plus how you feel that particular day. I embarked on a journey for three weeks with the sole purpose of finding happiness.

Throughout those 21 days, I journaled

Day 2:

Elle Woods from "Legally Blonde" once claimed an alleged killer could not have murdered her husband because the lady exercised. She said endorphins make you happy, and happy people do not kill their husbands. Well, I certainly do not plan on killing my non-existent husband, but getting a rush of mood-boosting endorphins does sound swell. At the beginning of the summer, I became a daily gym attender (cue applause). However, what they do not tell you about exercising is starting up again

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my findings. What follows is a sample of my journals over the course of the experiment.

By trying out suggestions from friends, experimenting with scientific studies and taking advice from psychologists, I found a correlation between actively pursuing happiness and actually feeling happy.

after taking a break is the opposite of a good time. Because of summer vacations, I was missing in action at the gym for a grand total of 17 days (cue booing). Being at the gym today did not make me happy, just sweaty.

I ran a mile, I lunged, crunched and cried to no avail. But after leaving the gym — wait for it — the endorphins arrived! I truly felt awesome. And more than feeling physically strong and powerful, I felt really proud of my progress. So yes, endorphins do make you happy. And if I had a husband, I would not be killing him today.

Day 8:

“Happiness and living for the glory of God is intertwined. When God is glorified, we are happy,” said Christopher Davis, junior applied theology major.

Today, I helped lead worship. We learn

Day 12:

Anyone who knows me has realized by now I am not a morning person. I should not even be considered human until I have been awake for a solid hour. My happiness goal of the day was simple: to sleep in.

CBU happens to be building a new events center and by some cruel twist of luck, I have the pleasure of living on the side of

Day 17:

Many people, including Millie Moro, senior nursing major, say their happiness often stems from quality time with a friend. Today, I had dinner with a friend

Although most days my mood was swayed based on the task I chose, I noticed happiness is fleeting. Without focusing on and striving for it, happiness can be elusive.

The last day of this journey has opened my eyes to the way I have been living my life, particularly the past 21 days. Yes, the pride of a successful workout made me happy— until other things came up to distract from it. The same can be said for every other day.

Once I checked off the “do something to make you happy” box off my to do list, life returned to normal. That is, until day 21. On day 21, I did not merely do one task designed

in Sunday school using your gifts for God glorifies him, so when I sang to him and for him, I was truly happy. It was also a nice reminder of all the times I have felt happiness due to doing something God designed me to do.

the Lancer Arms Apartments closest to the construction site, where a jackhammer is my alarm clock in the wee hours of the morning.

As an imperfect person living in an imperfect world, I have occasionally had days where I wake up on the wrong side of the bed and cannot seem to snap out of it.

Today was one of those days.

and then played music in my room and talked. Our time led to a deep heart-toheart conversation, filling me with intense happiness. Having a person to rely on, trust and whose company you enjoy is a great gift.

to lift my spirits. Rather, I did everything in a mindset tuned in on happiness.

Now, I do not believe we can simply choose to be happy, and magic, rainbows and butterflies will surround us in a hug.

Particularly in the wake of a saddening personal event, this is just ridiculous to fathom. However, I do believe that focusing on happiness greatly improves your odds of feeling it. Whether we are on an exciting grand adventure or simply living out a normal day, happiness can be sought, felt and spread. ◆

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College Cookbook

Healthy Recipes for Broke College Students Trader Joe s Edition

Written by Brooke Biddle Photos by Abi Auer hat do I want to eat?

The idea of a healthy meal soon fades as you look at your watch, assess your busy schedule and see Chick-fil-A calling your name. “I only ate a few fries,” said no one ever.

The question of what to eat circulates our minds at least two to three times daily. We want food to taste good, look good, make us feel good and most of all we want food to be convenient.

Often we settle for none of the above and

our bodies suffer.

“Students are constantly on the go; it’s so easy for them to settle for an unhealthy meal or snack or simply go without eating," says Jadah Stance, manager of Shake Smart in Los Angelos and California Baptist University alumnus. “Trying to find something healthy can be such a difficult task at times.”

For quick and healthy meals correct pairing of foods is important.

“Students may have multiple healthy options in front of them," Stance says.

“However, it is not until those choices are put together correctly that they are able to have the most effective meal to get them through the day.”

By increasing the visual appeal of our food, with brightly colored vegetables and lean proteins we increase our desire to consume the food we make.

Explore a few meal options for health on a budget with only one stop, Trader Joe’s. ◆

Quinoa & Black Bean Stuffed Peppers * Price: $13.04 Ingredients: 4 large bell peppers – .99 each ($3.96) 3/4 cup dry quinoa - $3.99 15 oz. can black beans - $1.19 1 cup corn (I use frozen, thawed) - $0.89 2 green onions – $1.29 2/3 cup salsa - $1.69 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin* 1 teaspoons smoked paprika* 1 teaspoon chili powder* *spices, oils and seasonings not included in pricing

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Directions: • Cook quinoa according to package directions. (I use Trader Joe’s Microwavable Quinoa.)

Meanwhile, halve bell peppers and remove stems, seeds and ribs.

• Rinse and drain black beans, thaw corn and slice green onions.

• In a large mixing bowl, add cooked quinoa and all other ingredients, except bell peppers. Stir to combine, adding salt and seasonings to taste.

• Preheat oven to 350 F. • In a lightly sprayed 9-by-13 inch baking dish, place pepper halves and generously stuff them with the quinoa filling. Lightly press down to compact and fill all the crevices.

• Cover with tin foil and bake for 35-40 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 minutes more.

• Serve with any desired toppings.

Avocado Toast

*Price: $6.46

Ingredients: 2 Ripe avocados - $1.98 Chili pepper flakes* Parmesan, Romano & Asiago cheese blend - $2.49 Harvest Whole Wheat bread - $1.99 (loaf) *spices, oils and seasonings not included in price Directions: • Slice avocado and place over toast, season with chili flakes and Parmesan cheese to taste.

Lemon Pepper Chicken Lettuce Wraps Meal-Prep Friendly * Price: $9.87 Ingredients: 3 Organic chicken breasts - $6.99 2 Lemon slices - $0.39 Butter lettuce - $2.49 Cherry tomatoes (optional) 4 table spoons. Lemon pepper seasoning (I use the Trader Joe's brand) Olive Oil* *spices, oils and seasonings not included in price Direction: • Marinate chicken breasts in olive oil, lemon slices and lemon pepper seasoning overnight.

• Preheat oven to 430 F. • Place on baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes.

• Let chicken rest for 10 minutes.

• Slice chicken and place over leaf of butter lettuce.

• Enjoy with favorite dipping sauce.

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healing in the disciplinary art of dance

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uscles contracting and creative release. extending in repetitive “Dancing was a way for me to get out the movement build stamina pain, get out the hurt and all the emotions, and strength. The mind’s everything I was feeling in a way where I capability to retain and didn’t have to try and find the words," she compartmentalize says. "I just had to be, and let it out.” movements breeds physical and mental Nelson has been able to blend her resilience in a passion for dance once broken and and its positive Written by Natilee Ruiz disheartened Photos by Lauren Shelburne repercussions spirit. with jobs as both Therapeutic healing through rhythmic a dance photographer and a mental health movement came at a vital time in the life awareness speaker. of Samantha Nelson, California Baptist During her time in college working for University alumnus. youth and crisis shelters, Nelson has been A shy and timid girl in junior high able to speak on the importance of mental who was going through common pre-teen health, which helps youth find creative struggles and a few emotional setbacks, outlets for mental health upkeep. stumbled into dance as a school requirement As someone who has worked with those only to find it would become one of the most in need, Nelson addressed the importance important aspects of her life. of being able to have a way to keep mental “I started dancing in 8th grade and at health at bay— a topic she tries to convey in the same time my dad passed away,” Nelson the talks she gives, drawing from personal says. “That was really traumatic for me. experience.

The dancing couldn’t have come at a more “I still find myself searching for an perfect time because I needed an outlet and outlet because I’m still going through stuff I didn’t have one.”

— we all are," Nelson says. "But when I gave Although traditional forms of therapy up that creative outlet it’s like, ‘Where do were pursued during an emotionally taxing I put what I’m going through? Where do I time in Nelson’s life, she says the only way in release it?’” which she felt truly comfortable and able to Using dance as a restorative and process her grief was when she was dancing. healing process stems beyond just using Just as each individual processes it for personal development as Adrianna emotions and heals differently, Nelson says Pillow, junior business administration she was always aware of the therapeutic major, realizes the effects dance had on element dance brought her and continued her at a young age. to seek dancing as her emotional and “It was the start of a passion and ➸ Sarah Bohannan, CBU alumna, dances passionately in her studio in downtown Riverside. Contemporary dance is an incredibly expressive form of dance, often embracing interpretive movements and emotional choreography. Its quick movements and required core stamina make it one of the most progressively difficult dance styles.

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The feet of a dancer tell a story. Their experience, preformances and trials show through the blisters and callouses they have built up through time.

“It was the start of a passion and, although I didn't know it at the time, it shaped my future.�

Adrianna Pillow, junior business administration major

"What you don't realize is that God created you exactly how you are so you can be in securely with his love," the lyrics by Joshua Buckner says, as Bohannan dances to them.

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Bohannan leaps in front of the mirror during her spoken word choreography, in which staying on beat relied heavily on movement to specific wording.

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although I didn’t know it at the time, it shaped my future,” Pillow says.

However, she says her passion became more of a curative channel after she endured devastating hardships in her childhood.

When Pillow was in 3rd grade, her younger brother passed away from Cerebral Palsy, leaving a devastating mark in her life and boosting her drive to dance.

“It was so bad that I actually almost stopped dancing, but through some convincing from others I was able to keep going,” she says.

Remembering the joy her brother experienced when he would watch her dance became a focal point in her performance and desire for her to keep pushing forward.

“The (anniversary) hit and it actually fell on our recital day. It was hard knowing that he wouldn’t be there, but that was 24 | Pursuit

something that drove me,” she says. “Him not being there pushed me to want to do so much more and teach kids to do it because I love it.”

Today, Pillow is a dance instructor for elementary students and says she makes a point to teach her kids to use dance as an expressive outlet that can become a passion to live beyond which they once thought they were capable.

With all forms of therapy, a means of discipline needs to be instilled in order to move forward and improve from the current mental or physical state. Nelson says the groundwork for dance is building strength and stamina through discipline.

“You build up endurance,” she says. “I could have quit so many times but it was the one thing where I was like, ‘I don’t have it now, but I’m going to get it.’ It’s something

to work for and work hard at.”

Although adversity in an emotional state can prove to be strenuous, it is a time when character is built – notable character development in oneself is often a core achievement in traditional therapy – and through setting attainable goals, dancers are able to achieve.

“You hear all the time ‘practice makes perfect’ and I don’t believe in that,” Nelson says. “Practice makes for improvement. I don’t think we ever can become perfect at something, but there’s always room to grow, improve and do better. That’s powerful in itself – always having something for which to strive. Discipline goes behind that so you don’t give up.”

For growth to flourish in any therapeutic setting, uncomfortable, difficult and burdensome work must be completed.

As the music bounces throughout the studio Bohannan becomes lost within the lyrics and every step of choreography binds her to the inflection of words.

Bohannan extends herself in a standing arch during her choreographed dance to “Insecurely,” a spoken word piece performed by Joshua Buckner.

She says this piece speaks to the struggles of confidence that can be overcome through Christ.

For dancers, this often comes in the form of perseverance to procure both physical and mental success.

Both dancers addressed that mental strength is needed to keep moving forward in adversity. They say that through difficult work and encouraging discipline, even small bits of confidence can be formed.

“Confidence is something I’ve always struggled with, but when you stick to something, you’ll end up reaching your end goal,” Nelson says.

Along with the disciplinary strength that is mentally achieved throughout the course of pursuing therapy in movement, the physical aspect of building up one’s body to accept strength through endurance can be even more rewarding.

Kristi Calhoun, group exercise program coordinator at the CBU Recreation Center,

says movement is one of the many ways to build up strength. She says movement allows the human body to maximize both physical and mental health.

“God made our bodies to work with movement. Once you do enough movement and get your heart rate accelerated far enough, you produce these endorphins that make you feel the way you’re supposed to feel — good, happy and thriving," Calhoun says. "Like you’re OK.” As a teacher and friend to those she encounters daily, Calhoun says what she tries to convey to students is that health and healing come from a positive selfimage — an aspect of what she teaches in her movement and exercise classes.

“Being able to pour, especially into young women, that it’s important to ask God to see you as you are in his eyes (is

great). The world will always tell you, ‘You never measure up to anything,’” Calhoun says. “If you can ask God, because he made you, to help you understand he made you perfectly, there is a little transformation that happens when you ask God to see that.”

Through seeking health in positive movement, whether in dance or exercise, Calhoun says surrounding oneself with others who can be encouraging in a disciplinary setting is another way to spark growth, spiritually, mentally and physically.

“There’s a community in the body of movement in the sense of meeting others, just sharing life with them,” Calhoun says.

“Friendships are created; there’s the sense of ‘you’re not alone’ and not doing life alone.”

Sarah Bohannan, CBU alumnus and dancer at Infuse Dance Studio has been dancing for nearly eight years, and says, more than just having a creative release through exercise and dance, the community she has formed among fellow dancers and teachers has been greater grounding and challenging experience that consecrates the discipline.

“It is dance itself that is a great release, but just the people here at this studio are such loving people,” Bohannan says. “It’s definitely family here. They’ll celebrate with you, they’ll hurt with you, they lift you up, they’ll challenge you.”

An important concept to remember is that with mental and physical improvements the key is to keep persevering and continue to pursue emotional release.

“We weren’t meant to bottle up all these emotions and things we’ve gone through.

We were meant to let them out. Dance is one of those outlets,” Nelson says. ◆ Pursuit | 25

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REVI EWS Written by Randy Plavajka

Grouplove

BIG MESS

Atlantic Records

Bastille

Wild world

Virgin Records

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used their parenthood to boost the creativity for which this band is notorious. The band's overall approach to crafting unorthodox, yet catchy songs, now reflects their maturity as an ensemble. “Good Morning,” “Don’t Stop Making it Happen” and “Traumatized” are notable standouts on this album, but with any Grouplove song, the studio version is only half of the story. Grouplove is arguably one of the best bands to see live and will surely bring the studio versions of songs to another level once they are back on tour.

The 40-minute-long album is concise and leaves only one thing to be desired — more songs. But quality will always be welcomed over quantity.

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backing music.

Their familiar, yet slightly alternative pop-rock sound has established Bastille’s reputation as a mainstay for every Top40 rock station in America, and in that regard, nothing has changed. A departure from “Bad Blood,” Bastille’s first EP, “Wild World” features synthesizers, carefully selected voice samples, lyrics with a slightly deeper-than-standardpop meaning and an expanded vocal range for Smith. All of the musical signs point toward more No. 1 hits for the British band, which is good news for a group that is looking to thrive on singles’ and album charts simultaneously.

lternative rock’s most funloving and downright freespirited band is back and better than before after a two-year hiatus, which has manifested itself as “Big Mess.” The autobiographical album title is a reflection on Grouplove’s time away from touring and festival stages, during which the individual members of the band were able to take time away from the craziness that coincided with playing in one of the liveliest bands currently in existence.

Hannah Hooper, vocalist and keyboardist, and husband Christian Zucconi, guitarist and vocalist, have been busy raising their newborn daughter, and

hen the single “Pompeii” was released in 2013, there was no escape from it on public airwaves. Alhough the song was catchy and let us admit it — severely overplayed — it was barely a peek into what frontman Dan Smith is capable of creating. Rest assured, Bastille has held nothing back for its second full-length studio album, “Wild World.” Featuring solid jams, such as “The Currents,” “Send Them Off!” “Lethargy,” “Blame” and lead single “Good Grief,” there is no lackluster song on this record. Smith has reflected lyrically on life over the past few years with a more refined Bastille sound providing the

The Head and the Heart

Signs of light

Bon Iver

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or many bands, making their debut on a major label can be somewhat of a challenge.

New producers and a big contract mean record companies need something that will sell and appeal to the masses. With The Head and the Heart’s “Signs of Light,” big-label clutter is present, but luckily the band’s signature folk-rock sound remains behind it all. Electric guitars, booming kick drums and overdriven bass lines echo throughout the LP, but do not take away from the wonderful lyricism, emotion and feelings paired with every single song.

“Signs of Light” is a reminder good alternative rock is not just on the radio anymore. Plenty of songs on this album have the potential to see great success as singles, but the album is worth more than its individual parts split up for their monetary value. “Library Magic,” “Dreamer,” “Rhythm and Blues,” and title track, “Signs of Light,” are only an introduction into the solid orchestration of this entire album. The vocals of Josiah Johnson, Jon Russell and backing from Charity Rose Thielen meld perfectly together with the instruments to give the group the perfect sound for a road trip along the California coastline.

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ach year a select number of albums are released that define the entire year.

Bon Iver’s “22, A Million” transcends an entire decade of indie music.

Singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, the mind behind the project, has composed an album redefining the sound for which Bon Iver became well-known with new instrumentation, melodies and carefully selected samples. “22, A Million” is powerful without cranking up the amplifier to 11 thanks in part to Vernon’s lyricism and one-of-a-kind orchestration.

Bon Iver debuted the third full-length album live at Vernon’s own Eaux Claires Music Festival in Wisconsin, a setting that allowed for a certain amount of vulnerability and intimacy with the audience. A feat such as this is not easily accomplished and takes a lot of bravery and practice on the artist’s Jagjaguwar

part to properly deliver the full album’s experience. Hours after the concert was over, full streams of the performance were online and all was wonderful in the world. As a whole, the work is more than just music.

It is raw emotion, introspective thoughts and specific moods entwined in a new set of sounds and song structures.

“22, A Million” will take weeks, even months to fully comprehend as a listener. Each lyric is capable of relating to the average person, whether he or she realizes it because it draws upon experiences some of us know too well that others have yet to experience.

“21 M◊◊N WATER," for example, speaks to the ephemeral of things and life, in general, and how all of it comes and goes.

The song titles themselves are comparable to solving a Rubik’s cube, but everything is intentional with Vernon. Every song on this album is phenomenal, though it may not make sense upon the first listen.

“22 (OVER S∞∞N)," “33 'GOD'” and “00000 Million” are only a brief glimpse as to what this album has in store from start to finish.

Vernon’s musical approach is truly captivating and is an unorthodox, yet perfect, manner of creating music. That is, allowing the imagination to take over and letting thoughts flow freely into instruments, samplers and lyric sheets.

“22, A Million” puts indescribable ideas into masterpiece songs, which is why it will leave a lasting mark on modern music for years to come. ◆ Pursuit | 27

directed by

A FILMMAKER'S SUCCESS BUILT ON FORTIFYING RELATIONSHIPS Written by Natilee Ruiz Photos courtesy of Kainoa Frank and Christian Stark

Michael Eaton, associate professor of film studies and film production, and Christian Stark, director, adjust the camera to capture the perfect shot during the filming of Stark's feature film, "Unlawful Order."

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Actors David Rideout, Chasity Kohlman and Sadie Russel walk together in Cour d' Alene, Idaho during an early morning shoot.

n the ruggedly beautiful mountains of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a dramatic thriller was brought to life with a week of 17hour days of filming, a small cast and crew and one collaborative vision.

“Unlawful Order,” a dramatic thriller feature film written and directed

by Christian Stark, California Baptist University alumnus, was made with the collaborative efforts of a talented team of contributors, including his previous professor and mentor, as well as several affiliates from meaningful relationships built at CBU and beyond.

A gritty script was turned into an even more tenacious shoot with the help of Michael Eaton, associate professor of film studies and film production at CBU, and one of Stark’s closest mentors, who Stark hired on as cinematographer.

“Watching him on this film particularly, it was more ambitious than his student films, which is another reason I said, 'yes,'” Eaton says.

Also one of the first alumni projects the College of Architecture, Visual Art and Design has allowed to use the Red Digital Cinema cameras, this film brings together 30 | Pursuit

some of the most sophisticated technology as well as a team of creative individuals.

Jonathan Nyquist, adjunct professor in CAVAD, and Desmond Clark, music composition graduate student, were brought in to the project for the use of drone footage from Nyquist, as well as sound production and musical scoring from Clark.

Frank Peretti, Christian novelist and New York Times best-selling author who also frequently mentored Stark through his faith and creative outlets, was also brought on the set. During filming, Peretti was able to offer Stark several creative inputs and suggestions.

“He worked very closely with me on this project, helping me with storytelling, so I was very blessed in that way,” Stark says. “(Peretti) always has a way of wording things that’s just brilliant and makes me rethink things.”

A hectic schedule, long hours and northern heat made for a challenging shoot, but Stark was prepared nonetheless. He spent several months planning everything for the shoot, including rehearsing his actors for about a month in preparation for rigourous shooting outdoors.

“I read the script, and the first thing

I said to Christian is, ‘It’s a very ambitious script; it’s an ambitious shoot that you want but you’ve got to make sure that it’s safe,’” Eaton says, before nodding his head and smiling in calm approval. “He said to me, ‘Don’t worry, we’ve got that all worked out.’”

The use of natural elements, such as filming in rushing rivers or hiking through rugged terrain, has the potential to become dangerous, but Eaton says as all good directors should, that Stark made sure he had taken care of every bit of equipment and every person was taken care of.

“You want to make sure that as the director you are the general. You are the leader of the ship and you want to make sure your crew’s safety is of paramount concern,” Eaton says.

A rough week of filming showed the mentors in Stark’s life how his time receiving guidance in his endeavors groomed him for the role of director.

“Christian is very ambitious — he has the fire. When you see that, he’s going to make it as a director,” Eaton says.

Their confidence in Stark is wellfounded, as he had proven himself time and again under their critical teachings and their push toward his personal and

creative growth. Both Stark and Eaton attribute such success to his desire to have strong relationships with his colleagues and teachers during his time at CBU. “(Forming relationships) is one of Christian’s strengths because he came to me and told me when we first met, ‘I want you to teach me,’” Eaton says.

A student-teacher mentorship quickly evolved into a strong friendship, ultimately pushing both Stark and Eaton to help cultivate growth in each other.

Stark says his ability to work closely with Eaton during his time at CBU opened

several creative doors, but what he says he values most is how life was spoken into him through their friendship.

“He taught me a little bit about everything, and I could go on and on about the film stuff; he taught me all the technical stuff because he’s a master at his craft. But what’s really important — if you could learn one thing from him — it’s to always be the nice guy,” Stark says humbly. “Be the guy for whom people want to work. Be the guy with which everyone wants to be on set.

(Eaton) absolutely is that. He exemplifies Christ in everything he does, and that was

the greatest influence in my life.”

Throughout his several film ventures and maturation as a director and writer, one aspect of Stark's filmmaking he holds to be the most important is the element of visual storytelling.

“Don’t just be a good director — anybody can do that — you can train hard, you can learn, you can become a director.

But be a good director who does something with it,” Stark says. “Use your film to change the world. Use your film to be a witness.” ◆

Behind the scenes with cinematographer Michael Eaton, who snaps a photo during a mid-scene take.

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LEAPS & BOUNDS PEDI ATR IC HELPs

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is mother says he is no longer afraid like he was the first day of his sessions, and it is evident in his relaxed shoulders — the way his right hand rests gently in his lap and his fingertips loosely grip the reins.

In his left hand he exams a circular chip being used as a tool to teach him fine motor skills. He does not seem to look at it as a tool, though. He looks at it as another piece of what makes days like today fun. Protecting his head is the familiar yellow and white character from Star Wars VIII — BB-8 Droid. The horse beneath him stands completely still except for the slight twitching of her ears and the small movement of her eyes as the therapists move beside her to work with the small child on her back. The boy hands the toy back to his therapist and reaches down to hug his patient four-legged partner.

Ethan Rodriguez is one of many clients who receive hippotherapy at Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy in Norco, California.

Ethan has autism, and hippotherapy is used to improve his fine motor skills and core strength by performing task-sequencing skills.

“I learned about hippotherapy as a strategy at a national convention, and I’m a horse girl — born and raised in Norco — so I thought, ‘Why am I not doing this? Why is no one doing this out here in Norco?’” says Cassandra Sanders-Holly, doctor of physical therapy and founder/director of Leaps & Bounds. “I opened up Leaps & Bounds as a small clinic on the side and patients quickly grew to over 400 a week that we see now.”

Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy used by physical, occupational or speech therapist during their sessions at Leaps & Bounds, one of three centers in Southern California who offers this type of therapy.

“Hippotherapy comes from the Greek word for horse, which is ‘hippo,’” says Amanda Johnson, director of therapeutic riding and barn manager. “The movement of the horse simulates walking. We see a lot of kids who can’t walk and over time it strengths them to be able to walk.”

At the Leaps & Bounds ranch, 11 horses are available for their therapists to use for their clients’ specific needs. Both short and tall, and narrow and wide, horses line the barn, standing contentedly in their stalls and coming to greet each new person who stops to see them. Each of the staff members talks about the special bonds the children have with the horses and how much the horses look forward to working with the children each day.

“Just like a dog, horses have personalities and they want to be loved and be a part of something,” says Ashley Ladd, front office manager at Leaps & Bounds and business administration graduate student at California Baptist University. “We see the bond between our kiddos and the horses, and how much they enjoy working and how much (the horses) look forward to working with them just as much as the kids do. We definitely do see the love and the bond between them.”

The horses go through extensive training once they are selected as therapy horses to prepare them to work with at-risk children. Some of their training includes having toys thrown toward them ➸

Joel Lopez, client at Leaps & Bounds, recieves hippotherapy weekly to help him in an array of ways. Since beginning at the pediatric therapy ranch, Joel has begun to speak more often.

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and having therapist simulate fits being thrown on them. Johnson says the horses are all older and most of them have “seen it all.”

Out in the arena, a child is doing sit-ups on his horse with limited help from his therapist. He leans back with his arms out for balance and begins his curl up with determination on his face and encouragement from those around him.

He completes his task and smiles over at his mother watching nearby.

“When Andrew was really little — oh my God, I’ll never forget it — they put him on this giant Arabian (horse) — this little, itty-bitty boy — and I was just…” Anissa Campbell covers her face and laughs at the memory. “The mom instinct tells you to say, ‘No. He doesn’t belong up on a horse.’ But then when I saw how much he enjoyed it, and then within just a few weeks of starting how much of a difference — how much improvement we noticed — I kind of got over the nervousness of it."

Campbell says the small movement of sit-ups is a large task for Andrew because he has ataxia, the loss of full control of bodily

34 | Pursuit

movements. Being up on a horse builds his coordination and core strength.

“The act of putting one foot in front of the other, we take it for granted,” Campbell says. “It’s something he had to learn to be able to do and the stride of the horse teaches ➸

"Everyone from the therapists, volunteers, parents and kids were all happy coming into the ranch and were looking forward to another day of therapy.”

Gisselle Escober, CBU Alumna

Yara Leanos, physical therapy assistant, works with Andrew Campbell on his fine motor skills by having him reach in multiple diretions for a red square before placing it on the target.

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Two volunteers walk the horse and client around the Sensory Trail before beginning hippotherapy. This helps the child and horse get use to each other before they begin the session in the arena.

In the arena, volunteers and the physical therapist (top) will work with the children during the entire session. They provide a variety of toys with which to work on skills, making the session fun and interactive.

Amanda Johnson (bottom), director of therapeutic riding and barn manager, prepares her client for the therapy session by teaching her how to put the bridle and bit onto the horse.

36 | Pursuit

your body how to go in that movement. It really had everything to do with him being able to walk with a somewhat normal gait because with ataxia that can be sloppy.”

With the amount of care and attention Leaps & Bounds gives to its clients and their horses, Ladd says they can never have enough volunteers out on the ranch. Volunteers will gain hands-on experience with the therapists and the children.

Gisselle Escobar, CBU alumna, volunteered at Leaps & Bounds for three years while majoring in exercise science.

“I knew it would help and guide me toward physical therapy school,” Escobar says, who is pursuing her doctorate of physical therapy at the University of Southern California. “Leaps & Bounds had a very cheerful atmosphere. Everyone from the therapists, volunteers, parents and kids were all happy coming into the ranch and were looking forward to another day of therapy.”

Mariana Lopez watches as her 3-yearold son Joel happily sways along with the gait of his horse, waving eagerly every time he passes by where his mother sits. Lopez says Joel is talking much more now since he has been in therapy at Leaps & Bounds.

“We do speech therapy before we come here and the whole time we are there he is already going, ‘Horse? Horse?’ His mind is thinking, ‘I’m going to come over here and ride the horse.’”

The horseshoes and boot tracks blend together on the ground leading toward the tack room. A little girl in a purple “My Little Pony” helmet walks out, carrying a bridle high above her head in an attempt to keep it from dragging on the ground — the long straps trail behind her and add to the many

tracks in the well-traveled dust.

If they are able, the kids work on the relationship they have with horses by brushing them, helping saddle up and learning to take care of them properly.

Yara Leanos, a physical therapist assistant, has worked at Leaps & Bounds for six years and says she has noticed the patients progress quickly.

“It’s because it’s more fun and it’s outdoors,” Leanos says. “They don’t cancel because they want to do their exercises and they get the feelings that are both emotional and physical work. It’s a whole experience instead of just, ‘Do your exercises and we’ll fix your leg.’”

Leanos finishes a session with her client and gives him a high-five. An ear-to-ear grin spreads across his face and he leans down to pat his horse. Whether he knows it or not, the hard work he put in today helped him to be one step closer to being stronger and more balanced.

Sanders-Holly says Leaps & Bounds has been rewarding and has surpassed every expectation she dreamed of when she began the ranch six years ago.

“I have amazing staff, and my volunteers are beyond compare,” Sanders-Holly says. “I could not do it without them.”

The sky is the limit with what SandersHolly sees Leaps & Bounds accomplishing in the years to come. The team hopes to begin expanding and building its whole clinic on the ranch in order to serve more children with more space. After all, the kids are why the therapists, parents, trainers, volunteers and horses do what they do.

“Little by little,” Lopez says, once again reciprocating her son’s enthusiastic wave.

“By leaps and bounds, as they say.” ◆

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INSTA VISION Female voices from bloggers who break barriers of surface-level social media, speaking truth to life issues and relationships. #relationshipbloggers #PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Written by Brooke Biddle Photos courtesy of Dawn Photography (bottom left) and Emily Maggers Photography

Emi ly M ag g e r s : Los Angeles, California @emily.maggers WEDDING, COUPLE AND TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY Creator of: #ontuesdayswespeaktruth Featured work on Green Wedding Shoes, Wedding Chicks, Style Me Pretty, and more.

Speaks to relationships, couples and personal spiritual insights during seasons of life.

Amy G ann e t t : Fort Collins, Colorado @amycategannett BLOGGER FOR WORD&CRAFT Lifestyle Theology for the Woman of God Featured work on Deeply Rooted Blog.

Speaks to the issues of female friendships, Social Media relations, Evangelicals and millennial relationships.

Aud r ey Rolof f : Bend, Oregon @audreyroloff @beating50 WRITER, SPEAKER, BLOGGER, VLOGGER, BARRE3 INSTRUCTOR Founder of Beating 50 Percent Speaks to dating, engaged and married couples. Includes personal insight from her own relationships and vlogs about life with her husband Jeremy.

Why follow Emily?

“She is good with people and shows the love of Jesus with how she goes about her work,” says Nick Worrell, senior Christian studies major at California Baptist University, who photographed a wedding with Maggers in 2016. “It is evident that she goes above and beyond to promote selflessness and comfortability for the clients with whom she works.”

Pursuit: How do you seek to encourage your followers and readers?

Maggers: In a world that is being robbed of joy by comparison and trying to make our lives seem much better than they are, I want

to meet people where they are at and do life alongside them not make them feel inferior because ours don’t look the same. I started the hashtag #ontuesdayswespeaktruth in hopes of doing just that. Connecting with people and building relationships that last is all based on the heart connections we make.

My hashtag was a way to have a set day that people who wanted to follow along knew when and where to find encouragement. I felt the Lord calling me to step out and just share my story, what he is teaching me and all the messiness, tears and triumphs that come along the way.

Why follow Amy’s blog?

She is not afraid to address serious issues and she has a compelling writing style, ultimately bringing glory to God. Pursuit: What began your passion for blogging?

Gannett: From a young age I have been aware of the power of words. I was actually a bit of a bully when I was younger, wielding my words to gain power or hurt others. But when the Lord got ahold of my heart, he slowly, but thoroughly, redeemed the power

of words in my life. Over several years he taught me that the craft of words, which He had created within me, could be used to his glory. This took full form when I studied biblical exposition at Moody Bible Institute.

My professor, Winfred Neeley, taught me by his example and expertise that words have Spirit-given power, and that we are to be stewards of that power to the glory of God and the edification of the church. Building on that foundation, I started blogging and teaching at women’s conferences.

Why follow Audrey?

“She is genuine and authentic and full of wisdom beyond her years. Her encouragement is a constant reminder that relationships take work, but by God’s design it is so worth it,” says Beverly Querin, Office of Leadership and Transitions manager at CBU. Pursuit: What inspired your campaign for “Beating 50 percent”?

Roloff: This mission was inspired in part by a photo that we saw in an old antique shop of an elderly couple holding each other close.

Under the photo it read: “Back in our day, when something broke, you fixed it instead

of throwing it away.” We found ourselves awestruck at the truth of the statement.

It’s true.

When our grandparents were growing up, if their car, bike, sink, dress, bed, marriage or radio broke, they fixed it.

Nowadays, most people wouldn’t even know how to fix those things even if they wanted to. If it breaks, they just buy a new one, a better one. And so the same concept has unfortunately translated to our marriages. Beating 50 percent is a community of marriages that are aiming to give more than 50% effort to our spouse and marriage. ◆ Pursuit | 39

talk ed we ne

to

..

about.

Is the Church afraid to discuss race?

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Written by Leti Bernard Illustration by Caleb Bol n an average Sunday morning at church, Christians may hear sermons on the Beatitudes in the book of Matthew, Jesus’ crucifixion, tithing and even messages on politics. While these topics carry heavy importance, one topic remains largely untouched.

Issues heavily affecting many Christians in the church are often ignored or hushed because they relate to the “R-word": Race.

In recent months, issues regarding violence and injustice affecting various ethnic minorities have taken precedence in the media. In July of 2016, the police-involved shooting deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile — both black men — sparked a multitude of responses.

These race-related issues affect members of the church who have ethnic connections to the victims. However, minority Christians often find there is no place to discuss these racial matters within the church.

How should the church respond when news surfaces of a man shooting a black boy because he looked suspicious; when Hispanics express their discomfort regarding comments labeling all un-documented Mexican immigrants as criminals and thugs; when Asians confess their frustration toward ignorant stereotypes about them all being exceptionally intelligent in math and science?

Michael Crawford, state director of missions for the Baltimore Convention of Maryland-Delaware, says progress in the church’s role in race-relations must begin with discussion.

“For the most part, (racism and

O

race-relations are) not really talked about,” Crawford says. “If you can’t talk about it, you can’t really make any progress.”

Crawford is in charge of church planting for the Baptist Convention of Maryland-Delaware. He also works alongside the Center for Urban Families in Baltimore, Maryland, which serves urban communities by helping men become better fathers and helping families achieve economic stability through work.

Grayson Bell, California Baptist University alumnus and the former President of United, a club focused on diversity and celebrating the various cultures on CBU campus, says sensitive topics such as race relations are not largely discussed in the church because they are uncomfortable. Bell says the avoidance is also due to ethnic separation in churches.

“Unfortunately, many churches are segregated and therefore do not always have the same issues to discuss.

In black churches, these issues are

discussed often,” Bell says.

White Christians who have the opportunity to worship alongside ethnic-minority Christians need to first realize the reason behind the pain.

For example, they should consider why black Christians expressed sorrow over the police-involved shooting deaths of Sterling and Castile or the killing of Trayvon Martin and the acquittal of his killer, George Zimmerman.

They must try to recognize why Hispanic believers feel conflicted and frustrated over the complicated policies regarding immigration.

White Christians should contemplate why Asian Christians are upset that a majority of roles in Hollywood perpetuate a karate, Kung-Fu-fighting ethnic stereotype.

As both a minority and a Christian, I personally cannot fully answer the reasons behind the frustration, hurt, annoyance and occasional feelings of hopelessness many minorities experience. But, I can offer what I believe is a large reason racial issues affect many ethnic-minority Christians.

Our identities are partly connected to our ethnicities. ➸

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America has a long, complex and debated history of race-relations. Often, racist agendas in American history were perpetuated by Caucasian culture.

Unjust realities such as black slavery, the Trail of Tears and Japanese internment camps all had racial underpinnings.

Now, although there are many advancements in matters of race and opportunities for ethnic minorities, sadly, racist mentalities and racial issues still exist.

White people may feel guilty or responsible for America’s ugly past in race relations. Some may even express frustration or anger toward those who continually “rip off” the Band-Aid of healing from America’s tumultuous history when discussing issues of race relations.

However, healing is possible when people begin to discuss the issues that caused the pain. White people who do not have racist perceptions should not feel responsible for injustices in the past, but they should also realize the importance of discussing America’s past and present issues of racism.

It is also important to note that the present structure of society still places white people as the dominant race in America.

“The majority culture is always going to be the majority culture,” Crawford says.

Consequently, Crawford, an AfricanAmerican, says efforts to engage in matters of race are sometimes delegated by those not part of an ethnic minority. In order to effectively engage in race relations, Crawford says the majority culture needs to go to the minority culture, not the other way around.

As a non-minority individual, it may be difficult to understand how someone

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can constantly be aware he or she is black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, and so on. When I walk into a predominantly white environment, I am subconsciously aware that I am one of few — or the only — person of color. Instances like this provide clear-cut evidence of how a minority’s ethnicity plays a large part in his or her self-awareness.

White Christians may also find it hard to agree with the views of minority Christians who express disdain over certain ethnic issues. One imperative factor in effectively engaging in race-relations is not agreement on every matter, but the willingness to be empathetic and listen.

A couple years ago, my friend and I were talking to some friends from church about certain issues we have experienced as young black women. In response, a friend of our’s, whom I am sure did not have hurtful intentions, told us to “stop complaining” about it. I then realized I probably should not discuss certain racial issues with this friend.

My personal, seemingly petty, experience highlights what one should not do if or when racial discussions arise among believers. White Christians, or Christians unaffected by certain racial issues, who seek to understand the racerelated struggles of minority Christians should not dismiss an issue because it holds no importance to them.

If my friend were to listen and ask why this issue bothers us, my decision regarding future conversations with this person would be different; I would have felt comfortable to discuss matters of race in their presence.

Brian Zunigha, director of discipleship at CBU, says it is important for nonminorities to build a relationship with minorities before they begin to engage in

race relations.

“You have to get to know people, because what I’ve learned is I can’t just meet you and say, ‘Hey, tell me all the racist things that have ever happened to you,’” Zunigha says.

After the relationship is established, Zunigha says there are still more steps to take.

“You can’t just stop there and say, ‘I’ve got a black friend, so I know everything that’s going on in his or her life,’” Zunigha says. “But, then you have to ask some intentional questions because they probably won’t just lay everything out for you.”

In order for the church to improve the way it handles race relations and engages with ethnic minorities, Crawford says Christians have to first create a Gospelcentered environment where people are able to express their perceptions. Once believers put this into practice they will be able to actively respond to these conversations.

“You start with the Gospel,” Crawford says. “That means we’re all created in the image of God, we’re all fallen and we’re all saved the same way, by the same thing. If you get those three ‘alls,’ the implications are radical.”

Attempting to stifle the cries of hurting Christians or discredit their pain simply because others do not understand is not Christ-like. Jesus was and is the high priest who sympathizes with all believers.

2 Corinthians 1:4 says, “(God) comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Jesus was the ultimate example of empathy. He became human in order to experience the pain, struggles and daily life of his creation. Followers of Christ are to

follow in his example and step into the shoes of one another, seeking understanding and offering support, especially in sensitive issues dealing with race.

To white Christians who may be confused, frustrated, annoyed or unaware of race-related issues, keep your eyes and ears open to the cries of racial injustices from the mouths of minority believers — I guarantee you will find something.

Engage with minority Christians in conversations and friendship. Go to them and seek to understand their views on issues such as the Black Lives Matter movement or police brutality. Attentively listen without an ulterior motive to combat what they say.

To minority Christians who are hurt and upset at racial issues and feel fed up with non-minority believers’ unwillingness to listen or who lack empathy toward these issues, do not grow bitter toward your brothers and sisters. Remember, God hears his people and Jesus sympathizes and empathizes with you. Receive your white brothers and sisters who approach you, willing to listen and discuss.

To the church as a whole, the body of Christ, ambassadors for Jesus’ purposes, matters regarding race relations are messy and uncomfortable. However, God does not command his children to love one another at a distance. If the church truly seeks to honor God in the way it relates to one another, specifically within the context of racerelated issues, believers need to discuss the awkward topics. They must lovingly pursue racial understanding. They must bear the burdens of their brothers and sisters. ◆

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Precedence over Preference the case for large and small churches

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Written by Makenna Sones Photo by Daren Stevens

Wednesday nights at Harvest Christian Fellowship creates a more intimate worship time and fellowship with believers. Mid-week and end of the week Bible studies are ways large churches can invest in their congregation in a smaller setting.

Lewis wrote, “One of the things Christians are disagreed about is the importance of their disagreements.”

On a summer Sunday evening while I was visiting a friend’s church, the pastor spoke candidly with the congregation saying, “Whether you grow here (or somewhere else) it really does not matter, just make sure you are growing.”

I have attended Harvest Christian Fellowship my entire life — a large church with a top-notch band, a contemporary sanctuary and multiple campuses. Every week I sit next to someone I have never seen before. I appreciate the prepared talent of the musicians each week, the effort the architects put into making the sanctuary esthetically pleasing to the eye, and the evangelistic media department. However, the moment the pastor begins teaching, the focus is truly on the Word of God and

everything else is just an overflow of which we have been blessed. The question I asked myself as I became an adult and chose church I would attend, was not if I liked the band, the pews or the bookstore café.

It was, “Am I growing here?”

Over the years I have heard differing opinions on what a church should or should not be. I have heard criticism of big churches’ spending too much money and small churches’ lack of investment in congregational growth. A mega-church being too flashy or a small church not looking well taken care of. Too individualistic or too invested in other’s personal business. The list could go on and on with complaints and concerns.

Depending on the denomination, ministerial focus, location and size of someone’s own church, there never seems to be a clear-cut answer, only preferences.

Abigail Wilcox, senior psychology

and Christian behavioral science double major at California Baptist University, says while she goes to Sandals Church, she can see the benefit to both types of church communities.

“I won’t deny that it is harder to find community in a big church like Sandals than it is in a small church. But it just means you have to make the effort to find your community within the church,” Wilcox says.

Community is a word church-goers use often. It can be one of those “Christianese” words — jargon used within the church — to describe the atmosphere. The definition of community is a feeling of fellowship with others who have a characteristic in common. In this case, the characteristic is that we are sinners saved by the grace of Jesus Christ.

Stephen Pan, CBU alumnus, attends Redeemer Baptist Church and serves the upper-elementary school students. He says he chooses to go to a small church because of his desire for a more intimate community.

“I prefer going to Redeemer because there is so much more accountability," Pan says. "People notice if you don’t show up to church (at Redeemer). At a big church nobody will really notice if you don’t show up for a week or a month or stop going (altogether). It just feels like less accountability.”

In many big churches, to compensate for having such a large service, the congregation has small community groups that meet during the week and bring believers together for fellowship with one another in a personal and vulnerable setting.

Andy Herrera, senior graphic design major, has attended Harvest Christian Fellowship for the past 11 years. He says he

finds his community by working as a leader in the junior high ministry.

“I can understand why people want to attend smaller churches. It can be easier to get to know people and get more involved. I have found Harvest, for me, (does) the same

Matthew 18:20 is often misquoted by changing “two or three” to “two or more.”

While this may seem minor, the desire is to not change Scripture or make it fit contextually into the topic.

However, in the “American Bible,” published in 1902, there is a Latin phrase quoted saying, “patristic axiom, Ubi tres, ibi Ecclesia.” This is translated to, “Where three are, there is a church."

“It is the Responsibility of the Christian to serve the church. In that, community and family will be found.”

Abigail Wilcox, senior psychology and Christian behavioral science double major

thing on a larger scale,” Herrera says. “With a bigger church there are more opportunities for almost anyone to get involved. Sure it’s bigger, it can be overwhelming, we have new people come in almost everyday, but I consider that an opportunity to get to know people more."

Every church has its pros and cons, but perhaps the size of the congregation is just another preference.

“You can’t blame the church for

being big; you can’t blame the church for making you feel small; it isn’t their responsibility to get you involved,” Wilcox says. “It is the responsibility of the Christian to serve the church. In that, community and family will be found.”

Wilcox makes a fine point. Anyone can make himself or herself feel excluded if they refuse to find a way to invest and be invested in, whether that is in a small or large congregation.

Herrera says he enjoys the size of his church because he gets to meet new people every Sunday and learn their story. He says the intimidation factor fades away after you spend time with people.

“The big-church feeling you are feeling (when you first attend a mega-church) really just gets smaller and smaller as you get to know more people and get involved. It becomes more like a family,” he says.

Maybe it should not matter if the church has 50 or 5,000. While fellowship between Jesus and his disciples was often limited to just him and the 12 apostles (Luke 6:13) — men to hold one another accountable and cultivate their faith together in an intimate setting — Jesus spent his time with many and few: a large group to learn and a small group to grow.

“The beauty of the gospel is what draws all believers together, regardless of what size church they go to," Pan says.

Matthew 18:20 (NIV) says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them,” showing us the church is the people, not the place. So while Christians may disagree on church size, what takes precedence over preference is Christ. If Christian are gathered in his name, many or few, he is there with them. ◆

In "Ellicott's Commentary On the Whole Bible," written by Charles Ellicott, he stated, " The strength of the Christian society was not to be measured by a numerical standard, but by its fulfilment of the true conditions of its life."

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TAKE THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST FINDING COMMUNITY ON A ROADTRIP ADVENTURE

Mike Savall, CBU alumnus, reuniting with his old friend, Samantha Nelson, CBU alumna, in Northern California after some time spent apart.

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Written by Courtney Coleman Photos by Daren Stevens and Courtney Coleman hicken scratch notes and sentence fragments scribbled on the back of homework assignments, scattered over a Denny’s table top was the humble beginning of what would soon become a wild adventure. Gavin Crews, California Baptist University alumnus and Daren Stevens, senior Christian studies major, sat across from one another late one night at the diner and tossed around the idea of enticing clothing and accessory brands to sponsor a road trip from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest in exchange for photo and video content.

Fast forward a few weeks and that plan was becoming a reality. The men reached out to brands on Instagram, catching the eye of MVMT watches, Serenge Tee and 777 Collective.

Crews and Stevens quickly built a team, including models Kaylie and Christian Wilson and stylist Megan Owens, all of whom Crews knew through church. Also along for the journey was Los Angeles local and model Cassidy Spearman, who met Crews and Stevens through photo shoots, and Michael Savall, communications major at La Verne University, as one of the videographers.

Community became the recurring theme of the trip starting when we were two weeks away from the trip and still had nowhere to stay each night. The team was often turned down by couch-surfers and Airbnb homes for having such a large group of mixed genders and young age. As a last hope, Crews, Stevens and myself used our CBU connections, reaching out to anyone and everyone through social media and phone calls. The extended CBU community welcomed us with open arms once word got out that CBU students needed places to stay, making the trip possible.

In addition to the extended CBU family opening homes to us, our team

found community just within our group.

While in Thailand, Crews reached out to the team, asking for prayer and support as he struggled to make sense of the despair he witnessed overseas. As we bonded over our prayers, it also became known that Crews was not the only one in need of the encouragement.

"It is no coincidence this trip came in perfect timing. It came in God s timing.”

Cassidy Spearman, model

Aside from the hard work that went into every single millisecond of this trip, God had even bigger plans than we did,” Owens says. “Five of us had just gotten out of very serious relationships, two of us have had the hardest two years dealing with death and other family hardships, and another one is soon to be on her own in a big, intimidating city and industry and will be missing her family dearly.”

The group became a safe place and each day of their adventure a lesson on community.

The team was first welcomed into the home of Stevens’ aunt and uncle, the Griffins, who live in Redmond, Oregon. When the team finally made it to Washington, they spent two nights taking over the home of one of Spearman’s friends,

Samantha Visscher, in Everett, Washington.

Wherever the eight creatives went, they not only experienced true community, they lived it and relied on one another for constant support and encouragement.

“One of the nights (in Everett) all of the women had an incredible conversation about the miracles of God and how each of us had been experiencing him throughout this trip,” Owens says. “We ended up talking about what the church should look like, and we were all in agreement that the family we had created among ourselves, that’s what the church should look like.”

Visscher, who was planning to move to Los Angeles with Spearman, says having the group helped give her mother peace about her big move as her mother saw how the team interacted with one another.

“It was good that she saw I have good people in my life,” Visscher says. “Like genuinely good people.”

The group’s reputation became the key to finding help along the way in making the trip a reality. Once the group arrived in Portland, Oregon, the team desperately needed a place for the models to get ready.

I reached out to my cousins, Ryan and Kaity Coleman, mentioning the group was big and a bit loud, but we were CBU students, churchgoers and respectful. The Colemans happily opened their home, allowing the team to come in and out the entire day and even cooked for them in the evening.

That night was the first time the team was able to fully relax. Just four days prior, our team had all met for the first time. There in Portland, we ate, laughed and shared stories as if we had known one another for years — as if we were family.

“A couple months before going on this incredible creative trip, I found out that my parents were getting a divorce,” Spearman says, looking back on what made her feel close to her fellow creatives. “It is no coincidence this trip came in perfect timing.

It came in God’s timing. He placed ➸

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seven people into my life that had no idea what I was going through, but were able to help restore my trust and my faith in Christ without any of them knowing.”

As we continued our journey, they group became more vulnerable, allowing our similar life experiences to bring us closer. By being open with one another, combined with the kindness of the families with whom we stayed, it was the beginning of healing. The team of creatives connected with the Wassell family, whose son Brogan Wassell recently graduated from CBU. The Wassells were the last host home of the trip. The eight creatives shuffled into the

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warm home late at night, exhausted after driving from Eugene, Oregon, down to San Francisco to film the entire day.

The Wassells, who travelled the world as missionaries, were excited to open their home to friends of Brogan’s, providing hot showers, warm beds and a home-cooked breakfast in the morning.

“The families that hosted us on our trip were some of the warmest, most gracious people I have ever met and this trip would never have been possible were it not for these families that opened their doors to us,” Savall says.

The next morning the group left to

shoot their last video on the 17-mile drive and again needed a place for the models to get ready. I reached out to Samantha Nelson, a CBU almuna who recently moved to Pacific Grove. Nelson quickly and excitedly responded, offering her boyfriend’s condo to the group.

“When I mentioned it to him the night before you guys arrived he seemed upset and just said, ‘And exactly how many of them do you know?’” Nelson says. “I told him, ’One, but I know Courtney and I know she wouldn’t bring people into our home that shouldn’t be there. Plus I think they’re all from CBU.’ And he said, ‘What

Megan Owens (far left) and Cassidy Spearman (right) share a quiet moment together while Owens preps Spearman for a photoshoot later that day.

Cassidy Spearman (top left), model, and Gavin Crews show Brogan Wassel's parents some of the images captured on the trip over coffee and breakfast the morning after the team stayed in their home.

Michael Savall (left) captures behind-thescenes footage of Christian Wilson (middle) laughing at a photo Daren Stevens captured during their work in the woods of Yosemite.

does CBU have to do with anything?’ And I said, ‘Everything.’"

At the condo, Nelson bonded with Stevens and Crews over CBU stories, cheesy karaoke and their mutual love for “Supernatural” TV show as if they had been friends for a long time.

“I still find myself connecting with

individuals who went to or are currently attending CBU, and here I am living in a tiny town on the California coast six hours away,” Nelson says. “How random is it that even after graduation and a six-hour move, I’m still connecting with individuals who attended CBU. It’s a family.”

Nelson joined the group on their

video shoot and even modeled some of the product they shot. After saying their goodbyes, the group of eight finally headed home and were left to process the trip on their drive back.

“By the time we left on the trip we were all hurting and in need of comfort and healing,” Crews says. “God, in his mercy, knew what we needed before we did and brought our group together to help us heal.”

Each member of the team agreed despite the trip initially being about taking photos and videos, it turned into a life lesson about the true meaning of community.

“It’s about growing together, supporting one another, laughing and crying together,.

It’s about real honest, vulnerable, ugly, transparent fellowship,” Owens says. “And that is what we were given on this trip. It was an honest, genuine depiction of the body of Christ.”

As we went our separate ways, we said one final prayer together. We were not sure how exactly the experience would affect our futures, but we knew what we learned about community would be used as we move forward into the next chapters of our lives.

“While I’ll look at the photographs and feel accomplished at aiding in getting the products shot, they will be reminders of a continuous learning experience in which I will never take for granted,” Kaylie Wilson says.◆

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The guide to becoming a real-life treasure hunter

Written by Chase Burns Photos by Mariss Eanes nside a small plastic l u n c h b ox , b u r rowe d between two branches was where I found it — my first cache.

I never knew the small creek near my suburban home was actually a place full of adventure and the perfect spot to hide a geocache.

Inside were trinkets, items such as paperclips or a few dollars. People had left a notepad that would soon contain our names alongside the hundreds of other people who had found the box before.

“Geocaching is the real-world treasure hunt that’s happening right now, all around you,” according to the website.

Pronounced “geo-cashing,” this thrilling 50 | Pursuit

hobby can take you all over the world on many exciting journeys.

Hidden treasures, or “geocaches,” can be found by following GPS coordinates.

According to the website, “What you are looking for varies. Geocaches come in different sizes, shapes and difficulties.”

This can be anything from a small rock in a forest to a hidden magnet on a city lamppost.

Geocaching may sound difficult, but it is actually easier than you may think. Beginner “geocachers” can start by finding traditional geocaches with low-level difficulties. The website suggests using the app to check if other geocachers have recently logged finds on the cache listing. This indicates the geocache is most likely still in place and

easily located.

John Free, senior mechanical engineering major, says he goes geocaching to explore the environment.

“Usually geocaches are where the cool things are, the interesting tidbits you would not normally see,” Free says.

Free had his first geocaching experience while visiting his cousin in Nevada after hearing about the exciting adventures the hobby offers. “(The cache) was (in) this dry bed and I was looking around and [my cousin] said, ‘I found this one earlier, let’s see if I can find it again.’”

As they searched, Free’s cousin picked up a rock and found an orange capsule embedded within the rock.

“That was the first time I saw what it was and I thought that it was super cool,” Free says.

Geocaching is also a great way to explore new cities, even in hometowns. Chanelle Canfield, senior Christian studies major, says geocaching has helped her appreciate the finer details of her hometown, Sacramento.

“I have lived there my entire life so I know the city pretty well,” Canfield says. “(Geocaching) helped me notice things I

hadn’t really noticed on roads I have driven so many times.”

Canfield says geocaching has helped her build stronger relationships in college.

During this transformative time, finding ways to build community is imperative and geocaching is an activity that does this.

For Canfield it has strengthened exiting relationships and formed new ones. Because of this, Canfield says more students should try geocaching.

“It is exciting to find little treasures all over the place and it can help you to explore your city if you go for the bigger (caches) that you have to drive across town or walk a far distance to locate,” Canfield says. “It will help you find places you never knew were there.”

Geocaching is a boundless way to discover the environment around you. A Saturday hike can become a way to uncover a treasure you never knew existed and find new paths you overlooked before. ◆

How to become a Geocacher To become a geocacher, it is quite simple. Create a profile at www.geocaching.com or download the Geocaching app to connect you to the community and give you access to the online database of the geocache locations. More than 2 million “caches” that can be found all over the world and roughly 880 of those exist within a 10-mile radius of CBU. Once you find a geocache there are only three rules:

1. If you take something from the 'cache leave something of equal or greater value.

2. Write about your find in the cache logbook.

3. Log your experience online.

John Free, senior mechanical engineering major, searches for his geocache through the brush. According to the Geocaching app, the cache should be somewhere nearby.

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HISTORY FINDING NEW LIFE

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Written by Courtney Coleman Photos by Katie Ring and Courtney Coleman n a garden courtyard of Mission San Diego de Alcalá, California’s oldest Spanish mission, chants of worship resonate and carry into the air.

Attendants of the historic Catholic parish enter the chapel, dipping their hands in holy water, marking the sign of the cross and taking their place among humbled-eyed parishioners.

Inside the chapel, Art Hurteau, one of the service ushers stands ready to serve.

Hurteau moved to California from Missouri in 1989, and has been attending mass held at the mission ever since. For Hurteau, any place of worship is filled with rich history.

“It’s a place of worship like any other,” he says.

Maxwell Agha has been a regular parishioner at Mission San Diego de Alcalá for years.

“I feel at peace here,” he says of the tranquil mission. “It’s the history and the fact that it’s a strong tradition.” Agha adjusts his sky blue bowtie and with a nod

joins in praying over the nation.

According to missionssandiego.org, Don José de Gálvez, inspector-general of Baja California, sought to convert the Kumeyaay people of Alta California to Catholicism in order to maintain the Spanish control over the region. In 1769, Saint Junípero Serra was sent from New Spain (Mexico) into San Diego to encourage the natives to convert to Catholicism and so secure them as loyal subjects of the Spanish Crown.

When Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, the missions were taken from the Franciscan friars until May 23, 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation returning ownership of the missions back to the Catholic Church. The original document with President Lincoln’s signature is held in the museum of Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, Calif.

This mission was the eighteenth mission built out of 21 historic California missions. The Mission San Diego de Alcalá is not the only Southern California mission moved from its historic roots to serve a more modern purpose.

The Sunday morning celebration at the Mission San Luis Rey, much different from

The ringing of the bells (left) is one of Mission San Juan Capistrano’s oldest traditions. The original bell tower was destroyed by an earthquake in 1812, but the four original bells were salvaged and hung in a wall a year later where they hang today.

The statue of Jesus on the cross at the front of the cathedral (top) presents a sacred mood to the inner halls of the mission for people to come and reflect.

I

Anne Monroe (top) uses oil paints to illustrate a tower in one of the garden coutyards at Mission San Yuan Capistrano.

the Mission San Diego de Alcalá, include dancers and performers gathered for Fiesta Patrias Latinas, an event honoring Central American and Mexican cultures.

Hanz Jaime, a volunteer and main coordinator of the event, was thrilled many people came to support the festivital.

“Mostly we do it for the community,” Jaime says. “We are celebrating brothers from Central America and Mexico.”

Aztec dancers were one of the first performers to take the stage. As they jumped and stomped, their feathered headdresses and dazzling costumes created a whirlwind of colorful excitement. Behind the performers were tents for vendors. One of the tents housed a group called Aguilas del Desierto Inc. The group was established to rescue migrants crossing from Arizona to California in search of work.

Vicente Rodriguez, one of the volunteers, shared how some immigrants travel over 80 miles before they find refuge, but the majority of them pass away in mid-journey.

“They’ve secured the borders in California,” he says. “Now they have to take the dangerous route in Arizona.” ➸

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The female dancers perform on a Sunday afternoon at the Fiesta Patrias Latinas celebrating Aztec culture with music and traditional outfits.

Rodriguez explains the majority of migrants leave from Central America as refugees in an attempt to escape from gang violence and drug-related crime.

“We look for bodies and sometimes live people,” he says. “Then we find and notify the families. Many of them are husbands risking everything for their family. They’ll struggle on, until they die along the way.”

Events such as the Fiesta Patrias Latinas and other events hosted by the mission support groups like Aguilas del Desierto Inc. who are working to better the community.

San Juan Capistrano was the seventh of nine missions established by St. Junípero Serra and is often referred to as the jewel of 54 | Pursuit

the missions. The site is adorned with adobe style buildings, citrus trees, fountains with koi fish and multiple gardens.

The tranquil mission is a favorite location for visitors and locals alike. Anne Monroe, a local who has been coming to the mission for years, spent her Sunday evening painting a bell tower.

Monroe is part of a painting class at Saddleback College where students are encouraged to test their oil-painting skills in varying settings.

“A lot of time people don’t really make a point to get out in nature,” Monroe says as she tilts her head and scrutinizes the bird she just painted on top of the bell tower cross. “The bird flew away so it’s hard to

tell if I got it right. Does it look like a bird?”

Monroe’s mother sits nearby under antique archways, gazing out at a courtyard full of cactus gardens and wildflowers.

Similar to the many other historic Spanish missions dotting California, Mission San Juan Capistrano’s history is both elaborate and often dark, but its culture is rich.

The missions started as the framework to expand Spanish reign over California and were transformed throughout the centuries from military involvement to religious operations. Now, the missions are a hub of activities for a community and a home to the diverse cultures making up those communities in Southern California. ◆

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