Walton Fall Newsletter

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Ralf Alexander
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1 Walton Fall Newsletter Run with Endurance Hebrews 12: 1-2 Features: Theme of the Year: Run with Endurance... 2 Freshmen Thoughts Hispanic Heritage Dinner... 5 Pumpkin Decorating Contest... 6 Walton Thanksgiving Banquet

Each year we encourage the students to come up with a theme that we will use throughout the year to encourage our Walton students and to continue to build them up.

easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Many of our students have expressed concerns about issues back in their home countries and some of the fears they experience as they consider returning home or deal with the day to day pressures of

2 Each year we encourage the students to come up with a theme that we will use throughout the year to encourage our Walton students and to continue to build them up. This year Run with Endurance was selected from Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Many of our students have expressed concerns about issues back in their home countries and some of the fears they experience as they consider returning home or deal with the day to day pressures of being a university student. This year through Walton activities and mentoring programs we are encouraging our students to not allow the struggles of this earth rob them of the joy we all need to have in Jesus. We are striving to build a stronger Walton community while challenging our students to lay aside the weights holding them down and to run with endurance the race that has been set before us. 2

Freshmen Thoughts My experience in JBU has been incredible. Since the beginning I have felt as a part of the family. This has been especially with such a great, loving welcome that Mr.

- Alejandra Reyes (Honduras) We know what the butterfly effect is and seen from a specific point of view, a tiny change could have a huge reaction.

The adaptation process took more time than the expected, but now I feel that I am already adapted to the university and its environment. Let see what these four years have prepared for me.

3 Freshmen Thoughts My experience in JBU has been incredible. Since the beginning I have felt as a part of the family. This has been especially with such a great, loving welcome that Mr. J and the rest of the Waltons gave me. I love the environment and community at JBU. - Alejandra Reyes (Honduras) We know what the butterfly effect is and seen from a specific point of view, a tiny change could have a huge reaction. Well, now imagine what a huge change could make my transition to JBU (my huge change) hasn t been easy but with the help of God, my family and friends I feel confident and more capable. The adaptation process took more time than the expected, but now I feel that I am already adapted to the university and its environment. Let see what these four years have prepared for me. - Roberto López (Guatemala) My experience at JBU has been awesome in the time I have been here. It has been a big change and dealing with the weather, food and culture has been kind of hard, but now everything is getting better. I am making new friendships that, I am totally sure that are going to be for the rest of my life. Besides, all the knowledge that I am acquiring, are lifelong treasures too. This big adventure is just starting and I m excited to see what is next. Jostin Díaz (Panama) The Walton Scholarship Program is such a huge blessing; it has given me an opportunity that I wouldn t have had in my country. There are no words that can describe my happiness. The Walton program and JBU have opened their doors for me to grow not only personally but professionally as well. I came here and I realized that I have a great family that is always willing to support me. It is amazing and unbelievable how each experience here is building a great future for me. I never imagined I could have such a blessing, and when I think about where I come from I just Thank God for showing so much mercy not just to me, but to my family, community, and country as well. The Walton program is not just an organization, it is love, a bond that connects us. It's not just about what we do as students daily, but about the affection that we share as a family in which God s love is with us everyday. -Minsis Ramos (Honduras) 3

When I was getting ready to come to JBU I was a little anxious about what it would be to be here far away from my mother and family, worried that I would be feeling lonely or that I wouldn t be able

I m extremely happy and feel so lucky to be part of the life of these magnificent people, so blessed by God with so many interesting stories to tell and even more things to teach me.

I really like the campus, it has a lot of options for us to do homework, have fun and be comfortable. What I love the most is the people, especially the Waltons.

Sometimes I have a lot of homework or I don t understand something, but I know that I will always have people who will be willing to help me.

4 When I was getting ready to come to JBU I was a little anxious about what it would be to be here far away from my mother and family, worried that I would be feeling lonely or that I wouldn t be able to get along with my scholarship-mates. But I have never been so wrong. My heart feels warm around these people and I can see God s hand in everything that happens to me. I m extremely happy and feel so lucky to be part of the life of these magnificent people, so blessed by God with so many interesting stories to tell and even more things to teach me. I ll never be able to thank Him enough for this opportunity. Patricia Morales (Nicaragua) My experience at JBU has been amazing. I ve met people from all around the world. I really like the campus, it has a lot of options for us to do homework, have fun and be comfortable. What I love the most is the people, especially the Waltons. Whenever I start feeling a little bit homesick, I just need to spend time with them to feel better. Sometimes I have a lot of homework or I don t understand something, but I know that I will always have people who will be willing to help me. Mónica Chacón (Costa Rica) My worldview has changed with only a month here. Living under a different social and educational structure has changed the way I see my life and the plans I have for my future. My adaptation took very short time. I have liked everything here. Despite the cafeteria food, I m excited by knowing that I still have four years to enjoy this. The classes are fine so far. I m sure they are going to get more interesting throughout my time here. Arturo Morales (México) Desde que llegue a JBU mi vida ha sido mas que una aventura, un verdadero paraíso, donde Dios me alimenta de gratis, me calza y me viste de gratis, me da un techo y un lecho y educación gratis y aún dinero en efectivo sin tener que trabajar. Es obvio que lo que tengo que hacer es honrar a Dios cada momento de mi vida y tratar de tener el mejor resultado posible en mis estudios, pero tengo la bendición de tener profesores muy amables y considerables como también muchas amistades y consejeros a quienes inquirir ayuda, lo que hace mi vida mucho más fácil, como nunca imagine. - Mira Ramírez (Belice) 4

Hispanic Heritage Dinner The Hispanic Heritage Dinner was full of color,

I enjoyed the special dance number that showed the happiness that Colombians

I was impacted by the fact that the Chamber of Commerce recognizes the hard

5 Hispanic Heritage Dinner The Hispanic Heritage Dinner was full of color, energy, and folklore from Colombia. I enjoyed the special dance number that showed the happiness that Colombians can bring to a place. I was impacted by the fact that the Chamber of Commerce recognizes the hard work of Colombians in the US. In addition, the best part of this event was the art incorporated, made by students. Their talent and creativity were the highlight of the event. Claudia Alvarado 5

think that people should have that attitude

sometimes people do not have good days, and

does not mean that the person has changed.

pumpkin are still part of the pumpkin no

6 Pumpkin Decorating Contest T he pumpkin decorating contest was so fun. I made the good/bad cop pumpkin. I decided to create one happy side because I think that people should have that attitude every day, but the bad side shows that sometimes people do not have good days, and they don t feel like being nice, but that does not mean that the person has changed. In the end both the good and bad side of the pumpkin are still part of the pumpkin no matter what side is seen. - Mónica Pumpkin Decorating Contest Participants: Sofía Cruz (winner), Mónica Chacón, Walter Medrano, Andrea Rodríguez, Mira Ramírez, Rolando Serrano 6

O n Saturday, November 21st we had the annual Walton Thanksgiving Banquet in honor of our December graduates: Liany Ayuso, Josafat Rodríguez and Walter Hernández.

In this edition of the banquet, we had the opportunity to present Walton Awards which were given in categories such as Freshmen of the Semester, Couple of the Semester, Mustache of the Year, Senior

The presentation, uniquely created by Fidel Gallegos & Monica Chacón, brought to life the program and gave a funny twist on award nominations and announcements that the guests were not expecting.

7 O n Saturday, November 21st we had the annual Walton Thanksgiving Banquet in honor of our December graduates: Liany Ayuso, Josafat Rodríguez and Walter Hernández. It was a great time to get together, be thankful for what we have and share as the family that we are. In this edition of the banquet, we had the opportunity to present Walton Awards which were given in categories such as Freshmen of the Semester, Couple of the Semester, Mustache of the Year, Senior of the Semester, among others. The banquet was hosted by two great MC s, Alejandra Figoni & Luis Villalaz, who filled the program with jokes and plenty of reasons to laugh. The presentation, uniquely created by Fidel Gallegos & Monica Chacón, brought to life the program and gave a funny twist on award nominations and announcements that the guests were not expecting. Overall, this banquet was yet another reason to remember how blessed we are to be part of this Walton family here at JBU. This opportunity to dress up, celebrate the graduates and have fun really marks the end of a great semester and strengthens our bonds as Walton students. Thank you to everyone who helped plan, decorate, organize and tear down for this special day. We really appreciate the effort and time given to make this banquet one that we will all remember. November 2015, John Brown University Siloam Springs, Arkansas Created by María Argüello 7

UNSTOPPABLESPRING 2013

UNSTOPPABLESPRING 2013 NO LIMITS? For 2013 the theme for our Walton International Scholarship Program is Unstoppable. As I prayed about a theme to challenge our Walton scholars I came across a book with