A Sweet Taste of Summer
4 Ways to Stay Connected to Your Friends and College Ministry
Winter is over, and it’s time to get moving. Put down the remote and leave Netflix in the dust. Below are four options to consider when mapping out your summer plans.
Call up your college ministry friends and plan a day journey or camping trip to Willow River State Park. Located just outside of Hudson, Willow River State Park is a scenic getaway that has all the feels: plenty of fresh air and flowers along the trails, rivers, and cliffs. Canoe and kayak rental is available, paddles included. Along with your swimsuit and towel, don’t forget some water-friendly shoes to help make the waterfall experience unforgettable. If you’re looking for more, tent it for the night. Who couldn’t go for s’mores and hysterical laughs with good friends?
Check in and see what your college ministry is doing over the summer. Don’t be surprised if there is an opportunity to catch up during some volleyball or take part in a Bible study. Revisit your contact list and give a friend who is a Menomonite a buzz to see what’s going down. Schedule something, bring a sleeping bag, and crash on a friend’s couch. If time allows, hit up the Log Jam for their breakfast specials like My Belly’s Breakfast (eggs, bacon, and toast assembled the way you like it).
Start a group text. It’s a good place to joke around, share what’s happening with you, keep up with everyone, or ask for prayer. The Bible App (YouVersion) offers unlimited access to the Bible in many versions. Along with this sweet feature, you can delve deeper into what the app has to offer. It has a huge selection of daily devotionals put together by a variety of pastors, teachers, and authors. Just download the app, share it with your friends, and seek a daily devotional to do together. A favorite one of mine is Mark Driscoll’s Pray Like Jesus. Then, designate a group leader to invite others and get started. The devotions are short. They start with a commentary by the author, which is followed by some Bible verses, and before you finish, there is an opportunity to comment and share with your friends about what God is saying to you today.
Don’t let the list end here. Meet up with your friends at a cozy restaurant patio and have a brainstorming session. You never know what you may get into next! Maybe it’s Valleyfair, visiting Lake Superior, seeing how many Dairy Queens are in an hour radius of Menomonie, or even having a day-cation at the Como Zoo. Whatever it is, make the most of it!