Freshman Year Doubts, Roommate Struggles, and Embracing the Process from Freshmen Year to Senior Year with Gabby Morgalo

Going away to college is an exciting experience, but it can be a challenging adjustment.

In this episode, Gabby Morgalo, a Temple University business major and student leader with Every Nation Campus in Philadelphia, joins for a conversation to walk us through her college experience from freshman year to present.

Gabby talks about her struggles freshman year, wrestling through doubts, missing Christian community during that first summer break, and the various opportunities that she has taken, since then, to grow into a closer walk with Jesus and join his mission during her college experience.

>Additional details can be found on the episode webpage here.

>>Join Dave's email list to get inside access to free resources designed to help you grow in faith and develop in leadership on campus.

Transcript

David: 0:37

All right. Well, I am here with Gabby more Gallo. Gabby is a student, a senior at temple university in a business major, and she is also a student leader with every nation campus, Philadelphia, where I have the opportunity to serve as a campus minister and Gabby. Great to have you here today.

Gabby: 0:57

Hi, thanks Dave, for having me super excited.

David: 1:01

Yeah.

Gabby: 1:02

Thank you.

David: 1:03

Absolutely. Absolutely. Well, Gabby, great to have you on the podcast and just excited. You're you were actually the, the, the first guest who is currently a student here on the college faith and leadership podcast. And so we're talking about college life. I think it's probably a good idea if we have actual current students speak into these topics as well. And so Gabby, um, yeah, really great to have you here today.

Gabby: 1:30

Yeah, thanks so much. It's honestly been such an encouragement, um, even just in preparing for this then, um, reflecting and things like that. So I'm just super excited and I hope that this blessed in some people.

David: 1:44

Yeah, well, yeah, I'm sure that it will. And so Gabby, just as we get into this today, uh, I, I, you know, really, I know we're going to talk about your journey even throughout college and what that was like for you entering college and just the various kind of hurdles and things along the way of, you know, the ups and the downs, the challenges, but also the real. Seasons and moments of growth. And I can say for me personally, just as a, a campus minister, who's has got to have kind of a, front row seat, if you will, to your journey, it's really just, it's been, it's been encouraging, uh, to, to see your journey, but if you would just, as we get into it, and as you know, maybe the, those that are listening that, uh, don't net. Don't yet know you. Uh, could you just share a little bit about your background and your experience, even, even prior to college, what your background was, particularly as it relates to Christian faith?

Gabby: 2:39

Yeah. So I grew up in a Christian home. Um, I remember specifically like, as a kid going to church pretty often, um, on Sundays and even after dance rehearsal on the weekdays, like changing in the car and going straight to tears sometimes like falling asleep at church. Um, I remember. My parents going to like a neighborhood Bible study and inviting the pastors over for dinner and often having conversations with my mom about, you know, why, why can't I do some of the things that other kids can do? Why can't I watch certain shows or, you know, celebrate Halloween different, different things like that. And so, um, I also, I remember in third grade we had a bit of a, uh, Show and tell of some of our favorite things. And I found a letter recently that in one of my favorite things was a Bible that my grandma had given me. And I talked about how it says that God's our father and Jesus saves us. And, um, even having this like understanding as like a seven year old and I got baptized when I was seven. And so I remember having this. This faith as a, as a child. Um, but as my family grew up, we kind of stopped going to church as regularly. And I think this was mainly because, you know, my dad was in the military, so we moved around a lot. And so I think that as we moved from city to city, You church to church school to school, we just kinda stopped going. And I remember thinking that like, you know, pastors were a special type of Christian that they were like the saints, you know, that's like the Pauls and the Peters and I'm just a normal person. Um, so I think also in this and moving around a lot, I really struggled with where to find my identity. Um, I kind of always felt like out of place or unseen and always feeling like I was starting over and, and this kind of idea, and in Galatians one 10 that talks about, you know, are you seeking the approval of man or God? And so that's kind of what I was dealing with growing up, um, and trying to find community and things like that outside of the church.

David: 5:04

Yeah. Yeah. Well, I, I know Katie, my wife's, uh, uh, family was also a military family. And so that under that there's some particular challenges to that military lifestyle and the

Gabby: 5:17

Yeah.

David: 5:17

all the time. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. Um, well, yeah. Tell us a little bit, how did that play out as you started out college? You know, what was your mindset entering college? Uh, just I guess overall, but particularly when it comes to faith, was that something that you were even thinking about as a, you know, an area of. Attention that or something that needed attention during college or intentionality or, uh, what was your thought process as you were entering that first year of college?

Gabby: 5:51

Yeah. Um, so specifically the summer before college, I came to a big turning point where I, I. Just came to the end of myself. Um, there wasn't any fruit from, you know, seeking the approval of man and I, at this point had felt really empty, um, very lost and very broken. And I had no direction in my life whatsoever. It felt like this life that I was trying to build for myself had kind of come to a dead end and like nothing that I was doing in building my life was really satisfying. So. Like the month right before college was the week, the longest month of my life. The only thing that I really found comfort in, um, was listening to sermons and worship music. So I had kind of come to this point where it was like, okay, there's an opportunity for another new start. And I was just like, God, Me planning my own life. Hasn't been working too well. So let's try it your way. Kind of, kind of thought I had no direction. I didn't see any other option as a point to move forward. So it was a big priority for me. The moment that I stepped on campus was defined Christian community, um, a place where I could share my faith and continue in that hope of a future and feel like I belonged, you know,

David: 7:18

Yeah, that's great. So Gabby, w you know, just thinking back on your story at this point, you know, where along the way do you think that you really made that decision to follow Jesus for yourself? Would you say that it was that summer before college was really that if there was a moment and I know it was a journey and it's a process, but would you say that was a defining moment where you, you made that step or was that earlier on and kind of your childhood experiences with your family going to church?

Gabby: 7:45

I think that definitely was a critical moment. I think, as a child, I still walked with Jesus and I knew of Jesus and I considered Jesus, a friend, and I spoke to Jesus and things like that. But I think at this moment, I was just super desperate. And so I was like, I can't, I can't be relying on my own wisdom. I need to trust God. And specifically in my freshman year, there was another moment, very early on, maybe like October, where there was a light switch that really went off after one of our ENC meetings where I just realized that like, I'm not meant to plan my life myself. It's not about just like planning your life and then asking God to bless it. Like. This calling that I thought was only meant for pastors and special Christians of laying down your entire life, laying down the plans that you have is just not, not just expected of them, but of me as well. And so, you know, following Jesus, it's like, okay, Jesus has something to say about every area of my life. It's not okay. You know, what do I want for breakfast? What do, where do I want to go to college? What am I want to do for the rest of my life? And do I believe in God? It's like, okay, Jesus, you know, what are the plans that you have for me? What are. Like, where do you want me to move? Where do you want me to go to college? What do you want me to study? These types of things. So refer to God and to seek his wisdom and direction. And so, you know, I, I definitely knew Jesus as a kid and coming to college, I just wanted more of that. And that's definitely something that I've found where that there was a, a concrete, like switch within the first few months of college.

David: 9:21

Yeah. Yeah. That's awesome. Yeah. Well, we'll Gabby. Yeah. If you could just speak a little bit more to that beginning phase of college, and just for those that may not be familiar, I know you threw out, uh, you know, reference to ENC for those listening that may not know what is ENC that stands for every nation campus. And so that's the name of the, uh, collegiate ministry organization that, um, You know, Gabby and I are both a part of, no, there are a lot of other, you know, great ministries out there. I think of crew and navigators and just a whole bunch. But, um, every nation campus is a as the ministry that we're a part of here in Philadelphia, uh, locally Gabby. How did you, how did you find, you know, ENC, how did you, as you were. You were talking about coming into college with this intentionality of saying, Hey, I really need to find other Christians on campus. I'm going into this large state university. And, uh, you know, Hey, I, I need to find other people that are trying to really live for Jesus. What did that search look like for you? And how did you end up, you know, connecting, you know, with the particular campus ministry that you did.

Gabby: 10:32

Honestly. I had no part in it. It was kind of an accident. Um, temple has this thing called temple Fest where they have all the orgs out. And so before I had even gone to a class at temple, I was signed up for ENC. And so the way that this happened is my roommates and I, we were looking for something to do the weekend before classes, and we decided to go look up all the orgs. And it was still funny because all the religious orders were kind of. Tucked into this corner. And I have no idea how I ended up in the corner, but it was exactly what I was looking for. And I was immediately drawn to ENC because of the diversity. A lot of the other orgs on campus seem to really lack that. And just this youthful energy and excitement.

David: 11:18

Yeah. Yeah. Nice. Okay. So yeah, you, you just, you know, it's interesting, you say you, you kind of stumbled into it. So, so that, that day that you, you were there, where were you even there with the intention of looking for a Christian group? Or was it just kind of like a wait I'm just walking through this area and like, Oh wait a second. You know, I think these tables here are, you know, Amanda by Christian groups and Whoa, like this is just kind of a, almost like an accidental connection type thing.

Gabby: 11:49

I think that I had probably gone out with the idea of like, okay, let's keep an eye out for Christian organizations, but I definitely like didn't find them on my own. Like I said, cause they were kind of tucked away. So. It was so crowded. I couldn't really see what the different sections were, how it was organized. So I kind of ended up in the area by accident, but it was definitely what I was hoping for.

David: 12:16

Okay. Yeah. That's great. Well, yeah, Gabby, what did it look like from there? Just, just kind of walk us through that because I know even just from being on the other side of that, uh, situation as a campus minister, you know, man, it seems like sometimes we meet a lot of people and yeah. The, uh, you know, a lot of the people that we meet, you know, not, not some get connected, let's just say there's some get connected, some end up not getting connected. So for you, what would you say was, was key or helpful for you beyond that moment of saying like, okay, wow. I met somebody, but then actually. Really getting connected, not just allowing that to get on an email list and then you never really get connected, but, but to really plug in and really get connected with a community of believers, what do you think was key in really helping that, that next level of connection?

Gabby: 13:04

Yeah. Um, well, I do remember the first time meeting Brittany that day and she just seemed super enthusiastic and excited to get to know me. Um, and I was like, yes, I want, I want more information. Um, when you have it, And so she, you know, she sent out a text that day, um, just connecting and letting me know that she would keep me updated about events. And I'm super thankful for that. But then even like coming to the events, I remember I brought one of my friends with me. I was a little nervous. Um, you know, trying to, like you said, trying to make friends at this big city university, um, And so we went and I felt super welcomed. So many people came up to me and just were asking me about my name and my major and just my story. And what really stuck out to me is. The following events is when I came back and everyone was like, Oh my goodness, Gabby. And I was like, Whoa, you remember my name? Um, and so it was just like this continual intentionality and focus that just made me feel very welcomed. That kept me coming. It definitely wasn't like, I felt super, like I, like, I took ownership of this, this. Community or felt super, um, like family at this early, early stage. But I definitely was like, I want to come back.

David: 14:30

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, that's so, so interesting. You know, you talk about even just the thing of people remembering your name. Uh, I know that that can mean a big deal, you know, for somebody that's new and, uh, you know, for the kind of ministry leader here that's listening. I know that can be a challenge when you're meeting so many people, but it just makes such a big difference, I think, to, you know, if you just think of it. Putting ourselves in the shoes of that newcomer. And, you know, when we can re remember a person's name, um, and it makes such a big difference. And so, man, I know that for me hearing that that's like a fresh challenge of, Hey, you know, you gotta, you gotta really continue to work at this, but it's really cool Gabby to hear just how that, uh, particularly impacted you. Um, well, great. Well, Gabby, uh, just kind of continuing on through your experience. I know many students. That I've talked with over the years, you know, even coming from a background like yours, maybe coming into college with a measure of intention of trying to walk as a Christian throughout college, just encounter various kind of pitfalls along the way. And just doubts are just kind of getting just sucked into. Relationships or other things, friendships that can kind of pull them in the wrong direction. Just these various type of pressures, uh, intellectual, as well as social. Um, you know, w did you experience anything like that and your freshman year or in your early years of college?

Gabby: 15:59

Yeah. Um, so around the same time where I started realizing that, you know, my life is not my own, um, you know, that was a very kind of scary and exciting moment it's it was scary because it's like, okay, I can't just. Do whatever I want in life. I can't just make my life what I want it to be, but it was also really freeing because, you know, I'm not limited to what I'm capable of. Um, and so at the same time, I was like being super excited and almost feeling like I could see like physically clear. Um, I was really confronted with a lot of questions that I didn't really have to consider before because I, they didn't really cost me anything before at this point now it's like, okay. I'm choosing to completely just way down my life. So I need to know what I'm doing this for and being able to answer questions. And so this was specifically important to me because roommates that I had at this time, they all believed in something different. You know, one of my, and I'm still friends with them today. You know, one of my roommates was Muslim. One of my roommates, her family, that her background is a Hindu, but she didn't really believe she wasn't really practicing. Another one of my roommates. She, um, she grew up, I think, in the Catholic home, but she was very interested in, in East Asian religions. And then one of our other close friends on the floor, he was, um, he grew up in a Catholic home, but didn't believe at all. And so I just had all these questions. My Muslim friend is more devoted to her faith and I am so. I had all these questions of like, why do bad things happen if God is in control and good. And why are there so many religions of how can I know that Jesus is the truth and the only truth and how can I answer these questions for the people around me who are asking them? Because at this point I didn't, I just was like a deer in the headlights kind of thing. And so around this time is, is that the end of the semester. And so I'm going back home as well. And leaving the community that had really helped transform me. And so I'm, I'm different. I'm going home different, but I'm going home to a place that's the same, that's really familiar. And so that was extremely challenging. And I was wrestling with a lot and even still wrestling as I came back to campus and came back into community, you know, I, I think coming back into community, I realize, okay. Having questions isn't bad, you know, other people have questions and they still are faithful. And so that doesn't make me a bad Christian, but, um, I'm, I'm like wrestling with these questions all throughout freshman year. And at around March, I had an encounter with God that really just affirmed me and reassured me. It was like, okay, God, you're real. But like this, this isn't enough necessarily to help anybody else out, but me. So like what. Alice is there, what are the answers to these questions? Do other people's questions that I need to have that can reaffirm my faith, but also help other people, because everybody in all types of religions claim to have experiences that determined what they believe. So that, that wasn't enough for me as far as helping other people out or, or I was in search of truth. So I didn't want to just go based off of, um, a supernatural experience. So. This was really where we got to cornerstone. Um, and for those of you who don't know, cornerstone is a summer program where you study the Bible and you grow in leadership, training and skills, and it's just a place to really wrestle with these big questions and understand, you know, is the gospel reliable? Are all its claims reliable how to answer these questions that our generation is asking and how to read and interpret the Bible correctly and apply it to every aspect of your life. So this is, you know, going back to the, the realization that I came to at the beginning of this semester, where it's like, okay, Jesus has something to say about every aspect of my life. So going to cornerstone really helped me understand. Okay, what does that look like? Practically? And. I, in some ways I came out of cornerstone with more questions than I went in with. Um, but I was so on fire and I was so ready to answer questions and I wasn't afraid of questions. And, um, I wasn't discouraged by them. I, I learned that, you know, truth isn't, isn't offended by questions. So. You can, you can have questions and be a strong Christian. And I think that in all those times that I had questions, you know, God answered them and made my strength, my faith stronger. So that was really, really exciting. And that was a crucial point in my walk with God was that summer in cornerstone, it completely made me confident and answered a lot of the questions that I was struggling with reconciling before. Um, which was really perfect for this semester. I was about to enter. Yeah.

David: 21:05

Yeah. That's that's great. Well, yeah. You know, cornerstone and just, I guess speaking again a little bit more broadly, um, Yeah, Gabby, you know, it sounds like you were on a journey that whole first year of college and some great stuff was happening, but there were also some questions and some things that, you know, were not fully settled or resolved. And you know, of course you're carrying a full course load with college at this time and just, you know, a lot is going on there. Um, But then, you know, it sounds like you really took a step to try to make the most of the summer where it wasn't just like, all right, I'm going to, you know, kind of just go back home and kind of just vege out for the next three and a half months, but you said, Hey, I'm going to, I'm going to take this opportunity. And I know there's a variety of opportunities. Like there's, as you said, there's this cornerstone program, or there's a, there are various summer mission trips or things, but you said, Hey, I'm going to really try to make the most of a summer. To really just kinda go deeper, you know, make, just try to resolve some of those things, really take some next steps. And I think actually that's one of the things that's really incredible about the college stage of life is that you do have these breaks. You've got spring break, you've got a summer break. And, uh, just to, to try to really. Use those well, and I think Gabby, just both that first year, as well as you know, I know you've done other things since then, but I've just really seen you do well. And so I just want to commend you and encourage you with that. I think it's just wise, you know, the way that you've kind of steward and manage your summers and your time off to really, uh, Not just push, pause on your relationship with God or not just regress and kind of shrink back, but to say, Hey, I want to, I want to grow. I want to keep going. And so, uh, anyway, just to, to encourage you, but also to the person that's listening, particularly the student, that's thinking about what to do next time that they have a school break or the college ministry leader. Okay. Um, who's leading students to think about, alright, how can I, how could I set up some opportunities or how can I connect some students into some key opportunities during those times of, of break from school, uh, to where it really serves as a catalyst. Whether at the individual level for, to, to grow personally or whether it's at kind of the ministry wide level to really help just various students in your ministry really move forward and grow. Um, because I think that that's just, that's the key thing that sometimes. We can overlook, you know, outside of the scope of what's happening during this defined period of a college semester, you know, like when, when the college semester ends discipleship, doesn't end, you know, the mission of God doesn't end it's. And in fact, sometimes it's really even more important how to use those breaks to really, really advance and move forward. All that much more.

Gabby: 24:03

yeah, definitely. It was, it was for sure. Some of those moments that were during the summer, some of those extra, you know, extracurriculars to, so to speak. So the cornerstone conferences that, you know, world conference, things like that. That are probably the biggest moments in my walk with Christ and in my college experience that really shaped me. And I think, you know, after coming out of a winter break, that was kind of rough. The idea of staying home all summer was kind of terrifying and, and there's kind of an accelerated growth that happens in community, um, that the, I don't want to miss out on, you know, going back home, it's definitely a slower pace and. Since I had all of these questions, I assumed, you know, what better thing to do than go to a place where I can ask them with other people my age, who are wrestling with the same questions and wanting to know God more. And so I would recommend that for anybody, you know, I have done internships. It really doesn't compare, especially your freshman year. When you can take internships, you know, as a sophomore, junior, I would recommend taking your freshmen summer and doing something with it to grow in God.

David: 25:16

Yeah. Yeah, that's really good. I would agree. Yeah. Well, yeah, Gabby, just walking through kind of the next stage of your college journey. Um, thinking about, again, as I've, I've gotten the opportunity to, to watch this happen for you, but you certainly hit a point where, you know, you didn't stop growing personally. You didn't stop rustling through things and, you know, asking hard questions, but at some point there was a shift that took place for you where. You know, you were not just kind of focused on kind of what you were doing and your own. Again, not to sound, um, I don't know, dismissive of this, but have your own kind of challenges, but you started to kind of shift into a, more of a, an outward focus as well, while you were growing to think also, how can I help others grow? Uh, at what point did that shift happen for you to really thinking also in terms of, of mission, um, reaching others, helping others grow as followers of Jesus. And, and what did that look like for you?

Gabby: 26:17

Yeah. So on, I would say that this was the main thing of sophomore year. So going into fall semester, having this confidence that I didn't really have before having answers to questions that I didn't really have before, this was a huge turning point. So this semester I was leading Bible study for the first time and also. One of the biggest things is I was in both of my, um, intellectual heritage classes at temple, which are the classes that you're really talking about life. You are like asking big lead questions. What's the purpose of life. What's the meaning of life. And one of my, uh, classes, we talked about science versus religion and do the co-exist. And basically everybody in my class was like, no, They almost knocked at the idea that somebody could even consider religion like a viable option in our generation. And so. In these classes, I was kind of forced to defend the gospel. And I was really excited to do that to something that the year before probably would have scared me. This was something that was exciting to me. And so I'm one of the other class we talked about, you know, what makes human life matter, how to hold a bait and does God make human life matter? Does the pursuit of wisdom that human life matter or does leaving a legacy, make human life matters among other beliefs? And so, um, You know, why do bad things happen, wrestling with a lot of these questions and, you know, even reading in reading Genesis and that one class, I mean, just being able to like answer people's questions. One, one guy had a question about, and it's a small class. It was like seven people. He, he was very curious about why God would allow or command Abraham to. To sacrifice his son and being able to use that to point to Jesus where I would not have known how to answer that before cornerstone. And so I really saw my classes as a vehicle to share the gospel and glorify God, whereas before it was like, okay, I'm just doing it credit. And I still want still wanting to do it with excellence because learning, I love learning. I always have. So I just, I enjoyed it, but I wasn't really thinking of like, With the lenses of the gospel. Um, and so this was a huge turning point to see things externally. I got really interested in apologetics and, um, this was, I think the first year that I had gone out on evangelism, um, moments and, you know, it's interesting. Cause sometimes I look back and, and I could have answered this that way and I could have answered this that way now that I know more, but it's like, God used me where I was. And so. And he still uses me where I am, you know, 10 years from now and be like, dang, I wish I could have answered it that way. Um, so I think that that's just super cool is that he takes where you are and he uses that to the benefit of those around you. So, um, as I, as I had to really defend the case for Jesus, um, in this fall semester of sophomore year, I really continue to grow in confidence in my faith, but also looked at it as something that was external. Um, with an, uh, a mission behind it. And, um, I think also going into cornerstone again, as, as an intern really played a big role in that, uh, you know, being used by God and growing and, um, even just continue to like, think about ministry beyond college. Um, This was definitely that semester where all of that started.

David: 30:02

Yeah, that's great. Gabby. Um, I know you've done a number of other things. I mean, throughout your journey, as you referenced you, you served as an intern in the summer program. Cornerstone. Uh, yeah, I know you, you mean you serve multiple years kind of on our student leadership team with every nation campus at temple and leading small group Bible studies and discipling other people. Just as you think back now, and you're in your senior year at this point, as you think back on some of those experiences, I know you just shared about some of the situations in your intellectual heritage classes, which by the way, I think probably every, it seems that every college has some classes like that, where it's like. You know, just maybe almost directly a struggle. And it kind of, I remember when I was at Florida state, there was an intro to the new Testament class. That was kind of a similar thing where it just, it seemed like everybody that went into this class just came out with all kinds of questions and doubts and, you know, and I think it's just so important. Gabby when I'm so grateful for you is that you, you know, you, you were able to identify some of those questions and, and, you know, wrestle through them. I think in a helpful way that actually strengthen your faith. You know what I think sometimes can be a challenge is when. We just allowed doubts to sort of accumulate in our hearts and, you know, it gets to the point where we don't even remember anymore. Wait, what was the, where did the doubt even come from? And then it's just, it's, it's hard. It's hard to address a doubt when you, you don't even remember where this seed doubt even came from. Um, but again, just this, this is where I think some of the intentional. Kind of study and, you know, things you did would just, sir, seemed to really help you in that regard. And so, uh, just to me, that's, uh, just a fresh reminder of, of how, and there is an intellectual battle and there are good answers out there, uh, to some of these difficult questions, but, you know, um, you're not always hearing the other side of those types of things in classes like that. So. Anyway, just as an aside there. Uh, but, but just thinking back in general, Gabby on your college experience, discipling other students, leading small groups, interning at cornerstone, being in these classes where you're trying to, uh, kind of. Graciously and gently bring an alternate perspective in, you know, and, and Gabby, I'm guessing you weren't like, you know, I don't know, debating a professor in some sort of adversarial way, but, but just, you know, putting another perspective out yeah. There and, and having, um, you know, having kind of a respectful dialogue in a way that is appropriate for a setting like that. What are some of the highlights? What are some of the things that when you look back on as a senior, that you're like, man, God answered this prayer or man, this, this is, was so cool to see this person in my small group. Take this key step in their journey with Jesus. Is there anything that particularly comes to your mind that you're just especially thankful for

Gabby: 33:04

Yeah. Um, well, as you were speaking, I was also reminded of a verse, um, in second Corinthians 10 that I really like, um, that. You know, talks about warfare, but it, it, it says in verse five, you know, we destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ. And I really enjoyed this burst, especially at that time. Um, and just being able to answer people's questions, it's so important, um, to the faith of our generation. And some of these moments, you know, were in my classes where other people who. Claim to be Christian and Catholic also struggled with a lot of these ideas in our generation of, you know, science is stronger than religion and these are just myths and just as, as viable as any other religion, you know? So, um, even just seeing people wrestle with these questions in my classes, as I would bring up points, and especially during that debate, that was a moment that, you know, I, I very fondly remember. Um, but even in, in my small groups specifically within, um, my junior year in, in seeing some of these things play out now during the era of COVID, um, but just having the girls in my small group, talk about the friends that they had, you know, growing up or before college, who, you know, aren't Christian, but they're praying for it. Like they're close friends that. That as, as the girl in my small group is growing close to, to Christ during, during college is wondering how she can take the gospel to our friend, how she can love her friend and, and praying with her, for her friend. And now seeing all of these moments pop up during quarantine of, Hey, um, you know, I kind of want to learn more about Jesus. Can you walk me through a Bible study? Um, and questions like that, that people are really wrestling with now that we don't have as many distractions as we once did. Even in my own family. So that first year when I started, you know, realizing that there's more to life than just how we've been living, I was praying so strongly for my family, that they would come to that same realization that there's more to life. There's an abundant life, that there's a joyful life. Um, and so just praying for my family to return to that hunger that we kind of had, um, years ago. And, uh, even seeing. God's faithfulness in such a difficult year in a year. That seems so dry. You know, my, my grandma passed away earlier this year and you know, she was a believer. So I'm confident that she's with Jesus, but even through the grief and loss of her, my family has come so much closer to Christ, even as my mom's wrestling with this grief, you know, I haven't really seen her as much alive as she is right now, but she might not know that, but she has joined a Bible study. She has come into community, which is something that we have not had said. Maybe I was, you know, six or seven. Um, she has common to community and she's reading the Bible. Same with my aunt. She got a Bible and she. Sped through John she's in Genesis. She's just all over the place, reading this word and repeating it and memorizing verses. And I'm like, okay. So even like through a year like this, to see God answer prayers that were prayed years ago and to see his faithfulness and, and just all of it and just prepared me for, for what was coming next. Um, and, and preparing my family and using something. That should have brought destruction and, and mourning into something that is, is really incredible. Um, and joyful and life-giving.

David: 37:12

yeah, Gabby. That's awesome. Just, I love that perspective and just thanks for sharing that testimony too, just even during, uh, the pandemic during this just really difficult year that we're. And right now, 20, 20 pandemic. COVID-19 just how God is even working. Not only through, uh, kind of the ministry focused on campus, but how God has been working in your own family. I think that's just super encouraging. I know one of the things that even. Motivates me about being involved in campus ministry is this idea of, of helping young men and women during a pivotal stage of their life. But also just the, what God can do, not only in that individual's life, but in, in their families of origin. Uh, and so just, I think I've, I've seen that perhaps more in the past six months than ever before. And just, you know, the story that you shared Gabby, it's just, it's just awesome. Um, I was actually just talking. With someone else here within the last couple days about this idea and just, just of how, you know, we feel kind of locked down. And of course, where we're recording this up here in the Northeastern United States is just like, man, it's been a, it's been a pretty severe kind of a lockdown in our region. I know not every. Area of the U S or the world has experienced this in the same way. But, um, you know, it's just, in some ways it can kind of feel like man, you know, just run on lockdown and it just seems like there's so many things you can't do or what can you do? Uh, and so I love just hearing these testimonies of, of, of Gabby, you know, people like you and others that have really taken the initiative in this season to, um, Just to believe a fresh for their families and just, Hey, you're back home. You're doing classes online, uh, all of that, but just, just some of the testimonies that have come out of it. And, and really again, shifting kind of that mindset from, Hey, I'm on lockdown, you know, in life, uh, to, to really, Hey, I'm sent by God and you know, that looks different right now than it did eight months ago. But perhaps there are opportunities during this stage, this season that. There weren't, uh, eight months or a year ago. It's just a different, maybe a different season of kind of an investment in relationship and, and all that. So, um, yeah, so Gabby, just excited for what God is doing in your family. And my hope is that we're gonna just see a lot of. Impact like that of, of, of students that were impacted through collegiate ministries that are back home and really just being able to love their family as well. Uh, being able to love their siblings and just have conversations perhaps at a deeper level than before. I mean, my goodness, we're spending lots of, lots of time, uh, in the same spaces together. So yeah. Uh, hopefully hopefully good is going to come out of that. But, uh, anyway, Gabby. Well, before we wrap up Gabby, um, I do want to just talk about what you have coming up next and I, I'm just excited. I know your current intention is that after you graduate, you're going to be joining, uh, campus ministry staff full-time and, um, and so just excited to have you on the team. I think you're, uh, just a great. Young leader and just, just really looking forward to what's coming next for you. Could you just share a little bit about that? I know you referenced just briefly earlier, even some of the seeds of that coming out of that, that semester, where you were wrestling intensely with some things and starting to even share the gospel a little bit more openly. Uh, but what, what brought you to this point? If you could share about that party journey?

Gabby: 40:51

Yeah. So there wasn't really a. Concrete moment or light switch kind of moment with ministry. Like I said, it started with asking questions and just kind of being curious. Um, and then it continued to grow as I was placed in more leadership opportunities. And one thing that really struck me, so. Growing up. I was always interested in a wide variety of things. I loved learning. I mean, I was that girl that if you asked her what her favorite class in high school was, I probably have like three different answers. I know I love my art classes, my English classes, but I also really loved math and science and I just loved learning and had all these hobbies and all these interests. And I just still do. I still have all these things that I want to learn how to do and grow in. And. And things like that. And so in coming to college, I was like, I have no idea what I want to do. I can't, I don't want to commit to anything for the rest of my life. And I had no idea how all of these skills came together. You know, I love teaching. I love planning and hosting events and organizing and forming relationships. I definitely wanted a job where I was able to talk to people all the time. Um, And just being able to create and be creative and have that flexibility. And so that's, I mean, that's why I chose my major, which is entrepreneurship. I felt it was big enough, but still purposeful enough. Um, and so as I started experiencing these waiter ship rolls, I was like, wait a second. I'm able to use all of these interests and all of these skills. In one place. And so in leading Bible study, you know, that was one thing, but I think specifically in interning both the past two summers at cornerstone and being able to experience, you know, what, what are the behind the scenes behind ministry? What are some of the more mundane parts? Even the mundane parts I enjoyed and, you know, cornerstone is a little more accelerated, a little more intense, but I really enjoyed every aspect of leading in that. Arena. And so the more time that passed the more opportunities that I had to use my skills and to grow as the leader, the more, it was just confirmed over time, over and over again, even by my leaders who kind of called it out of me and put me in positions that I didn't think that I could do. Um, and, and just allowing me to grow, which I think is really. Interesting because I, it makes sense, you know, everybody who is living and breathing and who believes in Jesus is called to ministry and he's wired each and every person specific specifically and uniquely, um, to carry the gospel and use their skills to do that. Like with the, the parable of the talents, you know, here is something multiply it. How can we use what God has given us and return it as worship? How can we use it for his glory? And so whatever your interests are, can be used to minister the gospel to someone, whether that's, you know, you love working out at the gym or you're super interested in fashion or music and science, whatever your hobbies are in. But every you're skilled and God can use that. So that was something that was super fascinating to me about ministry. What really drew me into it was this idea of like, I can put all of these things together in a really flexible way to do something productive and share the love of God with people.

David: 44:32

Yeah, that's great. Gabby. I appreciate you sharing that. Uh, I, I think for some people, you know, it's just that that type of path is kind of an unknown it's like, what does that even look like? And of course in our ministry, you know, w just, like you said, I mean, we, we want to launch disciples of Jesus into every area of society and do every kind of career path. Uh, but, but, you know, I just find that. This particular path. It's not something that, you know, you're going to hear about probably if you go to see your guidance counselor in high school, you know, like, uh, or, or either the career center on your campus, this, this probably is what other, you know, key options that they're recommending students check out, check out this field. Um, and so, you know, I think it's just great, you know, that you've. I identified that as an option and, you know, for you just excited to see you take this step. Um, but, but I guess just to pull back and even just have a, kind of a more broad application and takeaway is just, just the intentionality, like you're saying of, of assessing your gifts and what, what you really get excited about doing and where you're, you know, where your, where your interests lie. And to try to align that in a way that is going to be. Um, just impactful for the kingdom. And so I think just the, the broader application here even would be just intentionality with, uh, w with what you're doing is not just, not just coasting up to graduation, not just coasting it to the next stage of life, but really being prayerful about that, being intentional, uh, of course, you know, being flexible and into what God is leading and all that, but, um, you know, just, I think, I think it's just key that. You know, the two things I want to highlight here are men going into ministry full-time is a viable option. That it is a valuable thing to do. It's an, it's a strategic thing to do. Um, it's not for everybody, but it, but it is for some people, but then secondly, even for the person that may not feel that that's for them listening. And probably that, by the way, that's probably the majority of students, you know, I don't think it's the majority that that would do that. But just to be intentional about whatever you, you are going to do and be thinking about how can I leverage my life for the gospel? How can I leverage my life to, uh, make an impact on the world for Jesus Christ? And so I think really wrestling with that, with that question. Is an important thing to do. So Gabby, this has been a fun conversation and just, uh, just want to thank you. Thank you for taking time to just talk with me here and on the podcast. And I'm just hopeful that this is going to encourage a lot of people, even as we're recording this, we're coming up on the Thanksgiving holiday and just a, a difficult year for so many people listening to this that I think just even your journey is where you've recounted. Your process going in the college in the first couple of years of college, and then to where you are now as a senior and just, just identifying where the Lord has been faithful along the way. I think it's just actually encouraging to hear your story, but also just could be a great exercise for all of us in this time of being intentional, not just about where we're going, but being intentional to identify where the Lord has brought us from where his grace has been evident. I know even when you and I were. Just talking last night in preparation for recording today, you'd reference this passage where the people of God are coming out of, of one place and they're, you know, they're getting ready to go into the promised land and they, they sat down these Memorial stones and, uh, just such a, such a great, I think reference point for us here, as we're all just coming out, hopefully of a. A difficult year. I mean, who knows what 2021 is going to look like, but certainly coming out of a difficult year and just to be intentional, not just about where we're going, but, but to be intentional about gratitude, to be intentional about, uh, giving thanks to God. And so just Gabby and hearing your story. I know for me, even it's, it's weld up a lot of gratitude to God for his faithfulness in your life, specifically as well as. His faithfulness too, to just meet a lot of young men and women in, uh, what might seem like an unlikely space of being on a college campus that is not exactly oriented to helping you live, you know, your strongest life as a disciple of Jesus, but in the midst of that to really have a deepened faith to, to grow and to, you know, really. Grow also as a leader. So Gabby again, just want to say thank you for your time on the podcast today. Really just excited for what's yet to come and grateful for what the Lord has already done in your life. So thanks again.