Another Semester at the Institute by Denise Morris on Dec 18, 2007 at 1:26 PM

Our fall 2007 Focus on the Family Institute students just graduated. It's very quiet around the office now. Sad.

It's so fun to watch a semester at the Institute progress. When the 88 students first come, no one knows each other and all you hear are the same small-talky questions over and over again: "Where are you from? What school do you go to? What's your major?" We go on a retreat in the mountains the first weekend the students are here, and it's fun to watch relationships slowly begin to form. People begin to recognize one another or figure out common interests. We share our stories, eat meals together, and play volleyball and cards. The bonding begins.

The semester progresses and I daily walk by chatting students in the halls. They share stories of their thought-provoking classes with Del Tackett, the reading they're doing for their family and marriage classes, and the beautiful mountain hikes they did last weekend. Evenings are spent working on homework, chatting with new friends and exploring Colorado Springs.

At the end of the semester, we go on a final retreat and it's amazing to see the difference in the students. They are more confident about what they believe and why they believe it. They are excited to go back and be world changers. And they are grateful for the amazing community they've experienced and the life-long relationships they've formed.

Our fall students have just finished this process. They have been equipped and are ready to go. Our spring semester starts in the middle of January. I'm excited for it to start over again.

The Institute really is a life-changing experience. You should come see for yourself. Our summer 2008 deadline is March 1 and our fall 2008 deadline is April 1. Think about it. It just could be the best decision you ever make.

Comments

[1. lexee had the following to say on Dec 21 at 12:35 PM:]

1

amen to that!

i was one of those fall 2007 students, and it was the best semester of my life!

i highly recommend that you at least just check it out. :]