Northland International UniversityNorthland International University

Home for the Holidays

Christmas break is often the “light at the end of the tunnel” for students at Northland. Knowing that the academic rigors would soon let up, they put the finishing touches on papers, wowed their classes with final speeches, turned in those last projects, and plowed through exams. Now, they are headed for HOME!

Before they left, we asked a few students to give us an idea of what Christmas break means to them with two questions: 1) What will you be doing over Christmas break? and 2) What do you look forward to most about Christmas break?

Josiah Wicks
What will you do . . . ? I’m going to enjoy time with my fiancée, Gabby, and her family for the first part of Christmas break and then I will be flying home and working so that I can have enough money for next semester.
What do you look forward to. . . ? Well, there are a lot of things I look forward to, but most of all I look forward to remembering the special gift that Christ became for all mankind. Every time I read the Christmas story, I am grateful for the gift of Christ for me and all mankind. My time with the people I love is treasured most of all, as there are many people that spend Christmas alone or in poverty or without Christ. Without Christ in Christmas and family, it is just another day.

Gabriella “Gabby” Schmidt
What will you do . . . ? Going to my house and having tons of fun.
What do you look forward to most . . . ? Being with my family and having lots of fun without having to do homework. I can’t wait to decorate a Christmas tree!

Julianna “Juli” Killoran
What will you do . . . ? Until last week, I was planning to go home with Josiah and Gabrielle since my home in Canada is so far away and travel is so expensive. Christmas with Josiah and Gabrielle was going to be fun and relaxing; but at the last second, God provided exactly enough money* to get home. Not only did God provide enough money, but he worked out all the rides that I needed and everything. I'm going home! Praise God for knowing what's best and providing for the impossible.
*The girls in the dorm collected money to send Juli home.

What do you look forward to most . . . ? Spending time with family and relaxing/getting some sleep. Of course, then there’s Christmas dinner.

Calah Hester
What will you do . . . ? I am going home to Ohio to be with my family. I will also be traveling to Chicago to spend time with my extended family. While home, I will also be working with my church’s youth group.
What do you look forward to most . . . ? The thing that I am looking forward to most about being home is seeing not only my parents and my brothers, but also spending time with my church family.

Jon Ross
What will you do . . . ? Going home to spend time with family; going to visit friends. After two weeks, I will be back at school for basketball games and practice.
What do you look forward to most . . . ? Just being with family and relaxing from school. I love the Christmas season most because of what God did for us in sending His Son.

Anna Borton
What will you do . . . ? I am going home to Napoleon, OH. I am going to be working in a nursing home on the dietary staff. I will be very much involved in my youth group, helping out my youth pastor and his family.
What do you look forward to most . . . ? I am looking forward to being with my family, but most of all, looking forward to seeing my two-month-old niece!