The Blog

Written By First Year: Ariel Siufua

Being a first year in MC January 1, 2009 was my first "official" Corem deo. I did not know what to expect, so I went into the "restaurant" totally blind sided. The invitation was so cool, and they funny part was actually receiving the invite. It was a secretive, on pretty paper and it was so fancy and said to dress formal, I DO NOT DRESS FORMALLY. But I had to I guess, the next best part was getting ready in the locker room with Nae & Brit, and we all were getting all dressed up to go to "nothing" it was so funny. Then were all ready and we go into the house and we see the guys in suits and ties, and we all were going to "nothing." We all weren't talking about it because it said on the invitation, "do not talk about this to anyone." Then, one by one we walk up these stairs and awaiting us is our waiter, Jachin.

He asked if I had a reservation, and I said yes, he went to prepare my table then came back out to get me. I then walked into the boy's dorm (which is still under construction) and it was all pretty. It had black sheets along the walls, the lights were off, candles were lit, and there was 5 tables, just enough for every person apart of CMC. Three tables on one side of the room, set for two at each table, David and Brittany, Casey and Michael, Renae and I. Then on the other side was one table seated for four, two of which had kid's menus and place mats. Which seated Chris, Kori, Issac and Bella. The other table set for two for Danny and Audrey. It was like the settings of a real fancy restaurant, I'm not being sarcastic either, they even had soft music (when he decided to be soft) playing in the back ground. It was so beautiful and all we could do was take pictures. =)

Soon after I got seated our waitress Kathryn (Katie) came and asked us what we would like to drink. Like at a real food place. She even gave us the list of the different sodas it was so cool. She then came out with our drinks along with some French bread and some butter and honey spread. It was delicious. After that they our waiter Jachin came to our table and asked us if we wanted salad, and what kind of dressing we wanted and gave us the list of salad dressings, it was so cool. We got our salad and the waiters kept coming out to make sure our sodas were full, and to make sure we were doing ok, it was so much fun. After our salad, they came and got our plate, and brought us dinner it was so amazing. No lie because of the fact that it was decorated and it tasted super good. I didn't want to look at it that is how awesome it looked, but I ate it. We thought everything was done, but after dinner our waiter Jachin asks us what kind of flavors we wanted on our cheesecake. I was like you got to be kidding me, dessert too? But yes indeed, and it was delicious with cool decorations and squiggles on it. Katie did Renae's so cool, and Jachin tried on mine I liked it a lot! Ha-ha. Remind you that in between all this, they are continually coming to our tables asking if everything is ok and if we needed refills, or if everything was alright. So we thought after dessert our fun night was over, but boy was I wrong.

Danny stands up and starts talking about covenants and the promise we made, and everything. He then says," so tonight Chris, Kori, Audrey, and I have prepared our own covenants for you individually." I knew from that point, that the night has just started, there was going to be a lot going on. Then he said, "We are going to go around and pray with you and talk to you individually." I started to cry, because that is so personal. Chris gets up and starts talking about how in the Bible people used to carry around a little bag of salt and when someone made a covenant they would take a pinch of salt, and switch with the person in which they are making the covenant with. That was like the seal of the deal, trading salt. When someone made that trade, that meant they intended in NOT breaking that covenant ever. They spoke about being unreserved for God, it was so powerful. Danny went around and gave us our own bottle of salt, that said "unreserved 2009" Then they go around and start praying with us. Kori came up to me and Nae first and spoke to us, and prayed for both of us together. It was so awesome because she is like my second mom, when she says she loves me, it isn't something that is over said, to where now it doesn't mean anything. I can tell that every time she says she loves me, and anytime she hugs me it is with a mother's love. It is amazing. Chris came and prayed with me next, and he knelt down and he just started talking, and admiring my smile, and how I'm always so happy and he knows he can count on my smile every morning as he comes into the office. And that really meant a lot to me, because that meant that I don't know someone actually pays attention to me and how I feel. We prayed over me, then we switched salt, I began to cry because I don't know why, it was God all over me. And it felt so great. Danny followed after Chris and just came, got down on my level (for the first time I have ever seen eye to eye with Danny ha-ha) and he just looked at me and told me his covenant was to be there for me all the time. To check up on me, to make sure I'm ok and to be my friend all the time. He told me he is glad that I came to masters and he loved me. It meant a lot hearing it from Danny because Danny I don't know at times it is confusing to get how he is feeling it seems as if he is mad all the time ( but he's not) but you stay out of his way anyways. It was just good to know I am loved by Danny. He prayed over me then we switched our salt, but it was not just a pinch it he poured like half his bottle in mine, and then I did the same into his. Audrey came last, and she sat down and just started to tell me how much I meant to her, and how much she loved me, and by this time I cannot hold in my tears. I start balling, and we keep talking and man it was so strong, the love was so strong, in that place that night. Audrey prayed over me, and then switched our salt. After everyone was done, we all whipped our tears, and prayed together. We got our salt bottles, talked about it, thanked our waiters and took group photos. It was so much fun, and so much better than I could have ever expected. As my first official Corem Deo I will never forget that night, in all my years to come.

posted by David Darling  # 12:15:00 AM