We Did It!

By: Yijia Chen

This semester seemed so long, yet so short. It felt long because I was tired of online classes and couldn’t wait for it to be over, it felt short because every day felt the same for me. This semester was not easy for any of us, some of us quarantined five times, some of us woke up at 2 AM every day for classes, some of us actually got COVID-19. Yet, among all the challenges, we were able to push through the semester and have so many things to celebrate.

First and foremost, congratulations to everyone for finishing Fall 2020! We did it! We did it! We did it! Whether this is your first or last semester at NYU, or maybe just another semester, it is safe to say that Fall 2020 is a semester that we will all remember.

At CIFC, we were so amazed at how God was able to build communities and change lives throughout this semester. Not only was CIFC able to launch our blog and weekly newsletter this semester, but it was also a privilege for us to witness so many Christian student leaders and chaplains doing everything they could to serve our community and students. Despite everything being virtual, we at CIFC have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, particularly first-year students. This is truly a testimony of God’s work and power. 

This semester, our theme was “hoping together,” and as we were hoping together this semester, we were hoping for a better semester, hoping for a miracle that will cure the coronavirus, hoping for a physical hug from friends that we haven't seen for a year. Some of these hopes might have come true, some of these might have not. We might still not be able to hug our friends, but the good news is that there are two vaccines being distributed in the U.S. 

It is comforting and frustrating to know that everything is still running according to God’s plan and God hears our cries. Sometimes I wish that we could get the vaccines sooner, but things do not run according to our plans. And thank God that He is in charge, not us. Since Christmas is around the corner and it is a time of celebration, it is more important for us to celebrate the good things that happened this semester than holding onto the bad things. 

I personally want to celebrate the end of a rough semester, celebrate the friendships I made during this past semester, celebrate the amazing work CIFC was able to do with God’s strength, celebrate the success of the vaccine, celebrate the birth of Jesus, and so many other things. I am sure you have so many things to celebrate too. Whatever those things are, congratulations! You did it! We did it!

Also, As we celebrate, it is also important to remember people who contributed to those things that we are celebrating. In particular, I want to thank the Christian chaplains and student leaders who had worked tirelessly this past semester to serve me, you, and our community. I am amazed and inspired by their faith and love again and again. Please, if you are reading this, take out your phone and text the chaplains and student leaders from your fellowship who have made your life brighter this semester and tell them you are grateful for them. It would mean the world to them. 

Finally, on behalf of CIFC, I would like to wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy new year! We can’t wait to see you next year!

God Bless,

Yijia Chen

CIFC President