Illinois Qaukes and Students Sleep

THE EPICENTER OF THE QUAKE WAS ABOUT 350 MILES FROM SOUTH BEND - wsbt.com

In Chicago the snow falls and the wind literally blows – and apparently the earth quakes. But few Midwesterners or Trinity International University (TIU) students recognized it.

“I didn’t feel a thing and I was kind of mad,” said Loryssa Simas, who remained dead asleep during the earthquake that hit southern Illinois at 4:36 a.m. Friday with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2, said geologists. “I wanted to be able to say I felt an earthquake.”

The rumbling originated in the Ozark Dome region, an area including several fault lines that covers roughly five Southern and Midwestern states that don't compare to the seismic zones found in the west.

“I felt at home,” said Christine Naumo, a southern California native who recalled the 6.7 that sent waves of concrete rippling through her Santa Clarita neighborhood when she was seven years old.

Some 120,000 square miles of earth shook from southern Memphis north to Michigan, and from Nashville west to Kansas City.

“There goes everything I learned in fifth grade geology,” said Minnesota native Wendy Moore who didn’t believe earthquakes could happen in the Midwest.

No one was killed, only slight injuries were claimed, shelves were rattled, a chimney collapsed, and beds jiggled.

“I thought my bed was vibrating,” said Laura Della Torre, who believed she was imagining it all.

By Tuesday a few students were still unaware of the disturbance that came in the wee hours of the morning.

“Didn’t have a clue anything happened,” said Jesse Edson.

“I woke up to pee around 5, but I think it was over by then,” said Dana Larmour.

“I didn’t feel it, but my friend did and thought a train was going by,” said Jami Higgs.

A comparable earthquake hit the same spot six years ago and a bit stronger quake hit the southern Illinois area in 1968. But none of these were as severe as an early 1800s rumble that shook all the way down to Memphis.

At least 22 aftershocks from Friday’s quake were recorded by Monday at magnitudes as high as 4.5.

“What earthquake?” asked Levi Arnold.

April 25, 2008

Sex Talk, No Need To Be Coy

The Johnson Residence Hall lounge was a male-free zone the night of Tuesday, as Trinity International University (TIU) Women’s Ministry Council (WMC) hosted its third annual “Sex Talk.”

It was an intimate gathering of a few dozen female TIU students who sat in a tight circle and shared large bowls of popcorn and the opportunity for one chapel credit.

A panel of three distinct women; a Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) Professor, TEDS alumnus and TEDS student, each told unique testimonies, identified sexual myths and tackled nine of several questions posed anonymously by way of pencil, paper and plastic cup.

Two inquiries sought out advice for remaining abstinent during long-term relationships and engagements. One that received significant attention concerned the differing affects of sexual, emotional and spiritual intimacy.

“Couples who spend a lot of private time together in prayer are often the couples who have premarital sex,” said a panel member. The same panel member said that great sex stems from great communication.

“Is it ok to talk to your fiancé about how great its going to be to have sex?” and “Is it ok to talk about sex among your girlfriends?” were two more questions pulled from the anonymous cup and read aloud by Assistant Director of Student Ministries and WMC leader Rebecca Lien.

“Yes!” a panel member answered without missing a beat, “To both.” The panel explained further that the conversations should not be intended to turn on or tease the fiancé.

“Is doing everything, but sex, ok out of marriage?” and “Is anal and oral sex permissible in marriage?” were questions that two panel members volunteered the third to answer. The panel advised that, although there are sexual acts that don’t impregnate, out of marriage they are not short of sexual sin. They added that not feeling guilty about participating in these acts does not justify them.

“We are told that the Missionary Position is the only way. I’ve read Genesis to Revelation and it’s not there!” a panel member said vaguely about sex within the marriage. The second question was never answered directly, but she said that there is a lot of sexual freedom within a marriage.

“How can you be open about your sexual history with friends without feeling judged?” was the final question pulled from the cup.

“The Restoration Program,” said Johnson Hall Residence Director Heather Harms. It is a refuge for students, designed to encourage them to approach staff, faculty, and Residence Life without fear of judgment or disciplinary action. “When we hear about your struggles, we hurt for you,” said Harms.

Students can also turn to WMC, which exists “to advocate on behalf of women, compel them to live transformed lives of worship and empower them with tools for renewing their minds.” This past semester WMC met the needs of women struggling with body-image issues by initiating a credited aerobics class. They were intimidated to work out in the Lew Student Center on their own, but were comfortable with fellow female students in a class.

“We are revamping the ministry to meet women’s needs,” said WMC member Melissa Diaz, who worked beside co-member Kara Bergman to host the “Sex Talk.” WMC is seeking applicants for next year and applications can be found online at www.mytrinity.tiu.edu via Spiritual Life and Student Leadership.

Also next year, the frequency of the gathering will quadruple and it will be renamed “At the Well,” a title that reflects Jesus’ unconditional love for the Samaritan woman as written in the Book of John.