Year In Review

VERSE OF THE YEAR:

"For this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” - I Peter 2:21

Over the past semester Randy along with some of the other college guys have taught a series of lessons on what it really means to be a disciple of Christ. Discipleship is more than being a “good Church member.” These lessons have truly challenged us to be stronger in our walk with God and look within ourselves to be the disciples Christ needs us to be.

This has been one busy and successful year for the CLIC! We’re so blessed to have each other and our family at Cottondale to help get us through these years of college. As we look back on all of the things we’ve done in 2012, it’s almost overwhelming to think about how full our calendars are at times. From the events that happen every week like Monday Night Word at the Ferg, to the monthly Girls’ Devo, to our once a year CLIC Bowl, everything combines to make us closer to each other and closer to God.  We’re so thankful for the families at Cottondale who have taken us in and provided Meet & Three Meals every week, hosted our Halloween & Christmas Parties, and other events, and have just been there for us whenever we needed a shoulder for support. Many events this year allowed us to grow closer to some new friends from the Starkville Church of Christ as we have joined with them for our Bull Run Scavenger Hunt, Halloween Costume Party, Ultimate Game Night, and CLIC Bowl. Retreats this year have been events to remember for sure. Last spring we were able to do a lot of service work, helping both ICYC and the Mobile Inner City Church of Christ with various clean-up and outreach projects. These two works are so good and do a lot of things for many, many people; it’s rewarding for us to be able to give something back to them every once in a while. Then, this fall we were able to enjoy fall break at the beach, growing closer to God, each other, and making some incredible memories at the same time.  
– Candace Cole

We started the fall semester off great with the Week of Welcome. During this week, we had the Showdown in T-town, Kids’R’Us at the Fun Factory, the first Meet and Three Meal, and Game Night. We were very busy! This week gave us the opportunity to reconnect with our friends and make new ones. We also participated in Get On Board Day, where organizations set up tables on campus to tell other students about their organization. We were able to meet new students and tell them about the CLIC. During this week and semester we have had a lot of fun, but we have also enjoyed helping others. From our Congregational Visits to Mercedes Drive and Eutaw, Sack Lunch Sunday, and Mustache Movember to raise money for the North Alabama Children’s Home, we have had many opportunities to help those around us. – Courtney Webb

This year I have been so blessed to get to know the Cottondale church family and appreciate each person for the gifts they bring to our group. I know that each church has its problems, but I feel that Cottondale is the first church I have gone to where everyone is on the same page. Everyone is here to be better, and to help each other work for the cause of Christ. It means the world to me to worship in an environment that encourages everyone to be active in their walk with Christ. I noticed this particularly during VBS when everyone helped to make this possible. This was the first VBS which I had attended that had classes for all ages. To me this is significant because it's what sets our church family apart. I can't begin to describe how thankful I am for the lessons, the hugs, words of encouragement, the sweet smiles and the copious amounts of delicious food that each of you give without a second thought. I know I speak for the CLIC as a whole when I say that we honestly had no idea what we were missing before we came here. Being a member of the Cottondale family has given me the opportunity to serve, share my gifts with others, and grow in my relationship with Christ as well as my church family. To me, there is no greater gift than this. Thank you for all that you do!!!! :) Love, Lauren Gray

The most meaningful experience I have had with the CLIC this past year is, much to the surprise of some, Bible class! Randy carefully plans out successions of Sunday morning and Wednesday night lessons to address the specific needs of the college group. While all the retreats and game nights are a blast and full of fellowship, Bible class is where the meat is. No one has ever pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged my faith and spiritual walk more than Randy has. I don’t come to Bible class to get a pat on the back for a job well done; I come to Bible class to get a poke in the back to move forward!

– Emily 

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