Countless visitors flock to Disney World every year to experience a “magical” vacation that only the park can provide. As one of these visitors, I too have sought after that particular brand of enchanting escapism, but revisiting Disney World as an adult has forced me to come to terms with the fact that it is a real theme park that exists for the purpose of earning profits. Yet amidst this revelation, I have found new ways to find joy in the place where I’ve made so many happy memories.
Elsa, Miriam and Lorraine gather together for a family photo in front of the iconic Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Photo by Ann Linson
There are many different ways to enjoy your days of late summer and fall, and everyone has favorite activities that are meaningful for various reasons. Some like being indoors, others like outdoors, some like high-energy activities and yet others enjoy calmer options. Here are some of my most anticipated summer and fall fun activities.
Mountains tower above Spud Lake in the San Juan mountain range in Colorado, a mountain range my family has revisited throughout the years, always enjoying its beauty and the chance to explore together. Photo by Emma Tihen
Most people tell stories, stories of their past, their friends, their families. My grandpa had a story he told to every one of my siblings. It was a story, but it was also a lesson. He was always focused on lessons, always focused on helping us become the most compassionate we could and always encouraging us to do our best.
Kenneth Tihen Sr. and Joyce Tihen smile with four of their grandkids at a one of our many wonderful family gatherings. That’s me on the right with the black-and-red-striped sleeves. Photo by Lisa Marie Tihen — Graphic illustration by Isabel Rinkenberger
As Easter Sunday is upon us, we are able to reflect back on one of the most challenging years in the history of our nation. For some of us, Easter Sunday might be a time of questioning His presence during the difficult challenges of this past year. And our God is certainly big enough to answer all of life’s questions. For others, Easter Sunday is a time of reassurance that an almighty God sent his son to die on the cross for our sins, and rise from the grave to give us all hope for a future. So the question we are asking our journalism students to blog about today is: In this particularly challenging year, what does Easter mean to you? These blogs are Part 2 of a two-part series. Click here to read Part 1 blogs.
Assembling in the traditional church setting has been especially difficult during this past year, and at times completely impossible, but this weekend we are reminded that the body of Christ is not about buildings, it is about Christians recognizing and giving thanks for Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for a fallen world. Photo by Jack Gienke
Here are some interesting facts about MBU Timeline, the student newsmagazine of Missouri Baptist University, in St. Louis:
*Our mission statement is: MBU Timeline is the student news network of Missouri Baptist University, a private Christian university that embraces the essential core value of “social change through service and leadership.”
*The Bible verse that drives our mission is 2 Timothy 2:15 (Worldwide English Version): “Tell the true message in the right way.”
*The WordPress website has been up since late-fall 2013. We average about 3,000 sessions and about 5,000 pageviews per month.
*Our stories and galleries get as few as 40 or 50 hits, or as many as 8,000 hits.
*We have readers in every state and more than 90 countries around the world. We have several readers in South America, the United Kingdom, India and Australia.
*Most of our readers are in Missouri, followed by Illinois, California and Texas.
*We do not accept advertising as we are a not-for-profit online newsmagazine.
*We welcome contributors from all walks of MBU life, regardless of your major. Reach out to us on Twitter at: @mbutimeline.
