It’s hard not being together. All the staff and volunteers feel that at Beacon so very much. We thought we’d try to help keep things “together” by inviting some of our camp family to share with us about what they’re doing in their lives!

This month, we’re interviewing Emma “Chapters” Reijmers, one of our former summer staff and a current student at the University of Ottawa!

(PSSST: if you want to tell us what you’re up to these days, we’d love to feature you on our blog!)

What has "pandemic life" looked like for you over the last year?

Pandemic life for me has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. I think it’s super easy to give a quick answer and say ‘’Pandemic life is just study, sleep, eat, repeat’’ but if I actually stop and think about it, it has been a crazy ride so far. When the pandemic hit, university moved online and with only a few weeks left of classes, it wasn’t too bad. Over the summer, I stayed busy with Beacon Unlimited and doing tutoring. As my third year of university started, I had some tough decisions to make about courses and what to do once I finished my undergrad. I also landed a position as production manager for uOttawa’s science journal and I started volunteering for Let’s Talk Science. In January, I was offered a position as a Student Ambassador, a job I had dreamed of since I first stepped on campus and that I had applied to a couple times!

Did you have any curve balls or unexpected moments?

There have been 3 major curveballs. In May, my grandma passed away after a long battle with cancer. My family knew it was coming, but that never makes it easier. Due to COVID, we couldn’t have all of our family together for a funeral which was very difficult. My grandma was an amazing woman. She always loved to tell stories of her days as a nurse, she taught me how to make beautiful cards and made the best macaroni (with swiss cheese of course). Knowing that she is with her Saviour, joyful and full of praise gives me comfort. I know that she is proud of me and that we will be reunited in heaven some day!

My second curveball was that I finally realized what I want to do once I graduate – teach! After many deep conversations with my mom and closest friends, I realized that I have been teaching all my life. I have taught violin, tutored, helped at Beacon and done science experiments with kids all around Ottawa. I had just never considered it as a career option. But it has been amazing to see how my passion for science and teaching fit together and how so many things are falling into place since I had that realization.

My third curveball. Zoom university burnout. It’s a real thing and it is tough. Being isolated and missing my school friends makes studying so much harder!

What is a lesson that God has been teaching you during COVID?

All my life, I have been a planner. I plan out everything. But COVID wasn’t in the plan I had. God forced me to drop all my plans and fully trust Him. And that’s a hard thing to do. Over the course of this pandemic, I have gone through so many changes and tough situations that I never planned for. Sometimes (most of the time), I feel like I am not strong enough to go through another difficult thing.

I heard this great Tiktok the other day that really helped change my perspective (yes, I do unfortunately have Tiktok). It said: ‘’If God is going to make you like Jesus, he is going to take you through everything that Jesus went through’’. Jesus wasn’t spared from difficulty. There were times when he was lonely, times when he was misunderstood, times when he was tempted and times when he was discouraged and wanted to give up. If God let His own Son go through tough situations, why wouldn’t He make us go through them too? God wants to build our character, not keep us comfortable. These challenges that I’m going through are forcing me to abandon MY plans and trust HIS plans for me.

What's up for you in 2021?

Well, hopefully finish up my 3rd year and start looking at education programs. I will be working as a Student Ambassador during the summer break and I’m so excited to help high school students discover what they are passionate about and encourage them as they step into their next huge chapter of life! Other than that, I’m trying not to make any huge plans! Some little things; I want to take out my violin again and get practicing, read some more books and master the Dutch language (no bid deal, right?).

How can we be praying for you?

Like I said earlier, ‘’Zoom university’’ burnout is hitting so many students as exam season creeps up on us slowly. It is getting harder and harder to stay motivated and to commit to studying, especially when you are stuck in an apartment all alone! I would really appreciate prayers for strength to keep focused and for God to surround all students who are having a hard time with love and a calming hand.