Graduate student , Ri ck Trujill o, shares some o f his techni ca l knowledge of television production and editing w ith Marl a Lee Hicks ( ri ght) and Beth Henderson (l eft ) . Hi ck graduated from Harding in December after lea rning va luabl lessons about how to live life as a Christi an. Graduate Student Learns Valuable Lessons about Life "I'm going to miss this place, " said Rick Trujillo as he thought about his graduation. In December, Rick left Harding with a master of science in education degree. A 1991 graduate of Harding with a B.A. in radio/ television, Rick hoped initially to find a job in television. "TV is a powerful way to touch lives," he said. His longrange desire was to be an effective classroom teacher at the college level after getting experience in the profession. Since he also loves children, Rick said he has considered certifying to teach them. He said he has no specific goals for his life. "You may make plans, but you don't plan results , because God's in charge of that. All of us should be aware that, in 10 years , we may be doing something completely different. " Rick, 37, knows that well from experience. For the first 32 years of his life , he tried to run things by himself. He got nothing but trouble, legally and spiritually. He tried college, including Harding, a few times during this time , but was unsuccessful. He returned to Harding in January of 1988 and became a Christian the next year. Since then, he said, his life has totally flip-flopped. His interests moved from the physical to the intellectual , from sports and dating to learning and thinking. He said this happened because he quit trying to run his own life and allowed God to take over. This is partly why he hopes to teach. He has learned how not to live, and feels a need to pass this wisdom on to others. Rick never planned these things for his life, but God did. He said he "learned how to learn at Harding" and would like to pass this blessing on to others because it is "the most dramatic thing that can happen to someone." Public speaking was a task that, in the past intimidated and frightened Rick. But in the fall , he spoke in chapel to an audience of about 3500. He considered this proof that he has changed. Years ago, alcohol had damaged his mind to the extent that coherent speaking wa nearly impos ible. He find it a miracle that his mind has cleared enough for him to speak well in such a setting, and said the experience increased his self-confidence incredibly. Rick said the experience wa uncomfortable , but that it was a leap of faith. "God will kick you out of your comfort zone, but being on th other side is freedom -it's awesome. "He considered this change part of the growth process , and was "motivated to keep growing because I never want to go back. " Rick sees growth as dependent on reaching outside oneself, and said, "you are the same five years from now except for the books you read and the people you meet. " He also said he doesn 't want to become "ripe" because , "when you 're green, you 're growing; when you 're ripe , you 're dying. " The legacy Rick hoped to leave to those who remained behind as he left Harding was a conscious awareness of why they're here. Students are not here primarily for "stuff" like jobs, school or spouses. "W are Christians, here to help each other get to Heaven," he said. "We all are going to die someday, and we have little time to help others. We need to allow God to work in our lives. We 've got to let him. " Rick's life is proof that seeking God abov all el e blesses people 's lives. He feels truly ble ed and "wouldn't trade places with anybody." Rick stres ed that life for Christian is sometime uncomfortable , but "Once you turn your life over to God, it 's none of your business what happen to you. God's in charge." -- Melissa Forrest
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