Dani Crispin
Hometown: Shawnee, KS
Major: Psychology
Next Steps: FOCUS Missionary
What would your life at KU look like without St. Lawrence?
It’s really hard to picture what my life at KU would’ve been like without St. Lawrence! It would definitely make me feel very lost and lonely. All of my close friends throughout college were people I met through the St. Lawrence Center. The formation that I received through SLC was also tremendously influential in guiding me towards my future and leading me deeper in my relationship with Jesus, so I have no idea where I would be without it.
How would you describe your experience of community at St. Lawrence?
At first, finding a community at St. Lawrence was challenging. I was very much in my comfort zone and wasn’t willing to get out of it in order to make friends. However, once I did start pushing myself to talk to new people, I found so many incredible people who I’m sure will be lifelong friends. By the end of my college career, St. Lawrence felt like home because of the people and love that I had experienced through it, and that feeling of unconditional belonging will stay with me for a long time after graduation.
How are you called to continue to build community after college?
After college, I will be serving as a campus missionary so there will be plenty of opportunities to build community in both my team and the students that I am serving! Inviting people into my home and making food for them is one of my favorite ways to bring people together. Also, I just love random encounters with people at coffee shops, grocery stores, on buses, etc. so I hope for many more of those after college.
How have you grown in interior freedom?
Even though I had a relationship with the Lord before coming to KU, I don’t think I had any idea what interior freedom was. St. Lawrence, and most especially the AVI sisters, totally transformed my prayer life and showed me what it practically looked like to grow in dependence on God. More than anything, I learned that through prayer, I can actually rest in Christ’s presence and not worry so much about everything else. Cultivating this space of daily prayer has been the foundation for me to grow in interior freedom.