Page 5 - Glory & Grace Issue 5: Thresholds

At Montana State University in Bozeman, Roskie Hall is recognized by its shape (a hexagon), but is even more notable for the close bonds that form between residents. After graduating from Billings West in 2019, Mikayla Bullman moved into Roskie "so long ago" and began to explore college life. She started classes, got a job working at City Brew, made friends faster than she thought she would, and remembers that whenever she was in her dorm room, her door was always open.
When the COVID pandemic became a reality in the Spring of 2020, “the doors to the university were shut, and basically they said don’t come back. We will see your face online, but we don’t want to see you here,” Mikayla said. The hardest part wasn't leaving Roskie, Mikayla remembers, but worrying that these new friendships wouldn't last. The weekly traditions she enjoyed, including a 7am coffee/Bible Study with other freshman, almost overnight "were no longer a thing."
Mikayla Bullman skiing solo at Bridger Bowl in January.
Months later, in the Fall of 2020 students were invited back to campus to "re-establish the life you had built," but “not really,” Mikayla says. Classes were intentionally smaller, lab partners were discontinued, and masks were required. "You were there to take your class and go home; to watch online class in the library and then go home. It was odd to be on campus and never see anyone you had previously seen." It got even more difficult when Mikayla was identified as a COVID close contact and had to live in "isolation housing" by herself for 15 days.
"When we were trying go back to normal, I got angry with God," Mikayla confesses. "I have always loved school and learning, but thanks to the pandemic," now feelings of "loneliness, frustration, and sadness became connected to my school experience."
Now a Junior, Mikayla's faith has been strengthened, she says, by saying yes to things. "Rather than waiting for things to happen I decided I needed to get back out into the world." Deciding to go skiing by herself rather than waiting for friends' schedules to line up is just one way Mikayla is opening doors and saying yes to a future with hope.
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Mikayla (back, right) gathers for 2021 "Friendsgiving" with her 7am Bible Study group that began before COVID
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