Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year! The anticipation of going home in just a few short days is all that is motivating me these last few days. While studying for exams has been a whole new experience (one that I don’t look forward to experiencing 7 more times, Ha!) there have been some fun Christmas moments along the way. This past week at Synergy we got to wear our Tacky Sweaters (or turtlenecks) and worship, learn, and laugh with sweet friends! Lydia and I, being the freshman that we are, didn’t know how tacky everyone would look and decided to go big or go home. Let’s just say…we were one of the select few that really took tacky to heart. While there were some funny sweatshirts and sweaters, we know that all that saw our Santa boxers secretly envied them. We are so cool…not! We also decided that our humble abode needed some decorating, so being the poor college students that we are, we scrounged up some money and bought a precious (and ridiculously tacky) Christmas tree, which we decorated proudly. Oh the joys of dorm living!
Rocking the Turtlenecks...
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...
We also got to be apart of Southland's 316 Food Packaging for Haiti which was AMAZING! After several days of packing, 1,000,048 meals were packed which will serve 3,000 children in Haiti for an entire year. What an incredibly humbling experience this was. As I sealed each package, I prayed for the sweet child that would receive the meal and I longed to tell them that despite the trials they face on this earth, they have a Father who loves them and offers hope beyond this broken world. It was a beautiful reminder that as a body of Christ, we have the ability and responsibility to help those in need around the world.
Rocking the Hair Nets
3,000 Children Fed for One Year
1,000,000 Meals Packed
6,000 Volunteers
1 INCREDIBLE God
"For God SO loves the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."-John 3:16
I Survived…
Once upon a time, there lived a girl who traveled far far away (well…not really) from home to attend college. This girl had no idea what was in store for her-she was scared, alone, and felt completely mentally and emotionally unprepared for all that was to come. She cried herself to sleep many nights and wondered what she had gotten herself into. She relied heavily on the Lord’s comfort and prayed for opportunities to grow, learn, and laugh. Then along came sweet friends who she was able to share laughter with and create memories with and she no longer felt so alone. This girl has learned a lot and has a lot to learn. She lives for the one true Prince Charming in her life. She is in awe of the blessings in her life and is humbled by her Savior’s love. As she turns the page of this first chapter, she anxiously awaits to see what He will write in the pages to come. And she lives joyfully ever after…
Wow. I cannot believe that I am officially a second semester freshman. Time has flown by! Goodness, when I look back on the pictures from the first week of school and read my first blog post, my heart aches thinking about the fear and loneliness I felt those first few weeks of school. It is amazing to see how much the Lord has worked in my heart these past few months. I have been so blessed to have the amazing support, encouragement, and most importantly prayers from the people in my life that mean the world to me. It has been so humbling (and amazing) to have to rely fully on the Lord for His comfort and peace and to trust that my frustration and heartache would work together for His glory and His good. My heart has been transformed already and I am so excited to see how He continues to mold me into the woman He has created me to be.
As I wrap up the semester, I thought I would take a moment to write out some of the highlights of the semester and the lessons I’ve learned. These lists are far from all-inclusive as my brain is currently fried from studying for finals all week. Ha!
Highlights of the Semester:
CSF in general- specifically Synergy and Fall Retreat
Southland- specifically 608, Jesus Prom, and Meal Packing for Haiti
The countless opportunities I’ve had to grow in my faith and become the woman the Lord has called me to be- through fellowship, reflecting, praying, and learning
Celebrating my birthday with mom and dad in Lexington
Celebrating my birthday with mom and dad in Lexington
Being reminded of how incredible of a support system I have back home
Thursday lunches with Rachel
Late night conversations with Lydia
Monday night's at Woodhill
Discovering the joy of blogging
Interpretative dancing and balancing on the bedposts
Family Weekend
All of the hilarious moments I’ve experienced
Lessons Learned:
God is SO faithful and works in amazing ways
My life is not my own
Prayer is powerful
God has an incredible way of using imperfect people to accomplish amazing things
Joy is not circumstantial
Late night meaningful conversations trump sleep any day
Taking time to reflect and relax is crucial
Letting people help you doesn’t mean you fail, it just means you’re not in it alone
I have been reminded that little acts of kindness go a long way
Laughter really is the shortest distance between people
There are broken and hurting people that surround me daily who I have the responsibility and honor to love and show grace and kindness towards
(Now for some silly ones…)
Awkward is the new awesome
I am now a semi-proficient Starbucks orderer
It’s best to set two alarms in the morning…especially when you have an 8AM class
Dancing and singing are awesome stress relievers
Shoes and bathrooms are a combination that should never have to go together
Facebook and Twitter are much more entertaining than doing homework
Jeans and a sweater=really dressing up…yoga pants and a sweatshirt= daily attire
Naps are a beautiful thing
Rainy days result in pure entertainment-bubble umbrella= game changer
Sleeping trumps getting ready any day…I’ve gotten my time down to 8 minutes from start to finish
Laundry is optional
Fire alarms without fail go off at the most inconvenient times
After hours of studying, you cannot be held responsible for the bizarre comments that spew out of your mouth
Receiving a letter in the mail makes any day brighter
Gosh, there are SO many fun experiences and lessons I’ve learned this year. I could go on and on but the statement that sums up both my favorite moments and the lessons I’ve learned is this- God is good.
As this semester comes to a close, I am relieved that I survived, thankful for the blessings the Lord has showered over me, and excited to see what else He has in store for me. My goal for next semester: Keep learning, growing, loving, and laughing.
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