Two years in…

Working at the booth of the education club I’m involved in…trying to catch those future teachers as they walked by .

This weekend my school, Lee University, put on the biggest recruiting event of the school year for prospective students. As high school seniors flooded the campus with their parents, it brought a smile to my face. I’ve come so far since the first time I stepped on campus two years ago. I left my hometown of Tallahassee, Florida to move to a small town in southeast Tennessee where I didn’t know a soul. There were abundance of unknowns. There were many new faces I had yet to meet and many adventures yet to be taken. I was excited. Nervous. Anxious. Curious. Receptive.

Now, I’m almost half-way through college. I have sweet friendships that I cherish. I have a job that stretches and grows me daily. I’m pursuing what I’m passionate about. I have the sweetest intimacy with my Savior.

I couldn’t have imagined all that was to come when I was a prospective student just like the ones I watched explore campus today. This season that I’m in right now is one that I’ll never get back and I want to live it with purpose. With the busyness that comes with being a student, I can easily forget how special this time is. The exams, quizzes, group projects, presentations, and papers pile up and suddenly my thankfulness becomes swallowed up by stress. But even in the midst of that I’m so privileged to be able to pursue an education.  I’m thankful for where I am today.

Today.

I move back to start my sophomore year today. Well, technically classes don’t start until Wednesday, but as far as I’m concerned the semester kicks off today. Although I was excited last year, I didn’t really know what to expect. I didn’t know anybody where I was going to school and I looked more like the photo above. There was an abundance of unknowns.

Now, I’m going back to a place where I have a foundation. A place that I grew to love. There are still a few unknowns about this year, but I see it more as an adventure. I’m on my way and this time around I look a little more like the photo below…

I’m excited to share this year with all of you. Here we go!

You’re Gonna Make It After All

{source}

It was this time a year ago that the reality of my moving away to college started to become a reality. I started to get emails from my school about confirming enrollment and housing assignments. I spent way too much money at Target and Walmart. I was slowly starting to pack up my room. My emotions were similar to many other college freshmen…a mixture of anxiousness and excitement. However, I wasn't staying in the comfort of my hometown, but moving to a small town in Tennessee where I didn't know a soul. I was going to Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Most people had never heard of this place where I would spend the next four years. But, I knew that God had called me to Lee and I was secure in that.

As summer began to wind down, my excitement nearly doubled, but so did my nervousness. I didn't know what to expect as I transitioned from the familiarity of Tallahassee to the unknown of Cleveland. The morning came when it was time to leave. My bedroom was stripped and every square inch of my car was packed. My mom was a teacher and couldn’t come because move-in weekend coincided with orientation and the first day of school in our county (she couldn’t miss those). It nearly ripped my heart to leave without her. I was thankful my dad and I were in separate cars on the way up because I cried for the first 15 miles. Slowly, the tears were replaced by a smile. I was overwhelmed with joy for my journey...God was with me.

We arrived at school and parked our cars in order to get in the line to check in at my residence hall. There were dozens of girls in line with their parents and we all empathized with each other. It was in that moment, that I felt a part of a community. Time passed so quickly that day and surely enough I had to say another “goodbye.” This time I kissed my dad on the cheek as tears welled in his eyes and told him I’d call him the next day. I felt my heart beat faster as I watched his car pull out of the parking lot…I was officially on my own.

The few days before classes started were filled with adjusting to campus life and getting to know the girls on my hall. Although, those days were overflowing with life, I wasn’t quite at home in my new place. Here’s an excerpt from my journal…

{August 23, 2011}

“Homesickness is hitting me hard tonight. I miss being in a place that is familiar and where I’m known in a sense. I just feel out of place right now. When I called mom tonight I just broke down…the tears started to pour out. Oh Lord, You brought me to Lee and You will be faithful to provide a “place” for me. But, it’s hard not knowing while I wait…”So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. {Hebrews 10:35}”

I can't help but smile when I think about how faithful the Lord has been over the past year. Many of the expectations I had were surpassed, some unfulfilled, and others transpired differently. I can truthfully say that I've grown to love this school and I can see His hand on every part.  Here's one of my journal excerpts from the end of the year...

{April 14, 2012}

“I have so many words I want to fill this page with. I’m sitting in Alumni Park on this gorgeous afternoon. It’s Lee Day weekend and prospective students and parents have taken the campus over. You have been so faithful over this past year. I remember crying the first week here because I felt so out of place. You have provided and far exceeded my expectations. The people You have placed in my life and the passions You have stirred in my heart are astounding…Your love for me is beyond my comprehension.”

Once again I'm filled with emotions as I get ready to go back in a few weeks. But, my feelings are different this year. There isn't an ounce of nervousness in me. I'm just eager and excited for this second year. I know that I'm going to make it after all.

Side note: I listened to this song and this song on repeat while I wrote this post. They both make me get up and dance before the Lord with so much joy in my soul. {2 Samuel 6:14} Just wanted to share so you could dance too!