Open Doors

Choosing a college is a pretty important decision. I made a list of what I wanted in a school, visited school, after school, and fell in love with Lee University. I knew that was where I was supposed to be. And, now that classes have started, I know for sure that Lee was indeed where I am supposed to be. I have prayed for opportunities to open up while at Lee. I am not the best at making new friends, but I knew God would take care of that fear for me if I was willing to hand it over to him. 

God has opened up so many doors in just a week! God is sovereign. I served the middle school girls at my church in Lexington for three years and LOVED every second of it! For some reason, I have a passion to serve, love, encourage, and just hang out with girls that are younger than me (middle school age). 

Last night I was going through my emails and found one that I had missed the other day. It was from a ministry in Cleveland, TN. This ministry is called Life 423. It is a middle school girls ministry that meets weekly in Cleveland middle schools. Open door? I think so! 

I have emailed and signed up to volunteer. I can't wait to start hanging out and encouraging these girls. I pray God will use this ministry to further His Kingdom! 

YAY GOD! So glad I serve a God who holds me in the palm of His hand. I am slowly learning to hold on to Jesus, obey and follow Him and He will bless you. 

EMILY, Remember who YOU are.

Emily, 

Remember who you are. 

You are not a failure. YOu are not incapable. You are not a loser. YOU ARE a Jesus girl capable of VICTORY. YOU are absolutely capable of being empowered. I loves YOU-head to toe. Remember who you are. 

-Jesus

Redefining Beauty

 "And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay purified seven times."


                  Psalm 12:6

First Visit to the Cafeteria and Some other Randoms...

Today I made my first visit to the cafeteria. I had a ham and cheese sandwich on wheat bread. They toasted it and it was delicious. Also, I had a banana. Yum!! Thankfully, I was able to go with my suitmates. I was a little nervous about having to sit by myself. How embarrassing!! But, I was able to sit with them and some other people that they know.

Surprisingly, I did nothing that embarrassing. No tripping or spilling anything! Whew! It was nice to just sit and talk to some friends. I really enjoyed it.

Also today, I finished up all the final little things that I needed to do before starting classes. I got my car (Pongo) all registered, got my mailbox, and the last of my school box. It feels so good to have everything done.

Tomorrow is the first day of classes. I have College Algebra and Sign Language. I am pretty excited to get started. I will have to say though, I am nervous. You know me, I am quite the dumb one.....I am sure something will happen to me!!! (Well, I do have to wear a BOOT the first day of classes....ugh!!!)

College. Say What?

OK, so I have so much to update you on. I don't even know where to start. On August 19, 2011 I moved into the dorm at Lee University. It was such a fun, but overwhelming day. We stood in line for about thirty minutes and then started to unload at about 10:30am. The soccer girls were SO kind to unload all of my stuff out of my dad's car. I then met my roommate, Loren. She is awesome. I could not be happier. I feel so blessed to have been matched up with someone who has a ton of the same interests as me! My suitmates are just as awesome. Michelle and Alison welcomed Loren and I right in! After we had unpacked everything in the room I went out to lunch with my mom and dad. We went to a little deli called Jenkins. It is SOOOO good. They have the best soup! Seriously. After lunch we finished up all the little things that we had to do. We made some Target and Wal-mart runs too! That night I went to dinner with my parents. We had a great time talking about the day and just spending time together. I loved every minute of it. That night was the first night I would sleep in my "new room". I will have to say, I slept like a baby! I was out.

The next morning, I had freshman orientation at 9. We split up into our gateway classes....of course I went to the wrong class! That would happen to me. After gateway groups were over, I went to the community showcase and got a TON of free stuff. :) That night, Loren joined me and my parents. We drove to Chattanooga to eat at Ruby Tuesday. We walked around the mall and called it a night.

Sunday morning I went to First Baptist Church of Cleveland. I am amazed at how great God is! The sermon was on Psalm 91. He talked about how God is our protector. He WILL keep us safe. He comforts us, loves us, and holds us in the palm of His hand. AHH, I LOVE that! I was amazed at God's perfect timing. That sermon was exactly what I needed to hear (and my parents too!). How cool is that?! God is good. ALL the time. The worship was amazing and just what I needed to hear.

After church came the hard part. I had to say goodbye to my parents. It was extremely, extremely difficult. I gave my dad one last hug (at least for awhile!). I am so thankful for my dad and his love for me, but more importantly, the Lord. Then my mom walked me back to my dorm. I set my stuff in the room and then had to say goodbye to my mom.....rough. I love my mom so much and am SOOO thankful for her. She is my best friend. She is truly awesome and I have NO clue what I am going to do without her this year. God blessed me with the two greatest parents of ALL!!!!!

After my parents left, DEKE day started. DEKE day is a day of service. I went with my gateway class to a nursing home. We were able to spend a few hours and serve the people there. I know we blessed them-but in return they blessed us. I think that is just awesome. Serving others and the Lord is such a beautiful thing.

I think I have caught you all up on everything college so far. I am doing pretty well. I have not cried since my parents left (except for a few tears now as I am writing this!). Nights are easier than I thought. Mornings are a little hard. I have a great roommate, great suitmates, and am excited to see where God takes us this year! Classes start Wednesday. Looking forward to having a routine!