August 15, 2005: The day I moved into 317A Brumby Hall @ The University of Georgia. That day I thought my whole world was about to come crashing down. I remember I did not know how I was going to get through a year in Athens in a room with a stranger. I felt like I had been sent to boarding school and would never make it out. Of course my first night I was very alone and longed to see Anna, Krystal, Steven, my parents, and everyone else back in Augusta. I did not want to socialize with my hallmates and lived weekend to weekend when I would make the hour and a-half trip home. It was great to see my parents, Steven and everyone else, but I was missing out on college, because I clung to what I knew.
Augusta 18 - December 13, 2005: First semester I would have been expected to go to all the Bulldogs Football games and have fun with "86,520 of my closest friends" rooting "goooooo DAWGS, sic 'em woof, woof, woof...." But let's just say I sold every one of my tickets, yeah that's right I sold each and every one of them, that sounds absolutely outrageous all you Bulldog extremists out there. I guess it was my way of bucking the system somewhat, because it is what I was supposed to do. School was okay I really did not feel overwhelmed by my classes or the size (35,000 students) of the school. I was just in my own little world living week by week and trying to become too involved. The one organization I was involved in was RUF(Reformed University fellowship) this was a group that I knew about since high school and it just seemed natural to go the the PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) organization. There I found a group of kids that I could relate to and be able to talk to about my beliefs. Now this brings me to another point. Sharing my faith and belief Christ saving power should MOST DEFINITELY NEVER be reserved for other followers. That is something that I felt like I always knew but it has become more relevant here. I finally starting making new friends in Athens, Laura Waldrep lets just say she is the pink I never, Sarah Jarell a fellow giant, Lauren Wells the girl who you just have to break out of her shell, and others kids as well. I have been very fortunate to be surrounded with these girls and for them to be Christians. As for my roommate, Liz, she and I were total opposites. She was an extremely smart Asian/Irish who always did things that just did not make sense. I think I have learned how to love people and serve them even if they do not agree with your beliefs, because it is what I am made to do. Another crazy moment was when my parents moved out to Albuquerque, NM in October and at the same time I had to drop Chem 1211 because I made a 47 on my second test. That may have been one of the most stressful times first semester. I went from majoring in Animal and Dairy Sciences to not knowing where I belong. Finally the end of the semester came around, I had two exams. Pre-Calculus and poultry(Chicken) Science. Neither was very challenging, once I was finished I went back to Augusta and later flew to New Mexico to visit my parents. This portion of the year left me wondering where I belong in college and where life migh go, but I still knew that God was sovereign over everything and had to rest in his unfailing grace.
Janurary 9 - May 9, 2006: After a restful winter break it was on to second semester woo hoo! I did not really want to come back to Athens after my crazy first semester but of course I did anyways. I came into second semester not knowing what I wanted to do with my major so I took many general courses o yeah and my PE, Basketball yeah buddy. This period had to be different than first semester or else I was going to drive myself insane. I became even more involved in RUF and forged relationships with many of the older kids there. Going through the Gospel of Mark was good because I had never gone through one all the way in a study. Rob Edwards might very well be one of my favorite people ever and I cannot wait to be a part of RUF in the comming years. This semester was not as challenging as the first school wise, however spiritually I felt worn and dried up at times. My faith had become something to repeition and Steven and I had started fight over little trivialities. Once Spring Break came around I knew something had to change. I decided to go down to Waveland, MS to help with relief work on the Gulf Coast, during which Steven and I were on a break for the week and those following it. Down in Waveland I learned that the hurricane not only brought physical waves onto the land and tore the people's possessions, it also brought a wave of spiritual need. The people down in Waveland are in need and eager to hear the Gospel. I am thinking about taking a trip back down there this summer. Anyways, I also connected with my team on the trip and became good friends with Lora Bergstrom (LB, Bergy) who is actually working at Ridge Haven Camp this summer. She is such an amazing girl and so easy to talk to. (I love you Lora if your reading) So comming back from Waveland I felt a change in my heart and spirit, although I most definitely could not wait to be done with school for the summer. Now I am at the end of this year that I thought would last forever and be terrible. I can say that God has brought me through it and taught me that the life that he has given us is worth every second that good and the bad.
Reflections: I guess I have learned a lot this year and not all of it was from a textbook. I've started to understand that you can only give yourself to others if you show them that you are not different. That you have to embrace your college experiences or else you will miss so much. And that Athens, GA is not all about Drinking and going downtown, that there is much more and that the Gospel is needed among the students. Also that by God's grace I am able to endure things that seem insurmountable and not to be afraid of the future because I am never going to know what I am going to run into next.
give me Christ or else i die.
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