James Joy Ride

Wow. It's crazy how the Lord works sometimes. My HC friends will understand the title of this blog because we always had one week a year where the morning devo on the announcements was a different chapter of James and we called it "The James Joy Ride". More on that later...

These past two weeks have been a whirlwind.

I had a crazy week full of tests, quizzes, and papers and spent over 40 hours studying in the library total. CRAZY. This week has been pretty easy, and it's been a good week to relax and put finishing touches on our room!

Two weeks ago, I stayed up until 2 AM working on a paper for class, and my professor ended up cancelling class because she was sick. I was bitter because I had stayed up, but I was also excited because it was my only class that day! The next day, I opened my computer and it said my hard drive had crashed. WHAT?!?! I was livid. I lost everything. I took it to our IT desk and they repaired it, but EVERYTHING was gone. GONE. Pictures, memories, ASSIGNMENTS...all gone. My English professor ended up giving me grace and let me turn in the paper after rewriting it in 30 minutes. I was so excited!!

I got into the Freshman Leadership Program here!! FLP is basically 9 different groups of 45 freshmen leading out in different ways on campus. I am a part of ELITE, which is a fantastic group of freshmen (obviously) and I am so excited to see what we can do together! I also got into AMP, which is Auburn's Mentoring Program. I get the opportunity to go into nearby schools to mentor kids of all ages and I am so excited! Mentoring has been a HUGE blessing to me, and I have learned so much from those that I have poured into, so I am so excited to see what we will do!

I went to a lot of sorority events these past two weeks (only have pictures from a few): a social (shotgun shells and wedding bells), a swap (jazzercise), and our philanthropy event (Run for Roses)! I've found lots of good friendships in these girls and I am so excited for the next four years with them (and beyond!).

Run for Roses

Run for Roses with Farah, who is from Houston as well!

Redneck wedding social with Elizabeth!

Redneck wedding with Sarah and Molly!

Jazzercise swap

ALSO, last night was our big/little reveal! I was super excited all day, and I couldn't wait to see who my big sister was going to be!! We did a scavenger hunt on the hall (where the sophomores live above our chapter room) and put on pieces of a costume before we ran down to meet out family! Since our pledge class is so big, we got to have twins! My twin, Melanie, and I realized right away that we were twins, so we were really excited! We ran through the hall and got dressed up as salsa dancers! We ran down the stairs together and ran through the hallway to the chapter room to find CLAIRE!!! We were both so excited and it was so fun! We went to Mylk's cookies as a family and just hung out! It was so fun!!

Creepiest text to receive...

Makenzie and I were way too excited!

Melanie, Claire, and I!

MY BIG.

BEST. MOMENT. EVER.

In other news, MY FAMILY COMES TOMORROW. I have not seen them in almost two months! CRAZY. I'm so excited for them to get here and show them my life here!

Also (I know, lots to cover), I have been learning a lot about who I am. I was always the person in high school who needed someone to go with me EVERYWHERE. I hated being alone even for a minute. Now, I enjoy walking to class alone and sitting in my dorm room or the library alone because it gives me freedom to be silent. Silence is so key to me now. Anyone who knew me well before would tell you that I was quite the talker. Now, I feel like I am quieter. I listen more, I talk less. It's something I've wanted to improve on forever, and just being here has allowed that. Everyone here is in the same boat: out of their comfort zone, lonely, and trying to figure life out. If we team up and go at life together, that's what we need. Someone to be there for us. We don't need someone to talk our ear off, just someone to listen if we need a friend.

This summer, I got the opportunity to lead middle school girls in a Bible Study for a month. We did a study on James. I surrounded myself with verses from James constantly, but now they are starting to apply so incredibly well. I'll post the most applicable ones at the end.

It's crazy to see how much can change in just four months, but I am so incredibly thankful for all the Lord has done to me, with me, and through me. I feel incredibly blessed to be where I am and I can't wait to see all that God has in store for me.


"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow in anger..." (James 1:19)

James 3. All of it.

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you" (James 4:8-10)

"Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that" (James 4:15)

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16)