4 December 2020

Going home is always such a joy. I feel so incredibly blessed to have a family that makes going home so fun, time filled with laughter and love.

During my time at home we celebrated Thanksgiving, which is hands down my favorite holiday. A day that is ALL ABOUT FOOD, (and family of course) that's my kind of holiday.

I was thinking about all of the things that I am thankful for, and how God has so evidently blessed me, my family, and my friends. Even though after countless times that I have screwed up, I am still so loved, and I am His. How lucky are we to have such an amazing, loving, and forgiving God?

My Nana and Pawpaw took me on a ride around the property to show me all of the fence that they had been putting up, and at the time I was just thinking, these are the kind of memories that I will remember and cherish forever. I am very thankful for my grandparents, and the example as individuals and a couple that they set for me. All of my family members have qualities that I admire, and make me work hard to be a better person. My mom's kindheartedness, my dad's courage, my nana's knowledge, my pawpaw's steady hand, my brothers' goofiness, etc. I've been thinking a lot about the kind of reputation I want to uphold for my life, and the kind of person that I am striving to be.

Unfortunately being in a sorority, people look and think of you differently. Most people think of your run of the mill, awful stories that they've seen on movies or heard about. Even Laramie was skeptical of me after telling him that. College has really allowed me to grow and flourish into who I am, and AOII has had such a positive impact on my time here, pushing me to grow in social and leadership skills. My time in school and AOII has really tested me because it could be so easy to fall into the unrighteous acts of my peers; however, I have stayed grounded and true to who I am.

I have learned how to always speak the Truth, and never try to be someone that I am not. As a college freshmen going through sorority recruitment, that was a hard thing to do because I only wanted to fit in. However it has greatly paid off, I have met the most amazing group of friends, and have really bloomed in my officer position. I have gotten to see God work in my friends lives' through baptism, hardships, and as simple as encouraging one another to follow the Word.

I also think about the younger people in my life, that I know look up to me, and think the world of me. I am working hard to set an example to them of what it looks like to KNOW God, to follow Him, be satisfied and have confidence within Him, and seek a Godly partner. I want to continue to be a light, a leader in people's lives.

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."