For the last seven months, I have had to honor of serving as a resident assistant in the freshman dorm. Back in August, I was very nervous about this position that I was taking on. I was constantly doubting my abilities as a leader, as a mentor, and as a friend. While a lot of these feelings were things I had to overcome on my own time, I couldn’t have done it without the help and encouragement of the rest of my RA team.

Back in August before any residents moved in, we sat down together as a team and came up with a list of values we would hold each other accountable to. As we did this, we also decided that our goal for the dorm could be summarized in the phrase, “Come as strangers, leave as sisters.” It was our goal that our team would be able to foster relationships among residents so that by the end of the year, they would each feel they belonged to the family. But as we tried to accomplish this with the residents, it was happening simultaneously within our team.

2016-2017 Ohio Hall RAs,

I am so blessed to have been able to work with each one of you. Prior to working with you all as a team, I didn’t know any of you very well. But we became a team. More than that we became a family. I am so glad to have gotten to know all of you. I love seeing the unique gifts that all of you have, and the different ways that God uses those gifts for His good. We each bring something unique to the table, and our team would absolutely be lacking if even one of us chose not to use our individuality to benefit the team.

You all have been such an encouragement to me. Not only do you challenge me to be a better RA, you challenge me in my personal life as well. You call out the things you see me doing well, and give advice and encouragement in the areas that I struggle with. You have provided a space for me to be open and honest because each of you are willing to honest with me as well. This is one of the things I appreciate more than anything.

Thank you all for being so great to work with. I am sad to see the year come to an end, but I know that each of us has great things in store for next year and beyond. I am so thankful that you are no longer strangers to me, but I can now call you sisters.

It has been an honor and a joy to serve alongside each of you.

Love,