When you first read the title, you think I'm talking about a young boy, or a man; and I am.

However, I'm not talking about the typical college hunk that every girl dreams of having, I'm talking about someone so. much. better.

God.

If there are 3 key things that i've learned, just from the time that I've spent here at ACU, it is this-

EMBRACE GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY IN THE UNKNOWN

I wake up every morning and remember this. I forgot whose I was coming into college, and fell prey to temptation. I allowed the mirror on the wall , or the boy I was crushing on to define who I was, instead of the word of God. God used my despair to redefine my identity, to remake, to guide and to show me, that his ways are truly the only way to live. “In my distress, I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears” (Psalm 18:6). He saved me, delivered me, and He taught me Whose I am, and whose I will always be. My advice would be to never forget that you are a follower of Christ, purchased by the cross, washed clean by His blood, and made knew in His promises. Stand firm on this truth, on his love, and on his sacrifice, when the enemy tries to tell you otherwise.

EXPECT NOTHING, EXPECT GREAT THINGS.

I went into college with a four year plan that looked drastically different than reality. Suddenly I was adding a difficult minor to my already difficult major. I expected to trip and fall into my future husband's arms on my first day and to graduate with my dream job in 4 years. I planned on instantly making tons of friends and it being as great as the movies made it. Everything looked completely different than this “dream," that I had created in my head. However, I did trip, but it was from walking up a set of steps. I attended classes without a clue as to the next step (but God faithfully showed me where to go in His time). College consisted of a lot of trips and falls, but in all of them the Lord was with me and held me up in His grace. I had to learn that my expectations were limiting my vision of what God was going to do! Expect nothing. Don’t give God a four year plan, but come to Him with open hands. And then expect great things knowing that You serve a great God! He is better at writing your story than you could ever plan on doing!

LASTLY, I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT THE COMMAND TO REST STILL APPLIES TO COLLEGE.

I know there are so many things going on and everyone is suffering from a severe case of uncertainty, but the command to rest still applies to you and is for your good! I wore myself out first semester. My first five months I felt like I had to do everything, and meet everyone for coffee and be involved in everything. It led to me having shallow roots when I needed to dig deeper. Upon my return to school second semester, I narrowed down what I would be involved in and became more involved in my studies and my two best-friends. Doing so, I found a happier and better me. Through those experiences that I endured my first semester, I learned the importance of rest. I would pour my heart out to God each week asking for an answer. Over christmas break I listened and received the wisdom that I had been seeking for. I learned over and over again that if I truly rested, got the sleep I needed, and took a Sabbath, that I would be more capable to serve and do what God has called me to.

This semester I fell in love. I fell in love with the man who directs my path. I fell in love with the man who reveals my values, and my worth when im unsure. I fell in love with the man who made everything thus far, possible.

I fell in love with God.