Let me start by saying that this article is in no way demeaning or "shading" (as the youngins say) panhellenic sororities, everyone has a path and it takes all kinds of kinds for the world to go 'round.

My sorority is Sigma Phi Lambda. We are a Christian sorority that strives to glorify God and make His name great. When I went to the first night of recruitment I was genuinely just hoping to make one friend- at the time I was a junior in college and all of my friends had just graduated. I really just felt alone. So, I go to recruitment. Immediately I felt surrounded by the positive energy and this incredible uplifting spirit. Literally within ten minutes of being in recruitment and I was S. O. L. D. I went home that night and could not stop talking about how much fun I had and how absolute quality the girls I met at recruitment were. Naturally, I went through with the joining process. On induction night I met my best friend. Then we made memories and even more friends at New Member Retreat- even though I ended up sleeping on the floor of a church hallway. Through the chapters, prayer groups, and New Member Meetings I started coming out of my shell and truly finding out my place in the organization. More than that, I found lifelong friends. We shared our stories, laughed until our sides hurt, and became better Christians together.

You see, these girls are people I can share my burdens with, and my victories. They are the first people I want to call when my life feels like it is burning down around me, because I know they will meet that with acceptance, understanding, scripture, and encouragement. They are also the first people I want to call when I feel like I am standing on the mountain top because my victories are their victories. College is hard, isolating, and frequently unpredictable but finding the right people to walk that path with you, and you with them, makes all the difference. These girls encourage me to listen to what God is asking me to do, stay in prayer, and recklessly pursue the heart of Christ. I should also mention that things are not as "coffee and Jesus" as modern Christianity can appear. It is real. It is "come over I'm making quinoa casserole," "Ole boy just broke my heart," "let's go dancing," and nearly everything in between.

My encouragement for you is if you go to a school that has a Phi Lamb chapter, go to their recruitment. Talk to people. Listen to God. And if you just so happen to go to Mississippi State, consider coming to our recruitment- more information in the link below.

https://msuphilamb.com/recruitment/