Hey Homegirl,

When this article is published I will probably be sitting in my very first college class. As I reflect on a confusing, eye-opening, yet fun summer I can't help but share three things I learned the summer before my freshman year of college.

1. My life is not my own.

When I try to control my life it feels like I'm kicking my legs and flapping my arms just so I won't drown. When I rest in Jesus Christ grace and goodness, I slowly begin to let go of my plans. Slowly, but surely I have let go of my plan to go to Wofford and my plan to work at a good-paying job that hindered me from doing ministry. Looking back on it now I see God's goodness. When I realize that my life is not my own, He steps in for me. He rescues me from drowning and prepares me for the most thrilling adventure that He has planned.

"For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." Habakkuk 1:5

2. Open your eyes.

I have grown up in a baptist church my entire life. All my friends went to church, but when I went to high school that changed. I knew people who hated God, I had friends who thought God hated them, I had friends who were Hindu and friends who walked with Christ differently than I did. This summer my heart truly wondered. I wanted to know more about different religions, different people and get out of my little baptist bubble. In doing that my faith in Christ grew and I was able to love people better.

"First of all," he said, "if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-"

"Sir?"
"-Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
How to kill a Mocking Bird

3. Live abundantly.

I have decided I never wanna live half way. I never want to say I wish I would have done that. I want to do things and say things that make my heart beat fast. I want to live big. I want to adventure, meet new friends, eat new foods, drive to places I don't know, talk to a stranger, and love people and what I'm doing all the way. I want to live so everyone sees that my God has truly resurrected and is coming back.

"There is no passion to be found in playing small- In settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." -Nelson Mandela

I pray that this upcoming school year I would find joy in every flood, love, wholeheartedly, meet people who aren't like me, and always be open to growing into a better me.