Growing up, I was the pastor's daughter. The church I grew up in was non-denominational and some who visit might feel a little overwhelmed by all of the energy our worship leaders have. This church is the reason why I am the spunky, fun loving person that I am today. They taught me to put love over all else, and the importance of people and relationships.
When I told my parents I wanted to go through formal recruitment, they were not the happiest about it. I remember having a conversation with my entire family in the room where they all kept telling me reasons not to join a sorority. All of them were convinced that something terrible would happen to me at a fraternity or there would be no way I could afford being in a house. I was so angry with them because at the time it felt like they didn't trust me or even believe in me, but in reality, it would take a miracle for me to actually be able to do it.
So that summer I decided to give up on the idea of going through recruitment. This broke my heart, but I knew no one in my family would be supportive of me if I decided to rush, and I had no idea how I would pay for it. I went through the majority of the summer trying to accept the fact that I wouldn't be able to do something that I had wanted to so badly.
Sometimes, I think about where I am today and I am truly in awe of how God knows exactly where we are supposed to be in our lives. In August, I went to WSU Alive. I was still was set on not going through recruitment at the time, but whenever I told people that they were shocked. Some told me they couldn't imagine me not joining a house, and I soon realized that I couldn't imagine it either.
During the tour, every night I would pray about what I should do and I could feel God pushing me and saying, "Sign up, and I'll take care of the rest." So on a whim, I signed up for formal recruitment. When I told my parents about it when I got home, I could tell they were not exactly pleased. I had no idea how it was going to work out at the time, but God knew what He was doing.
Finally, it was time for formal rush. Recruitment was a very long week, but it was also a blast. I loved talking to different people every day and getting so close with my Rho Gamma group, but by the end I was so emotionally exhausted and just wanted to be in my new home. I continued to pray that I would find a house that would make me a better person. There were definitely girls I could see myself hanging out with, but there was one house that made me want to improve myself because of all the amazing women I had met. I knew on pref day that if I didn't have that house on my bid card, I shouldn't be in a house at all.
I ran home on bid day, and now I am surrounded by people who value the same things that I do. My family realized what an incredible opportunity this was for me and decided to help me with the finances. Everyone in my sorority has so much love and respect for each other, and I have never felt so at home while being away from home. If this whole experience taught me anything, it's to fully put your trust in God when He tells you He will take care of you. Even when everyone else tells you how crazy you are, never let that stop you from doing what He has planned for your life.
God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20
