A New Chapter Begins

I can't believe it's finally here. I am leaving home tomorrow to go to OSU. It feels like I have been waiting for this moment for years. I am closing one chapter in my life and starting a new one. I can honestly say that I am so excited to see what God has planned for me these final two years of college at OSU. I can't wait to see where He leads me. I can't wait to see what people He places in my path. I can't wait to learn all that He has to teach me. I just can't wait.

Because I am leaving tomorrow, it got me thinking of all the incredible people and opportunities I am leaving behind in Tulsa.

I am leaving behind my incredible Momma. This woman is amazing. Seriously. She is my biggest fan and I am so thankful to not only call her my Mom, but also one of my best friends. I know I can talk to her about anything. She loves me at my best and my worst. She is an incredible example of what it looks like to love others the way that Jesus loves. She is a shining example of that by how she treats her students. I love coming home at night and sitting down and just talking to her. She is such a blessing in my life.

I am leaving behind my amazing daddy. He is the reason I want to be a P.E. teacher and a coach. The way he genuinely cares for every single one of his athletes is so inspiring. He is so full of wisdom, it's ridiculous. He has taught me so much about what it looks like to sprint after Christ and putting Him first in every thing I do. He shows me this daily by example. He is the one who constantly reminds me that "your ministry is wherever God has you AT THAT MOMENT." He is the best. hands down.

I am leaving behind my awesome brother. It has been such a blessing having him at home for the summer. I love talking to him and sharing stories. I am seriously blessed to have Josh has my brother.

I am leaving behind my grandparents who make me laugh more than anyone else I know. Any time I am around them, I can't help but smile. They have always been huge supporters of me, and might win the title for being my biggest fans.

I am leaving behind FamilyChurch. I am leaving behind the youth group and the girls in my small group. Those girls are incredible, and will, no doubt, change the world..they already are.

I am leaving behind a coaching job on SwimTulsa that I absolutely love. SwimTulsa is such an incredible team, but the people on it are what make it incredible. It was such a blessing to have a job that I loved. I loved all the relationships I was able to form from coaching on that team.

I am leaving behind friends who mean the world to me. Friends who build me up when I am feeling down. Friends who love me no matter what.

It feels like I am leaving a lot behind. But I look forward and see that I am also gaining a lot as well.

I am gaining an incredible roommate, Cortney, who has such an amazing love for Christ. Her goal is to make Christ famous in her life and she lives that out every single day. She is an awesome friend and I know I can go to her any time I need to and she will listen to me.

I am finally going to go to the same school as Jill. We've been friends forever and that girl is a huge blessing in my life. I love talking to her about life and swapping stories. I love how she is in love with Jesus, and it's so obvious when you talk to her.

I get to volunteer at one of the most incredible churches around-LifeChurch.tv. I am so excited how God is moving in that church and I am excited that I get to be apart of it. I am so excited to work with the kids and help them get a better understanding of who Jesus is.

I am gaining a whole new set of memories that will last a lifetime.

Although I am leaving behind a lot, I am also gaining a lot. I know, 100%, that OSU is where God wants me. I am supposed to be on that campus for a reason and I can't wait to see what that reason is. I want to be a light where there is darkness. I want to bring hope to the hopeless. I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Thinking about tomorrow brings out so many emotions in me. Excitement. Happiness. Fear. Anxiousness. and so many others. I am sad to leave so many incredible people behind, but I know God has big plans for me in Stillwater. I am ready to get this new and exciting journey started... :)

"LORD, whatever you want, wherever you want it, and whenever you want it, that's what I want." -R. Baxter