Wow. Time does fly by; you weren't kidding old folks!
So instead of writing NYC's next Best Seller, I'm going to make it a lot easier and sum up my freshmen year in 5 points.
1. Flawless Flamingos
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| Simmons Second Flamingos: A hall that never fell short of lifting one another up or reminding each other of one's self-worth found in Jesus. There was never a week without a shenanigan, laughter, or Beyonce blaring out of a room. From Halea's accent, to Moe's motherly attentiveness, from shower singing buddies, to random ear piercings, to Caden's engagement and the "Open Closet Policy", our lives were constantly filled with adventure. Thank you Flamingos for bringing confidence back in my life and for an AMAZING freshman year that will never be forgotten. P.S. When in doubt, Beyonce is always the answer. (Right Mama Moe?) |
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| Snora: (Simmons-Nora Hall) My residential hall brought a rare and authentic beauty to my life. Our dorm theme was "leave the cage". "be free" and that we are "flawless"! This dorm houses many moments where I was set free from regret, bitterness, anger, and all that is the past. This hall built community and confidence in my life that I never had before. This hall also contains some of the most genuine, raw, Jesus-filled moments that were life changing. I am so thankful for my first home at Lee. #snoraflawless forever. |
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| My Beautiful, First Roommate: Oh my, Gale Winter. How crazy our journey was! Gale is an incredible worker, a confident woman of God, and a dedicated fan to Marvel. I am so thankful for a roommate who taught me patience, to let go of the past, and to always stay true to myself. Gale, though it (probably) was hard to live with me, thank you for being just as messy as I am or even less. You will never know how thankful I am for you. |
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| My Incredible RA and RC: My RA, Laine, and RC, Courtney, never once failed to show me the incredible love of Jesus. As well as being beautiful women of God, they were also remarkable leaders and phenomenal friends. To Laine: Thank you for your constant wisdom and insight on life. It is truly inspiring. Also, thank you for your kindness. It felt like you always knew what to say and what to do in amidst of all my life's chaos. It always reminded me of Jesus and to keep pushing on. To Court: Thank you for always being there. You saw me, listened to me, laughed with me, and cried with me through all the valleys and mountains. You will never know how much that meant. P.S. You two are drop dead gorgeous. #FLAWLESS |
2. Adventure Awaits
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| Life as a Flame: Lee University, where all the crazy adventures began. It is so crazy to think about how in my senior year of high school I dreamed of how life would be as a student at Lee. Now, about to start my sophomore year as a flame, living all of those dreams and more! I have met incredible, selfless, followers of Christ that I happen to call "best friends". I have made amazing, hilarious, sometimes challenging, laughter, or tear filled memories that I know I will talk about when I am old and toothless. And, most amazingly, this place has held some of the most life changing, Holy Spirit consuming, heart warming, God filled kingdom moments that have shaped me into a kingdom seeking, dedicated, love consumed, follower of Christ. I am forever thankful for the people, the place, the education, and the community at Lee that has changed my purpose, always points me to Father God, and will always keep me sleep deprived. |
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| Chilhowee: This beautiful mountain site is another main reason that, as a student of Lee, you will get no sleep. The sunrises and sunsets here are some that literally take your breath away. I have spent many times up there with my dear friends praising God, fun cookouts, late night camp outs, and long talks that I hope I will always remember. But my favorite part of Chilhowee? I love watching Father paint the sky. |
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| Long Drives: One of the things I love most, if anyone knows me, is long car rides. It has always been a valued time to listen to music, carry on deep talks, to get things off the mind, and to pray. Though I do not have a car at this time, I am blessed with friends who trust and love me enough to share theirs. As well as, in most cases. love long drives just as much as I do. And with long car rides, comes cool new places to visit. |
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| Where the Wild Things Are: Chattanooga. Another main city, besides Cleveland, that homes a lot of remarkable memories in my life and some of the coolest sites. From late night walks, to climbing hotel buildings, from meeting incredible homeless people, to the magnificent art, Chatt never falls short of awesome. Thankful for a city that never ceases to be full of adventure. |
3. My Second Family
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| Thankful Heart: Crossover is a service club that I am a part of. Every Saturday, groups of Lee students go out into the impoverished community of Cleveland and focus on building relationships within the community to help poverty alleviation. (Because, poverty isn't just an economic status, its a result of broken relationships.) As a route leader for Crossover, I am blown away, weekly, by the dedicated hearts of the servants of Christ around me. I am inspired by each and reminded to enjoy life, seek Jesus in everything, and that God can use anyone. I am constantly pushed to be a humble leader and to never neglect selflessness. |
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| The Little Cubs: I am so in love. So very deeply in love with my little friends on my Crossover Route. Every week, getting to know these beautiful children, has been life-changing. Diana and Mariena love Frozen and sing Let It Go all the time. Kimberly loves to play with Barbie Dolls. Dalton and Noah love crazy television shows that no one has ever heard of. Luis, who we call Captain, and Miguel love to pick on the leaders and are good at making us laugh. And Daniel, though he rarely talks, loves to blow us away with astounding statements when he does. And I? I love each and everyone of them. They are my brothers and sisters. |
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| Genuine Hospitality: I am beyond grateful to be shown such a selfless, hospitable, love from these two beautiful sisters of mine. My first weekend as a route leader for Crossover was super nerve racking. I did not believe that I was capable of leading a group of people to serve their community or that the community would welcome us crazy, college students. But, God proved me wrong... again. Amee and Lupita showed hospitality and love that I knew could only come from Jesus. They welcomed me and many other Lee students not only into their home but into their family as well. I am so so thankful. P.S. Ever want the best Tomales in the world? Amee has your back! |
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| Joyful Beginnings: When I started Crossover, I first went to a route where the Lord had immense joy and love waiting for me. The Michauds, my first family at Lee, are a blessed, Jesus loving, joyful, and energy filled family. They were one of the greatest blessings I received entering into Lee. Esther, the mother of these beautiful children, is truly a sister of Christ to me. She has shown me the love of Christ so beautifully and authentically. She inspires me to never give up and to let God be my strength. I say this because Esther is a mother of, now, three beautiful children, a Pastor's wife, and a nursing student at Lee. She inspires so many of us to pray without ceasing, to show love even when you don't feel like it, and to always put your trust in God. Marc and ZaZa have sometimes worn me out with their unfathomable energy but have, no matter what, reminded me to always have a childlike faith and to never stop laughing. |
4. Unforgettable Moments
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| Don't Go Crying To Your Mama: The entire drive down to Lee, my mom would randomly sing Paramore's song, "Ain't it Fun?". Though we would laugh every time, the "real world" living came sooner than I thought. This picture was taken after my freshman dedication ceremony. My best friend, Aleshea, and my beautiful mother couldn't have been more supportive and encouraging than they were that first emotional weekend of my new life. Before I spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically, dedicated myself to Lee, I looked over my shoulder at my mother and I will never forget the admiration in her eyes. I am forever grateful for these two caring ladies who always love me, laugh with me, cry with me, and push me forward. |
To my 19 year old, aspiring blogger, self:
You did it.
You are graduating from Lee this summer.
You've lived in multiple states.
You are currently a missionary.
You extravagantly love Jesus more than you ever could have believed.
Your journey of faith was so much more than words. Rather, it was in sacrificing a solid academic career, overcoming addiction & generational brokenness, travailing over the lost coming to know Jesus, moving across the nation, dying to self & releasing all financial security.
It is in the interwoven story lines of those you have loved.
It is in the hours of prayer for other's breakthrough.
It is in the increasing number of miles spent driving past state lines.
It is in the thousands of faces you have beheld, the bodies you have hugged and the tears shed on your shoulder.
Everything you could have ever imagined & more.
-Hales
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