Warning: I typed this really fast because I wanted to get it out on New Years Eve, so excuse the typos! But These are some things I have become thankful for during my first semester of college.
1) Oklahoma Baptist University
The social aspect of OBU has also been wonderful! The most fun I had this semester was joining my flag football team, Victorious Secret. The girls I got to play with and the guys that agreed to coach made it an experience I will never forget! I never knew much about the game of football ( I mean, really, I thought a “fumble” was pronounced “thumble.” How embarrassing!) but the coaches were patient with the team and really helped us come together and have fun. And now I catch myself watching football games on TV and enjoying it because I really understand what’s going on! The best is that the girls that I played with and the guys that coached have really become like my sisters and brothers; it’s funny what playing sports can do!
2) The fantastic girls that I have met
We also set up a girls bible study that met once a week at an OBU senior girls house. We went over a study about not putting idols before God in life and leaning on solely the Lord for comfort. And I feel like this journey through scripture and conversation has helped me grow stronger in my faith and in fellowship. It was great to discuss different issues or problems each girl was facing and talk through it. We even started to realize that some of the other girls were going through the same exact things!
I am excited to start this back up when I get back from break!
The girls of our bible study!
3) My wonderful family that has been so supportive.
They have been there to both encourage and rejoice about all the aspects of my first college semester. When I was crying about the first D I made on my Chemistry test they were there to comfort me. They would let me now that regardless God would make all things work out for his good. (And somehow I ended up with an unexpected A in the class!) And when I found out I made it in Campus Activities Board they were there to congratulate and be excited for me because it was a new step in my journey. And when I just wanted a weekend to relax and unwind from all the busyness of college, I could always go home to Tulsa and expect a delicious home cooked meal waiting. I couldn’t have made it through this semester without them. And as I am typing this they are in the other room getting ready to celebrate New Years and I can’t help thinking that they made not just this semester but this whole year an incredible one.
4) And the ministry the God has faithfully put in my life.
This semester God was able to use me in great ways. The Lord really taught me that if you really invest your time with people and genuinely care about their being, so many beneficial relationships can be formed. I have been able to have individual conversations with many different freshman girls that are going through the same dilemmas of college as me and also listen to their stories and testimonies. Just doing that has helped me grow in my own walk with God and expand my ministry. I can’t wait to meet even more girls during the spring!
I have had the opportunity to work with Spero Project, which is an urban refugee ministry in Oklahoma City. I have gotten to play with children from countries like Malaysia and Sudan, and hang out with their parents and have great conversations. Even though at times there can be a language barrier, it is great just to be able to sit in their apartments and enjoy company. It has been a very humbling experience and has been a great break for me during the craziness of the school week. The Wednesday before I left one little girl I have gotten to know asked what the exact day would be when I came back in January. And it made my heart melt just knowing that both the children and I have grown mutual love for each other. I am hoping to build more strong relationships with the families at the complex so I may share Jesus with them. So keep that in your prayers!
I was also presented with the wonderful opportunity to go on another mission trip. This time I am getting to go to India and work with girls saved from sex trafficking and be able to show them the love of Christ. And oh, I am SOOO excited! I have caught myself spending hours looking on Google search at pictures of India or researching the organization I am going to be working with. I just get really excited when I think about more people being introduced to the hope that the gospel brings. Even though some won’t admit it, everyone needs a little hope in the midst of the world we live in and Jesus Christ is the only one that can give it. And I’m so thankful that I get to be a messenger of that news.
My friends and I wearing the headbands the Spero kids made for us!
I can’t even begin to list everything that I am thankful about my first semester of college and I’m so excited to see the blessings that the Lord will provide during the spring!
I hope everyone is having a great New Years and starting to get excited for the fresh start of 2012!
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. - Ecclesiastes 3:11
Thanks for reading!
Karlie
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