Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise

From elementary education to journalism, my life in this past year has been quite the journey. One year ago I was enrolled in elementary education classes at Ole Miss. I was making lessons plans for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs for my second grade class. I had no idea what was about to come.

At the end of May 2013 I realized I wasn't going to allow myself anymore to think about my "second life." Why only dream when I could make these dreams my reality?

I switched all my classes to meet the journalism school requirements and planned to visit Oxford to meet with an advisor. I went from learning about early literacy to journalism 101. After I made that jump and trusted in the Lord that this is exactly where I was supposed to be, the blessings kept pouring out.

I applied for and accepted an internship with Hello Perfect and began my journey with them as a contributing writer. I loved all of my fall semester classes in the journalism building and then reached out on a limb to apply for the Teen Vogue Fashion University weekend in October in New York, which I found out about through the founder of Hello Perfect.

Patience. One word I am not good with. Teen Vogue Fashion U was one of the only events I applied for and never thought about again. I didn't over analyze every step or already plan out my trip in my mind. That's why when my acceptance email came I was incredible overjoyed. Through prayers and not planning, the Lord provided for me to attend TVFU along with five of my best friends.

"And so it was, that [she], having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained what God had promised" Hebrews 6:15 

It was there that I had no idea how much my life would change. When signing up for my seminars for TVFU I had no idea who DANNIJO was, but they sounded cool. I liked the idea that they were two sisters working together and I like jewelry, so I thought, "Sure I'll sign up for your seminar."

Immediately I was drawn to Danielle and Jodie & I loved everything they said during the seminar. I knew I would fit in with them. Who would have thought that three/four months later I would be accepting an internship with them. How cool is this series of events?! Everything is linked together!

Last week was incredible & I received a "God wink" almost every day. I got offered other internships and interview opportunities, I am a new campus ambassador for Intern Queen, received a few cool emails from people in New York that I'm going to be able to meet, and to top it off, I was published in the Daily Mississippian this morning. Needless to say, I was on cloud nine. I found my head growing a little bigger.

What I needed to be reminded of is that without Jesus, none of these things would have been possible.

The Lord has humbled me through all of these experiences & they have taught me a lot. It is in my nature to want to run around saying, "Hey look who just emailed me back!" or send a tweet broadcasting my internship offers. My life would not be woven together like this without my daily strive (and struggle) to follow Jesus and believe that He has control of my life, not myself.

"...My cups overflows with your blessings" Psalm 23:5

In high school when I thought I was actively pursuing the Lord I thought I made all the decisions. Obviously you can see how wrong that was because I was settling with the idea that I was supposed to be a teacher for the rest of my life. Once I actively began pursuing the Lord and seeing where He led me, I have been overwhelmed with incredible opportunities. Don't get me wrong, every day I stumble and fail, but the Lord is always so faithful.

The glory does not go to me though. The glory goes to God. Without Him, I would never have gotten this far. I would still be student teaching and sulking to my classes. I have to remind myself every day that it is enough that I know these things about myself and to thank God every single second of the day for providing for me and putting these desires in my heart.

This morning, with the Daily Mississippian in my hand and the sun shining on my face, I was remind of the song lyrics, "Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise" from Blessed Be Your Name. Everything clicked and I had to share this experience with all of you. Also, I can't wait to see that Jesus has in store for all of you! It makes me giddy and excited.

Without Jesus none of these things would be possible. I've learned that there is no way I can control my life. I can't make plans because the plans have already been made. Through this I challenge myself to turn every blessing into praise. (see how we came full circle there?)

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" Ephesians 3:20

50 things & places I love:

1. coffee at all times of the day
2. traveling
3. sitting in the window seat of a plane
4. macarons & champagne
5. the university of mississippi
6. updating iPhone apps
7. the color black
8. celine dion
9. handwritten notes
10. magazines - attn: Vogue
11. tri delta - especially the chi chapter 
12. surprises
13. new york city
14. water - oceans, pools, lakes
15. breakfast dates
16. sunsets
17. one direction
18. shrimp po' boys
19. quoting gilmore girls and watching reruns
20. social media
21. journaling 
22. franklin, tennessee
23. greek salads
24. candid photos
25. beyonce
26. grilled cheeses // paninis
27. watercolors
28. country cookin'
29. phases of the moon
30. maxi dresses & skirts
31. chicago, illinois 
32. harry potter and the sorcerer's stone
33. taking pictures
34. las vegas, nevada
35. gossip girl
36. street style
37. los angeles, california
38. underwater pictures
39. leather leggings
40. music festivals - lollapalooza 
41. falling asleep on a float in the pool
42. graphic tees
43. musicals and broadway plays
44. dark blue nail polish 
45. rompers
46. pizza
47. romance movies
48. blogs
49. morning time with Jesus
50. valentine's day

Happy Valentine's Day to you all! Hope your day was full of love!

xoxo

Inside the walls...

Rush can be a weird thing, right? If you're from the North, you probably don't even know what it is like to be in the South during recruitment week. It's full of decorations, big colorful signs, lots of rush workshops and songs, skits, and even more when getting to know the potential new members. It may seem caddy. You want your house to have the best girls, you want your #1 best friend from high school to come running into your arms on bid day, and you certainly don't want another house to get your favorite girls. What we need to focus on, is that the Lord will put the girls in their right houses, not us.

Here at Ole Miss, we have recruitment week about six weeks into school, unlike most other colleges. At other schools, you go a week early before school starts, rush, and then begin the school year. Ole Miss is lucky to have those six weeks.

During those six weeks we become friends with the girls going through recruitment. The girls see how the sororities act on campus and the members of the sororities can truly create a friendship with the rushees (I know that's not "correct" to call them that, but I didn't know what else to say). Within these six weeks I just experienced, I have met so many new girls that are all incredible and any house would be lucky to have them.

And while all of this is going on six weeks into school, you're balancing your social life, your sorority life, your school work and your family, you become a little overwhelmed. That test might not have gone the way you wanted it to go or your paper might not have reached the full word limit. But I can guarantee you this.. Whatever you were doing that night instead of studying your flashcards for that Anatomy & Physiology test, you will remember. You won't remember that test. If you're painting canvases to give away on Bid Day or if you are having a heart-to-heart with your neighbor in the dorm or DDD House, these are the moments you will remember.

Recruitment brings out the best in everyone, which is hard to believe. Take a look around though. All the houses are about to embark on the one week they have been preparing for since the spring. The recruitment teams specifically chosen by each sorority will get their week to shine and their hard work will pay off.

Amidst the chaos and confusion of rush week, you find happiness, smiles, hugs and tears. Whether it's because your friend didn't go the sorority you thought, or maybe she went your same sorority and you finally get to be sisters, or you're just touched by one of the speeches given during the recruitment rounds, this week is full of so many emotions.

What I love so much about rush is how much it makes me realize how much I love my sorority. Yes, I love the date parties, I love the cute t-shirts we get after each event, and I love walking into the big doors of Tri Delta every day and calling this place home. I love the kitchen staff in the mornings wishing me a happy day and I love how Mr. Kenny bakes you cookies if he knows you are going home to visit your family. I love dance parties in the hallways and I love hearing "Roar" by Katy Perry blast through the house at any given moment.

What I love even more though is the girls inside these walls. The girls I've met here at Tri Delta encourage me to be better every day. To not take "no" for an answer, to encourage me in my walk with the Lord, and to be a shoulder for me to cry on when I come back after a long day.

What I love the most is how much this house has changed me. Looking back at who I was in high school in comparison to now, I am better. The girls in this house taught me how to love one another and be loved on by friends who care. Nothing against my high school friends, but these girls have helped me grow into the person I will become for the rest of my life.

Rush is hectic. I'm not here to tell you it isn't. Some girls get the house of their dreams, while others will be let free from recruitment because the Lord has a bigger & better plan for them. I can't promise you that everyone ends up exactly where they think they are supposed to be.

I can promise you this though. My sorority has impacted me in ways I will always remember and also in ways I probably haven't even seen or realized yet. Behind these walls my life has been rocked and because I know these girls and can call them family, I've been changed for the better.

Tri Delta at Ole Miss has strengthened my relationship with the Lord and led me to pour into other girls. It has taught me to be held accountable, to be there for my friends whenever they need me to be, and to love my friends every day. Walking through these halls I am uplifted by every girl I pass. Whether I am their best friend or just an acquaintance, if I needed anyone in this house, they would be there for me whenever I needed it.

I've always had a hard time explaining what it is like to be inside the walls of Tri Delta, and I still don't feel like I fully expressed what it is like to be a member in this chapter. My mom wasn't in a sorority and sometimes it may seem like my parents just pay the bills. What no one understands is the love inside these walls and you don't really get the full experience unless you're on the inside. It is the strangest, yet most incredible bond.

Tri Delta has changed my life for the better and I hope with these girls going through recruitment this week, they can find a place to call home, just as I did. Whether they come running down Sorority Row, swimming home to Tri Delta, or if they make any other turn to the other eight sorority houses on this campus, everyone ends up where they are supposed to be. The Lord knows where he can use you and make you grow.

Homesickness

Check out my post this week on Hello Perfect about how being homesick is okay. Don't worry, you're not alone! 

http://www.helloperfect.com/being-homesick-is-okay/

Catching Dreams

I know all of you know that song by Hall & Oates "You Make My Dreams Come True." If not:

Well you see, Wednesday morning (yesterday),  around 5:39 a.m. to be exact, I received an email from Teen Vogue informing me that I've been accepted into their program Teen Vogue Fashion University, which is a weekend in New York full of seminars and special events. Teen Vogue and my parents made my dreams come true!

I applied for this weekend randomly a few weeks ago before school started. I found it online and thought this would be an incredible experience, and my new life motto these days is about applying to anything and you will get whatever you are meant to get. I sent in my sketches, answered some questions about who my fashion icons are, and sent in photos of myself in my favorite outfits so they could see what my sense of style was like.

On September 5th I remember looking on Twitter and searching keywords about TVFU because it had been a few weeks since I had applied. I saw that so many girls got their acceptance letters that day and the day before so I assumed I didn't get in. I told my friends I didn't get accepted, but this morning everything changed! This Hall & Oates song has been on my mind all day. I cannot contain my excitement and I am feeling so blessed to be able to have this opportunity.

Thankfully I have the most incredible parents who support me in what I want to do, and I have the most incredible friends who are going to join me in the Big Apple! All I did was tell them and invite them, next thing I know me and six of my best friends are planning our trip on October 17th to NYC!

I will get to attend seminars by the owner of Warby Parker, the DANNIJO sisters, listen in on panels held by Teen Vogue, attend a private event hosted by Shopbop and more! Also, I will be live tweeting for Hello Perfect the whole weekend. I'll give more details on that later and what hashtag you can keep up with.

New York City, I am coming for you!

Dancing around Journalism

Over the past few days I have been thinking a lot about my new major. I am in the introductory level classes of journalism and am loving every minute of it. When I think about taking the higher level classes, like magazine editing and public relations, I get way too excited. Finally I realized that I have been dancing around this new major for a while now.
When I first entered high school, I did not really know what I wanted to do with my life, but to me it felt like the day would never come when I had to make the decision. All throughout my four years at Centennial High School, I had incredible English teachers who all impacted my life. From this experience, I thought I would want to be an English teacher. I knew I loved to write and I wanted to give back to future students. To me, I felt like I wanted to impact other students lives just like those four English teachers at Centennial had impacted mine.
After graduation and moving to Oxford, Mississippi, I began my major in elementary education. Although my goal in high school was to become a high school English teacher, for some reason I settled with elementary education. In those classes I really did enjoy all my time learning about elementary ed. When I was twelve I began babysitting and still do to this day, and I was even a nanny this summer. Kids loved me and I loved being around kids. I learned a lot through this major like patience and to always have a kind heart.
In the beginning of the summer though, I felt like everyone was doing something with their summer and I was stuck in Franklin, TN babysitting and mainly relaxing. Within the first few weeks into summer I was looking for internships in New York but realized obviously I was way late in the game. I was trying to find way to tweak my elementary education major into being someone's personal assistant. See how that was hard? (by knowing how to teach your kids math, I promise I can help you style a photoshoot...?) Trying not to be discouraged, I looked into switching my major and making my "second life" come true. You can read about that here.
Now that I am a journalism major, I realize that I was dancing around it the whole time. I knew I liked to write and I knew I liked being around people. It is funny how life takes you around your dream in a perfect little path and finally you end up where you are supposed to be. I was dancing around journalism when I envisioned myself as a high school English teacher. I was dancing around journalism when I Googled about a hundred internships a day in May of this year. Now I am no longer dancing around journalism, but I am dancing with it.
God's plan may not reveal itself to you immediately or the way you think it will, but once doors are opened and you learn to trust in the Lord, paths are made clearer. Without relying and trusting in the Lord, I would still be dancing around with no real insight into where I want to go in life. I'm not saying I have it all together and that I know exactly where I will end up in life, but with the guidance of the Lord and His greater plan, I know I will end up exactly where I am supposed to be. It is comforting trusting in Him and knowing He knows what is best for you.
I think that if you are struggling with where you want to go in life or what you want to do and be, give up those worries to the Lord and let Him establish your plans.

I especially like this verse right now because being a Journalism major, I am always working with my hands. Whether I am frantically typing away or writing down thoughts, I want the Lord to strengthen my hands.

Tri Delta House

Are you wondering what it is like living in a house full of sorority girls? What is it like when you walk upstairs to our bedrooms and what goes on behind these walls? In the Tri Delt house's little kitchen off of the main kitchen (dining hall), there is a painting I love. It reads, "Oh, if only these walls could talk."
Thinking of all the girls who have lived in this house, me and my friends living here now, and how many girls in the future will live here is weird, but awesome. How many other girls will sleep in these bunk beds and what does their future hold for them?
So far I've spent four nights living in the DDD House. I love my room, my roommates, my bunk bed, and being right in the mix of things. It has been so convenient this week, Rush Workshop week, living just a set of stairs away from where I need to be in the mornings. Living among the seniors is fun too because we have not all been around each other this much. We see them out, we see them at DDD events and in the house, but we have never all lived a few steps away from each other.
The coffee is already waiting for me in the kitchen, the staff is always there to tell you "Good Morning!" or in this mornings case, "I like your bunny slippers!" Our house mom, Mrs. Martha, has made some incredible changes and the house looks better than ever.
The first few days living here have been incredible and I feel so blessed to be able to live here this year, and hopefully next year, too. I know it will only get better each day. We will all discover new things together, bond together, and most importantly love each other. I can't wait to see how these friendships grow over the next year.

So, here's to the first year in the Tri Delta house. And oh, if only these walls could talk!

Entrance

 Sunroom 

Little kitchen

New downstairs bathrooms

An inside look into my room later on in the month!