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

Ole Miss Sorority Legacies Feel Welcomed and Passed Over

Ole Miss Sorority Legacies Feel Welcomed and Passed Over

By: Chandler Clarkson

published on: Ole Miss Journalism's Wordpress

Lisa Clark, a junior Tri Delta member, did not stress when it came to rush. She came into college open-minded but knew Tri Delta was where she was meant to be. Clark’s mom, two older sisters, aunt and two cousins were all Tri Delts at Ole Miss, and Clark lives with her cousin in the Tri Delta house right now.

“All seven of us, whether we are at home in Charlotte or in Oxford, have always been a close family, but the fact that we are all Tri Delts makes it even more special,” Clark says.

Clark is one of the hundreds of legacies that go through recruitment each year. Yet, being a legacy can seem like a double-edged sword.

“I thought it was harder to go through rush as a legacy at Ole Miss. Other sororities write you off as going what your mom or sister went,” says grad-student and member of Delta Delta Delta, Mary Cannon Spradley.

“A few of the houses where I didn’t know anyone asked if I had any Greek ties. As soon as I told them my sister was a Tri Delt, their attitude changed and I was not asked back the next round,” says Tri Delta member and legacy Susanna Southern.

Clark and another Tri Delta legacy, Jamie Spradley, said some houses kept them throughout the recruitment process out of courtesy. They say this gesture meant a lot to them, knowing they had the opportunity to pledge a different sorority.

Assistant Dean of Students for Student Involvement at Ole Miss, Coulter Ward, has been over Greek life for the past four years. He thinks being a legacy both helps and hinders, but it is not in the legacy’s control if it does.

“To me, legacy is kind of a weird thing… it has a lot of different aspects to it,” Coulter says.

Overall, most Tri Delta legacies say the experience has been positive.  Ellen Kerce and her cousin, Elizabeth Murphy, have been roommates since freshman year and pledged Delta Delta Delta together. Kerce’s mom, aunt and older sister were Tri Delts at Ole Miss. Kerce says it has been a dream come true to live with her cousin for three years.

“We’ve always wanted to live together.. It’s been so special and our friendship has grown ever since then,” Kerce says.

When asking the legacies about their favorite moments, smiles typically appeared across all of their faces. Stories like running down Sorority Row on Bid Day into their older sisters’ arms or their mothers pinning them at the initiation ceremony made the Tri Delta bond stronger.

“It is such an incredible bond. Even though we have been close forever, Tri Delta has made our relationship stronger,” says Southern, who shares the bond with her older sister Sarah Ellen.

Jamie Spradley just went through recruitment in October of this year and says she has loved every moment.

“Running to the Tri Delta house was something I had wanted to do since I decided I was going to Ole Miss. Seeing my sister and mom waiting for me and having my sister put my Bid Day jersey on me was so sentimental.”

Ole Miss beauty queen looks back at her year of success

by: Chandler Clarkson

With her days as Miss University ending, Caroline Conerly is thankful for the opportunities this title provided. From winning Miss University then competing in Miss Mississippiand placing fourth, this past year has been incredibly successful for Conerly.

“You never expect that kind of stuff to happen to you. You never really let it sink in,” Conerly says.

Conerly is from Hattiesburg, Miss. She is an education major and in the sorority Delta Delta Delta. She had competed in only a handful of pageants before entering the Miss University competition.

“Seeing her win was incredible. I knew she would be excited, but seeing the genuine amount of joy she got from hearing her name called as the winner made me very proud to support her,” said Sid Johnson, a fellow student and close friend.

Conerly says she was elated to represent the university and the place she loves so much.

“I’ve been coming to Ole Miss games since I was 9 or 10 and Ole Miss truly has impacted my life in every way possible. This is a part of me, this is a part of who I am,” Conerly says.

Director of the pageant Bradley Baker worked with Conerly every day.

“I’m going to miss Caroline for sure as Miss University. She has done an outstanding job,” Baker says.

From singing at the Christmas tree lighting on campus to reading to children locally, Conerly “wore many hats” as Miss University. Conerly said the role on campus takes many forms.

“It wasn’t always one thing. I think that’s what I liked most about it. It was always an adventure,” Conerly says.

As Miss University 2013, Conerly landed a spot in the Miss Mississippi pageant. Often her days were filled with paperwork for Miss Mississippi, talent rehearsals, wardrobe fittings, and more to get her prepared for the pageant. Conerly’s chosen talent was opera. In July 2014, she will compete again, this time, hoping to win first place.

“I’ll be cheering for her in July when she competes again,” Baker says.

Having talked with the participants of Miss University 2014, Conerly says she is looking forward to the pageant. Her advice to the contestants is simple. She says to “not take yourselves too seriously” and that “it is okay to be a real person in the interview.”

The Miss University pageant will be held in the Ford Center on November 20 at 7 p.m.

Published on HottyToddy.com

For my Journalism 102 class our goal is to write to be published. Thankfully on my first story I was published on hottytoddy.com.

Click the link to read my story on the new fad E-cigarettes.

http://hottytoddy.com/e-cigarette-fad-blowing-smoke/