The shelves are growing bare as I pack my Rubbermaid tubs
and suitcases full of picture frames and clothes and books.
All but one of my finals have been taken, my classes
finished & assignments complete. Thank you’s have been given to my
professors. Books returned to the bookstore.
I’ve already said goodbye to friends who left before me. My
dad has already taken the majority of my stuff home.
I didn’t think I’d be sad about the semester ending, about
the school year coming to a close.
But Liberty, you’ve surprised me this year.
This year…
I can’t even begin to put into words all that this year has
been.
It’s been hard, no doubt. Really, really hard. I’ve missed home
and my church and my friends and my family. I’ve struggled through assignments
and gotten really bad grades. I’ve cried on the phone with my mom. I’ve been
sick away from home- which is basically the worst…ever. I’ve struggled
spiritually in ways I didn’t think I would, especially at Liberty. I’ve dealt
with friendship drama. God has said no to so many things. Yes, it’s been
difficult.
But, my gosh. It’s been so rewarding.
I’ve made more friends than I ever thought I would.
I’ve had professors who not only taught me with excellence,
but cared about me and my life.
I’ve stayed up until 3am laughing with friends and talking
about anything and everything.
I’ve spent Sunday nights with a leadership team of ten girls
who are crazy for Jesus.
I’ve had the best spiritual and life mentors a girl could
ask for in my RA’s and SLC’s.
I’ve cried happy tears when my dad surprised me by coming
for lunch when I was having one of those hard days.
I’ve laughed…and laughed…and laughed some more
with girls who have become like family to me.
I’ve spent time with my family, and it’s been extra sweet
and meaningful now that I’m not with them all the time.
I’ve studied and made up for those bad grades, and more than
that, I’ve learned SO much.
I’ve taken English classes where God has reminded me just
how much I love literature and history and seeing how the two connect. Education
classes that made me thrilled to teach and have my own classroom one day.
Geography classes where we had fun learning about the world. Communications
classes where God took a class that I was dreading and gave me so many great
friendships and times of immense fun.
And yes, I’ve struggled spiritually.
But I’ve also grown by leaps and bounds in ways that I still don’t
even fully comprehend.
I’ve learned to trust my Jesus through the up’s and down’s
of daily life. To lean into Him when I really can’t make it one more breath
without Him. To believe in who He is and know Him personally, not just know about Him. To let Him heal me, even when it hurts at first. To believe that He will keep
His promises because He is faithful…even when I am faithless. To see and trust
that He will bring me out of the desert and onto the mountaintop where I can
see His grace in my every step…because I’ve seen and felt Him do it before.
Tears sit in my eyes tonight as I write this, because I
simply cannot believe this year – my freshman year of college – is over. It
went by in an instant, a beautiful, challenging, incredible, unforgettable
instant.
So thank you…
To my professors for teaching me and guiding me in the Lord
and in every subject you’ve taught.
To my people back home (my friends, my church, you know who
you are) for supporting me and encouraging me and sending me endless letters
(which made me smile so very often).
To my family: my mom and dad, brothers and sister,
grandparents and aunts and uncles, for sending me texts (and pound cake!!) and
calling and checking in on your favorite granddaughter ;) your love, visits, and support means more than you’ll ever know. Seriously.
To every single one of my friends at Liberty for being the
best…ever. For making me laugh, for cheering me up when I’m sad, for being my
family away from home. For being there. You’ve helped me fill this year with
some of my very favorite memories…I can’t wait to make more.
To Liberty University for being so much more than I ever
thought it would be. This time here (and over the next three years) has been and
will be incredible. And I wouldn’t want to be any where else experiencing this
chapter in my life.
And to my Jesus, for pulling me back to Him every time I
stray even just a little bit and for keeping me in tune with Him every step of
the way.
As I close out freshman year and head home for a summer with
some of my favorite people, I am so so so thankful. And I cannot wait to see
what sophomore year has in store.
If it’s anything like this year, then I know I’m in for a
fantastic ride.
~Bailey
