When I transferred to Liberty University three years ago I had no idea the blessing that it would be, and I cannot believe how quickly the time has passed. As of a month ago, I officially graduated from one of my very favorite places with a degree in Business Administration and an emphasis in Humanitarian Aid. It still feels so surreal to me. My family was able to fly in for my commencement and spend the weekend celebrating. It felt so special to have them in Lynchburg again.
I am thankful that this is the place that I’ve been able to call home for the past three years and that this was the place that grew me. I remember sitting in my dorm freshman year, at University Wisconsin- Oshkosh, feeling so stuck. I was racked with disappointment as I felt like college wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I had met so many new friends (an extroverts dream) and was busy exploring my new college town, but it still felt like something was missing. Turns out the thing I was missing was Jesus. I had grown up in church and in a family that loved and embraced Jesus. I had even accepted Jesus as my savior when I was four years old. But over the years I began to let the world and success drive my decisions rather than Jesus. My freshman year of college was the wake up call I needed to rekindle the relationship with Christ that I had let fall through the cracks over the years. My freshman year taught me to trust God in the not yet.
Fast forward, my sister gets married, and I leave straight from her wedding in Minnesota to move 16 hours away to a school in Virginia where I didn’t know a single person. I began to see God answer the prayers I had prayed in my dorm back in Wisconsin all those months prior. I was blessed with abundant community at Liberty and developed friendships that would last a lifetime. My days were filled with adventure around every corner and I began to fall in love with Jesus all over again. I faced challenges along the way but watched as the Lord used those challenges to refine me and shape my character.
Fast forward again, I’m officially graduated and my life is nothing like I would’ve expected had you asked me even two years ago. It’s so much better than I could’ve ever imagined. This graduation season has left me reflecting on all the sweet memories and hard lessons I have learned throughout college. Its made me realize that the Lords timing is truly perfect. While my first year of college wasn’t my favorite, it was pivotal in teaching me to pray bold prayers and get comfortable living a life that contrasted the typical “college experience”. Even after transferring, each year at Liberty taught me so much about myself and about God. I couldn’t imagine where I’d be in life if I hadn’t began pursuing a genuine relationship with Jesus or transferred to Liberty.
Currently, I am still in Virginia and will be for the next month and a half. I’m trying to soak up every ounce of my time here before I move back to Wisconsin for a month (before leaving on the World Race). This place has become my home and the people here have truly become family. Its hard to imagine leaving a place that has impacted me so greatly, but I’m so excited for this next season of life and all the growth that will come out of it.
So sweet to hear this story! Turning to the Lord, especially during college, is bold and powerful! Excited to see you celebrating the lessons learned, but most importantly the relationship with Jesus developed through it all! Congratulations on graduating!
Samantha! Thank you so much! Its so encouraging to read your comments knowing you are in the field right now! It’s hard to believe that will be me in just 72 days! I cannot wait to see all that the Lord has in store for us, but I’m praying for you and your team as you finish out the race!