Going to a college far away from home, where not a single friend of mine is going, really hurt. The transition was awful. The hardest part about the move was leaving the friends I've had for years — not just high school, but some even from intermediate/elementary school. I was struggling when I first came to Southern Wesleyan University.

I felt like God called me to this school. Why else would I have traveled four hours — away from the only place I've ever known — when all of my friends were going to a Christ-centered university five minutes from all of our houses? God's intentions and His callings were not comfortable to follow. Actually, I almost didn't listen to Him. I was going to just do what I wanted, stay close to home, with my family, with my friends. My new friends came at the time when I felt the most homesick, when I felt like I had made the biggest mistake, when I prayed for the utmost comfort, prominent signs that I was doing what I was being called to do, that I listened to His voice. And He gave me what I asked for in the flesh.

Recently, I was walking out of my dorm room. I get down the hall and two girls step out of the elevator. I said hello, like everyone else had been doing. I asked them what their majors were. One was undeclared and the other was music education! BUT they were both in my ensemble classes, which was very comforting. Two band nerds in one meeting! We got into talking about music, high school experiences, etc. One thing led to another and we started eating together and meeting up a lot.

My music education friend walks with me to all of our classes and troops out the mornings with me being super grumpy! She's so sweet; she reminds me of a really great pal back home. I find so much comfort in her. My undeclared major friend meets up with us and her really sweet boyfriend for all of our meals and we hang out at the end of every day. She's a lot of fun and she carries a loud spirit when you really get to know her!

After the first week of knowing them, my music education friend invited me out for a night with her friends from high school, to visit her high school football game. We sat by the band. Her friends are now awesome friends of mine too! We went bowling and had a blast after that! The night was so much fun. For the first time in college, I finally felt comfortable with where I was, with my surroundings.

Getting to know these two gals, along with my other peers, has been absolutely awesome. They've both been through such traumatic events, but they are both saved through Christ. They have hearts of gold, humble spirits and are uplifting and compassionate people. They are talented and have self-discipline. We have the same interests and my favorite part is being able to be a part of their religious lifestyle, like I was at home with my friends!

God had — and still has — bigger plans for me. There is more to come. God might be silent at first, He might be silent always. Recognizing God is not easy, but it can be learned. Understanding His ways is hard, accepting them are even harder. But always remember, His will is always bigger than the will of the flesh. He WILL — yes, He will — give you more than you can handle, but it's to show us that we rely on Him, not the flesh. We can do all things through Christ, not through ourselves. My friendships with these two gals are God-intended and I wouldn't have it any other way. I am privileged, but more so, I am blessed.

So, here's to the next three years. Thank you for coming into my life at the time you did! This was a "God-thing."