My Samford Story: Orientation

Do you ever have a moment where chill bumps overwhelm you, and the experience is so beautiful and near-perfect, you feel as if you were watching your life from the outside?

Maybe it was pure exhaustion and the fact that I was running on very little sleep, but this past weekend, I had one of those moments. That moment happened during a 9:00 PM worship service in a college campus chapel. Not just any college campus, but the Birmingham home I will indwell these next four years.

A chapel filled with slightly terrified, purely exhausted, and hopeful future freshmen. A chapel where candlelight danced on old walls and the heat lightning flashed outside bright stained-glass windows. Hodges Chapel echoed with simple hymns of timeless truths, paired with the gentle strum of a guitar. Life flooded those pews. My arms extended, I let His Truth wash over me afresh. 

"He will never leave me nor forsake me."

"Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Thee...How I've proved Him o'er and o'er."

No matter where we go or what we endure, those words will never change. And maybe that is what made that moment so very beautiful. Especially considering what the day had held.

Let me back up. This past weekend, Mom, Dad, and I journeyed down to Samford University for orientation and class registration. The trip down included tears (no really) and lots of reminiscing as we looked to the future-- grateful for the past and its many, many blessings.

The trip started off with a bang. The first day of orientation included multiple sessions of information and new friends (my new Birmingham people are AMAZING and I cannot wait to spend these next years by their sides). 

The musical theatre program is simply exploding, and I am absolutely thrilled to see how Jesus will allow me to spread His love through this department. I will be pushed beyond what I think possible (this fall, I will be taking ten courses--with 8 AMs every morning of the week), and know that I will graduate four years from now with a lot of training and love stored and extended. Even this season of shows is SPECTACULAR, and I look forward to revealing the different projects I will be working on. In addition, I will be working with an inner-city arts ministry to serve and instruct underprivileged children in the area of musical theatah! WOW, what a gift. I get absolutely giddy on the inside as I think of the smiles and giggles of precious babies learning to dance and use their voices in new and exciting ways. Additionally, I will most likely be heading out of the country for a time next summer to study and perform in Europe. Needless to say, Jesus is so faithful and HE WILL bless your passions when you surrender them to Him. Grateful that He has opened up this door that is Samford University.

That first night, I fell asleep in a Samford dorm room-- exhausted, emotional, fulfilled. There is seldom a better feeling than knowing you are where you are supposed to be.

The second and last morning came far too soon. Sleepy, I rolled up my belongings and headed to breakfast with new friends. After a crazy time of registering for classes and speaking with the dedicated and amazing arts department staff, I handed in my keys from the weekend and picked up my student ID. Yes, it was so real...crazy how a piece of plastic with your face and name on it makes everything so official. My Samford story felt like it had really and truly begun! I have a cool piece of plastic to prove it!

Hugging friends "goodbye until August," I grasped my roomie's hand (and SHE is another story, that girl), and we both whispered, "I'm so happy."

(Ellie is my lifelong sister--literally--and her heart is ridiculous. She is a nursing major and will most likely end up across the globe healing and hurting babies in the near future. Her attitude of constant encouragement and her prayer warrior spirit push me to pursue Jesus always. To be her roommate is a dream, and I am so grateful that her face will be the first to greet me every morning.)

These next four years will most certainly not be rainbows and all As and perfect relationships and complete happiness. And I'm so grateful for that. No matter what is to come, I am confident that this is where I need to be. And like I said, that is a beautiful thing to FEEL (when He gives you that confirmation in your spirit, praise Him).

But as we pulled off campus for back home, I couldn't help but mentally note the weeks left until my return.

Here are some pictures from the action-packed weekend!

We even received a warm welcome at our hotel! These people!!!

Home for the weekend! What a sweet and helpful glimpse at what the next couple years in a dorm will look like (SOS- SO MANY CLOTHES, SO LITTLE SPACE).

A little peak at Vail Hall-- one of the couple buildings available to the gals on campus. The trees and terrace are absolutely stunning. Makes me excited to think of the many memories to come that will take place on and around the site.

First session of the day where we received our lanyards-- WOW! "Musical Theatre: School of the Arts." So good to see that in writing. 

Orientation Group One! All of us became instant friends. I'm so grateful for this crazy crew of people--we spent a fun few days together and can't wait to be reunited.

(#firstgroupbestgroup)

The first day of orientation ended with rain, karaoke, popcorn, swing dancing, and Step Sing reruns in the planetarium. Grateful for my sister and roomie.

Back at it on day two! This was us being super happy that we are all registered for the fall!

It's official! Next time on campus, we'll be Birmingham livin. RUFF 'EM UP!

Pulling off campus. Also, who wouldn't want to live here??? What a sky.

Had to throw this last picture in...we got home with so much Bulldog Memorabilia...I think Dad was most excited about the 20,000 cups we brought back with us-- and the RUFF EM UP paw. 

_____

All of this is to say, when you apply yourself and trust Jesus with your heart, passions, and prayers, He will bless that. 

I am so grateful for Samford University. For the countless people who have already poured into my heart and made sure that my Samford experience has been an incredible one. For the instructors and programs working to advance the Kingdom and prepare students for a life of future ministry.

There is no place else I'd rather desire to spend these next four years.

Until August, Birmingham!