Relationships and Robitussin

It was my first time being sick in college :( Not the best experience! It all started almost two weeks ago on a  Thursday. I had been complaining a bit to my friend Lindy about a soar throat. The next day was terrible. I had a fever, stomach ache, head ache, and congestion. I pretty much felt like crap. I think the worst part about it was not having my mom. Seriously, I can feel like crap but there is nothing like your mom to snuggle with to make it feel all better. That was a little tough. But hey, I'm a big girl. I dealt with it. Mostly with a lot of meds and a lot of sleep. But even then this stupid virus continued for almost 2 weeks. I thought I was over it until I talked to my mom on the phone today(It was her birthday <3 ) and she thought my cough sounded like bronchitis. Not what I wanted to hear, but it sounds like I will be getting a prescription for antibiotics filled tomorrow. However, although it was tough being sick by myself these past two weeks, I learned a lot. First I learned that I love sleep. I think I have always known that but I was literally asleep more than I was awake. It felt pretty great. Second of all I learned you need to read packages before you buy medicine. There is a big difference between Halls Cough Drops and Halls Defense. Halls cough drops actually help stop your cough. Halls Defense are nothing but Vitamin C drops that pretty much taste like candy yet do nothing for you. After a huge bag of them I kept wondering why they were not doing anything for me. But needless to say, it tasted like happiness in my mouth.

Besides being a sick baby, a lot has happened in these past couple of weeks. Amazing things actually! First of all, my friendships here have literally just grown off the charts. I have been so blessed to meet so many awesome people already who have totally just poured into my life in so many ways. The first thing that happened was that my small group in IV and Young Life have gotten so close! There is nothing like having people in your life who you can just be yourself with! For example, last weekend IV took a ton of people to the Natural Chimneys. We got to climb up large cliffs and explore God's amazing creation. Probably one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The view was breath taking. Another thing that was awesome was that I was able to really connect with my small group leader Laura. She is amazing! Her testimony has just hit me so hard. She doesn't even realize how amazing she is. She is super positive and fun and encouraging. Last week we ended up having coffee together for like 3 hours. She is one of those people who you can keep talking to and still have so much to talk about hours later. Her and I talked on the phone tonight for like 30 minutes even though I spent this entire weekend with her. We just really love each other. Another person who I have spent a lot of time with is Caroline Lavoie. She is just so great! We get along really well and she makes me laugh allllll the time. She is a spunky thing with a big agenda. I love it. She isn't even in my small groups or anything but we get along so well that we make time to hang out! However I have also really been able to connect with Erin Abell. She is my love. She is someone who just completely trusts in Gods plan for her life and totally depends on him. I love her so much! I can't wait to spend more and more time with her.

Big Events have been going on though besides all of these fun get togethers and what not. First of all, New Student Retreat was this past weekend. NSR is a weekend long retreat with all of the freshmen in Intervarsity. It was life changing. I say that about a lot of things. But, I am honestly changed. I am really seeing how I am beginning to grow into the person that I am meant to be. Growing up has nothing to do with age though and everything to do with experiences. The experiences that I had this past year are ones that are really beginning to shape me into a new person in Christ. I am excited about it too. So this weekend CJ (the leader of Intervarsity) talked all about growing with God and growing with our small groups as a community! I feel like I learned a lot about how important it is to pursue others and bond with them and be a relational person. I just have begun to love people. All people-no matter what. It was a great weekend to make friends with other girls and guys and be able to have a common interest that made us all be able to hang out with each other like we have been friends for a long time. So, overall-NSR was great and I wish I could go back now.

Another big event that happened-I got into Note-Oriety! Note-Oriety is an amazing a cappella group on campus that is all-female. I am so excited to be a part of the group. All of the girls are super nice and just want to hang out and get to know me. I can't wait to get to know each and every one of them. They are going to be my bffs for the next years here at JMU so I know that we are going to have so many good times together!!

Lastly but certainly not least in importance. My Young Life leader,Leslie, got ENGAGED! Ahhhh I could scream! There is nothing like weddings! I am so excited for you Leslie and Coleman and I can't wait til I can give you a big hug and celebrate with you both this awesome and exciting time! Thanks so much for being in my life and being such a great example of how a Christ-centered relationship should be like. You both are awesome and Leslie you are going to make a beautiful bride <3


PICTURES :)

My leader Laura and I at the Natural Chimneys :)

Erin and I hanging out after we went to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings with her mom and some other awesome girls!

My small group hanging out at NSR! Love these girls!

This is my other Small Group Leader-Jen. She is so amazing! We were posing for a picture while at the Natural Chimneys!

Two of my amazing friends Caroline and Lindy! We were just being super silly at Young Life one night.

Also, this is my beautiful Young Life Leader Leslie and her FIANCE-Coleman! They are just too cute for words! Congrats!