I remember meeting my friends Alison, Brittany, Elizabeth, Elise, and Aaron during the first nights during a "snow cone social." We didn't just let it end there, we talked for hours into the night that night. From then on, they have been my best friends...better than I could have ever imagined. I remember my first time at Campus Crusade for Christ and my first time going to eat pancakes and watch the office over at "The Outlet." I remember going to Brittany and saying, "I don't know anyone here." Brittany picked me up and held me in her arms as she walked around the room saying "This is Amanda! This is Amanda! You should be best friends!!" That did really break the ice and helped me to meet so many more people! I remember talking with Beth about being homesick and learning that she puts cinnamon in practically everything she's able to. I remember listening intently to Summer about everything she could possibly tell me about Summer Project in Sweden.
I remember packing into a car to try out a new church each Sunday. I remember finally finding that church, full of love, people with servants' hearts, that worked together to build a prayer-filled community. I remember going home for election day and stopping by Kim and Jason's house to pray for it to sell(since they had moved to Boone), only to find their car in the driveway and them inside. There was such excitement! I remember spending hours in Alison's room sharing life stories, all the pains and joys we've experienced. I remember talking with Elizabeth about the deep desires of our hearts to be wives and mothers. I remember running out of my room in exasperation and frustration with everything going on, only for Elise to run out with the same feeling of needing to yell at the top of her lungs. We ran down the hall and embraced in a hug as people started to open their doors wondering what going on. I remember skipping with her down the hall to get as much toilet paper as we could hold in our arms. I remember playing guitars on the steps of Byrnes till midnight. I remember taking my vintage suitcase, who I named Susie, on a photo adventure with Aaron, Alison, and Elizabeth as we ran about campus taking pictures and playing "hide and seek." I remember going to the movies with "the older girls" to see High School Musical and feeling like such a kid again.
I remember so many good and joyful times. I also remember many times when I thought I couldn't do it, times when I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel, and times when I simply mourned. In each of those moments, I was surrounded by friends who loved and cared for me. I remember running down the hall to tell Alison that there wasn't a way that I could keep my Life Scholarship. I remember pouring out onto Brittany about what was stressing me out. I remember...bawling on the phone as I talked with Kim about how my sweet grandmother had begun trying to call people by pressing the "numbers" on her arm. I remember talking with Beth and slowly uttering the words, "She's gone." I remember sitting in Thomson with Hannah as I was comforted in her stories of how she dealt with the loss of her grandmother.
I remember growing and learning with my small group at CRU. I remember praying in the new year at Encounter and worshipping as I sang "I will sing a song of hope, sing along. God of heaven come down. Heaven come down..." I remember when Brittany told me that I would be the new head of the prayer committee. I remember the feeling of wondering if I could take on the position well. I remember the feeling of success after a night of "prayer and praise" where voices were raised for the future of CRU. I remember being completely clueless as I sat down with 3 other people at a leadership conference to form a vision statement.
I remember the growth, the struggles, and the good times. I remember it all as if it happened yesterday. As this year comes to a close, I can hardly imagine that a better year than this can exist. However, I believe that more blessings are in my future. I believe that my God will continue to work in me and help me to grow. He will give me moments filled with joy and love. Because of that, I can look back and smile at the memories I've made, and turn to face the future that's ahead of me. I will run with excitement toward the things the Lord has for me....I will run with excitement.
