My History with RUF at Ole Miss:
Before I came to Ole Miss, I knew I was looking for a community within the college environment that would both help me grow spiritually and hold me accountable to the truths of scripture. I found this immediately in RUF. Beginning freshman year, I started going to RUF freshman Bible study as well as Wednesday night large group.As the years went on, I progressively got more involved with RUF activities, service trips and ultimately went to Romania with Mission to the World in the summer of 2011 through the influence of RUF. My last four years at Ole Miss were some of the best years of my life but they were also years where God really strengthened me as I walked through trials of various kinds. RUF was faithful to hold up the Gospel above all else in those times of trial and remind me that we have a Savior that is making all things new, including my heart and the pain surrounding me. I could not have done college without the work that God is doing in and through RUF and I could not be more grateful for the impact it has had on me personally and in the lives of so many.
My First Year at Aggie RUF
You may have kept up with me through blog updates, newsletters, Facebook or some other social media. But on the off chance you didn't (or you would just like to hear a little about my first year) I would love to give you my first year in a nutshell.
I drove into College Station (saw the sign that read "College Station") and it hit me: "I'm really doing this." And more than that, I was so overwhelmed at the Lord's provision and the faithfulness of my supporters. As the semester began, I felt completely overwhelmed and completely out of my element. "Hotty Toddy" and slow "y'alls" were replaced with "Gig 'Em" and multiple "Howdy" greetings (even down to the bank tellers). I had no clue what to do with myself or my environment.
As the months progressed and RUF started to get on its feet, I fell in love with the culture and the spirit of Aggieland. I began to embrace the differences embodied in Aggie RUF, as compared to Ole Miss RUF, to see that the Lord is at work in all types of locations, peoples, and cultures all to the praise of His glorious name. We had so many fun events, retreats and studies. I got to spend quality one on one time with freshmen girls and hear how the Lord is working in their lives. I also got to hear the hurts and the fears of my students. This was such a humbling time for me as I desired to take the pain away while realizing I could never heal the wounds like the blood of Jesus. So as I tried to share the hope of our Savior with students, the Spirit was also healing the wounds in my own heart. Jesus became more real to me as I tried to do ministry out of my own strength and watched it crumble. Jesus never became impatient--just more tender. He was for me and for my ministry.
As the semester came to an end, I felt completely exhausted and blessed. Overwhelmed and at peace. Uncertain of the upcoming summer but sure of His provision. I thought back over large group meetings where we covered Ephesians in the fall and "Jesus and the Old Testament" in the Spring. I thought about Freshman Bible Study and the "Girl Talk" Bible study I led in the Spring. I thought about all the fun we had together at retreats and special events and how close our group had become. I thought about really hard conversations and the dark places I and the students had walked through spiritually. I thought about the moments where the healing words of the Gospel brought tears of happiness, for both my students and me. I thought about the Haileys, Ben and Beth, and how they had loved me so well. I thought about my church, Westminster, and how encouraged I had been by the body of Christ there. I thought about Jeremy and Lauren, my co-interns, and how blessed I was to work beside them. I thought about what a great God we serve and what an undeserving soul I am.
But I think Jesus isn't done with me in Aggieland yet. And I think He will be working mightily in the year to come--in spite of my sin but through my weakness.
In Christ,
Anna
