some people I love...a lot.

Freshman year is over! W H A T ?!

There were times when it felt like this year was moving so slow, but then again, it feels like the first day of school was just yesterday. I can clearly remember driving to DBU the morning of move-in day, unpacking my things, and saying goodbye to my family. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was stepping into a completely new season of life, full of unimaginable growth.

One of the things I didn’t know before coming to DBU, were how genuine and real the people are. When people ask me what my favorite thing about DBU is, one of the first things I say are the people. The people here at DBU are truly the most unique community of people I have ever met. People are kind, intentional, considerate, and if you know what I’m talking about - you know the truth of not being able to walk anywhere across campus without coming into contact with at least 5 people you know asking you how you are doing or how your day is going. People are different here and it’s because so many of them are passionately pursuing Christ, and in doing so, it changes their entire persona and attitude.

I could honestly write about specific qualities and characteristics I have seen in almost every person I know and even somewhat know at DBU. It is easy to identify certain gifts and personalities the Lord has individually given to so many people at DBU because they have acknowledged these gifts/attributes and truly live them out, stepping into the person God created them to be.

As freshman year comes to an end, I’ve started to think about some specific people that have truly impacted my life, and it’s crazy to think I’ve only known them for a short 10 months. These people are people that have so quickly become friends whose friendships I will treasure for the rest of my life. They mean so much to me & I thought why not share a little as to how they have blessed me so incredibly during my first year of college and the things they’ve each individually taught me.

THE CORE FOUR

aka. Taylor, Mary, & Brittany

These three girls were my first friends at DBU back in August and our friendships have only grown over the past 10 months. I remember the first night we all met, we sat down on Mary & Brittany’s floor to talk and little did we know we would end up becoming such close friends who would be by each other’s side through everything we each went through and experienced freshman year. We have our whole lives ahead of us, but man am I going to miss our sleepovers, y’alls squeaky door that lets Tay and I know when you’re coming into our room, Mary’s foreign language that only we can understand, having conversations with each other through DBU’s extremely thin walls, playing dutch blitz, and every delirious night that ends up keeping us up way too late. Y’all have become sisters to me this past year figuratively and realistically - we’ve practically become a family of four in the way we take care of one another whether it be when we’re sick, not having the best day, or needing some advice. I cannot express how much y’all mean to me and how thankful I am for the ways in which you have each individually helped me to grow this year.

Taylor:

My roomie!!!!!! This year would have been so different without you! I am constantly amazed by your faithful spirit that arises in all seasons of life. You have been my backbone this year and the girl I can count on to encourage me no matter what mood I’m in. Whether there was a day where I just maybe wasn’t having the best day or a day where we were both celebrating something exciting - you made me laugh & smile & praise Jesus in all circumstances. Thank you for being my accountability partner in my quiet time with the Lord and encouraging me on the daily. You have taught me what it looks like to truly BE a Christian and not just act like one. A roommate is a special friendship and bond that is the most unique, real, raw, relationship. This person comes to know every good, bad, and crazy thing about you. They see you as your truest and most authentic self. I am beyond lucky to have experienced this past year with this sister by my side!!!

Mary:

Mary Felton - my best friend I never expected to meet freshman year of college. We have been through everything together this year. The good, the bad, and everything in between. It is hard for me to formulate words explaining how much you mean to me because your friendship means the world. Together we learned a lot this year. We learned how to trust God’s timing in more than one aspect of life and focus on the now rather than the future. We learned how to spend every moment of every day together without killing each other (lol) - but that truly shows what a strong friendship this is. I know our friendship is so genuine because we place God in the middle of it and allow Him to teach us things through one another. You have been my biggest blessing at DBU and I know we say it all the time, but I thank Jesus big time for this friendship and the ways you’ve helped me grow this year. Thank you for always, always, always, encouraging me to do what the Lord has called me to do and helping me along the way. You remind me to take a deep breathe and not stress over the little things because even the small things, the Lord will take care of. Although you try to hide it;) I know how much you deeply care for others and I have been lucky enough to experience this and see that God has gifted you with the ability to guide others with the knowledge He has given you.

Brittany:

1st, Brittany gives the best hugs soooo if you ever need a good hug - this is your girl. Brittany, I know I tell you this all the time, but you truly have the biggest heart for other people and it’s something I admire so greatly about you. If I am ever needing someone to give me advice or just listen to me, you’re the first person I go to. Thank you for teaching me how to look at others in the way Christ sees them and for constantly showing me kindness. You have taught me how to go out of my way for other people, as you are the most generous, selfless, humble person I have ever met. Your smile is radiating and you make any room light up when you walk into it. People feel welcomed and loved by you because you treat them so well and that is the type of person I want to be. Thank you for inspiring me in so many ways and for being my sentimental friend that understands what a good cry feels like. Hehe - we loveee a good cry.

Alli Gasca

Alli was one of the first people I met at DBU. We had talked over FB messenger before orientation and ended up meeting each other for the first time in the caf one day! I quickly saw attributes of a genuine friend in Alli and knew I wanted to be friends with her. Having some difficult first few weeks at college, simply from being in a new environment and being away from the comfortability of home, I one day heard the Lord telling me to be friends with Alli. I remember thinking “I am friends with her”, but He told me to truly pursue this friendship and make time for it to grow because it would become something so valuable and life-giving. Well, I’m at the end of the year now and Alli’s friendship is one of the most unique and special friendships I have ever had. The first time we ever hung out, we grabbed coffee together and ended up talking non-stop. We shared everything from what the Lord was doing in our lives at the present moment to our dreams for the future and the things we are most passionate about. Since then, we have had many, many more coffee dates and each one has been filled with the most fruitful conversations, truly led by the Lord. I value your friendship so highly. You have taught me how to be carefree and dance in the freedom of Christ. You’ve shown me love, guidance, wisdom, and joy. My freshman year of college, you were the person that I was able to chat with and suddenly have my whole life refocused in the way it should be - pointed towards Jesus. You are so loved sweet al pal.

Maddy Jo

Thank you for teaching me what a good sweet tea tastes like, that there’s no such thing as too much queso, sonic drinks are always a must & most importantly what caring for others looks like by reflecting the heart of Jesus. You go out of your way to check in on people to see how they’re doing and you know how to love others so well. Whether it be singing in your car or being tourists in CA we sure know how to have the most fun time together. Thank you for always being a friend I could go to this year with anything. Living just a few doors away from each other and quickly becoming close friends, you’ve been with me through it all. Thank you for simply doing life with me - the ups & the downs!! Becoming your friend has been such a blessing to me because you are quick to encourage me and point me in the right direction. You are the best at making the most out of every moment, living life a little silly, and being present in the now. Freshman year would have looked so different without you in my life & I sure am glad I dmed you last summer (lol) because look where we are now!! Love you maddy jo<3

Scarlett Leeper

Where to even start with you Scarlett Leeper!!! I have learned so much from you in the past year & you have become such a special friend and role model to me. From day 1 at DBU you have been there for me. Scarlett was my SWAT (Student Welcome and Transition) leader during DBU’s welcome week. I remember thinking that she was just my leader and some upperclassman that I’d never talk to again and goodness was I so wrong. On the last day of SWAT, our group leaders prayed over us and washed our feet, so Scarlett did this for me. She was the first person I broke down in front of, telling her I missed home and was trying to get used to this new exciting chapter of life! She prayed for me and continued to text me during the first few weeks of school to check in on me and see how I was doing. This meant so much to me. Next thing I knew, I rushed Zeta, she became my big, and our friendship is one of the most meaningful friendships I have. Scar, you have shown me what it looks like to be a daughter of the King. You are patient, kind, so caring of others, generous, and the most encouraging + positive person I know. Not to mention you constantly support me and lead me to fully follow Jesus. Tuesdays became my favorite day of the week because it was the day I got to spend an hour with you every week to catch up, take a breathe from the craziness of our day to day lives, and talk about how we were truly doing. That time consisted of real conversations, talking about what the Lord was teaching us, and what we were struggling with that week. I cannot thank you enough for your guidance in my life this past year. You inspire me in so many ways & I could go on and on listing them. You are a friend to everyone, have the most joyous smile + attitude, and always know exactly how to encourage and comfort others. The Lord was so kind to place me in your SWAT group and little did I know the friendship, advice, guidance, and love that would blossom from that!

Arlee Pryor

During one of the first few weeks of school I got a pretty bad cold and Arlee (the MOST THOUGHTFUL friend ever) offered to bring me a tea to my dorm room. Arlee & I became friends through Scarlett, but at this point, I hadn’t even met her yet!!! I remember thinking okay 1st, this girl is a senior, yet she’s talking to me and being so kind and 2nd, she’s offering to bring me tea because I’m sick and I don’t even really know her!! This was my first glimpse of Arlee’s intentionality. She goes out of her way to reach out to others, checking in on them and seeing how she can be praying for them or giving them some dang good Arlee advice. When I say she is intentional, I truly mean it. She’s such a good listener and has been there for me since the beginning of school, whether it be checking in on me to see how my week is going or cheering me up with her kind words and affirmation. When I think of Arlee, I think of Hebrews 10:24-25 ~ “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching”. I know that anyone who knows you could agree with me on this, but you so evidently live out this verse in your day to day life & it encourages me to do the same. I am lucky to be your friend!!

Zeta

{Community. Life-long friendships. Dance-parties. Authenticity.

Daughters of Christ. Bold. Unique personalities. Musical backs. Unified.

Crazy in a good way. Intentional. Loving. Accepting.}

These are the first words that come to mind when I think about Zeta. I could seriously write an entire blog post on Zeta and the impact this organization has had within my life!! Never have I met a group of girls that are so loving, servant-lead, and exploding with joy. Every girl in Zeta is unique in their own way and that is what makes Zeta so special. Not only are the friendships special, but Zeta’s main intention is to serve the Lord in all that we do, and we intentionally place Him before all things, letting our work and fun glorify Him. Zeta’s heart for our service -human trafficking- is real and so focussed on truly making a difference within our world. This community of ladies is something I am so honored + blessed to be a part of because this isn’t something that can be found just anywhere. Zeta, thank you for letting me be myself, giving me some of my most treasured friendships, and most importantly showing me what type of friendships can exist when being rooted in Christ. Words cannot describe what an incredible organization Zeta is and I am so thankful to be a part of it.

Shoreline City Church

When moving to Dallas, one of the things that seemed to worry me the most was finding community like the amazing community I had back home. Zeta and Shoreline City, my Church in Dallas, became my new community that pushed me to grow and surrounded me with the most loving people who loved Jesus so well. Shoreline was the second church I visited in Dallas and I immediately fell in love with it. Shoreline is focused on “Making it on Earth as it is in Heaven” and they are wholeheartedly fighting to make this dream a reality. Shoreline has taught me a lot. How to serve enthusiastically and with love. How to accept others just as they are and in the way Christ accepts them. How to live alive and full of passion for others and Christ. Shoreline is a Church that loves everyone they encounter and specifically cares for every person that walks through the doors of their Church. They want to make Jesus famous and I think that’s a pretty cool goal to have. Count me in!

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So yes, that was a lot, but I had this desire to share the things I learned the most, from the people I came to love the most this year. Just a few blog posts ago, I wrote about community and my slight fear of finding the right community in Dallas. The Lord didn’t just give me some community…He placed people in my life that became friends, family, a place of refuge, and the best sources of encouragement and guidance.

Thinking about each of these friendships and specific attributes I have discovered in each of these friends has reminded me how unique the Lord makes each and every one of us. We may be unaware of it, but He uses our gifts, strengths, and personalities to strengthen and grow our relationships + friendships with others.

I am beyond thankful for the people the Lord carefully placed in my life this past year to teach me new things and bring me into deeper relationships with Him and others.

Squeeze someone you love a little extra today & thank Jesus for the relationships He’s given you in life:’)

xoxo,

b.