First of all God is so good to have allowed me to go to such an amazing university. I graduated from OBU in 1994 and because of my time there and the friends I made while there, I have been changed. I am not who I was because of OBU. It was because of people there that I am the teacher, leader, Christian and friend that I am today. High school was very hard for me because I was an introvert. I loved to talk but only when I was comfortable with the people once I got to know them. Then, I went to OBU. I was one of 200 freshmen, not one of 1000. I felt like I had a voice and I wasn't just a number.
You know, people say that the college years are the best years of your life. I agree and I am so glad that my experience was at OBU. As a freshman in Perrin West, not knowing anyone, I quickly made friends with Buffy Meador, April Works, Kaye Boone and Kristi Jackson. Life as I knew it would never be the same. We laughed, we cried, we watched Designing Women, and ate enough pizza to kill us. I remember running down the hall in Frances Crawford West 2 saying "is that my phone?" as we set our land lines outside our door because we had a super long cord. I had my 1st real boyfriend, and my first real heart break there. Then came my time as a Tri Chi. (I still use my XXX key-chain that I got while pledging as my mail key key-chain.) Such great memories. I love my university and I love the people that I met there. It is funny that we are not the Auburn, A&M, UT or even Razorbacks but because of OBU we have something in common. As a member of XXX (Tri-Chi) I learned what it meant to have a family away from my family. I met Angie Dodd, Nicol Bodenstein, Sara Fish, Michele Woodall, Sarah Smith, Lori Abbot, Chrissy Holmes, Amy Ables, Leigh Anne McKinney, Chariny Herring, and at least 30 other women each year. I was blessed but little did I know that these friendships that I made there at OBU would be the ones that would get me through some of my darkest days after life at OBU. Yes, God is good. I loved OBU and wouldn't change my experience for the world. I pray for OBU and the members of the Faculty, Staff and Student Body especially XXX! (Tri-Chi). I will always have a special place in my heart for the people of OBU in ARKADELPHIA, ARKANSAS!!
You precious, precious, precious girl.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you as the introvert. In fact I was impressed with the freshman girl who seemed so composed and "with it." I always hoped I'd be as cool as you one day.
I remember that you were always a faithful friend to the ones you loved. You said more with your presence than most do with a million words.
And I remember your smile. I rarely saw you without it. And it made me feel welcome in your presence.
I'm so glad you chose OBU and Tri Chi and that I had the opportunity to meet you.
Yep. Life is just plain hard. But I honestly believe that a lot of what has helped me walk through some very black days was built into me during my four years at OBU. And is partly due to the influence of the friends like you that I made there and whose friendships I feel blessed to still have today.
You are precious, Jennifer. Thanks for tagging me.
I'm with Amy - I never saw you as introverted. I thought you were all that and a bag of chips. I'm glad you were part of my OBU experience -
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny. I remember you as being part of my class, not a year younger (I'm going to fix it on the BlogAbout page now!). I guess that's just what happens when people become family. I hope you are doing well. Thanks so much for blogging with us! I need to go write my own blog!
ReplyDeleteLove you, Jennifer!!!
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