I'm a grandbig.

With it being three days until Christmas (as hard as that is to believe), I'm going to take a break from present planning to write about a certain "gift" that Tindall, Christina, and I received in October.....a new addition to our Chi Omega family!!

So thankful for you grand-little!!

Bethany joined the ranks of perfect little sis's after a week of gift-giving and mystery clues.  Well, at least Christina tried to trick her into not knowing who her big sis was. Bethany later informed us that she knew the whole time...oops?

I had a lot of fun last year preparing all of Christina's clues and presents, and it was just as fun this year getting to help her get ready for her little sis.

Bethany and I have a pretty cool friendship story that technically began way before we even met each other, but that is too long to write on this blog. Essentially, it's a God thing that she went through recruitment, pledged Chi O, and is now the newest member of my family. And I couldn't be more blessed by her!

Waiting on our new addition and feeling old!

I can't believe that it has been over two years since Tindall was the one trying to trick me.  I knew from our first "owl pal" date after I pledged that I wanted her to be my big sis, and thankfully she wanted me as her little. Although both of our lives are extremely busy, I cherish the time that we get to spend together when we make the time to do it. She is role model for me to work hard in everything I do, and I praise the Lord for bringing us together as family!

Fast forward to one year later, it was my turn find the perfect little sis. Before recruitment even started, my friend Jenni Lynn told me that I needed to meet Christina because we were so similar.  Well, she was right! Christina was the very first girl that I talked to during recruitment, my owl pal on Bid Day, and then became the best little sis in the whole world. She has now become one of my very best friends. I am so thankful for her!

Five generations of family!

This year, the pressure was on for Christina to become friends with a girl that would be her little, my grand-little, and Tindall's great-grand-little.  Long story short, Bethany fit the bill pretty well. She has blessed me immensely, and if Tindall and Christina were typing this with me I'm sure they would agree.

So, Bethany, know that you are loved so much by your Chi Omega family.  We can't wait to have fun with you as you grow in Chi O and on the campus of Mississippi State University. Oh, and the pressure is on for you next year :)

Becca

open door policy

Tonight, I got to hang out with a woman who is a mentor of mine, role model, and honestly one of my best friends. Shannon consistently allows me to "do life with her". Whether that be dinner, grocery shopping (don't underestimate the fun that two people can have in Walmart), coffee runs, or keeping her kids while she gets her hair cut, she always finds time to invest in me.  I never feel like I have to be fit into her schedule.  If I need advice about anything, to vent about something, or if I'm craving a sweet treat, I'm always told to "Come right over!' without any hesitation.

She has a true heart for guiding anyone in need!

We spent about four hours together tonight that included closing down Panera Bread, grocery shopping, and chatting in her space ship of a minivan...I love that thing.  Amidst all of our laughter and eating of baked goods was a lot of learning and teaching that was effortless.  Shannon didn't sit down in the booth across from me with the intent of teaching me anything, but as we shared stories with each other I was instructed nonetheless.

First, the word family isn't limited to your biological family.  Family is just like home.  You know the saying "home is where the heart is?" Well, it's true, and family is the same way.  If you are surrounded by people that care about you, challenge you, and encourage you in your walk with the Lord, then you are home with family.  I have family here in Jackson, and I have family in Starkville.  I am thankful for each of those so much.

Next, Shannon taught me (again) to cherish where I am in life.  Life is a roller coaster right now, with questions and choices around every corner.  My life is constantly evolving, and has been ever since I met Shannon while I was an awkward middle schooler. As I have grown older, we have grown closer, and she encourages me in each stage. I have a year and a half until I am thrown into the "real" real world, and I need to trust in the Lord's plan each step of the way.

Shannon taught me that you are never too old to squeal like a twelve-year-old when the other says something exciting.

Late night in Perkins during Summer 2010. I love you Shannon!

She, along with her husband Jon, constantly teach me what it is like to have a relationship where Christ is the center.  They trust each other, love each other, learn together, and encourage each other.  Tonight, while Shannon and I were sitting in the minivan chatting about who knows what, Shannon received a text from Jon saying that all of the laundry was caught up.  About an hour before that, she had told me that she was going to have to spend the day tomorrow doing laundry.  Jon did it all for her while she was out spending time with me.  Shannon's response when she read that message was, "I have a perfect husband." So, I guess I owe some thanks to Jon for not only allowing me to steal your wife for a night, but for teaching me how to love my future spouse one day.

The one thing that Shannon teaches me so often is the importance of "doing life with others". She has three daughters: one four year old and twin two year olds.  The lady is a superwoman.  However, she never tells me that she is too busy for me or that the house is too dirty for me to come over.  If her kids are throwing a tantrum, she doesn't tell me to leave. She simply hands me a baby and asks for help. And, just like tonight, she uses errand-running as a time to catch up, not a task that prevents her from seeing me.

I want to have an open-door policy that applies to more than just the front door of my home.  I want it to apply to my life in general.  I want an open home, mind, and heart that is here for anyone that needs it.  That is my prayer as I grow older, and I thank Shannon for inspiring me to use my passion for people like she uses hers.

So, friends, I encourage you to find your Shannon (as cheesy as that sounds).  Find someone that you can confide in, challenges you, and encourages you.  However, I also believe that mentoring is a full-circle act.  Once we are poured into, it is our turn to pour into others.  So, not only do I think it is important to find your Shannon, but we all need to go be a Shannon for someone that needs it.

Lend an ear, give a hug, and do life with someone.  You never know how much it could impact them!

Becca

'Tis the Season

"Tis the Season for Christmas, family, friends, and no classes for a while. Oh, and for admitting (again) that I am a bad blogger. I haven't posted since August. AUGUST. Oops.  

I think in my last post I said that classes for the fall semester had started two days prior. Well, they are now over! Yep, I'm finished with my first semester of my junior year at Mississippi State. I'll write more about how that feels in another post...but no promises this time :)

During the drive to Tennessee last night, I was thinking about what I was going to do over the month-long break (in between belting out country songs of course). Along with the typical Christmas-time activities, I'd love to blog more about this past semester. And get a Pinterest...I promised myself I would hold off until after final exams because of my tendency to become obsessed with all things crafty. I managed to do it!

I've given my blog decor a little Christmas update, and now it's time to give an update on the fall semester. I'm going to do separate posts for larger events, but here are some short snippets of some fun things that happened while in Starkville!

At the end of August, I got to travel to the Ocoee River for the 2011 Roadrunner retreat.  We left early Saturday morning in a Mississippi State charter bus (not gonna lie, that was pretty cool), and arrived at the Ocoee around lunchtime. We ate, fellowshipped together, rafted, and conquered the river.  

Our raft trumped all other rafts.

A few days later, it was time for one of the more popular parts of sorority life: swaps! We had a NEON SWAP at State Theater.  The DJ was crazy, the outfits were even crazier, and it was a fun way to kick off the sorority social side of the semester!

So many lights....so many people.

About a week into the month of September, it was time for Chi Omega's first date party of the semester! This time we switched things up though and had a DOUBLE date party with Kappa Delta! Chi O loves KD. It's pretty much a known fact. The theme was "Welcome to the Jungle", and it was a blast! 

 

Big Sis/Lil Sis was still a month away...she was meant to be my grand little the whole time :)

The month of October brought another fun social event: Chi O Camo! Every other year, around Halloween, we have this date party.  It's a night full of all types of camouflage, bright orange, and fun.  This year it was at the Hunt Club...how appropriate?

Holly also had a date party that night!

These were just a few random events from this semester! I have more things to blog about later. Thank goodness I have a whole month of no responsibility to do it right? Right. Until then, 'Tis the Season for rest and joy. And blogging. 

I'm going to go create my Pinterest now.

Becca