at the end of my freshman year of high school i was assigned to write a letter to an eighth grader that would be a freshman the upcoming fall.
this letter started out with two words. "dear freshman."
it went on to fill the student in on the ups and downs, ins and outs, outside and inside of being a freshman.
so now, as i reflect on where i was a year ago tonight, i am writing my "dear freshman" letter.
dear freshman,
hello. my name is easton roye and i am going to be embarking on my sophomore year of college in just a few short days. i completed my freshman year a few months ago after months and months of teaching and learning experiences.
365 days ago i was in the exact spot you are currently in.
it was the night before i left my comfortable home to begin my journey as a college student.
i couldn't sleep.
i was anxious.
i was excited.
i was worried.
i was fearful.
i was ready.
this rush of emotion caused me to lie awake and dwell on the unknown.
don't do that.
please don't do that.
if you are desiring to dwell on something, dwell on Him.
He is the only One worth dwelling on.
dwell on His word.
dwell in Him.
when fear overcomes your heart.
dwell.
when stress eats at you.
dwell.
when your tears overcome the wall you've tried to put up.
dwell.
nothing i tell you can prepare you for this path you are starting on, but i can tell you one thing.
He is the only thing worth clinging to.
He is the only stable thing in your life currently.
your location may have changed, but His hasn't.
He is there.
dear freshman,
you are now starting the biggest whirlwind year of your life.
get ready.
it is fantastic.
it is weird.
it is different than you would imagine.
it is scary.
it is full of lessons.
it is a ridiculous amount of fun.
it is now.
live in it.
i mean really LIVE in it.
for a while i spent so many weeks thinking about what i was missing out on at home that i missed out on what was happening all around me at school.
don't do that.
take it from me.
find a community.
jump in.
be authentic.
put yourself out there.
but guard your heart.
there will be disappointment.
there will be challenges.
but don't let them stop you.
college is fun.
seriously.
a ton of it.
you're sorta kinda an adult now.
which is weird.
so try to figure out what that is like.
good luck with that.
dear freshman,
remember your parents.
remember that they are experiencing a new kind of culture shock as well.
they're letting you go.
a piece of their puzzle is hanging out in another puzzle box for awhile.
it's weird.
it feels strange.
don't forget about them.
call them.
text them.
write them.
(if you don't know what the term "write them" means, it's this thing from the olden days when people actually HAND WROTE letters to other people. crazy, i know. do it.)
as you become more comfortable in your new environment, remember that they're still adjusting as well.
dear freshman,
even as a sophomore you won't have this whole college thing figured out.
i still have no idea what i am doing half of the time.
but i've learned that's sort of just a part of growing up.
it is going to take a little bit to fully become who we are called to be,
that is truly okay.
i mean it.
dear freshman,
you've got this.
you really do.
you can do it.
cling to Him.
because He will be Your strongest defender and sweetest resting place.
let Him become real to you this year.
seek Him out.
it's so much easier when we do.
that's something i have to remind myself of far too often.
so don't forget that.
dear freshman,
go get em.
all my love and encouragement,
easton.
