I
believe that God is at the University
of Georgia. Of course He is
everywhere, moving everywhere, but I have seen it firsthand in Athens.
Two weeks before I was to start my freshman year of college, I went to
orientation and my parents came with me. In the middle of the second day, my
mom sat on a bench in the middle of campus wondering, "What am I doing sending
my daughter to this university with one of the worst reputations as a party
school in the nation?" A few minutes later, the ministry Campus Crusade began
setting up a booth just a few feet from where she was. All of a sudden she
heard the Lord speak to her, "I am on this campus." She began to weep and
finally relax in letting me attend. As I come to the end of my sophomore year
at UGA, I can tell you that she heard the truth. God is moving in a big way on
this campus and in a big way in my heart; He is writing me a love story here.

            When
I moved into Russell Hall August 13,
2006, I had no strong convictions about how I was going to live out
my college life, despite my Christian faith and schooling. The only thing that
kept me grounded at first was my roommate/best friend, Mary, who was very
strong in her faith. The first part of my love story started when we met two
girls from down the hall in October of that year, Liz and Anna. They were cool
and funny - and they didn't drink. The four of us girls fell in love with each
other, and God used them to keep me from making some really bad decisions. We
all live together now and they continue to bless and encourage me every day,
not to mention make me laugh until I cry.

            The
Lord continued to introduce me to new friends that forced me to grow - ones
that tried my patience, ones that taught me things about myself, ones that
showed me what gentlemanly love is, ones that taught me about grace, ones that
tested my faith, ones that needed my love, all that made me closer to Him. One
friend in particular, Anne Story, took me under her wing at the beginning of
this year. It was through her and a song she played for me, Albertine by Brooke
Fraser, that I realized God was calling me to the mission field.

            God
is a big God, and at the same time He is romancing me He is romancing our
entire campus. Our Christian community is asking the Lord for revival on our
campus and He is responding. Believers are experiencing revival in their hearts.
The lost are being found. People are being inspired to start 24-hour prayer
rooms in the most visited building on our campus. He is providing for more and
more ministries. Hearts are being changed and healed and we feel like God has
just barely begun all He is preparing to do in Athens.
So amidst this city of sin and defilement, we believers are declaring that
greater things have yet to come, and God is using it all in His wonderful way
to romance me to Him. What a beautiful picture it is.