I am at JBU!

Well, as you can tell by the lack of postings, the last week was very busy! On Sunday afternoon we had my farewell party - I was very happy to see quite a few of my friends before I headed off. The librarians from church (Mr. and Mrs. Maness) gave me a send off charge, and then I tested everyone on how well they knew me with a Facebook style "How well do you know me?" quiz. It was fun :D And Mrs. Maness won!!!! She got all 15 questions right!


Monday through Wednesday I really had to get down to the business of packing. It went pretty quick once I actually put my mind to it. Thursday was all doing laundry and packing my clothes....then yesterday my family and I left Dallas at about 8:30. I can hardly believe that was really just yesterday!!!!!!!!


We got in to Siloam Springs at about 2 or so, gave Nathan a tour of the campus (because he had never been here before even though it was my 5th time to come!), then went to Wal-Mart to buy my new bike (which Nathan VERY kindly rode the 2.8 miles back to JBU!!!). We went out to a Chinese buffett for dinner, and by then it was 5:30 (when arrival time started). The folks here at JBU unloaded ALL my stuff for us - they did that for ALL the new students...they're the best!


All the stuff I brought actually ended up fitting in the closet! I could hardly believe it!

I decided that I wanted my bed lofted, so with some umph (especially from Dad and Nathan!) we moved my desk and dresser to one side of the bed and then put my bed on top! It is a little bit of a climb to get up there, but it DEFINITELY makes our room seem a lot roomier!!!!!!! Which is a TERRIFIC thing. We got Kaley's furniture arranged too, then Dad and Mom and Nathan headed out....I actually didn't cry. I thought I would, but I didn't. I cried when we left the house that morning though.
I got my clothing put away, then headed to the Walker Student Center for game night - I played Apples to Apples with a varying group of other folks. Came back up to my room and did some more unpacking....Kaley and I headed to bed about 11:30.
This morning I woke up at 6:15.....I stayed in bed for a while, but didn't go back to sleep....... After breakfast I came back to my room and worked on preparing to write the essay on The Chosen (the freshman summer reading book) for the essay contest....it's due on Wednesday and I still haven't actually started writing it. I basically know what I want to say though.
Check-in to orientation was at 11, then after lunch was the welcome in the chapel by President Pollard. He reminded us that even though we may be confused right now (because of all the various changes happening), we are a beloved child of the living God :D
We then connected with our "O groups" (Orientation groups) and played a few get to know each other games...I have 12 people in my O group. After that I came back up to my room and got a LOT of unpacking and settling in done - it felt REALLY GOOD!!!! At 4:45 they had a Prayer and Farewell time in the chapel...I kind of wish my family had stayed for that, but I'm kind of glad they didn't...if they had, I know I would have cried :( Next we had dinner, then I came back here and FINISHED UNPACKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am officially ALL settled in!!!! All my suitcases, packing containers, etc are all up and away in the closet! So I am very very happy :D
Now we are going to the "BIG Gathering," and then we get to play the "BIG games," then at ELEVEN we are going to do the "BIG Coffeehouse"....we'll see if I can stay awake that long!
I'd better run....please comment if you read this and like it!!!!!!!! :D
P.S. on my way back from supper I was THRILLED to see a beautiful, adorable GOLDFINCH!!!! He was really cute :D
Also, I've met lots of neat people so far - now hopefully I can remember at least half their names!!!!