Next RUF: Knoxville

It was a bittersweet evening in the Flag Colonnade on Monday night. It was the last Samford RUF large group of the year, and for us seniors, the last one of our college careers. Most of us seniors have been involved with RUF since freshman year. It's been a vital part of our lives and college experiences for the past 4 years, so it's hard to realize that it's finally over. However, as I put it Monday, it's kind of like watching the lion chase down and tear apart the antelope on Animal Planet. It sucks; but hey, it's natural.

I'm certainly going to miss Samford RUF...even that old Flag Colonnade. I'm especially going to miss all of my friends, whether freshmen or seniors, and I'm going to miss that Jason Sterling.

But like all phases in life, this one has come to an end...and it's natural (remember the lion and the antelope). In some ways it's sad, but in many others...it's happy.

While I'm sad to be leaving my friends at Samford RUF and this group that has been my second family for 4 years, I have every faith that God has a plan for my life, and the next chapter of that plan is about to start. It's time for me to move on. It's time for all of us seniors to move on. If we came back next year...that would be weird. (no offense, of course, to you 5th-year seniors...;-)

Anna Page and I are also in the unique position of having another RUF that we'll have the privilege to be a part of next year. She'll be heading to Davidson, and I will be heading to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville (if you haven't gathered that already by this blog's color scheme)

I can't describe how excited I am to get plugged in with Tennessee's RUF and meet all the awesome people involved there. It's going to be great to see how God is working on campuses all over this country...not just at Samford. I can't wait to see how God is working on Tenessee's campus, and I'm humbled by the opportunity to join in that work.

So I still have a couple more weeks left at Samford, and I'm looking forward to spending as much time as possible with all my dear friends here. I will never forget the impact they've each made on my life and the things their friendship has taught me. But I look forward with faith, excitement, and especially prayer to the roads that God has planned out for each of us. Those roads all head in different directions, but He knows where they're going.

I'm especially excited about my road to Tennessee. It's crazy to think that my next RUF large group will be in Knoxville. I have no idea what lies in store, but I know Who does know.

PRAYER ITEMS:

• Pray for both Samford and Tennessee RUF groups as the year winds down. Pray for the graduating seniors from both, as well as for the underclassmen who will be returning in the fall.
• Pray for me as I begin the process of fundraising. I will need to raise $31.804, and I must raise 85% of that before I can move to Knoxville and start. This is a daunting task, but I have no other option but to rely on God and His provision. That's a good place to be. I ask for your prayers, not just for the fundraising, but that I will be able to keep my eyes on Him throughout the process.
• Pray that God will calm my heart when I begin to worry about the transition about to take place. It's easy to get wrapped up in worry and forget His promises.
• Pray for the incoming freshmen that will coming to Tennessee next year. Pray that God will already begin working on their hearts and that He will give them peace about the transition that they're about to face.

More to come soon!

In Christ,

Stephen