One of the original reasons I decided not to go to Ole Miss (aside from being ultra rebelious), was because I almost died, twice, on my school visit. Seriously.
My dad and I flew on a jet to Ole Miss early one Friday morning with a bunch of Jackson businessmen. My dad was on the business advisory council with these men and they flew up for meetings, and they just happened to let me fly along. It was horrifying. Scary. Roller coaster ridiculous. I thanked Jesus for letting us land, thankful I didn't hurl everywhere.
So then I decided to go on a stroll through campus as my dad met and my brother was in class. I considered what it would be like if I went to school there. I dreamed, imagined, was hopeful that I could potentially be a rebel. And then it happened...crreeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkk. I looked up and noticed one of the oldest oaks in the circle was coming down. Crashing down. It shook the earth and I was about 30 feet away. I didn't die - PRAISE THE LORD, but I couldn't believe my eyes.
We got back on the plane and headed home (I kept my face between my knees the whole way), and when we went to land the wind blew us away from the runway and we were in the trees. Score. I was about to die for real. We had to thrust back up and circle back around to land.
We landed, I kissed the ground and told the Lord I wouldn't go to Ole Miss due to all the mishaps. So I went to Miss. State. And I pledge Chi Omega (the whole reason I went to college, I mean, let's be serious).
Chi O's are known nationally for being a well-rounded sorority. We were the smartest on campus (I believe they still are), the "good girls", just all around fun group of people. Yet, I let it define me. I became extremely snobby about who I was -- defined by the letters on my chest. I was miserable.
I came to a place with Christ that I realized he was asking me to walk away from this "position" and move on. To humble myself before him, leave what I knew, and step out in faith.
So I transferred.....to Ole Miss. And to this day, I love that place. Love it. Just today I sat in the circle on a conference call, working, enjoying the cool breeze and thinking about the oak tree that fell exactly where I was many years ago. I didn't know the Lord was going to do great things within me in the first two years (via pain and misery), and then bring me into a place of great beauty and calmness.
No wonder I love Ole Miss so much. It's a place of great freedom for me -- in many ways.
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