September 17, 2015

ANOTHER Message Received

I want to start off by saying that Tuesday, September 15, 2015 was the most wonderful day in Maddy McRee’s life so far. This post may be a little off because I’m not posting it tonight, so when I say “tonight,” it’s me referring to September 15. Which was a great day. Even though eating Moe’s and singing the Michael BublĂ© Christmas album at the top of my lungs with the most wonderful people in the world is hard to beat, the MOST AWESOME THING OF MY ENTIRE LIFE HAPPENED. If you have been following since my first post (minus the introduction post), then you know that I had a pretty large epiphany when it came to starting this blog. That was the time I had felt like God spoke to me most… until now!


But first, I have to give you a little backstory, so you can truly understand why this night was so crazy.


1. For about two years, I’ve wanted to be an occupational therapist. I changed my major from Psychology to Biology before I even went to orientation, hopped in the pre-OT program here at UNG, and I knew a few weeks after orientation that I wanted to change my major back to Psychology. I would go into detail about why I did that and why I needed to switch back, but you know I’m a rambler... so, just trust me. I’ve been struggling for a while about if I wanted to stick with Biology and having more options if I didn’t get into OT school, or if I wanted to switch to Psychology which interests me more but I wouldn’t have many options if I changed my mind. Here recently though, I’ve realized that I have another option for a major - business. For a lot of people, business is a go-to degree if they change their mind on their current one. Yet from the time I was little, I have wanted to start my own business. I used to draw up floor plans, applications, flyers, descriptions, and even inventory lists for businesses I would dream up. I had this one business in first grade called LADDS, which stood for Lost and Deserted Dog Shelter. I even had a THEME SONG for that place. And it rocked. So. Anyway, it’s always been a dream of mine to own an idea and to be my own boss (the American Dream, amiright?). I felt like if I could actually come up with something that was successful, I would be happy as a lark for the rest of my days! Also, my roommate, Reagan, has always wanted to start a business. She is super creative and I am super organized, which makes us a great team. We have even started sketching a few ideas out, and we have a game plan of what company we want to start. But back to before, I had to decide between a marketing, finance, or management focus. Basically, I was at a fork in the road (that split into like, five roads). I decided to just pray that God would give me guidance, because I knew I could not - and did not NEED to make that decision on my own.


2. I’ve also been struggling with feeling like I have missed opportunities to witness in the past few weeks, I felt like I was at sort of a standstill. I’ve been praying that God will give me opportunities, but I see that they were open doors AFTER the situation has taken place. I realized tonight I was praying for the wrong thing.


So, story. You know how it’s hard to get into a song the very first time you hear it? You’re focused on the words, the notes… it’s rare (for me) to REALLY think about the meaning behind it. At church, I knew the very first song and I was so pumped. It was just a solid worship song. Next song: Oceans by Hillsong United. I already love that song, which made me even more excited that they were playing it! I heard the lyric “take me deeper than my feet could ever wander,” and it just hit me hard. All of a sudden, those words took on a whole new meaning than they ever have before! I realized that I’d been “wandering” on my own, trying to find opportunities to share the Word on my own. I’ve been looking too hard, when I really just need to stop, relax, and let God put me where I need to be. I need to let Him take me to where I need to be, because He will take me deeper than I could ever go on my own.


Boom. Awesome.


But then, the third song came on. I didn’t know this song, so I was kind of just singing along trying to stay on the right notes. I’m sad because I can’t find the song anywhere, but the chorus was - OH MY WORD AS I WAS TYPING THE PREVIOUS PHRASE I DECIDED TO TRY TO LOOK UP THE SONG ONE MORE TIME, AND I FOUND IT!!!!!!! WHAT A HAPPY DAY!!!!!!! It’s called Trust It All by Brett Stanfill. Anyway, the chorus starts with:
“My life is in your hands, I trust it all, I trust it all to you.” I was like, wow, that’s so relevant to what I have been praying about! The next line started with, “my dreams and all my plans,” and I LOST it.


I don’t even know what happened. It’s like all of a sudden I realized what path I needed to take, I knew Reagan and I needed to follow through with our plan to start our business. We plan to create products that glorify God and can lead to awesome conversation… more on that later. Everything we need has completely fallen into place, and God spoke to me tonight at church and told me that. I just felt overwhelmed with a sense of peace and contentment KNOWING that God has His arms wrapped around me and is leading me exactly where I need to be.


The song continued, I was continuing to bawl my eyes out, and then the thought (almost) crossed my mind: What should I change my major to? As SOON as I started thinking about the entire concept of changing my major, the only thing I could think was “business management.” I couldn’t even come up with the names of any other majors I was considering, it was like I had a brain block! I knew exactly what to change my major to, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life.


I have never, in my whole entire 18-year lifespan, been spoken to so clearly by my Lord. I have gotten signs of course, and the closest thing to tonight was when He told me to start this blog. I’ve already seen God work through this, which makes me even more excited for what’s to come with this business! We still have a long way to go with our business, but we just know that we’re on fire for God and we can’t wait to see how He is going to use our products to work in other people’s lives and open up opportunities for them! I will post updates on my blog, social media, etc., so be sure to keep an eye out!


Some people have these insane, God moments when they’re very young, eighteen years old, fifty years old, and for some it takes until they’re a hundred years old to have that experience. I have learned over the past few years that God knows exactly what you need; he knows when to let you figure things out on your own, and when to blatantly tell you what to do.

I’m going to end this post by simply saying... God is good.

September 1, 2015

11 Things I Learned From My First Week of College


My first two weeks have been completed! I decided to write this post now while it’s fresh on my mind, because if one thing's for sure... I learned a LOT the first week. Starting college is a scary thing. You can read as many articles, tip sheets, Pinterest links, or advice columns as you want, but you can never be fully prepared for this whirlwind of crazy. But of course, those articles and pins always help, so why not conform and create one myself? Everyone has a different college experience, I’m just going to share my list of 11 things I have PERSONALLY learned so far. (Here she goes again…)


1. If you think you are good at time management… you’re not.


In high school, I thought I was awesome at managing my time. My planner had every little detail of every day included, I would get all of my assignments finished on time, and I would still have time to watch Jeopardy at 7:30 every night. Throw in class, English readings, 3 chapters of a humongo Biology book plus homework, an essay about a song you haven’t even chosen yet, a required Alcohol education course online, 70 precalculus problems, university events (Like a hypnotist. FUNNIEST. THING. EVER. IN. MY. LIFE.), friend time, Walmart runs, and still trying to find time to eat and sleep… My time skills were thrown right out the window. This whole “college” thing is no joke. I am actually typing this blog while I have one and a half more chapters of Biology to read before tomorrow, and essay to write, and 30 pages of English to read. But you know what? This just sums up my college life right now, so I’m just gonna casually let it happen. There’s just SO much going on all the time, and I want to be involved with EVERYTHING. Yet, I know now that sometimes that just can’t happen. Which brings me to my next point…


2. Don’t make up excuses to skip over your Jesus time.


I have been trying to stick with this reading plan in my Bible for a few months, and honestly I’ve been tested this week. I have had to make myself prioritize more than I ever have before. The first week was hectic, for sure, but I learned that creating a routine of reading at a certain time (and sticking to it) will take away a whole lot of the chaos and anchor yourself with the Lord even more. College is a time of life where you’ll be tested, so a firm relationship with God is step one to surviving it.


3. Surround yourself with good people.


I have been blessed to have awesome people in my classes, my groups in class, on my hall, in my suite, and an awesome roommate. I have constantly been surrounded by friends and encouragement, but I know that some people don’t have that as easily as I do. I’ve had to reach out to make friends, as well, but God has placed some people in my life right around me. For example… My roommate, Reagan, and I get along SO well, and we have been asking around to see what churches would be good for us to visit around here. I met a guy in English, and we were talking after class one day about mission trips, and he was telling me about his church that he went to. Before we know it, Reagan and I are at an awesome new church, meeting awesome, new, God-loving friends, and we are headed to our small group leader’s house tonight for supper. Like, what are the odds?! Things are just working out so wonderfully, and I can’t praise God enough for how He has been working out these situations lately. Moral of the story: If you surround yourself with the right people, you can create some pretty beneficial relationships.


4. Don’t forget to call your family.


When you are missing home, CALL YA MAMA. I actually haven’t been nearly as homesick as I have been expecting to be, but whenever I call home I just instantly get put into a better mood. My mom always knows what to say, and I love having someone to tell all of my stories to who will actively listen to EVERY one (or at least act like it). Talking to your family instantly cheers you up and encourages you, which is super helpful when you have just been submerged into a brand new world of freedom and independece - which comes with a whole lot of responsibility.


5. Learn to be alone.


It’s obviously not ideal to go to chow by myself, but sometimes I just HAVE to enjoy chicken finger friday. My suitemates all may go home on the weekend and I’m in the suite with no one to talk to, but it gives me more time to study at least. I may not wanna go walk to my mailbox alone, but if you have mail… you’ve got mail (ba-dum-chhh). Luckily, Reagan and I love each other a whole lot and have similar schedules, so we have each other most of the time! But I’ve learned to be alone, and it’s something that most people aren’t used to coming right out of a small town high school. It gives you time to be with yourself, and that’s so important in a time where you are constantly surrounded by new influences.


6. Take some chances.


I’m not talking about crazy, stereotypical, “college” activities… ahem… but take chances everyday! If you see someone sitting alone and you want to go try to talk to them, do it. If you want to make a coke float at chow, do it. If your roommate wants you to walk with her to the hair salon and you are enticed to dye your hair… DO IT.




But really, the most wonderful things have happened just by times in my life where I’ve said, “yes.” SAY YES TO THINGS AND YOU WON’T REGRET IT!


7. Find a good church.


God sends you into some people’s lives to lead them to church, and other times, you’re the one being led! Reagan and I knew we wanted to church-hop around Dahlonega for a few Sundays because we wanted to go to a good church here, we just didn’t know where. Luckily, we met Austin (the guy from point #3), and we have found an awesome church with awesome people! It was exactly what we were looking for, and everything happened at just the right time.


8. Sharpie doesn’t easily come off your arm.


When you and your roommate have tattoo night in your dorm, don’t use Sharpie. Use a pen. Or else, you will have to wear ¾ length shirts all weekend…




9. Ask people questions.


You can’t learn anything about anyone if you don’t ask them questions (unless they just choose to voluntarily give you their life story). It doesn’t matter how dumb a question is, it can always lead to something awesome. The other day it was raining, and I literally asked someone if it rained a lot where they lived. Who even asks that? But sure enough, it rains a LOT where they live, and apparently a flood got them stuck in their apartment one time and they were out of school for a week. Which then led to asking where they went to school, and then sure enough… I knew someone from there! It’s the little stuff like that that usually leads to finding something in common with anyone.


10. People will not always smile back at you.


It’s just a fact. NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU SMILE AT SOMEONE, CERTAIN PEOPLE WILL JUST NOT RETURN THE HAPPINESS. But that’s okay, their heart may be smiling and you just can’t see it… at least, that’s what I tell myself.


11. Don’t forget this is the time of your life.

It’s week three and I am already having the most fun time of my life. Sure, classes don’t make me rejoice with gladness, but it’s nothing compared to the adventures I’m having living on my own, meeting new people, growing in my faith, and learning life lessons every day. This is the time of my life, and I don’t want to be one of those people who realize it AFTER they graduate. So enjoy every minute, live in the moment, and take it allllllll in!