jennifer layne's corner

A Letter to Jennifer, Fall 1992

This is a letter I'm writing today to my college freshman self of 16 years ago...
(I can't claim this idea; I saw it on someone else's blog and thought it looked fun!)

I know you're scared, you're nervous, you're just about to throw up every moment of the day. Try to be brave...it will really all turn out ok.

It's really a great thing that you're spreading your wings and flying all the way down to Tennessee for college. God has incredible, unbelievable things in your future. Wait on Him. Trust Him.

Don't worry about that C you're going to get on your first Humanities paper. You end up getting "A"s in Humanities. What you really need to worry about is Chemistry. It kicks your butt. Be really nice to the professor because even though you think she doesn't like you, you will eventually be crying in her office. She will even hand you a tissue.

Don't worry about paying attention in Calculus...you will soon drop that pre-med major anyway, and the only math you'll need to know is the 7th grade math you will be teaching for a semester when you're pregnant with your 3rd son.

Be certain to go on that hike with Mr. Helsabeck. The girl you walk the trail with will be your dearest friend. You will cry together, laugh together, dream together, be the maids of honor in each other's weddings, and even be facebook friends someday (don't worry...you'll understand what facebook is when the time comes).

Treasure every conversation and moment with your dad. This time next year, he will already be with Jesus. Try not to call home crying and homesick so much--your time talking to him will be much better spent sharing your hopes and dreams and soaking up as much of his wisdom as you possibly can.

Don't worry that no one knows you yet. Be yourself. In a couple of years, you'll be a leader on campus, so use this time to become more like Jesus.

Don't buy that pink carpet....it ends up smelling REALLY BAD.

Thank your mama OFTEN for the letters she writes to you. She will write to you every day your freshman year, and her letters will encourage you and build you up.

Enjoy your work study job. Ann Easter is the greatest, and you will still see Mr. Derry for years and years at conventions. He and his wife will always ask how you're doing and how your family is, so start appreciating him now. Your job will get you lots of perks on campus, so do it excellently.

Go to vespers every Sunday. You will learn how to be a worshipper there.

Don't worry that you don't find your husband this year (HA!). He won't arrive until your junior year, and, even then, you won't recognize him. Neither of you will be attracted to the other AT ALL, but that's ok, it still all works out.

Don't stay up quite so late. How about going to bed at 1 or 2 am instead of 3 or 4. It will really help you stay awake in that Old Testament class, and someday, people might ask you questions about the Old Testament and expect you to have an answer.

Order the pizza...you won't gain that freshman 15 until your sophomore year. Then, you'll lose it your junior year when you're trying to convince your future husband that you're an athlete. You'll gain it back and more after you're married, and you'll spend the rest of your life trying not to eat the pizza. So, for now....just EAT THE PIZZA!!!

Get ready, sweetheart...you're in for a wild ride. In about 16 years, you'll be sitting in your bedroom waiting for the timer to go off to tell you to rinse out the color on your hair (you're trying to cover the grey!!). Since your husband and three sons are asleep, you'll decide to write yourself a letter. As you write it, you'll be overwhelmed by God's goodness and faithfulness in your life. Never stop being overwhelmed. He is forever faithful and good.