Hey friends!

For those of you that are new to Messy Bun & Jesus, I’m so glad you’re following me for this journey of mine in Tennessee. To my returnees, welcome back! I’m setting up this Sewanee series a little bit differently than I typically blog. When I blog usually, I like to make things relatable. I like there to be a “moral” to the story, per say. Because let’s face it — no one really just likes to read about someone else talking about themselves. I know I don’t.

But I’m changing things up a bit. The series of posts I’m going to be writing this week will be a sort of mix of the two. I do enjoy just telling people what I did during my day and how it affects me. But I don’t want it to be JUST about me.

So thanks for tuning in! This is the first post in the series (clearly, by the title, geez Claire). But stick around all week for the stuff I’ll be learning up here in the mountains of Tennessee

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The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee is a mere 10-hour drive from Saginaw, Michigan. For much of the drive through Michigan and Ohio, the land is flat and boring. Not much to look at, at all. Once we drove over the Kentucky border, the terrain got slightly more interesting. There were actually, like, mountains! Pretty weird for a Michigander like me.

On the way down, I ALMOST had my first Cracker Barrel experience.

It’s kind of a running joke in my family. When my little brother and I were kids, my parents used to drive us down to Florida for spring break. Every time we’d pass a Cracker Barrel, my dad would laugh and tell us we were eating here for dinner. I would scream and cry and tell them they couldn’t make me eat there. For whatever reason, I just didn’t like Cracker Barrels as a kid.

And even to this day, when we pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, I’m a bit embarrassed to report that my heart rate slightly elevated…

BUT, the Good Lord was looking down on me and the wait to get a table was over 20 minutes. So we moved on to the Steak N Shake down the road! It was also my first Steak N Shake experience. It’s Claire approved.

Moving on!

We drove some more, yada yada. I watched Frozen on my iPad. And I got a big chunk of my book read. I’m even proud to admit I got a bunch of homework for my online class done too!

When we FINALLY pulled onto the campus of The University of the South, it took my breath away. Holy poop, the campus up here is GORGEOUS. The buildings are all Southern gothic architecture, it’s loaded with green trees, and hello! IT’S IN THE FREAKING MOUNTAINS! The dining hall looks like something out of Harry Potter. No joke.

I get to stay in a dorm this week. (Cue fist pump and excited look on my face). Yes, I realize that this isn’t what normal college students dream of doing, but this girl lives at home! I don’t know if I’ll ever get the chance to live in a dorm. Especially one that looks like it belongs in Harry Potter. I’m sharing a four-person suite on the top floor of the dorm with just one other woman (who, after only one night, I can already tell she’s going to be a great roommate). We each get our own separate rooms and our own bathroom. So we basically have the penthouse suite. Let me tell you, knowing the director of the conference has its perks.

This is Quintard Hall, mi casa for the week.

Pretty cool, eh?

If I haven’t already mentioned 8 billion times just in this one post alone, I’m smack dab in the middle of some mountains. This is something I am very excited about. Due to the fact that there are overlooks. (!!!!!!!!) Which mean great views. And let me tell you, I am NOT disappointed.

This morning, after we ate breakfast at Hogwarts, we went over to an overlook called Green View. As I write this, this is my view.

I am in awe of the beauty of God’s creation.

AND THIS IS ONLY ONE OF THE OVERLOOKS!

We hit one of the ones when we got here last night. And I hear it’s incredible to see right when the sun is going down. But it’s called Memorial Cross and if you couldn’t tell from the name of the overlook, there is a giant cross. It’s lit up and it is stunning. Pictures won’t do it justice. So you’ll just have to take my word for it.

I can feel God in this place. I feel Him in the kind people who shake my hand and tell me they’re glad to see a new face. I feel Him as I’m overlooking the valley and realizing just how high up I am. I feel Him in the music we’re singing. He’s everywhere.

I’m not sure what’s going to happen this week, but all I can say is, I’m sure as heck ready for it.