Where did my sophomore year go?

Wow.

It is beyond hard to believe I have completed my sophomore year of college. Where did the time go?

I've come face to face with so many life changing experiences this year, experiences that I can whole-heartedly say have helped shape who I am today. There are way too many to describe as of right now, but hopefully if you follow this blog you will read about how they have impacted me and changed the way I view the world and people around me. Let me begin by explaining the title and background picture of my blog. Both were intentionally created to display a portion of who I am.

I was asked by a mentor what I wanted to be remembered for. Almost instantly, I knew the answer. More than anything, I want people to remember me for not only my heart, but my heart for others. People and service are the passions that drive my life. I want you to know they are -- not from me telling you, but from your observations of my words and deeds.

The background picture was taken by me on a Caldwell Fellows service trip to Mexico (this is an event I'll probably reference often, in that it is indeed an event that shaped my life.) I taught first graders, and this picture was taken during an art project. They were loving, beautiful children and I miss them more with every day that passes. I can still feel those tiny paint crusted fingers gripping mine.

This past January, I had the honor of being selected as North Carolina's National FFA Officer Candidate. National office is by far the biggest dream I've ever had. I am not ignorant to the enormous amount of work required to prepare for this role, and the next months will be spent studying, reading, learning, speaking in public, making industry visits, and facilitating workshops. But, more than anything, they will be spent discovering who Caroline Yopp is. When I leave the nominating committee, I want to know without a shadow of a doubt that they know who that is too, and that they saw my heart for others.

Hopefully, this blog will help articulate this process of growth and self discovery. If nothing else, it will give you insight to the life of a junior (weird) in college who is broke, stressed, but most importantly... happy.

I will also try to upload a photo every post that captures a feeling, event, or special moment of that day. Today, it will be another from Mexico, just because it's on my mind.

I'm off to read a chapter or two of a leadership book, paint my toenails, and study my Bible.

Welcome to my life.