The House That Love Built

If I could encourage anyone to take away one thing from their time at Georgia Southern, it would be to explore to find something greater than yourself. During the Fall of 2022, I was overwhelmed with all the emotions that came along with leaving for college. Moving away from home, meeting all new people, and deciding to go through formal recruitment was truly the most exciting and nerve-wracking time of my life. Moving from Florida to Statesboro, GA I knew hardly anyone coming to early move in for recruitment, yet I still was filled with excitement for the experiences I knew I would soon have, and the unknown to come.

Recruitment was going well during Icebreakers round, but nothing could have prepared me for the Philanthropy round at ADPI. I had no idea what the Lord had in store for me until the moment they pulled down a projector, and a video showcasing the Ronald McDonald House Charity started playing. The emotions I felt when this occurred showed me that I had finally found my home. Growing up, I never knew where I’d fit in. My life has certainly been unique, as I have been battling an ongoing medical condition from birth. From simply looking at me, you would never notice anything wrong, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t normal internally. I felt as though I had to keep all of my problems to myself, since nobody knew I had them unless I told them. In the first grade, I started going to the RMHC in Cincinnati. This gave me a sense of belonging, as I met kids exactly like me for the first time ever. I quickly learned that the adversity I faced was something I was not going through alone, and that I did belong somewhere. The Ronald McDonald House is more than just a place for families to stay when their children are receiving medical treatment. It is a place that can make kids feel as though they are not alone. In the Ronald McDonald House, I never feel the need to hide my condition, I feel comfortable and proud to show kids that there are others in the world exactly like them. The moment the RMHC video started playing, I knew I had found my something greater. Growing up, I never knew if I would have a purpose to pursue, as I had a permanent condition that left me unsure about my future. ADPI led me to a realization that I never had before: every second of my life was handmade for a reason.

I will forever be in debt to ADPI, as it opened my eyes to what I was once blinded by. Being in ADPI offers support from women who come together to help a greater cause, which happens to be the organization that has made my life what it is today. As a chapter, we are given the amazing opportunity to provide meals and raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. From my personal experiences, I have been given the opportunity to see how these selfless acts from Alpha Delta Pi impact and assist thousands of families across the country. Gifting families’ support and creating an environment that allows children to feel normal is truly a blessing from the Lord, as I would not be in the position I am today without it. Epsilon Pi has shown me how God plans your life in unknown ways, but it is ultimately for a greater reason. If you would have told me as a child the things I have accomplished and experienced now, I wouldn’t believe it. God gave me an opportunity through ADPI to find something greater than myself, and for that, I am forever grateful.

With Love, Emily Popp AC ‘22