“Today we celebrate Meghan’s birthday, a day I’m sure is filled with varying emotions for family and friends. I wanted to write a letter to express my condolences as well as continued gratuity for this opportunity.

Although I didn’t have the privilege to know Meghan, I am confident she would be quick to listen and talk about the similar experiences we now share. Today marks five weeks of living in Vienna, and, similar to Meghan, I feel as though this semester has already changed my life.

Each time I call to update my family and friends about my life in Europe, I find myself summarizing each week with the phrase, “I’ve encountered really high, highs and really low, lows. But, through it all, I have seen the Lord’s goodness.” I imagine Meghan sharing stories with y’all each week, as I do with my own family. I still can’t believe I am living in Vienna, Austria while taking classes a few days a week and traveling across Europe on the weekends with my best friends. How is this real life? With that, I’m sure Meghan also shared the overwhelming aspects of a semester abroad (schoolwork, trip planning, time management, homesickness, etc.). However, through it all, I know the Lord has been right by my side, just as he was with Meghan.

Specifically, in Budapest, I experienced God’s provision in an unexpected situation. In Salzburg, I embraced the delight of the Lord when I biked through the hillsides. In Hallstatt, I witnessed the splendor of Yahweh as I stood in awe of His creation at the top of a hike. In Krakow, I noted that God is unchanging, despite the ever-changing societies. In Auschwitz, I was reminded that the Lord is victorious over every scheme of the enemy. And, in Vienna, I’ve continually seen the Lord’s kindness through the relationships I’ve made.

To add, I’ve increased my sense of self-confidence, independence, as well as decisiveness throughout my time in Europe thus far. Although I would’ve considered myself to be self-sufficient prior to this trip, the situations I’ve encountered within the past month have only developed such skills. From differing languages to foreign cultures, I am being surrounded each day with unfamiliar ideas, just as Meghan was. However, such unfamiliarity is becoming familiar. Ultimately, I am realizing the world is much bigger than I thought. There’s so many people to meet, places to visit, and things to experience. Yet, I’m not that different from the lady that sat across from me on the Ubahn yesterday, or the student I passed on the street today. We both have tasks to complete, problems to solve, and people to love. While the world is seemingly growing larger, the gap between humanity appears to be shrinking.

Lipscomb University’s Study Abroad Program has truly changed my life. Words can’t express how thankful I am for this opportunity as well as receiving The Meghan’s Smile Scholarship. Your family’s decision to redeem such a devastating event has not and will never be taken for granted. I genuinely couldn’t have experienced this pivotal season in my life without the Day family’s generosity. I plan to continue exploring cities across Europe for the remainder of this semester, all while intentionally remembering Meghan. And, with every memory I will re-tell in the years to come, your daughter’s legacy will always be acknowledged.

Thank you again,

”