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Why Lily7 Exists We care about you by Nikki Rutz It's a simple question, really. I hear it all the time. Usually, it's a question posed from people who are just finding out about Lily7 and curious to know more about what it is and why those of us serving in it care about it. So I've wondered if maybe it's time for me to answer that question for those of you who have also wondered but never actually asked. Yes, you may find some answers in the "FAQ" section of www.lily7.com, but the truth is — the answer to the question "Why does Lily7 exist?" has to be answered on a more personal level. And since I envision this as a conversation over a good 'ole cup of Joe, I encourage you to grab a cup of coffee and read on ... I suppose that if you asked each team member of Lily7 this question, you might find a variety of responses. Given the diverse personalities and talents that comprise our Lily7 staff, you might hear answers that gear more to that individual's role that they play in Lily7 (e.g., "I'm serving here because I want students to know they have a resource," "I'm serving in Lily7 because I've always wanted someone I could go to for advice on ______," "I'm serving here because there is much beauty to be found in our world and I want college students to sense that," etc.). All of these (and more, no doubt) are good reasons for serving in Lily7. But I am confident of one thing — the underlying reason for Lily7 remains the same for all of us: we care about college students. More specifically, we care about college women who are out there investigating their life, their faith, and their purpose here on earth. We care about you — the person taking the time to read through and interact with the Lily7 website. We know you're there (thank you for your e-mails and comments, by the way — they encourage us to keep moving forward), and we know a little of what you are facing in this time of life. We've been there. We get it. And we wish we'd had someone (a "big sister" figure) when we were in college to help us figure it out too. So that is why we are here — every last one of us. We simply long to let you know we care, hear your hearts, and encourage you on as you are figuring it out. And hopefully, from time to time, we're sharing something that helps you figure it out and truly makes a difference. Recently, I met a student for coffee (see why I mention coffee in first paragraph!) and we were discussing her life. She had several things she wanted to get my take on — possibly changing her major, a friend who had hurt her feelings, an argument that had taken place with one of her parents, and her latest "dating woes" (among other topics). We talked through these areas and asked ourselves how God was viewing her life ... how He was using each area to mold her ... what His take on these particular scenarios would be. At the end of our discussion, she turned to me and thanked me for being a "big sister" and for reminding her to view her life from a Biblical perspective. She said that she was thankful to have that "big sister" approach to her life and that she knew some of her friends were longing for that as well. As we parted ways, her ending comments echoed in my mind. You see, I guess I was like her friends ... wishing that I had someone who could give me that "big sister" perspective in life and point me to Christ in each of life's challenges. I didn't have that in college. Most people on our staff would admit that they didn't either. So ... Lily7 was formed. Lily7 exists because we love the college-aged woman who is out there figuring it out. And we're just here saying "we know, we understand ... and we want to encourage you that God is moving and has a purpose for your life." Lily7 exists, simply put, because we care about you.