The Lily Letters

Ending January 1, 2014, the Sigma Alpha Omega, Christian Sorority Inc. Facebook Page is looking for your tackiest Christmas sweater photos. Post yours to our page for a chance to win a Sigma Alpha Omega t-shirt mailed to your home! Sisters and non-sisters may participate. Limit one entry per person. Any profanity, nudity, or alcohol will be automatic grounds for disqualification. Have fun, everyone!

Christmas is everywhere, but for those who call themselves Christians, we know that that doesn't necessarily mean that the celebration of Christ's birth is everywhere. Last year,  I remember watching an interview with one of my favorite SNL alums, Amy Poehler, on Ellen .  She was sharing that her daughter had a lot of questions about the story of Christmas. I realized I had incorrectly assumed she meant the story of the nativity, as she began discussing how her daughter responded to hearing about Santa and the North Pole. Ah, the legend of Christmas...not the real story. A lot of people celebrate Christmas who are not necessarily Christians. After all, most Christians celebrate Santa, too. Adversely, if a person celebrates Christ's birth, recognizing Jesus was a good guy and role model, that also doesn't mean they are a Christian either. For those who have called themselves "Christian" for quite some time, it can actually become difficult to define what a ...

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A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future. - Coco Chanel C hannel No. 5. That's right. Channel the number five. It's a whole hand of fingers. It's half of ten. It's how many new chapters of SAO this Fall. Congratulations to Alpha Lambda (Radford University), Alpha Mu (Virginia Tech), Alpha Nu (Lindsey Wilson College), Alpha Xi (Campbell University), and Alpha Omicron (Clemson University)! As each of you work towards laying the foundation, precedence, and legacy for your chapter, remember the words of Coco: "A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future." Wait...why? MARK 14:3-9 (NIV): Jesus was in Bethany. He was at the table in the home of a man named Simon, who had a skin disease. A woman came with a special sealed jar of very expensive perfume. It was made out of pure nard. She broke the jar open and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head.   Some of the people there became angry. They said to one another, “Why waste this perfum...

Give back this Christmas by preparing a OCC shoebox for a child in need across the World. Drop off centers are likely located at your local church this November/December.

 --From SAO Alumna Brett Wilson's Blog, A Man Worth Writing For . When the leaves fell from colors in the sky to colors on the ground, three years ago, I realized that life would always be different from outside of the collegiate Christian community. See, just a few months before, my girlfriends and I whipped the Barney-purple graduation caps (mortar boards for those who are interested) into the air. We were a streamline of celebration: complete in adulthood. All grown up, all set and all-knowing. But the zeal toward life, particularly life as a Christ-follower, began to simmer as soon as our diplomas were hung on the walls of our childhood homes and graduation checks stopped coming in congratulatory pieces of mail. And a few of us were convinced that the pictures in our graduation albums wouldn't have been littered with such dazzling, hopeful smiles if we knew what was going to happen just a few months later... We soon realized that college was what the wor...

70 x 7 = 490. Literally speaking. But we all know that's not what Christ meant here: "Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”   Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." - Matthew 18:21-22 In comparison, that is, for us to forgive our sister and then for God to forgive us, God shows way more in "amount" of forgiveness. He is so much greater and forgave so much more of our iniquity. Who are we then as His people to deny forgiveness?  Why is it that we as Christians still find it so hard to forgive? Is it because we hold each other to a higher standard that we forget that we are destined to fail now and then? Is it because we want to forgive but expect reciprocation on the other end until we feel it's truly done and over? I've been trained in the Art of the Grudge by many women in my life. Don't get me wr...

(sung to the tune of "22" by Taylor Swift) "I don't know about you, but I'm feeling like I'm walking through gluuuue!" It is October and I already feel like this year has taken its toll. But, I have good news! While we may feel drained completely, we have an infinite supply of Living Water in our God! We are all thirsty--whether spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, the list goes on--and people in our lives continue to disappoint. We even disappoint ourselves! Yet Jesus Christ is the sustenance we need to endure this world's hardships. Jesus invites us to follow Him, and while we are sure to find even more obstacles as His flock, we can be confident that we will be sustained, for Jesus promised, "Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14, NIV). As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects t...

Our Gamma Chapter at Elon University excels at their latest video!  Way to go, Sister Phoenixes!

...that Sigma Alpha Omega has a specified webpage through our philanthropy partner, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance? Check it out: http://www.ovariancancer.org/sao/ ...that September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month? ...that there is NO gynecological test for Ovarian Cancer? ...that Ovarian Cancer is no longer a silent killer? Know the symptoms !

A sorority staple, Lilly Pulitzer has created fun, chic, and bright patterns for women to wear since the 1960s. Having launched sorority-specific patterns, Lilly Pulitzer opens up voting for more prints. While our numbers are humble and not even close to other sororities, it might still be fun to put our name out and about as write-in's as a contender. So, sisters, friends, and family-- get to it! To vote for our own SAO print, launch here: https://www.facebook.com/lillypulitzer/app_450241818426329

Beginning this Fall 2013, Sigma Alpha Omega expands to Campbell University as their FIRST SORORITY ever! What an amazing accomplishment for both the Fighting Camels and us Doves! Go Camels! Campbell University is a co-ed, Baptist university founded in 1887 and located in Buies Creek, NC. Recently, President Claire McAuliffe was informed by a brother of Kappa Sigma Fraternity that Campbell University was beginning Greek Life at the campus, and Kappa Sigma thought because of our Christian purpose, we would be a great fit for CU. Shortly thereafter, communication began between the university and Ms. McAuliffe as well as Ms. Brittany Shifflett, our Expansion Director. This past Wednesday and the previous week's Tuesday, Sigma Alpha Omega came to the Campbell campus after invitation to promote SAO and her purpose. As of today, 47 female students have signed up as interested in being a part of either the Founding or Alpha class. #Praise! Please pray for Campbell University as ...

S igma Alpha Omega's own Allison Blanchard ( Blog | Twitter | Facebook |  Pinterest ) is currently a student at Georgia College and State University, pursuing her bachelor degrees in English Creative Writing and French. Despite she's still in school, Blanchard got started on her dream: becoming a published writer. Check out our interview with her below! When did you decide to write a book? Had you always wanted to be a writer? I was a freshman in high school and it had been only four months after my Dad had died. I was sitting in study hall trying to study for a test I had the next period when this voice (Adeline’s) started talking. I know this sounds completely crazy, but she wouldn’t stop repeating the same line over and over again, like she was waiting for me to pay attention to her. So, I stopped studying and wrote down what she was telling me. I couldn’t stop writing and I suppose the rest is history. I always wanted to write ever since I was eleven. T...

So, we aren't big enough to have our own Lilly Pulitzer print, but that doesn't mean Lilly can't inspire our latest fundraiser ! Share your love of Sigma Alpha Omega with the world by wearing our Lilly Pulitzer-inspired patterned T! The "heart" is our dove hand symbol filled with a custom SAO print featuring phrases of "dove love" with the "L" as teal ribbons for our philanthropy, swirls that on second look just might make up our symbols of the Dove and Lily (of the Valley)! Hearts and crosses also speckle the print, reminding us of the ultimate of our stated ideals: Love through Life in Christ. The colors are inspired by our official colors: Burgundy and Forest Green. It's the perfect gift for your Big or Little after initiation...or just because! All profits will go to Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority, Inc. to help fund the demand for chapter visits, training, and outreach opportunities limited by our dues-only income. C...

Robin Babbini enjoyed French, making her way to Level-3 at her high school. She was co-captain of Relay for Life at University of California at Santa Barbara. She was a Greek sister of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She was an inspirational speaker, bringing out awareness for cancer. And, at the young age of 20, Robin Babbini lost her valiant battle to Ovarian Cancer after three years. Today, her mother Paulinda Babbini honors her daughter through The Ovarian Cancer Circle, a nonprofit she launched in Robin's memory to educate women about and find a cure for this horrendous disease that she knows firsthand has no age boundaries. The Ovarian Cancer Circle puts on events throughout the year to raise awareness and funds for Ovarian Cancer. Though centered out of Los Angeles, TOCC brings Ovarian Cancer to the forefront nationally through its participation in the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. Contact The Ovarian Cancer Circle today in order to spread the word and be...

Hey Sisters (and all our readers the there!), I felt led to share what has been on my heart recently.  Over the summer I find myself reflecting a lot, since I have free time as a teacher with some down time over the summer.  With my recent big purchase of a home and gaining independence, I have had a lot of new tasks that I am not used to like mowing the lawn, changing air filters, cleaning the gutters, paying mortgage, etc.   Some of these new things I was looking forward to, such as my new furniture!  I had no furniture and that made furniture shopping exciting, since I had saved up for this big event!  I made this big purchase back on May 18 and needless to say my excitement has quickly dwindled by the poor customer service I have received, since I am still waiting for some pieces as I write this.  First, one of the drawers on my dresser was damaged, then one of my living room chairs had a broken base/leg, then the legs were wrong on the ottoman,...

15. Tie Dye Tie Dying is inexpensive and fun to do. You can tie-dye in one color to save on money, too. Be sure to put some SAO Greek Letters on it to make it even better! 14. Take a Self-Defense Class Local governments and campuses usually put these on for cheap or free. Plus, you'll learn some ways to stay safe and protect yourself! 13. Clothing Trade So you know all those clothes in your closet that you don't wear anymore but are still good? And those earrings you like but for some reason never make it into your outfit for the day? Have a night where everyone brings their "stuff" so everyone can "trade" items! 12. Messy Games Set up an obstacle course or relay race with a grocery bag at the end that gives directions for something to do. A food relay race is always fun! (Items to include in each bag: baby food, a packet of icing, hot sauce, etc.). 11. Trash the Dress Photo Session Have girls wear old dresses or all one color, like white, and...

Years ago, I met Catherine DuVal when she was an underclassman at James Madison University, trying out for the all-female Christian A Capella group I was in, Into Hymn. Her audition left us with zero questions: her voice was like butter, she could match pitch, and, without question, she loved Jesus Christ! I knew it was backwards--I should have auditioned to be in HER group. This girl was sure to be going places! Since then, I have graduated and so has Catherine, and she's using her pipes to spread the word of Jesus near and far. She launched her dream to becoming a recorded artist and is using a portion of her sales to benefit the International Cooperating Ministries so that they can be equipped to share the Gospel internationally. With her permission, her upbeat, bluegrass-inspired "You Have an Art" was used in the making of our latest Sigma Alpha Omega promo video. You can buy her album In His Image on iTunes or order it from her website: http://catherineduvalof...

Hello sisters and friends! Always on Pinterest? Love Twitter? Can't get enough of Facebook? Interested in Web Design or setting up an awesome Wix? The Ovarian Cancer Connection , centered out of Maumee, Ohio, is looking for some volunteer help with their social media. If you are interested in helping them out, contact their President Gini Steinke. Mention that Sigma Alpha Omega met them at the OCNA conference and passed along their needs to you! Pros: -work from anywhere -make an awesome connection with our philanthropy, Ovarian Cancer Awareness -get a great resume builder -learn along the way! Gini Steinke President ovariancancerconnection@yahoo.com 419-866-6622 Ovarian Cancer Connection P.O. Box 1058 Maumee, Ohio 43537

In 2010, I was blessed to represent Sigma Alpha Omega at Ovarian Cancer National Alliance's annual conference. I had been freshly inducted to the National Board for just over a month, and I trekked in my blue Malibu by my lonesome into the grid of Washington, D.C. I was so excited to meet women that battled this disease and learn more about SAO's philanthropy since 2007, my sophomore year of college, before I was an SAO sister. In 2010, our table was modest. I did my best to bring what I had...t-shirts, SAO stuff, a lily, a mug, b&w brochures, and even put a running video from my chapter back at Alpha Alpha. Every day I dressed with a flare of teal, Ovarian Cancer's awareness color. Today, four years later, at the 16th Annual Conference, our booth has evolved into something better. We have a slideshow, promo items, a banner, "Dove" chocolates, COLOR brochures (woo!)...and it's not just me there, but three National Board representatives and two chapte...

Ok, so she's not an SAO gal, but her name is Lindsey Santmyers and she is trying to raise awareness for Cerebral Palsy, from which she has, and raise money for herself to rejoin her Christian sorority, Sigma Phi Lambda. She hails from my hometown in Richmond, VA and goes to Longwood. She's a sister Christian sorority gal and sister in Christ! Consider buying a shirt today! http://www.teespring.com/cpawareness

Do you ever feel like you're going through a spiritual drought and you just can't connect to God, then all of a sudden a sermon of truth goes into your soul like a cool drink of water? That's what the Gospel is all about, and that's what I felt this past Sunday at my home church. My patience has been running thin lately, and this weekend was that tall glass of water I needed to remember that any doubts I have about an unknown future is placed in the hands of a known God! (concept borrowed from Corrie Ten Boom) Here's the description as written by Fairfax Community Church and the following link to the sermon: "Are you restless in your spirit, with a nagging sense that there must be something more? More to work and family and church? During this series, we will look at the amazing story of Abraham, a very ordinary man who became extraordinary for one pivotal reason: he pursued God in a life of obedient faith, not knowing where that decision would take him. ...

--> Jesus uses the object “mustard seed” five different times in three of the four Gospels: Matthew 13:31: He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.   It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” Matthew 17:20: He said to them, “Because of your little faith.   For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Mark 4:31: “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plant and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in it...