The end of the beginning

Tomorrow is my last day of college. I can remember journaling after my first day of college, I was just 15. Now, 7 years, 3 colleges and 3 majors later, I end my journey! Monday will mark the beginning of my life in the work world. I have my first job. Just a little money, and just a few hours, but a real job none the less. I get to work with people I love, at the place I love most, my church. I am excited to begin this new chapter in my life. Just one more day, and 2 exams until this journey can begin!

19 Days and Counting

What to say. 19 days until graduation. I can hardly believe it's here. I have so many feelings, but primarally I feel relief! My college years have definitely not been my best, though I have learned a lot. I look forward to the future, and have a continued since of anticipation as I close this chapter of my life. My goal is to renew my motivation, reduce my frustration, and eliminate stress these last 19 days.
My classes are going pretty well, I have a solid A in my Political Leadership class, as well as my communicaitons course. I have an A in my Biology class as well, but barely (a 91), so it will require that I do well on the final exam. Law is another story however. I have a Fairly solid B in that class...it's killing me how much work it is, but I'm learning so much that it's almost worth it. If I do get a B in this class, It think I'll be able to say that I earned it, rather than I slacked off and only got a B.
This week will be the week of truth. 3 papers due, as well as keeping up and studying so that I have a firm grasp on the material for my finals.
I am so excited about the future, there's so much to think about, and so much to do. The Lord has shown how He will always provide, and I am excited to see what He does next!!

A Little Rant to Release my Frustrations!

I'm taking a breath. This week has been so stressful! I keep wondering why I decided to tak this Crim Pro class my last quarter...I really think it's taking years off of my life. Never have I worked so hard in one class, and I'm praying to just pass the midterm! Reasonable Suspicion, Credible, Reliable Informant, Kyllo v. US, Expectation of privacy, 4th, 6th, and 14th amendments, right to counsel, fundamental fairness, curtilage of the home, 1983 civil action, so many legal terms bouncing around in my head! It's good to know, helpful in the future. But, it's exhausting to memorize, and remember, and write briefs, and defend 'clients'. I've only begun to understand what I'm doing, and a test is upon us already, a test worth 1/2 my great no less!

I will survive, I'm sure. 37 days from now I'll be walking across a stage accepting my degree, and leaving all of this behind me. I'm sure by then I will look fondly on these times, and say that I even miss them, but right now, I want to be done! I want to see what's ahead and leave this stress behind. I feel as though life is just beginning, and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store!

I was thinking today, you really can make the Bible say whatever you need it to. There was a verse that was troubling me today (well, it still is something I'm pondering), I just didn't think that the wording that was used was actually in the Bible, so I looked it up. Sure enough it was just as I'd heard, so I looked it up in another version, it said basically the same thing, so I went to yet another version. I did this about 5 or 6 times, until I found one that made more sense in my mind. Then it hit me, why did I have this need to make the Bible fit what I thought, why was I having so much trouble accepting what it said? Justifying it? It is what it is, and God said what He said, there's no changing it, I just have to accept it.
I did some research about David and Jonathan's relationship for YA's this weekend, people can make anything prove what they believe. That's what I was doing today, trying to make the Bible fit me, instead of the other way around.

Oh, you can read what I wrote for YA's at www.perceptivepondering.wordpress.com, if you would like, it will make the David and Jonathan comment make more sense.

Today I turned 22 years old. Wow! I don't know why but 22 seems so much older than 21, I actually feel different. I've never really felt different on my birthday, but today I feel older. 22 is the year I graduated from college, it's the year I begin graduate school, they year that I (hopefully) begin my first (paid) job. It's a big year, it's an age that means a lot for me.

Part of me wants to find an exciting job in a different city, working for an amazing church, but most of me knows that I'm already at an amazing church and exactly where the Lord wants me right now. I just have to be patient, He will provide a job, and He will guide me.

Reflection

We are nearing the end of another year, just 7 hours until we enter 2009.
I was reading through an old journal from my early high school years today; reflecting on days past. The people that were in my life have changed so much. I've lost some friends, gained new ones, and grown closer to some old ones. Everything is so different than it used to be. Life was good then, they were by far the most defining years of my life thus far; I became who I am during those 3 years. Sometimes I miss those days, and wish that I could go back and do things differently so that some things would still be the same.
But, as I was uploading pics from last nights get together, I saw just how happy we all were. I took a moment to reflect on, and appreciate the wonderful friends that I have now. Some I wish I saw more often, some I wish I was closer to, but all I love, and if my life hadn't gone just as it did, I wouldn't be friends with most.
I've thought so many times that I messed up, I didn't do it right, but if it hadn't been for those mistakes I proabally wouldn't have the same friends that I have now. The Lord really uses all things together for the good of those who love Him... and I couldn't find better friends if I tried.
So, as 2008 draws to a close, I look back, greatful to have been able to spend it with so many wonderful people, and looking forward to the memories we will have in this New Year!

Does Your Driving Show you're a Christian?

Tonight, on my way home from seeing the amazing Chrissi Culpepper sing at Night Sky, I found myself driving behind my neighbor. It was dark and he couldn't tell who was behind him, but I knew his car. As we went along he zipped down the road, and cut in front of a truck as he turned toward our street; it was startlingly close to distruction.
My first thought was, I wonder if he's a Christian, then I thought, his driving suggests that he's not. You see he lives about 12 doors down for me, and while I pass his house everyday, I've never actually met him, so I don't know. But, I started thinking what does my driving say about me? Does it reflect HIM? I know that sounds a little strange, but we're supposed to reflect Christ in everything we do, so what does everything we do say about us? Others are watching, what kind of Christ are we showing him? In the way that we talk, act, drive, smile, dress, spend our money, our time. It should all be a reflection of Him...