Life Changing (literally)

I am experiencing a multitude of changes in my life. To name a few, I am now a Mount Vernon Nazarene University alumnus, I am a part of the Mac apple family once again, and I am finally reading a leisure book of my choice!

For starters, graduating from MVNU was something I never saw coming. Along the way there were a few financial scares and I doubted God’s ability to see me and my family through. He did, and now I have my Bachelor’s of Science degree. Cool beans. *barista/coffee lover pun

*(p.s. I have grown to be a quibbler since I have last posted on a blog).

I would say that I have now had a decent amount of time to reflect on all that college was for me. In the little that I know about myself, I do know that I am such a deep reflector and because of that I will most likely reflect on my MVNU experience for the rest of my life. Unlike many of my peers, leaving high school was not all that difficult for me. It was life-taking in my opinion, and I was ready for life-giving friendships and opportunities to come my way. MVNU was all of that and so much more. Since my four years of undergrad were absolutely amazing, I struggled with how “goodbyes” were suppose to work. I am not a fan of clichés, and therefore, the whole “see you later” thing does not really work for me either. I know, I know…I am overly sensitive and difficult.

Regardless of what these “goodbyes” would look like, I knew there would be tears (and if you know me, you would probably say Amen right now). Sure graduating was an emotional time, but what I have missed most is the opportunity to live with my friends. Those fours years are years that I will never get back and I sure am glad that I am an avid journal. writer. Filling pages with memories of countless conversations over coffee, late night adventures, silly videos with my roomie, and life-changing experiences being Jesus to the community. I was angry at God for allowing this season to end. I am simply being honest. How was I supposed to invest four years of devotion into these relationships only to say goodbye? How could God continue His work there without me? Where is He going to use me now? …and the questions continue…

However, what I rest in now is that those four years were always meant to be a season, but the impact of what took place during those four years is the part that is life-long. I am confident that I have been changed and I could not be more thankful for all the friends I have made, the dance ministry the Lord birthed through me, the opportunities for outreach, the professors that poured their hearts into me, my counselor for always knowing what to say, my roommate for being the best example of a listener and sister that I know, for my local Mt. Vernon church family, those who have loved me and supported me from afar, and everything else that did not immediately come to mind.

I came to MVNU knowing that God would do something great, and now I leave MVNU having seen those great things come to fruition. Wow. He is so good.

For the summer, I am fulfilling a position that I have never had before: full-time babysitter! I have now just completed my first week with my little cousin and there were both challenges and blessings. I am actively choosing to even see the challenges as the blessings (which is new for me). Already, this little one has taught me how to be patient, confident, and childlike. I know that this is only the beginning to many more lessons the Lord has for me. While finishing up my undergrad, I was already in prayer for these very moments of learning. My heart came into this position ready and willing to be challenged, and I never want to lose that characteristic about me.

Come end of August, I will be heading off to graduate school in Pittsburgh, PA to pursue my Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree! Talk about big moves. If I thought the “real world” was undergrad, I can only imagine what I have coming up next. I sure am excited, though! This summer will involve much planning and prepping for this next season of life, but as I do so, I am choosing to be extremely careful about being present where I am now. Yes, gradschool in Pittsburgh, a new and exciting big city will come, but what about now? God has a vast amount He wants to show me, tell me, and do through me now, and I have never been so ready.

Lastly, (at least for this update post) I have set some personal short term goals for the summer and one that includes reading more books. This is the first summer in over eight years where I have not had some school assignment for summer and I am absolutely loving it. Reading was never my forte, but I want it to be.

Nonetheless, a friend recommended a book to me that is technically intended for marriages, but I thought, “Hey, surely God can use this book, in the midst of my singleness, to help me prepare for the husband He has set apart for me,” The book is called “Love and Respect” by Emerson Eggerich. Now, I have never been the one to put my status out there like that, but this book has already given me a type of boldness to not be afraid or ashamed to share where I am currently struggling. The truth is I do not like being single, but I am being reminded that there is a purpose in it.

So, my goals for the summer?

1. finish reading “Love and Respect”

2. grow closer to God

3. learn to cook yummy foods

4. seek out the beauty in why God has created me the way He has (i.e. super emotional, passionate, analytical) and become confident in that

5. drink a ton of coffee and spend time with loved ones

Those are just a few, but I figured I would start out small and share more in next week’s blog! If you have read this entire post, kudos to you because I sure do talk a bunch.

Peace.