I can’t believe it’s December and I am just getting around to this. Guess that just means there will be a lot more to share. This semester has had both challenges along with incredible memories.
Being an RA has been the best part of my senior year. I love every moment of it and I am blessed with an incredible building of girls. I’ve loved the opportunity I’ve had to get to know each of them and to hear their stories. It’s been so encouraging to sit down and talk to one of them and realize that we are experiencing similar situations. Every day the Lord finds a way to put a smile on my face and most of those days that happens either in my building or when I see my girls on campus. They are so full of joy and that just spills out to those around them. I am so thankful for the friendships I have been able to build and for the opportunity God has given me to be a part of their lives. They have blessed me in more ways then I could ever begin to explain.
I’ve had so much fun planning building parties for my girls and thought it might be fun to share a few. We started off the year with a raw cookie dough party (no eggs) and I had a bunch of mix ins so they just ate it by the spoonful. Kind of like ice cream sundaes! The next month we had a photo booth, where we set up fall décor and gathered props. I also had a bonfire and campout party, only a few of us ended up camping outside! Those are just a few, but I love planning events and it has been a huge factor when it comes to building community in my building.
Toward the beginning of the year, before life got extremely busy I took a tubing trip down the Kankakee river with Melinda. One thing about Melinda is that she is so full of adventure and never afraid to try something, get dirty, or embarrass herself. It’s a great way to live life. I’ve been grateful the past four years to have her as a friend. She often challenges and encourages me to do things that I wouldn’t normally do- Adds some adventure to my life! Melinda is graduating a semester early so she won't be on campus next semester. I'm not sure I will ever be ready for that, it's going to be a lot different without her. I am so thankful for the blessing she has been in my life.
While it was still nice outside me and a couple of friends spent the day at the state park enjoying the river and the beautiful scenery while we sat and caught up on our summers and just enjoyed hanging out. This was one of my favorite days of our fall semester. It is so rare that we have time for that, but definitely worth making time for.
This semester included a few road trips, YOLO, it’s senior year! In October I went to Joplin for a long weekend, got to catch up with friends there and talk about the possibilities of the next season of life. The other road trip was with my roomies. We drove down to Memphis to watch my sister in The Nutcracker. While it was a short trip, it was a blast! I hadn’t seen my sister since the 4 days in August we were both home, so it was nice to see her.
12-12-12 marked a historical day on our campus. Our HUGE new Rec Center opened! They cut the ribbon and opened the doors of it at 12:12 AM on December 12! Since it opened I have spent multiple hours in it each day! I’ve already played basketball, worked out in the fitness center, ran the track, swam laps, enjoyed the lazy river, sat in the hot tub, played 4 person air hockey. This building opens up so many more opportunities on campus and will really change life on our campus. My goal before graduation is to try out the rock wall! We’ll see how that goes. I could seriously live in that building.
I'm going to Cuba! Earlier this fall I decided that I wanted to go on another MIA trip over spring break. I am going with the team to Cuba- March 2-10. The focus of this trip is relational ministry, we will do a few service projects but our main focus is sharing Jesus with the people there. We had our first team meeting last week and I am just excited to see how the Lord is going to use our group to share the gospel with the Cuban people.
One of the things I have been learning this year is how to balance life. Relationships are so important to me and there have been times throughout the semester when I have lost focus on my other responsibilities because I care so much about people. I have been learning what true compassion looks like and have been challenged throughout this semester to be more like Jesus when it comes to showing compassion to others. This isn’t easy by any means and I have not yet figured it out, but am working on it. I’ve also learned that trying to plan things out or orchestrate situations doesn’t work. I’ve definitely learned that the hard way and am still trying to figure out how to completely depend on the Lord to work in my life as I continue to seek after him. This semester has been a roller coaster of ups and downs, but through it the Lord remains faithful. Yesterday in church we were singing the song "One Thing Remains" and that just speaks so much truth.
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains
One thing remains
Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me
On and one and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid
One thing remains
In death and in life I'm confident and covered by the power of your great love
My debt is paid there's nothing that can separate my heart from your great love
What’s next? Well, one semester of school is all I know for right now. After that I have no idea. I have places where I think I want to be, but it changes day to day. A lot of prayer is what is next. As a senior everyone wants to know what your plans are and so it’s a constant battle to remain content with not knowing for now. And no, I won’t be getting married straight out of college that seems to be the burning question at our school. I have no plans as of right now and am free to go wherever the Lord takes me. This is both a blessing and a challenge. God is good and God is in control.
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