New Year

So in about 20 minutes I'm going to be heading off to my first class of the school year... I can hardly believe it. 4 months of summer, and 4 months of waiting for it all to start again, and it's finally here.

This weekend two good friends that graduated in May came up to visit/surprise us. It was really good to see them. When they left yesterday, it hit me for the first time that they're not going to be around this year. At first I was really sad. I hate gooodbyes a lot... I hate the idea of not knowing when you're going to see a person again, and I don't like the idea of not seeing them on a regular basis... random visits in the dorm... in the music building... bible study... Real Life on Thursday nights... movie nights on Fridays... church on Saturday nights... etc.

I realized that this year is going to be a lot different than ones in years past. My junior year in high school is when I had this feeling - this feeling of being older and for things to be different. Only this time, I am excited for the change. I'm excited to see God work. Although I have to admit that it is a little bit scary, and I don't really know what I'm doing... I know that ultimately, God is going to be standing here right by my side, and through Him I can do anything because He gives me strength. All of the unknowns about the future, and all the apprehensiveness of being bold and living foolishly for Him... I know that He has it all. His sovereignty is so great that I don't even have to worry about everything, because I know that my loving father has everything under control, and nothing... not anything is ever too much or too big for my God to handle.

So, it's going to be a different year. Different, but good. I'm going to miss them, and seeing some of the people that I've seen here since I walked on to campus for the first time two years ago. But I am so excited to reach out to these new freshman. I'm excited to show them that there is a Hope far beyond this world that will always give them rest, and will fulfill their hearts more than anything ever could. I'm determined and motivated to shine for Jesus and to show them Jesus so that their first year here will be amazing.

There are 40 freshman on my floor this year. God is so good.

Here's to another year... here's to new beginnings and steps of faith.