College Life

So far so good.

I'm tired of telling people my name. A big thank you to all of you who know my name. It means a lot to me now. Seriously. Meeting so many new people is exhausting. I'm ready for some real, deep, honest friendships here on campus. I think I was spoiled with that in Waverly. THANKS guys...

Wheaton is a great place. I'm so glad God put it in my path. I'm so thankful for what He's doing in my life and I'm excited about it! I'm tired of orientation and for once in my life I'm actually excited for class to start. I miss so many people but I'm enjoying branching out. It's very different here. I feel like I'm in way over my head at times but I keep reminding myself that God brought me here and He will sustain me. This is pretty scattered but that's alright. I love my bed. It's so cozy and soft! The only problem is my sheets. I didn't wash them before I put them on and they smell like chemicals. It will be hard to change them b/c I lofted my bed REALLY high. So for now they'll stay. 

Today Mason and I had our first week of 'church shopping.' It was interesting... We went to a church that is right next to campus and is easy to get to. It's called College Church but it's not affiliated with the school. It was very formal and traditional. The sermon was great and the choir was amazing but it didn't feel like a place I'd ever be able to really connect with the people. For me, it wasn't a place I could really seek God. It was a wonderful church and I know it's exactly what some people need but it just wasn't for me. I really enjoyed seeing the way other people approach God. It was very far from the way I approach Him and was eye opening in many ways. I can't wait to try another place next week! 

I'm learning a lot.

"There's a loosey-goosey feeling to the future now, both a slight edge of anxiety, like anything can happen, and a slight bubble of hope and freedom that, well, anything can happen."
-Shauna Niequist

fan the flame, make my spirit whole

Today I cleaned off my bookshelf today and decided what to take with me to Wheaton. I came across a book I was given right after my freshman year.  It made me so angry. That was a time in my life when I was trying to collect all the pieces. I was trying to get everything together so I could live again. I was free and I was trying to find myself. And then he goes and gives me this lovely little book that made me just as mad at the time as it does now. For some reason, I've held on to it for over three years but today is different. Today I wanted to launch it off the nearest cliff. I am beyond done with that stage. I am so far some that time. I do not need that nauseating reminder sitting in my room. So I decided to burn it. And even though it may seem silly to some, it released me. I finally let MYSELF off the hook for that part of who I used to be. He won't know or care that I destroyed this little momento and probably won't ever know how I've changed or who I am now, but I don't care because this was for me. I'm not hiding anymore. I show the world who I am every day. I am not who you want me to be anymore. I am who I was made to be.

Pilgrim

Grandma & I by the Ohio River after breakfast.

This house is beautiful

I get my road rage from my Grandpa =)

I'm not sure how to rotate this but this is my gpa @ his college, West Virginia Wesleyan.

I wish I knew how to rotate this one. They're sweet.

I'm really enjoying the pilgrimage. It's interesting to see how much you can learn about people when you see where they grew up. I've seen places where my grandparent's lives have unfolded. Where they were born, where they met, where they lived when my mom was born... These are the places they have experienced life. It's just intriguing. I feel so much closer to them because I've seen these places. I know where they came from. I want to know this much about all of the important people in my life. It explains so much. It's awesome to take time to notice the intricate way God weaves our life stories together. Because two people were born out country roads in West Virginia and met in a diner I am here today. Because of their choices I live in Ohio and am who I am. God has been directing my path since waaaaaaay before I was born. It's a new perspective and I'm enjoying it.

I miss you all. See ya soon =)