College Life

I cannot believe that I have now successfully finished my college education.  These last four years seem to have flown by.  Looking back over my last four years of college there are so many lessons that I have learned.  I entered into my freshman years of college with my life completely planned out. As a 18 year old, I could have written a timeline of my life...I knew who I was going to marry, when I would marry, what I would be doing, and where I would be living. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.  My plans were all good, however I never imagined that perhaps God had different plans for me. 

Freshman Year 2008-2009

College World Series

My freshman year several of my friends and I acted out a play of the life of Jim Elliot.  We then were able to preform for a group of teenagers during our annual Empowered Youth Conference.

My first of four Christmas Lights Activities.  Enjoying my time in Chicago with some new friends

I was also able to spend the first semester of my freshman year along side of my big sister and her girlfriends.  I had so much fun tagging along with her.

Bowling and dinner trips with friends

My sophomore year was much of the same.  I spent much of my time with new friends, still wrapped up in My dreams and My plans.  However, at the end of my sophomore year it was as if God stripped away all my plans. I did not understand why.  And at times I wondered what God was doing in my life.  Why would God take away all that I held dear?  I became angry...

 Sophmore Year 2009- 2010

College Fun

Liz and I

My junior year I spent trying to fill my void.  I finally accepted that God had taken away all my plans and I realized it was for the best.  However, instead of learning to rely fully upon God I began to develop new plans.  I talked to my boss at my job and planned out my future with her.  Together we planned my schedule for the next two years of college  We then discussed how I would take a full time position the day after I graduated from college.  

I once again made new friends, however my hands were still tightly around my own plans...I was holding onto my life and simply wouldn't let go. 

Junior Year 2010-2011

Watching a flag football game.

Annual Christmas Lights Activity

 Girls Dorm Christmas Party

My junior year I even attempted sewing a bit.  Honestly, haven't sat at a sewing machine since then :)

My Senior year brought so many changes into my life.  My first semester I was simply BUSY!!! I student taught 7th and 8th grade American Republic as well as 12th grade Public Speech.  At the beginning of this semester my family and I made a move to a beautiful new home.  I was always working, preparing for classes, grading papers, and unpacking!

Senior Year 2011

 My final Christmas Light Activity

My last day teaching my 7th and 8th grade History students

As I look back over my last semester of college something changed in side of me.

Toward the end of the year I began to have several difficulties arise.  I had no where to turn to, so finally I was forced to take a moment from my busy life and look upward.  

I began to have many difficulties at work, I was lied about by a fellow coworker.  I then watched as my hours at work began to dwindle down to nothing.  I began to worry and fret about what I would do after graduation.  My life was not going according to my plans.  I went to my boss and asked about what would happen after graduation, she told me I may not get those promised 40 hours a week.  I was so frustrated! And at some point I began to doubt everything.  I doubted the love of God.  I could not understand why a loving God could not grant me MY desire.

Then through a series of events I learned a simply yet life changing truth.  God Loves Me,God loves me  sooo much.  He loves me more than I can ever comprehend.  When I recalled that truth, my entire mindset changed...I realized that God wasn't out to make my life miserable, instead He had something far better in mind for me.  

I remember the day I finally let go of it all. I went through all my dreams and gave them all over to God.  I remember verbally telling God that He now had everything, I was completely done planning my life out , it was now completely up to Him.

Since that day, I no longer fear my future...why should I?  My future is not only in the hands of a all knowing and all powerful God but also in the hands of a Loving God.  A God who wants only the very best for me.

"God would never take something away from me without the intention of replacing it with something better"

These last few months have been filled with some pain.  At times I cried out to God and asked Him what He was doing in my life.  At time I still question God.  However, the moment I let go of my plans God showed Himself to me.

God granted me with an great new job- a job that has provided me with 40+ hours a week.

God removed some friends from my life however He has replaced them with amazing friends that share the same mind with me and only desire to lift me higher.

At times, I sit quietly in my room and wonder...what does my future hold?  However, now..I do not fear my future...because it is no longer in my hands, rather a God who loves me with immeasurable love is planning my life out.  Therefore, I can rest assure, that as long as I leave my life in His hands...my future will be bright.

Senior Year 2012

Navy Pier

My last activity ever: Turkey Run State Park.

I thoroughly enjoyed being able to spend my last year with my little sister, Lauren

Hiking some rather intense trails...

May 17, 2012: College Graduation

As for God....His way is Perfect!

I am so excited to see what God has in store for me 

Seven down one to go

Last week I officially completed my student teaching.  I was filled with mixed emotions as I stood before my students for the last time.  

I can not believe I have successfully completed seven semesters of college now, and only have one more semester to go.  

I am excited as to what the future holds; as for God His way is perfect!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Beginning with Thanksgiving, we entered into what I like to call the most wonderful time of the year.

I love everything about the Christmas season.  I love the hustle and bustle the holiday season brings.  I love the smiles on every one's faces. I love the winter chill in the air.  I love boots, scarfs, and puffy vests.  The Christmas season also brings many holiday traditions.  One of which include the infamous Christmas Lights Activity.

This activity begins with all college students loading up on several buses and taking a trip to Chicago. From there, we simply split up and go and do as we desire.  This year was my final Christmas Lights Activity so I decided to make it my best.  

We began the evening by going to Ed Debevics. If you have never eaten at this "interesting" place..it is most definitely a must try.  Yes, the food is good....but the service is the best.  All I can say is a table of nine girls made for a lot of fun! 

Our waiter, whose entire purpose and job was to aggravate, provoke, and annoy each and everyone of us, definitely succeeded and was tipped well. 

After dinner, we walked around window shopping in the Windy City.

 We made our last stop at Starbucks.  After all, a trip to Chicago would never be complete without a stop at one of the hundreds of Starbucks in Chicago.  Honestly, I am not a huge coffee fan.  However, a vanilla bean frappuccino...that's a different story.

This Christmas Lights Activity was definitely an activity to remember, one of the best yet!

Busy Busy Busy

This semester seemes to be flying quickly by. So quickly in fact that I have hardly had time to blog much at all. So, I thought I would do a quick update of few things that have been going on in my life the past couple months.  

 First of all in September, I began student teaching.  I absolutely love it! Something about finally being able to stand behind the podium and tell people what to do. :) I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching my 7th and 8th grade American Republic class and my 12th grade Speech class.  I will be sad to leave them in just a few short weeks. 

College life in general has kept me on my toes as well. In October the college had an activity in which we went on a hayride. It was alot of fun to simply be with my college buddies:

 One of my biggest highlights of the past month, was my trip to Michigan.  This was a trip my girlfriends I have been wanting to take for some time.  And finally we were able to make the trip out to visit our friend, Susan.  We had so much fun catching up with each other.  We have all been friends since the times we were babies, we have so much in common, and it was a blessing and joy to all talk about where our lives were all taking us.

We had such a good time together!

Now, i promise to write before 2012. :)