Coffee, Class, and Contemplation...

This is the local Starbucks where they have an idea of who I am.
It is one of my favorite places to go, which is no surprise.
I have already been there three times this semester.

So here we are, it is the first day of the new semester at Covenant College. I have had so many first days of new semesters that I have honestly lost count. The sun is shining and the air is brisk but not so cold that you want to run back to warmer climates. I am settling into the "big room" all on my own. Trying to make the most of the extra space that I now have since I am roommate-less. It is a tough transition to make from living with the life of the party to being in the party room all alone. My door stays open but people seem to pass by more than stop in, but not everyone. Of course we are all working on getting into the stride of the new semester and I am personally working on my tendency to close off some. Currently I have gotten back from supper and am trying to find a way to fill my time before my lab meeting at 8:00 (which is not a time that I would like to be heading back out into the cold night for two hours) in Astronomy. I guess I brought the night lab on myself with that one but it was truly the best option for my lab science requirement this semester. Other than my class this afternoon, Intro to Musical Theater (That is going to be a fun one!), to fulfill the Fine Arts requirement I have not had much to do today. I got coffee with a friend and talked about all the usual things: student teaching, God's calling-like the good CC students that we are- and I'm sure I don't have to detail the other topics that cross the table. I've been making plans and dreaming big for my time that I will have this semester so hopefully at least some of that will work out. It is kind of crazy to think that I only have two more semester of college left. It isn't that long and at the same time it feels like an eternity. So many people tell me to just enjoy the last little bit of school while I can, I understand the wisdom and perspective of this advice. At the same time, I am sure I am not the only college student ever who did not share this view of things. Don't get me wrong here, I know what I have going here is great and I am very happy about a lot of it, however, those people who tell me this is the best time of my life are clearly romanticizing college and have blocked out the hard things. I know all of life will be filled with the mixture of great and not so great, as well as downright horrible, so I'm not saying life will be perfect once I have finished these last two semesters. What I am saying is that I feel pretty ready to move on and see what life will be like past these last two semesters. I am planning to enjoy and soak up the great things that come with being in college, such as not having to be anywhere before 9 in the morning and being able to go grab coffee in the middle of the day with a friend. I will do my best to learn from the classes that I am taking, I am looking forward to most of them in fact, and I will finish out school well.
This is really all I have to say, I will enjoy the experience but I do not think I will lament the end of the experience as much as so many have in the past. That feels valid to me.
For now, that is really all I can think to say but seeing as I have a light schedule this semester I know I will be back soon to write some more. When a topic come to mind!

Welcome to 2013

Christmas has come and gone. The New Year is here to stay. I spent Christmas with my whole wonderful family. We had such a great time of being together and catching up on life. I loved it. Watching Mack open presents was so exciting and spending some one on one time with my sisters was so valuable to me. We went to see Les Miserables, my all time favorite. I cried about four times (this is huge! I don't cry in movies typically). Seriously, go see it.  We played games with all the siblings and spouses. I snuggled my nieces. It was a great three day vacation. Then it was time to come home and I have been busy ever since. I am heading back to the mountain in the morning. I can't say I'm too excited about it but I think I will be when I get back. This semester will certainly be easier academically than the last, but relationally it will be a lot different. Most of my closest friends will be student teaching and my roommate will be gone since she is done now (Yay for her!) It will mean that I will have to be intentional about relationships and making time to see people. I'm not great with that. I should be better considering how many places I have friends from moving all my life but I just get focused on those who are right in front of me and often don't remember to reach out to those who are not, even when I think of them constantly. (So if you are one of my long distance friends, know at least that I do think of you regularly)
Saturday is my 23rd birthday. That is crazy! And like a real adult I will not be sleeping in or doing whatever I want all day, I will be taking my teachers exam for Georgia. Yikes! I have looked at my notes some but not nearly enough, good thing I have a few more days for that. But once the test is done it will be time to go out and celebrate with some of the best girls I know who will also have just survived this exam! It will be much needed by one and all. I can't wait for it to be behind me.
Another area that I need to be more intentional about is daily time in the Word. I have ordered a daily devotional book that Mom recommended to encourage me to spend that daily time, even if it is just for a few minutes. It will at least get me in the right direction I am sure. The book is called "Jesus Calling" and it sounds great to me. I am excited to get it and start in on the readings. (unlike the twelve textbooks that I just ordered-yes, 12!) I can tell that He is calling and I am going to do my best to answer like a faithful bride. Pray for me!