Reflections.

Well, I'm down to my last week here in Georgia. I clearly remember sitting in Katie's bed blogging about how I "only" had 4 weeks of school left and couldn't believe it was ending so soon....imagine how I feel now. Literally 3 school days left and I'm done with my education aside from classes in my future to keep current. I don't think it's REALLY hit me yet, but I'm starting to realize that the people I've seen everyday for 7 months won't be by my side..the teachers who have made me fall in love with hair won't be there to answer my questions, and I won't have 75 degree weather in February EVER back in Indiana. I won't be able to come home to sweet little Beckham, see Katie or Austin whenever I want, and just be completely independent...but I've never been so ready to go home. Ready to see my family all the time..spend late nights with momma and laugh with daddy, have countless girls nights, spend time with Lukie and start my career. Not too stoked about the weather but it's exciting nonetheless. I seriously never thought I would want to move BACK to Crawfordsville. Gosh, it all just blows my mind to think about. Even crazier to think of all the people I want to see that I haven't been able to see when I was home on vacation for almost 8 months. I guess I'm just ready to go back to my roots.

I look back at all the directions my life could've gone. Where would I be had I joined a sorority and stayed a Criminology major at ISU? Had I stayed in Avon and tried to finish cosmo at Regency? It's unbelieveable to look back and realize everything, good and bad, that has happened in the 3 years since I've been out of high school has gotten me here. Gotten me to Georgia and now heading back home. How if anyone would've asked me a year ago where I would be in February 2011, the last thing I would've said is finishing my education at Paul Mitchell the school Atlanta. What a journey it's been and it's amazing to look back and thank God for each step of the way.

I think the thing I am most thankful for recently is how much I have grown in my walk with Christ. How I have learned to effortlessly allow the peace of God to come into my life. How I know who I am and how I want to be. How I crave church and scripture and how thankful I am for everything in my life. How I am able to look back on the trials of my life, expecially the ones I've had here in Georgia and almost chuckle at why they stressed me out so badly. How I've learned to have confidence in my Savior's plan and will for my life. How I've not let little things get me down like they used to. How I need to be soo grateful every single day for Jesus's sacrifice for us. How just when I think I know what and who's right for my life, God changes that, and I'm okay with it. And how MUCH He loves me despite my sinful-natured heart.

I couldn't have asked for a more amazing 7 months here. I wouldn't have changed a thing. Not in the first week and not in this past week. It's all got me where I need to be. I really should start packing though..procrastionation really should be my middle name. Tuesday graduation and then daddy, momma, and Makinze are coming next Friday to pick me up and I absolutely can't wait. I would give ANYTHING for Brennan to be able to be here but I know things are getting better and better for him day by day. I pass a Marines billboard everyday on my way to school and it's such a sweet reminder of how thankful I am for his willingness to serve. It takes a really special person to complete the training he's doing and fight for our freedoms and you better believe there's no prouder big sister out there. So say a little prayer for him as he's mentally and physically WORN OUT by now. I just LOVE him so much and can't wait until May 15 to give him the biggest hug of his life. I miss him so badly it hurts. Semper Fi! "Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle." - Psalm 144:1

Off to finish American Idol and pack my lunch for school tomorrow..one of my last days!! Yikes! So many exciting things going on in my future..moving home, spring break cruise, Lil Wayne concert, my business..the list goes on and on. Thank you JESUS for all the blessings you've given me and my family. "For we live by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7

"Look back and thank God. Look forward and trust God. Look around and serve God. Look within and find God. He closes doors no man can open and opens doors no man can close."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=memsP8-k5Ew