It's Been A While.

Well, it has been quite some time since my last blog post, huh?
There is so much to say, so much to talk about!!

Some of you may or may not know, but I have decided to transfer to Columbia College, (Yes, it's only 2000 feet away from Stephens!). My senior year of high school I had the privilege of working in the LifeSkills room at LSHS, and that was one of the most life changing experiences I have ever had. It was the highlight of my day, everyday. Sure, some days were hard and frustrating, but the rewards were... incredible. To see when students would have good days or even have breakthroughs on something were some of the most inspiring, amazing moments of my life. I love the students in that room, and I do think that some of them love me. I enjoyed spending time with the Paras and teachers, and they were so inspirational to me. It was unbelievably emotional for me to say goodbye to all of them at the end of the year, and I couldn't even contain my tears. I cried giving hugs, I cried saying goodbye, and I cried when I got home after. I knew that it was something that I truly loved and enjoyed, but I had already made up my mind that I was going to go to Stephens for filmmaking.
Over Thanksgiving break last semester, I had really been wondering if film was what I really wanted to do with my life, and I just kept praying to God that He show me a sign of what I was supposed to do. I had planned to go back and see the students in the LifeSkills room, but I was so scared that some of them wouldn't remember me, which was definitely a possibility. When I got there, the students that I had expected to not remember me totally did, and it was so great to hug them again and talk with them and just see smiles! I knew, at that moment, that I wanted to do that for the rest of my life, and I knew that that was the sign I was looking for.
When I came back to Stephens, I decided I was going to start taking education classes here. They offer certification in Elementary and Early Childhood education. I knew that I didn't want to be an elementary school teacher or work in early childhood care, but I figured that was the closest I would get. After talking with professors from SC, Coach Twenter (who is one of the head teachers of the LifeSkills room), a woman who hires for Columbia Public Schools (who actually went to Stephens), my family, my friends, and anyone else I could talk to, I was really sure that Columbia College was going to be the best school for me to go to in order to do what I really wanted.
I began looking into it, but I really wasn't sure if I was ready to transfer to another school. I have now met with some really awesome education professors from CC, I've met with admissions and financial aid, I've toured the campus multiple times, I've met with the XC coach, and I've made some good friends in administration, which has led me to the decision to transfer. They have offered me a complete full ride, and the facilities are AMAZING. The school is so nice and beautiful and all of the professors and coaches have such a passion for what they do, and I was genuinely impressed by EVERYTHING. I literally could not find a SINGLE thing that I did not love about the school. It's perfect for me.

It's been a really hard decision, and it's taken me a long time to come to terms with it, but I can say now that I am so happy about my decision, and I'm very excited to get started on building my future. I couldn't be happier, and I have really felt that God is guiding me in this decision, and I know that I've chosen correctly. I am so excited to see God's plan for me, and I'm so glad that I've finally been able to really come to terms with what God wants for me and what I want for myself. This experience has made me so much closer in my relationship with God; relying on Him, trusting Him, having constant conversations with Him, seeing Him in everything I do and everywhere I go, and just finally being able to accept that God's plan for me isn't always clear, and I am going to have to try different things throughout my life to really see where He is guiding me. It's been a true blessing to go through all of this, even if it was hard and emotional. I am so thankful that my friends and family have been so supportive (I don't know what I would do without you guys!), and I look forward to what is to come!

But first... I have to finish off this year :) It has been so busy and stressful, but I know I'll be okay. After all, one of my favorite sayings is, "When life gets too hard to stand... KNEEL." AMEN.

I hope all is well with everyone, and I hope everyone enjoyed last week's beautiful weather here in Missouri! Not looking so pretty right now (it's snowing :-/  ) but hey, it could definitely be a lot worse!

In the wise words of Ellen Degeneres... Be kind to each other :)