The End of Year Number Five.

Well, here I am.  Last week of classes of my official fifth year of college.  You'd think I would be done--but not exactly.  I still have four required classes--one offered in the fall, two offered in the winter, and one offered in the spring.  Gee, thanks for making graduation so attainable, college of ed.  All this means I can't student teach until Fall of 2011... the year my youngest sister starts college. Ouch.

The first time I discovered this little snafoo in my life plan, I was really upset.  But, really, it was only because the majority of the time I find my significance in my performance and what other people think of me, instead of the Lord.  As soon as I found a way to get over that, I got over myself. I've come to the conclusion that God really is up there, and is in serious control of my life.  In fact, I don't have any say in any of it.  Doesn't matter if I do what I think I need to--I actually have no right to demand that God do anything for me.

Oops. Gotta love it when He unveils serious sin in your life.

• Jeremiah 29:11 sums this up quite perfectly: ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

I mean, you'd think after some 10 odd years of being a Christian, I'd begin to believe what the Bible has to say.  :) Thankfully, he's always working on my heart.

• Isaiah 54:10: "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed" says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

So after realizing what I've actually been putting myself through, I decided to make a list of all the great reasons why I'm supposed to be an undergrad for another year. Please enjoy. :) Let me know if you'd like to tackle any of these things with me!

1. I have not yet completed my Athens Bucket List--this includes, but not limited to the Hocking Hills zipline, the train ride in Nelsonville, camping with my roommate, sampling food from some vendors on Court Street.... there are others. I just can't remember them at the moment.
2. I get the opportunity to lead a M.A.G. next year--a middle action group.  It's a deeper-level Bible study for sophomore women heading into Crusade leadership.  I got to meet some of them this week, and they are an incredible group of women.  I'm really excited!
3. This past year I had some unfinished business to attend to--getting the chance to finish it was great, but now I get to enjoy an entire year without that stress in my life.
4. This year gave me the opportunity to juggle 2 jobs, classes, social life and Crusade responsibilities--didn't go so well, but I get a whole 'nother year to try it!  lol
5. If I hadn't been a fifth year, I wouldn't have ever started dating my current BF. I mean, I probably wouldn't have even considered it. That's sayin' something. haha!
6. I get another 2 quarters with my best friend as a roommate.... woah, dude! Then, she gets married.  I'm thankful for the rest of the time I get with her as a single lady! (single as in: not married)
7. The time I'm here has given me the opportunity to raise my GPA.... sweet!
8. I get another year to hang out with women who have built into me and helped me grow in my relationship with the Lord, and I couldn't be any happier with that. 
9. I got the opportunity to go to Nantes, France in December.  That would have never happened if my circumstances were any different, and it was easily the hardest, but most incredible trip I've ever taken. 
10. No one ever really wants college to end, but only a select few of us get to make that dream come true.....
11. That last one may have been a stretch, but do know a ton of people that never wanted to leave this place, so I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can. :)

So that sums it up--another year to make a splash in college, and live life to the fullest!