Well, here it is. The end of my first year in college. Pretty crazy if you think about it; I mean really think about it. I know this sounds cliche, but it really does feel like I was hanging out with my friends at White County High School just yesterday all stoked about graduation. Now, its a whole year later and once again the future lays uncertain. While I am one small step closer to getting a degree, everything once again looks cloudy. Some things have seemed to change though. I actually decided on a major a year before I thought I would (mathematics and secondary education in case you are curious). But once again here I am, at the end of another school year. I guess its safe to say I have learned quite a bit. Of course, a lot of what I learned in the classroom this year will either be pushed to the back of my brain or dumped out completely. But what I have learned outside of the classroom this year is what I have come to cherish the most. What I have learned outside of the classroom is what has come to define my freshman year at UT. While going to class and getting that good quality education is important, the people I've met and the things I have gotten involved with this year have really impacted me. I've made some of the greatest friends in the world, while still managing to keep a few of the old ones around. I've jumped back into Young Life by joining a small group with the door to being a high school leader still cracked open. I joined this awesome group of people on campus called The Navigators and have absolutely relished in the time I've been able to spend with them. And now, while I'm excited to be done with my first year of college, I am sincerely sad to have to leave all of these great people untill school starts again in August. Don't worry Sparta, I'm still excited to get to see you, for at least a month anyway.
It seems crazy that this time a year ago I was making summer plans with my friends before it was off to UT. I was doing what I wanted with no set agenda. It truely was a kid's summer. I had no responsibilities, no job, no school work, nothing. I slept all day, and hung out with friends all night. It was perfect. And until about a month ago, I thought this summer would be the exact same. I knew I wanted to do something with my summer, something that would make an impact on me or others surrounding me. My parents didn't really care what I did, just as long as I got a job somewhere and brought in some dough. And through talking with a friend, I found a way I could possibly do both. I took a leap of faith and applied to this program called Discipleship Focus. And lo and behold, I got accepted. So my previous summer plans of hanging around Sparta with maybe a road trip here or there and a potential job (but more than likely not a job), turned into spending over half of my summer away from Sparta and my family and friends. I will now be spending the months of June, July, and the first 2 weeks of August in Pigeon Forge living with people I do not know, working at Dollywood, and growing closer and closer to God. Needless to say, I'm pretty stoked (you'll come to realize I get excited super easily). It is like everything is falling into place. I'm doing what I want to do. While I am nervous and a tad bit sad at the thought of spending barely any time with my friends and family back home, I am really excited to see what this summer now holds for me. I am excited to see myself grow in the Lord and really see what it is like to completely depend on Him and to practically live on my own. I am excited to meet all these new people who I know I will come to love and cherish. I am excited to see what God really has in store for this summer away from home. I'm just so excited for it all.
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