Leaps of Faith

Dependence: the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else  Dependence is something I've struggled with my whole life. As some of you may know, I am extremely independent and I really dislike someone else being in control of me or having to depend on anyone else. Although I am not sure where I picked up this characteristic or what caused me to, it's true and I'll be honest about it. This has caused me to want to possess adult like characteristics from a young age. I remember constantly hearing my mom tell me as I was growing up "just be a kid, stop worrying about that." Now that I am older, I realize just how much I did worry about as a child that I really shouldn't have. Being under someone else's control or watch made me feel trapped. I remember the freeing feeling I felt as I walked across the stage at graduation, knowing that I would no longer have to ask someone else if I could use the restroom. I remember the freeing feel...

No: the word we all normally don't like to hear, the word we hear often as children, the word that some people say too much or the word that some people often don't say enough (me). There are so many questions in life that result in the simple answers of either yes or no. However, sometimes those answers aren't so simple to all of life's difficult and tiring questions. This morning during chapel (side note: I LOVE going to a college that takes time out of the day to worship our amazing God together as a campus!) I was talking to my friend and we were discussing life plans and how we can go into college with one major but so often, we see so many people changing their majors and this particular friend was talking about feeling called to maybe change her major. However, she questioned how it might be difficult or not exactly what she wanted. This conversation really made me start thinking throughout the day about how real her situation was to me at one point not too long ...

As I've been at Indiana Wesleyan for a week now, it's becoming more and more real. Classes start in two days, I'm anxious for that but with having a little time to rest today, I've realized a few other things. I love college so far and I'm so grateful that God (and God alone) has provided the way for me to come to IWU however college is rough, too. I've come to realize that my relationships with everyone back home are different. As some people may know, I've not always had the best relationship with my Dad as we tend to butt heads on some things, however I've realized that this week I've thought about missing my Dad more than anyone else.. I miss his witty comments and tough love but I'm so glad that God is using this college experience to grow and mend our relationship. Don't get me wrong, I miss a lot of other people, too. The leaving people part has seriously been the roughest part, honestly.. I mean if you know me at all, you know my rich...

Sometimes life has a way of just slipping by day by day but lately for me it has been weeks and months that have flown by. I spent summer serving others in Paris, different states and even in a different country, loving on my babysitting kids, and trying to spend as much time as possible with my favorite people. Eventually I found myself packing up most of my belongings and heading three hours Northeast to move in at Indiana Wesleyan University this weekend. I feel like I've experienced all of the emotions over the past week of being mournful telling most of my friends and family goodbye, giving a lot of people the classic eye roll after they tell me "you know what they say.." after I explain to them that I chose to room with my high school best friend, but ultimately being extremely thrilled to move away and get to establish myself and who God has called me to be somewhere other than Paris. Throughout the busyness of New Student Orientation and telling my family goodbye,...

belong: be the property of, be a member or part of Lately I've been caught up in the busyness of life. Between moving three hours away in less than two months, babysitting a few days a week, switching bedrooms at my house, spending as much time with friends and family as I can, housesitting, being away from home for a week, preparing for another upcoming week away from home and just the constant grind of daily life, I feel like I haven't had much time for myself and especially to keep up with this blog. I know it's a terrible excuse because really I could make the time if I truly desired to but honestly lately I haven't felt like expressing anything that's going on in my life. However, recently this word has consistently started appearing in my daily thoughts. As some of you may know, I went to see my favorite band, Iron Bell Music (if you haven't heard of them, which you probably haven't, you should definitely check them out!!) in concert about a month ag...

There are so many people in my life who I feel are worthy of thanks and gratitude, however some of the most worthy are my teachers, especially my high school teachers. Although I've enjoyed almost all of my teachers, I got four years to grow closer to my high school teachers and many of them have truly helped shape the person I am today, here's some of the ones I would like to thank.. Mrs. Propst, you are seriously the sweetest person I have ever met in my entire life. You are an angel walking on this Earth and I am so very grateful I got the opportunity to learn from you at the old and new school. PHS is truly losing an irreplaceable teacher this year and I pray that someone steps up and teaches students the priceless life lessons you taught, however no one could ever replace you. Your love and lessons are worth more than I could ever put a price value on. Everyone needs a Mrs. Propst in their life, I'm blessed that I had THE Mrs. Propst. Mrs. Howard, you seriously got...

Momma, first of all, I'm not sure why there is only one day of the year that celebrates moms, because I think you are worth celebrating every day. There are so many things that I admire about you. Your sacrifices, dedication, and undying support to your three children are simply astounding. There are an endless amount of thank you's that I owe to you. Thank you for feeding us, but not only feeding us but letting us have the last of the fried potatoes, even if they are your favorite. Thank you for sharing your love for kids with us and teaching us so many life lessons through your passion and dedication for your job and the things you do. Thank you for not leaving us, even when you do get a little tired of us. Thank you for answering our ridiculous amount of questions. Thank you for knowing your weaknesses and letting us know when you can't help us. Thank you for expanding our knowledge, and I'm not talking about English and math. Thank you for understanding when we want...