Change.

I've been home from college for a month. I've been home from college for a month?! I really can't believe it sometimes. I can't believe it has been an entire year since I crossed that stage in Canton and grabbed my diploma. I can't believe it has been a year since I was at Prom with some of my favorite people in the world. I can't believe that I actually managed to survive an entire year of college. It really is surreal. The adjustment from school to home has been...strange to say the least. I love home, I really do. I love my family and their craziness. I love my friends here. But something feels off. Our dynamic is different. And I came to realize that there are so many different lives going on within all of my friendships that I don't really know about, and at first I hated the idea. I hated this feeling that the world as I knew it has started to tilt and reform. I hated that people aren't the same.
But then I got thinking. Why am I so resistant to change? Change is such a blessing. Change is what makes life so interesting and beautiful. If it wasn't for change I would still be awkward and friendless like in the middle school days. If it wasn't for change, I'd still be fighting with my brother over everything and anything all day long. If it wasn't for change I wouldn't have met some of my favorite people in the whole world. "I do believe I have been changed for the better." So many good things have happened to me since I graduated high school, and somehow I was not seeing it. I've been so worried about everyone around me at home changing and not having EVERYTHING be the same as it was before and now I think, how silly of me! I still have great friends from home. Maybe not the same ones as before, or maybe there are fewer of us, but they are there making me laugh. Heck, I don't even think I'm exactly the same. Bowling Green has done wonders to me. I have met some of the most unique and wonderful people in my time at school. I am so thankful to be one of the few who LOVES her roommate. I am so thankful that I came to school and instantly met new people that I have grown to love and that I went a good majority of the year without any homesickness at all. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to meet so many different people who love God, and are truly inspirational in their need to learn more about Him and what He wants them to do with the lives they've been given. I am thankful that I conquered one of the most ridiculous academic schedules available as an undergraduate. This list could go on and on but I feel as though my point is made. This year has been nothing what I thought it would be, in the best way possible. I love the change that has happened in me that has truly been for the better. I love being able to relax for another two months before I have to be a big girl and take on my sophomore year of college. I love that no matter how far off track I get, God is always there to pick me back up and remind me what life is all about.
-Kat

Worrywart

The truth is I've always been a worrier. My family has videos of me as a small child telling my little brother, "Be careful, Jonny!" It's one of those qualities that about myself that I find extremely frustrating and a constant battle to push aside. In a way I guess worrying can be put to good use, but worrying a selfish and unhappy way of living.

I guess it makes sense that I'm a worrier in a way. It's part of my personality to care too much. And because I have this immense capacity to care, I have a tendency to worry about...everything. I worry about my friends and the choices they make. I worry about my family and their happiness. I worry about my future, and if I am on the right path in my career choices. I worry that I won't get good enough grades. I worry that I will not find the person I am meant to spend my life with. I worry that I push away people because of my worrying about them!

One of my friends gave me a quote that I find very insightful:

"Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence."

Worrying in a way, is an insult to God. It's like saying, "Yea I know you're in charge and you are in control, but I'd rather fight this battle for myself." I know this is a crazy idea especially for me to put into my life. It takes a lot of patience and faith. In fact I'm sure this is one of the hardest things to do for most people. If you think about it, our society has created an environment for worrying. Everything is so competitive and we are constantly reminded of what is accepted and not accepted in every aspect of life. But this is not an excuse to let your worries take over your whole being and the way you perceive life.

I know that I will be needing a little reminder to keep myself in my check, and hopefully whoever reads this will be brought back to a new perspective on their worries about life. Until then I feel a sense of freedom, like a weight has been literally lifted off of my shoulders. And that's because I can know that there are some burdens that I am not meant to carry. I leave you with one of my favorite verses:

"For I know the plans I have for you...plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
-Jeremiah 29:11