The Beginning of a Big Finish

Today begins a milestone that probably won't seem so significant in the future, but today, it's a big deal.

I started my last semester of college.

Excited. Elated. Overjoyed. I could go on describing how I feel.

I love Asbury. I've loved going to school here and wouldn't choose a different school if I had to choose a college all over again, (but I definitely don't want to have go through that process again) I would still choose Asbury.

Here's what I'm looking forward to this semester:

Season 3 of Downton Abbey has started and we've already made it a weekly event to watch it in our apartment. Tea and scones provided.

I'm only taking 12 credit hours. This (in theory) will seem like a breeze compared to my last few semesters. 18 credits ... never again.

Wednesday, April 3rd the Reds play their opening night against the Angels and we have tickets. By we I mean Tyler, because that was his Christmas present from me. I knew he'd love them and I would get to go to my first Reds game. It's a win-win.
 
This one is all thanks to the boyfriend for telling me about this band. The Lone Bellow's album comes out Tuesday, January 22 and I cannot wait. NPR is streaming their album online. You need to check it out HERE. Your ears will thank you.

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After three semesters of having a 4 PM French class, I have finally escaped having to learn a foreign language at such an awful hour. After our 8 AM class this morning, I rallied everyone together to change the class to 2 PM. I was successful and everyone agreed 2 PM was much better. Kids, don't double major. It's overly ambitcious and overrated.

I feel like this is a given, but GRADUATION. Saturday, May 4th at high noon. Go ahead and mark it on your calendar. I know you'll want to be there.

I know much more lies ahead of me this semester and I can't wait to see where God will take me and what he has in store for me. It's gonna be good.

 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Times Long Past: A Review of 2012

Every December I think back through the previous year and am amazed at all I accomplished, didn't accomplish and how things happened/worked out unexpectedly.

Like your average college-aged girl, I consume pins on Pinterest at an incredible rate and attempt to test my homemaker and art skills with the projects I become so ambitious to tackle. I'm not always successful. For example, when I tried creating a photo gallery to hang above my bed. (Frames are still empty) But this project, I'm glad I stuck with this project all year.

Starting in January, I kept a mason jar on my desk and started using it as a sort of time capsule. When I would have a fun night with friends, went somewhere for the first time, or just wanted to remember something that happened, I would place something in the jar that would remind me of the event or write a small note about it.

I haven't gone through the jar all year. I've waited until today to go through it and couldn't stop smiling as I did. I am so incredibly blessed and sometimes it takes retrospect to prove that to myself.

Here are my favorite highlights:

In 2012 I did a lot of growing. I started my last year of college, voted in a presidential election for the first time and turned 21.

The Finale

Getting ready for the 50s Homecoming dance with my roommates

Meeting my new niece

  Remember when I went on a 48 hour road trip to the beach so I could help with a proposal? That's definitely an event I won't forget.

 I spent most of my summer in DC and was blessed to live with the Weckerlein family and have an awesome internship.

Most memorable moment in DC

Amazing poptarts from Ted's Bulletin

Miss them

  

Summer ended with a mission trip to Honduras, which continues to be a blessing to me.

 As of last week, Genesis got her new glasses!

One of the most exciting parts of 2012, that didn't happen until the end was starting to date this guy:

In the short time we've been dating, we managed to fill up a third of the jar with artifacts from dates and adventures we had. I have high hopes for more.

We ended 2012 and rang in the new year at a great party with lots of friends and had a blast.

Here's to 2013. May it be even better and more exciting than 2012.