One Semester Down!

Well…I made it! It was crazy to me today as I knelt down in a prayer of tearful thanks for a great semester that about four months ago I’d done the same in tearful anxiety. It was a whirlwind, just as everyone told me. Days flowed into weeks which flowed into months which flowed into a semester. I’m not sure how it happened, but it did. And I realized today as I bore my testimony in the last sacrament meeting of the semester, just as I had the first, that I sounded much more confident.

Obviously I’ve learned A TON!!!  It is college after all. Art class doesn’t let me see my surroundings the same ever again. Math class taught me finances and the power of missionary work. Science, a different take on the evolution theory, and American Foundations how to be closer to the sort of citizen the founding fathers intended.  And missionary prep has me wanting to grab my scriptures and hop a plane.

But there are other classrooms. My dorm has taught me the power of patience, persistence, prayer, and hugs. And mostly of making sure it’s not my dishes that are dirty before I up and decide that everyone else’s needs some cleaning.

Dancing activities has been another classroom. Because unfortunately there’s little instruction on the fancy footwork of social skills.

And the temple has taught me plenty as well, most of which tied to the common theme of slowing down. A good lesson for a college kid who tries to cram lunch, her favorite show, remaining homework, and devotional all in between two of her classes.

And we all know of the classroom of mistakes of course. That’s one we graduate don’t from until we leave the planet.

But overall it’s been just what I felt it would be. A journey with my Savior. I’m sure He smiled at my near-conniption reaction to someone trying to hold my hand and my similar response when I basically ran a red light. But I also know that he cheered with me with my successes and cried with me with my disappointments. There were many instances when I didn’t feel it and I was tempted to think that the Heavens had suddenly grown numb towards me—or worse—I’d grown numb to them.  But sitting in a fog doesn’t get you out of it near as well as pushing through it does.

And this certainly isn’t my first journey. Just my trip to the airport for my first flight EVER has told me that J I still have more semesters ahead of me. And a mission. And a future family. And a dream career. And wherever else I feel the wind pulling me I suppose, like my childhood hero Pocahontas.  ...Although I don’t remember Pocahontas ever bawling her eyes out at the idea of leaving her little brothers and her grandma’s icecream and her warm fireplace--to say nothing of my second hero John Smith. But that’s beside the point J Either way, I can’t wait to see what’s around the river bend.

Until then, I can’t wait to get home!!! Even if it is for just five days. I’ve got friends’ ears to talk off, Mr. Gs pizza to eat, and—yes—pretend games to play. And when you have a little neighbor girl who promises to stay up until midnight to see your car drive up into the driveway, how could you not. I haven’t met many celebrities, but I think I may have some top hand there J