Such A Time As This

I cannot even attempt to cover life since my last entry. Since then I've gone to college, joined a sorority, left the country, been a part of Passion 2011, joined the Clemson Student Alumni Association, found amazing, encouraging, strong friends, and more that I just can't remember right now. I mention all of that in hopes of demonstrating how well God answers prayer. I prayed to be able to find my place in college, and God has surely blessed me beyond anything I could have hoped for. At times I feel as if I'm being pushed to the limit, but I know that God is using it all to prepare me for whatever is to come next, but, and here's what I've really learnt lately, I don't want to miss how he wants to use me now.

A Bible study I'm a part of has been going through the book of Esther lately, and the story really resonates with me. Esther was placed in a position in which she was out of her comfort zone completely. She was faced with a terrifying task, risking her life to save her people. But, her strong cousin Mordecai reminds her of her purpose and God's sovereignty.

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Esther 4:14

God did not NEED Esther to save her people. He merely gave her the privilege to be used as part of his glorious plan, even in the midst of her fear and discomfort. I'm trying to remember that now when I feel nervous, overwhelmed, or just out of place. Who knows if God has placed me near certain people, in certain positions, or just at Clemson in general for such a time as this? It's all about maintaining a sense of purpose, and remembering that God's timing is never a coincidence.

Lessons.

So much has happened since my last entry that I really have no idea at all where to even begin. Let's just say I am now a high school gradaute, single, have some of the most amazing new friends anyone could ever ask for, and am completely stoked about what God is going to do this summer.

Let me start with the single bit. Really all I have to say about it is that people cannot be replaced. At least, not for me. Every person who enters my life touches me and changes me in someway, some more than others. Recently, God has blessed me with people who have both brightened my days and taught me some very difficult lessons. I got to see first hand what it looks like when God stops a someone who is running away from Him dead in their tracks, rocks their world, and changes their life. I am confident that God will continue a good work in the lives of those with whom He has blessed me. I do not always understand why things happen. I have learned that God is not just going to simply give me answers, but that He is going to reveal Himself to me, bit by bit. And that, is a beautiful thing.

So yeah, I'm a graduate. Dun dun dun. I could not be more excited about going away to school. Period. I just got back from orientation at Clemson, and I felt like it was a teaser of sorts. I just want to be there. Now.

Now allow me to cover the amazing new friends. I served as a junior counselor at Palmetto Girls State last week. The fact that it was last week breaks my heart. Watching my delgates grow and come out of their shells over the week filled me with joy from remembering what that felt like for me. Additionally, all the other JCs made a huge impression on me. A few of them I already knew, but most of them I was really getting to know for the first time. Talk about blessings. God, in his infinite wisdom, placed me right in the middle of about 20 of the strongest girls in the state right when I was feeling the weakest. They became like sisters to me, and there are a few of them that I really do not know what I ever did without. Their jokes, smiles, pretty faces, kind words, advice, and really just willingness to put up with my crap made them some of the best friends I could ever want. From screaming together until our voices were gone, to attempting to throw a decent skit together, to our wonderful lunch sessions, etc, etc, the memories we made are not going to fade anytime soon. I am beyond thrilled that FIVE of them will be at Clemson with me in the fall. Those that aren't, better be expecting some road trippers to be headed their way!

I think the overall theme of this entry is that God uses people to show us things that we couldn't figure out by ourselves. I have been taught the power of change, seen what miracles look like, and seen live examples of strength, beauty, and love. Thank God for other people. Thank God for his wisdom.

done :]

Today was my last day of high school ever. I am honestly sincerely suprised at how indifferent I am. Sure, I am excited to move on and go to college, and obviously I will miss West Florence a little bit, but I am not leaning towards either extreme at all. I have a fairly healthy sense of balance in this one situation. Next week will be filled with parties and other festivities, so I am sure I will have much more exciting things to blog about then.

Playing Catch-Up

It's been roughly a month since my last entry, and quite an eventful one.

For spring break, we West Florence students made our annual migration to Garden City Beach for the week. I lived in a house with eight of my closest girlfriends on the inlet. It was pretty ideal. Imagine a house where eight girls got along without any drama all week...sounds impossible, correct? Well, it happened. I attempted to tan, and I failed. But, I didn't get burnt any, and if you saw me and my white skin, you would know what an accomplishment that is.

The week after spring break we reluctantly returned to school. I cannot speak for everyone, but for me it was an extremely non-productive week academically. I was full of spring fever from all the sun that I had soaked up, whether you could see it or not. I was having show choir rehearsal after school everyday, and Guys & Dolls rehearsal at the little theater after that every night. And to top it all off, that coming weekend was prom. Focus on class? I think not.

I mentioned show choir rehearsals. Those were for my show choir's big annual show, The Knight Edition Gala. This year the title was "The Music of the Knight." As a senior, I had a recognition section and a solo. Practicing got old of course, but it paid off and the show was a success. The after party was at my house...let me just say there is nothing like playing Apples to Apples and Catch Phrase with show choir kids. Take my word for it.

Gala took place on Friday night, the day before prom. Busiest weekend ever. I accidentally went to the hair salon at the wrong time, so I had to stay there forever so that the girl could firt me somewhere in her schedule. For pictures we all went to my friend Janie's house, and then for dinner we ate at my friend Sarah's house. Prom itself was fantastic. Some people didn't like the DJ, but I danced the whole night, and stayed until the final song. It was my last prom, so I wanted to enjoy every second that I could. Afterward we all went to Janie's cabin in the woods, literally, and sat by the fire for a while before we crashed.

I think I have caught up on all the major events....whew.

Oh, I recently got a twitter account. So far so good, but sometimes I get slightly annoyed with it. There's a link on this page to follow me if you tweet as well!

Official.

Watching: Fox News Coverage of the Health Reform Bill

Reading: The Memory Keeper's Daughter

It's official, I will be a Clemson Tiger next year! Roughly thirty of my classmates will be as well. I'll be rooming with a precious girl I met last summer at Palmetto Girls State, and I am extremely excited about that. As far as the social aspect of college is concerned, I could not be more pumped.

Currently, my major is Psychology. I think I am good with this for now, but every time I settle on some kind of plan, my mom makes me question if it is of any use at all. I thought I wanted to go into Occupational Therapy for grad school, and I still may, but I just can't be certain. It is frightening to be making such a big decision at eighteen. More than likely, I will change my mind when I get to college. Life has a way of surprising us that way.

Today, I am enjoying one of my favorite senior year perks: exam exemption. I have been home the past two days because I was allowed to exempt my midterms. Gotta love those senior privileges.

Windy Gap!

There is absolutely nothing like a weekend at Windy Gap being a Wyldlife leader for middle school girls to wear you out, and get you completely stoked about advancing the Gospel. I just love watching God work in the minds of kids. 

I am really too tired to be in much of a writing mood...but I do just want to make the comment that God is incredible, and he cannot be limited to a weekend in the mountains. Yes, he did some awesome work there, and chances to minister to kids are everywhere you look at camp, but sometimes camp is just the beginning. It's just enough to get kids thinking, to allow us the opportunity to earn their trust.

I have to admit, that every time I am at club, and especially when I am at camp, I catch myself thinking, "What on earth qualifies me to share Jesus with these kids? Am I even capable of conveying God's love to them?"  The answer, I have come to find, is that nothing qualifies me to share Jesus with them, and I am certainly not able to communicate the extent of God's love. But, the truth is, I am willing, and I have the time. God has somehow given me the guts to do this, and has provided a way for me to share what he means to me, if nothing else. 

Fast Forward

Since my last post, I have felt as if life has been on fast forward. In December, I met a pretty awesome guy, and now we are dating. Seems a little fast, but just right too. About four days after we started dating, he accepted Christ. Talk about a great week.

I have been watching God do some incredible things lately. It feels as if a revival is stirring....and that feeling is indescribable. I have been reading the Book of Acts, and discovering the passionate faith of the early church. The word "passion" means suffering, and that is exactly what the early church was about. They suffered for the cause of Christ. I hope to one day have that kind of faith.

In December, I was accepted to Clemson University and Elon University. A few days ago I was accepted to Wofford College. I am officially college bound, the question is now where to.

Oh, and I got a new phone, Verizon's competition to the iPhone, the "Droid." So far, it's great. I highly recommend it.