Long Drives, Rock Climbing, and Conferences

Gracious! These past few weeks have been horrendously busy! Not as busy as some people's, I'm sure (especially if they've just moved to South Carolina for medical school and are trying to re-put their lives back together and have to work with the government to get things done). But still, it's been a bit of a whirlwind.

First of all, the rock climbing trip was such a fantastic time! I can't explain how much fun it was. But beyond that, I learned and gained so much in the midst of that busy weekend. First off, I drove there 10 hours down and 10 hours back up with Hannah's boyfriend Josh, and we cultivated an incredibly awesome and Godly friendship. I can't say how grateful I am for having the opportunity to be able to talk with him and share the experiences and thoughts we've both had throughout life. I feel like God did me a huge favor in bringing his friendship into my life. I mean, we'd been friends for about a year now, but we didn't really know one another. I think the best part, though, is that, because he's dating my roommate, he nor I ever have to have that awkward interaction where we're not sure what the intentions of the other are. Our intentions are clear--we're friends. Beautiful.

The rock climbing itself was a very growing experience. First of all, I'm terrified of heights. Second of all, I hate doing things I'm not very good at in front of other people. Third of all, I don't like relying on others in order to do something. I feel like, once again, God used a seemingly unspiritual event in my life to teach me a million things. Those three elements fully encompassed what my climbing experience was.

I was shaking the entire time. Badly. I was scared, and I was clinging to the rock wall, about 25 feet off the ground. I had to let my friends see me be scared and unskilled. I couldn't see where to put my feet because I was too shaky to lean back enough to look. So what did I have to do? I had to ask for help. My friends at the bottom of the cliff face talked me through, literally, every single step I made. I had to trust them. And, what do you know, they were the reason I was able to accomplish anything. I re-learned just how much I need people, in all things, even when I don't want to admit it.

Currently, I'm at a Campus Ministry Conference in Evansville, Indiana. I've been here since Saturday, and won't get home until Wednesday afternoon. This, too, has been very eye-opening and refreshing. At first I was afraid I'd get tired of constantly being around people, but it's actually been a very welcome change of pace from my typical stance towards socializing.

And finally... Yesterday I checked my class schedule to see what my class line-up would be (because, upon admittance to the Graphic Design program, they automatically place you in the class... I was accepted, by the way! Wahoo!), and my schedule is fantastic. Mondays and Wednesdays, I get out of class by 1:30. Tuesday and Thursdays, I'm out by 3. I don't have class on Fridays, and the earliest I ever have class during the week is at 10am.

For once, I am so pumped for the upcoming semester. I feel like I can actually enjoy my classes, my relationships, and my academic life in general. It's going to be so good. =)