New Beginnings

Hey all,

So yesterday was the first day of class. I thought I was prepared - I found out otherwise. I felt like I was running around and had no idea what I was doing. It was like freshman year all over again. (this ridiculous cold does not help)

I had two classes yesterday and both of them are Social Work Classes. They are in the afternoon which is nice because I can sleep in if I want to - but I haven't really been doing that! I have 3 classes today. Two of them are generals and the other is a night class. I'm kind of nervous about the night class. I think it'll be tough to stay on top of.

But as nervous as I was/am about starting a new semester. I am really excited about it! This new semester brings with it a lot of new changes. I moved to campus housing and have my own apartment! It's really spacious and I love that I have a lot of space and can do what I want with it!

This semester also brings another change. Friends are returning and I'm seeing more and more familiar faces -which is awesome! It's great that my friends can be gone for 9 months and when they're back it's like they never left!

That said. I think the biggest thing that is changing in my life - is my faith. Never have a felt closer to God. To me this is the most exciting thing. I always 'believed' in God. But I never knew what that meant. I had all the text book answers and could probably defend my faith just as well as the next guy. However, that faith was never really mine. To me being a Christian was going to church- twice, arguing if someone didn't agree with you, and living the 'right way'. Now I'm beginning to realize that I need to take the faith that I have been taught and make it my own.

Faith isn't an abstract. It is real. It is here. God isn't someone far away (even though there are times where I might believe that or it may feel like He is nowhere near me.) God isn't just walking beside me holding my hand. No - God is IN me. Isn't that an amazing thought! God is someone who is closer than a brother (and sometimes I don't think that's possible either - I love my brothers :) )

This past week I have seen God work a lot in my life - and in my heart. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. There are a lot of things I'm not proud of. However, just on Sunday we heard in the sermon that while the true believer is going to sin - only they will actually feel guilt and sorrow. Hearing that was such a relief to me. It was something that I needed to hear and it was followed with - But we have hope. He have a hope that is so sure that it's not even really a hope but a blessing. Christ WILL come again, and Christ will be with me until then.

That's all for now - oh and Mom and Dad I know this will make you cry... but I want you to know that I LOVE YOU and thanks for everything :)