The Goose Is Getting Fat

Winter is coming. The leaves are starting to change, and there's that cold air smell in the air. Being a warm weather person, this is not exciting in the slightest, but instead of thinking about the cons of winter, I'm going to focus on the good things, maybe it will help me get through the cold season. Pros of winter? Glistening snow, pumpkin pie, hot chocolate, apple cider, wassail, snuggling up to a warm fire, Christmas, family time, snowball fights, there was a point in my life where I could say "getting out of school because of snow", marshmallows, ginger cookies, it's funny that most of these are foods for me. I do love the winter holidays, and I know this year will be good. Hopefully there will be dancing in the south and a huge family Christmas party like we used to have. Just a few things to get you excited about the winter season. Warm thoughts always help with the cold air.

Wishing you a happy fall/winter.

Change. Love. Pursue. Serve.

Oh, yes. The school year has finally begun, all the racing around campus trying to get everything done and be everywhere on time. Despite all the hustle and bustle of freshman college life, college can be very much relaxing. Despite all the assignments and constantly checking for missing assignments, I don't mind all the work. Perhaps it's because it makes me feel smart and knowledgable, or maybe it's because it's a change of pace. Despite the horror stories about the busyness, lack of sleep, and headaches college is supposed to provide, I'm excited about this upcoming year. I'm exciting for all the papers I will have to write, especially the paper for philosophy. I'm probably the only one in the world who is excited about that one. I'm excited learning, both inside and outside of the classroom. I'm excited about the friends I'll make. I'm excited to know where my future will lead. And last but not least, I'm excited to make my own decisions. Make my own decisions about the classes I want to take or the major that I will pursue. Being a freshman gives so much freedom in deciding a major. I might change my major more than a few times, but that all doesn't matter, because how many times I change my major doesn't mean that I'm not ready for the real world, it just means that I'm that much closer to being in the real world and attacking it head on. For all you college students out there who feel discouraged or overwhelmed, it's okay! You will survive this first year and you'll know more about yourself than you did on the first day of school.

My dad has always encouraged me to pursue what I love, whether it will bring me worldly success or not. He has always told me that I shouldn't go to work because I have to but because I want to, because what I do is what I love, because what I do is more than a job. I don't just want to work to make ends meet. I want to work to make a difference as well. Being in college excites me because I know I'm getting closer to that point in which I will love what I do and what I do will impact more than myself financially. I encourage you to pursue what you love. God gave you desires and passions not to reject them, but to pursue them for His glory. Whatever you want to do, whether it be art, dancing, computer technician, teacher, musician, missionary, etc., can be used to glorify Him. Don't fall into the misconception that you can only glorify if you're a full-time missionary in a third-world country, yes we need people like that, but not all of us are called to serve that way. God wants you to serve Him in what you love.

Just a few thoughts at the beginning of the school year.