Life

Life is always so interesting. There is always something going on, something happening. I am thankful that these days the stress is a lot less but I am still busy as ever. It seems that life is a never ending cycle of coming and going, living and learning. I am happy, though. I like what I am doing and I feel like I can handle the things that are on my plate at the moment. I have had some really wonderful experiences and I am hoping to have more. The sense of excitement that I have right now is wonderful. I am looking at some major changes but I am at peace about it. Perhaps that is because I am completely assured that I have sought the guidance of the Lord the whole way through and I will continue to do so. I hope that I will always continue to learn through the experiences I have and the things I go through in life. Otherwise, what is the point of going through them? Even the unpleasant things have a way of teaching you invaluable lessons and after the fact you find yourself being thankful that you had the opportunity to learn. So, I guess what I am trying to say is that I am thankful for the things that keep me busy and thankful for the life experiences I have had. I feel that I have learned a lot and would not be the person I am today were it not for those experiences. I know that sometimes I grow tired and wish I could put everything on pause but I can't, and for the first time in a very long time I am alright with that.

Goings On

So, I have been on a grand adventure for the past two weeks and only now am I finally starting to come to the end of it. My trip to Colorado was wonderful and I wanted to post all about here but my computer came down with a virus and I was unable to fix it until I returned home. I then had a myriad of things that had to be done right away and didn't have the time to sit down and write about what was going on. Since I last posted I have made a decision on graduate school and started on the long path of moving out of state this summer. I am sure that Colorado is the place for me and is the next doorway I must walk through in my life's journey. It seems that everything is pointing that direction and after much prayer, a lot of talking, and several hours of contemplation I have made my decision. The letter goes out tomorrow and will make things final. I am excited and scared all at the same time. I have never lived anywhere away from home and I never really expected to, but now I am. The people at the school are all very nice and the town I am moving to looked great on my visit there. Of course, I am aware that there will be things I will not like and adjusting that will have to take place, but that would be true for anywhere I went. I am looking forward to what this next chapter of my life holds. I will be sad to leave my house and my family and friends, but there are new friends on the horizon and maybe even new family (fingers crossed). As for life right now, the semester is almost over and I am looking forward to its end with eagerness. This has been a bit of a rough semester for me and mostly for non-academic reasons. There have been so many things outside school to take up my time and attention that I have not been able to give school the attention I wanted, but I think all will turn out well. I did have a bit of sad news this past week. A very dear friend passed away and I find myself being constantly reminded of him. He was the type of man that you never forget and your heart always holds dear. He was someone I met in ministry and I used to love to watch him when there was music playing. He seemed to be transported to another world when my sister would sing "I Am Redeemed", or my cousin would sing "Lighthouse", and when I would sing "Amazing Grace" I can still hear him shouting "Glory" in his big booming voice with his hands lifted high. It was as though he was hearing the choirs of heaven and he wanted to join in. Well, now he can, and for his sake I am glad. He was suffering from cancer and it was taking a lot out of him and his wife. Now he is at peace and I am sure that if there really is a choir up in heaven he just as lively a member of the audience up there as he ever was down here. This Saturday we are going to remember his life, celebrate who he was, and I am thankful to have to chance to do so. Merle was a special man and there won't be another to replace him. I'm glad I had the opportunity to know him and to love him. It's people like him that come into your life and enrich it beyond your wildest dreams. They give you a gift that you in turn can give to another. That gift is love and is seen in its greatest form in the person of Jesus. Merle was so alive with the love of Jesus and it made him irresistible. I want that kind of love to rule my life, to be apparent to those around me the way it was to those around Merle. I also have another memorial service on Sunday. This one is for a professor from my department at the university. This man, too, was a loving, compassionate man. He was my lifeline when I wanted to give up on school and the dream I had. I prayed for the Lord to open doors for me and to send me someone who could help me and he sent me Dr. Hixon. I never knew what made this man answer my emails and agree to meet with me only to talk about my dreams and ideas, to give me advice for the future, but it never failed that anytime I called on him he responded with a care and concern I had never before seen in the academic world. His passing was truly a loss to those who benefited from the generous personality of this man.
So it would seem that death has once again touched my life and the lives of those around me. I know that it is inevitable, but that does not make it any less difficult to deal with. Sometimes I wonder what it will be like for there to be no more death. We would not miss the ones we love. We would not fear the loss of those close to us. We would not grieve because they have left us. At least I can say that for some of those whom I have lost I will again see them one day, and what a happy reunion it will be.
I guess those are my thoughts for now. I know there is more I want to write, more I should write, but my eyes are heavy and I need to rest. So, until next time, goodbye!