Over Spring Break I spent time in Jacksonville, Florida with some beautiful people. Out of the wonderful week that I had, what inspired me most was the realization I had in regards to basically everything about how I live my life. Being in college is definitely one of the most exciting, fun, and adventurous times in life, but it's also really overwhelming at times. All around me people are declaring majors, graduating, getting jobs, transferring schools, getting engaged, getting married, travelling, and the list goes on. The hard part is being confident in exactly where I am right now. I have transferred schools once, declared Apparel Design, changed my major, and still don't really know where I'll end up. It's really easy for me to sink into discontentment as I sit overwhelmed by the question of whether or not I'm doing things right. Am I missing opportunities? Am I in the wrong program still? Will I get a job? Where should I live? Should I go to grad. school? Did I pick the right school to begin with? Am I doing what I want or what God wants?? I just question everything!

But...

Over break I received advice from a wonderful friend, who encouraged me to take all this in in a totally different way.

The first thing she told me was to be real with myself-to allow myself to be where I'm at, to feel what I need to feel, and to bring it all to Jesus. It's natural to feel confused and lonely and overwhelmed at times. But I don't need to be held back by that.

My friend encouraged me to take full advantage of life as it is right now. To go on adventures, pursue my passions, develop new ones, love the people around me, and seek God. I so often find myself sitting and thinking that life is going to just come to me, when really, I have to go out and chase it. It really is exciting to be young and single and full of potential! I think it's really easy to forget that, as so much of the time I'm hung up on what I think I should be doing -i.e., following the normal steps of life. Really, though, my path is my own, and that makes the journey all the more brilliant.

So, in light of all these realizations, I'm just pretty jacked for life! Going to Africa this summer will insane and wonderful and challenging and amazing. And I find that the things I pursue in everyday life are what makes it all so crazy beautiful and worth it. So whether those things be running a mile, getting coffee with a friend, leading a Bible study, singing a song, taking a photo, sewing a seam, or reading a page, they all fill me with life. And I don't know how to be filled with life more than pursuing those small and wonderful things that make up who I am.

This simple quote by Jim Elliot given to me by another friend accurately sums up my thoughts on all this;

"Wherever you are, be all there."

Rejoicing in the present, anticipating good, and breathing in truth. Just here.