Summer

It's officially been one month and one day since I posted in this blog. And that's for a number of reasons...a.) I have been 'slacking' as far as my walk with the Lord b.) I've been incredibly stressed and emotional and I didn't feel like complaining over a blog would be appropriate, and c.) as cliche as it sounds, i've just been overly busy and unmotivated to blog. So there you have it; my three excuses.

The last time I blogged, I was counting down the days til graduation/summer. Well, it's finally here. I attended my last day of high school on Tuesday, the 24th. Our school prom is coming up this weekend and I am beyond excited! The only thing left after prom is graduation...which doesn't happen until June 5th. Small details set aside, I am blogging to a new beginning. With the beginning of summer comes my commitment to Christ and pursuing Him with all that I have. I've decided to spend an hour with God every morning. I want to head off to college in August with a better grasp of who God is and how I can better serve Him and stay committed to Him. I know that with moving into a secular school, and being surrounded by lost people comes pressures and struggles. That said, I'm up for the challenge and I want to be prepared.

It's my second 'day of summer' and I'm already getting excited for the journey. I feel like Akron was a great decision. It's close to home so that I can still hang out with the friends I've grown up with, and I can hopefully still attend my home church if I figure out some kind of transportation. At the same time, I'm out of my house and there's nothing forcing me to visit home. I'm excited for the space and indepence. I know that God has a plan with everything and I think that relationships within my family will heal and grow stronger with me out on my own. The decision to live on campus was one that I made on my own, and with that I began to grow nervous because I felt like I should've prayed about it. Looking ahead though, I think it was a good one. Things seem to be falling in place, and slowly but surely I am figuring out finances.

When I think of finances, I think of working. With that being said, I hope to work at least one job this summer, if not two. I've slacked off long enough and now I have no choice but to begin saving. I'm excited to be working and getting paid, but the thought of having to check my work schedule before hanging out or making any other plans is a little discouraging. I've loved being involved at church and attending mission trips or retreats and sometimes jobs can interfere. In addition, I've made so many plans with my friends and all I want to do is hang out with everyone as much as possible before we go our seperate ways for college. I'm sure I'll be able to find a balance somehow. Just pray that it will all work out.

So here's to the summer of 2011. A summer to grow up, make money, and save for college. A summer to balance work with friends. A summer to grow as a person. And a summer of pursuing Christ with all that I am.