Learning Curve: Big Changes...

Hey guys!

I'm back from Vegas! What a trip! So detailed, I just don't have time or space to tell you all about it here. If you want to read all about it, check out my blog. It's got a lot of pictures, stories, and Jonas Moments.

I'm sure a lot of you are sitting at home, your boxes/bags are packed, you're nervous, yet excited for school to start. I know the feeling. Sometimes it can be the best thing in the world, or the scariest. Whether you're starting high school, getting ready to graduate, or leaving home for the first time, the experiences you have, the people you meet, will shape who you are. Make sure the choices you make are ones that you can deal with for the rest of your life. The things you do in high school follow you to college & beyond. I'm only beginning to see the truth of that. Life is a continual learning experience, each day is like a test, high school & college are just the practice for everything you'll face on a daily basis.

There are some MAJOR changes in store for me this year. I don't have my boxes packed, getting all excited to go back, because I'm staying home this year. It was a hard choice to make, but the most practical. Once I got home for the summer, I realized how much I missed being a part of my family's daily life. I had missed my brother playing basketball, my sister marching with the band, birthdays, special events...after being there for all of them for 18 years, it was hard being away. I missed my friends too. I love meeting new people, but being the ONLY person from my school at college made things a bit harder. All my friends were still at home, where they could see each other all the time, while I had to make do with an hour visit on the weekends I did get to come home.

In no way am I saying that you shouldn't go away to school. That year away really taught me a lot about myself and what I want to do with the rest of my life. It gave me some life experiences and lessons that I may not have otherwise had. I'm not going to go all preacher on you, but I firmly believe God leads us to make the choices we do in order to become the person we need to be. God sent me to UCA to realize that I didn't need to go away from home to know who I was, to grow up. I met some cool people & discovered a lot about myself, or realized things that I already knew...I'm not too sure yet...

I'm still trying to figure it all out, just like the rest of you. I wish each & every one of you the best year EVER! Each experience is a way to learn more about yourself & grow as a person. Have FUN!! Keep your family & friends close. They will be there for you, even when you feel like giving up.

♥ Jen