Where can I even start? I have absolutely loved this year. Don't get me wrong, last year was great. But this year I feel like I actually have a life here!
I love my church here so much! I missed hearing Pastor Jon speak and the energy/excitement my church has about ministering to the city. My small group leaders moved back to Austrailia and I miss them a lot. I'm hoping to get plugged into a new small group soon.
My classes are incredible. All of my classes are very hands on and practical. I will be applying for my practicum in December which seems unreal. I have some wonderful friends in my classes and I'm so glad that we are experiencing this together. My practicum will be this summer followed by my two semester internship. Then...graduation!!!! Yay!
The RA life is never dull, and I have made some great friends. Most of them are traditonal undergrad students, but there is one undergrad student in his 40's and one other grad student who is a couple of years older than me. For the most part though, I've become the "momma" to the group. I have really come to love these guys. We've been together everyday for the past 6 weeks and have become a sort of family.
Again, I'm surprised at how sheltered my life has been up to this point. I have experienced more and gotten a bigger picture of the "real world" in the past few weeks than I have in my whole life. I've been challenged more than ever and really seen the importance of unfailing love and support. I'm hoping that these experiences will not only make me a better school counselor, but a better person.
I'm heading home on Tuesday afternoon for the arrival of Carrie's daughter, Piper Lynn. I could not be more excited! It's also going to be nice to just be home for a few days. I've really been missing my family and friends the past few days. That's one thing that I don't think will ever change. As much as I love this city and the life I've made here, I still wish I could combine Chicago and Nashville.
