New Beginnings, Crafts, and Music

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

I'm three weeks into my semester at UNC and I still feel like I am about to go back to Baylor any day now. I'm going to be honest, there are a lot of things I miss in Waco. I am trying not to dwell on them. And I am learning to embrace change...not a fun thing for me to do. But growth (sometimes I really hate growth, but I guess its a good thing) only comes with change. So being optimistic about change I am trying to acknowledge the past and accept knew beginnings.

There was a reason I transferred, I wasn't happy and I didn't like who I was there. So now is a chance for me to start over. A chance to focus on what God has planned for me. I am ready for the blessings and the struggles He will bring me. I am ready joy, pain, growth, and change. It may terrify me, but I am ready to start over and this time to focus solely on who God wants me to be and what He is calling me to do. Two specific things I want to focus on this semester...humility and courage. I need them both. I have a pride issue...I worry too much what people think of me and focus too much on being perfect. And because of it I miss out and experiences and chances to get to know people.

As much as I miss Baylor and the people there. I know this is were I am suppose to be and I am glad to be here. And I am learning to embrace all of the new beginnings in my life...new school, new classes, new house, new roommates, new young life team, new town, new church.

One way I decided to deal with the stress of finding a new house and new roommates was to redo my room...which for me usually means a lot of crafts! After two weeks my room is starting to feel like home...

Along with my new room, I also got new music. I deleted a couple hundred songs (wasn't hard to do...I use to listen to pretty horrible music) and add multiple CDs with music. So pretty much I have a whole new iPod! And I love having new music, so if anyone wants to burn me a CD feel free ;) Right now I am kinda obsessed with Drew Holcomb, The Civil Wars, Ben Rector, and Josh Garrels. They're great.

New friends, crafting, music and what not is great, but really my goal for this semester is to focus on my relationship with God and His plan for my life. I don't want my semester to be about friends I am going to make, what I am going to study, what I am going to be involved in, what I want to do in my free time...yes, these are all important but I also have a tendency to be self-centered. I put all these things before Christ and before my relationship with Him. He must come first. New beginnings, new priorities.

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must DENY HIMSELF and take up his cross DAILY and follow me."

Luke 9:23