What's Coming to Mind.

Do you have favorite sounds? I do.

I think that it’s relaxing to quiet myself and my thoughts and just listen. Listen to the sounds around me and focus on whatever environment I’m in. Listening is my favorite way to get a perspective change. Taking a moment to quiet my soul and be influenced by sound always reminds me of how small a part I play in such a big world. 

Some of my favorite sounds include the sound of waves crashing against rocks, babies giggling, and people singing.

One of my favorite sounds is happening right now. 
The sound of hearing my friends have endless conversation flowing from one topic to the next. Listening to their thoughts and ambitions reminds me of how truly blessed I am.

It’s a sound of comfort, joy, and love.
It’s a sound of true friendship. 
It’s a sound of God always knowing what my heart needs.

In: 
Summer
Sunshine 

Out:
School
Studying

Officially done with my first year of college. That feels weird to say (or type?). This year wasn’t anything like I expected it to be. It was better than I expected it to be. 

Around this time last year, I was about to experience a lot of things. I was leaving the place I had spent the last four years of my life. I was about to say goodbye to my teachers and thank them for their guidance over those years. I was about to experience what it feels like to walk down the steps into Lamonica Stadium where thousands heard my name being called, watched my diploma being handed to me, and watched me graduate high school. I was about to experience my last summer of true freedom, before college.

Despite all of the excitement of graduating high school and beginning college, I was more focused on another impending experience. I was about to experience what it feels like to lose someone that I love. And that, by far, was the most life-altering moment that I have ever had. 

What I hadn’t yet realized was the joy from victories and the sorrow from devastations cannot be felt until the moment occurs. As much as I tried to prepare myself for the things I was about to experience, I had no idea how truly unprepared I was. 

The moment that I found out she had passed away is one I will never forget. How is this happening? How could she be gone? What will the world look like without her in it? It felt as if time had stopped. Everything was moving really slowly, while my mind was racing at a million miles an hour. So many thoughts came to mind, but I couldn’t bring myself to say any of them out loud. Because when you say something out loud, it makes it real. I couldn’t say it out loud, because I couldn’t face the reality of what I just lost. In that moment, I realized that everything about me and my life was changed. 

These moments and experiences are what shapes us.
The situations that we are placed in allow us to grow. To feel. To learn. To understand. 
And in experiencing these moments, you change. 

You adjust to missing those people who moved away to college. You learn to face your emotions and let yourself feel things completely. You accept that some days will be harder than others. Your prayers become more honest and true, because you have seen God’s faithfulness. You learn that helping to meet the needs of others is more important than your own needs. You appreciate the support and guidance of your family. You say “I love you” and “thank you,” because you, now more than ever, know the importance of words. Your bad memories fade so that you can remember good ones, again. And when those good memories do cross your mind, those tears of grief that seem to have an endless supply, begin to turn into tears of happiness. Your laughs are longer and your smiles are more frequent. You realize that even when your world seems as if it is turned upside down, God had, has, and will always have it right side up. You find joy in the most simple things, because Gods beauty is everywhere. You see your joy is doubled and your sorrow is minimized, because you realize that your experiences have helped others who have yet to experience such things. You understand the strength of true friendship, as you know that it can overcome even the most devastating tragedies. And although the ache of missing that special person never really goes away, you recognize how lucky you are to have such a special person to miss. 

I am thankful for this year. For all that I have learned. For all of the people I have met. For all of the people that have helped me grow. For all of the memories I have made. For my experiences. For what God has done in my life.

I am excited to see what this summer holds.
I am excited to see what God is going to do in these next 3 months.
I’ll keep you updated.