12 things in 2012

Twelve things I did for the first time this year:

1.) Learned how to give a horse a massage
2.) Met Kim Meeder (twice!) and heard her speak
3.) Met Ken McNabb and audited a private clinic
4.) Swam in the Kentucky River and swung off a rope swing
5.) Was published in a horse magazine (the Northwest Rider)
6.) Earned my Bachelor's degree - first and only with the Asbury Equine Journalism degree
7.) Learned how to make tortillas and chocolate cake from scratch
8.) Ate at a Waffle House and the original KFC (where the Colonel's chicken was first fried)
9.) Rode Maverick (the newest Miami Police Mount recruit)
10.) Learned to tat
11.) Walked to the barn, across the fields, with my roommate / cousin Abby
12.) Manned a spotlight - for Christmas in the Country

God blessed me this year. This list of a mere dozen fun or happy things doesn't even account for spiritual growth or relationships He gave me. It doesn't count the thousands of breaths He allowed me to take or the fact that He woke me up 365 times this year!

Grace & Peace!

Time of Life

Goodness - I've said it before, and I'll say it again I'm sure - I dislike transitions.

I have finished my college career. No more papers, tests, classes or credit hours. Whether I'll go on for a Master's degree or not, I am unsure. Right now I have to finish packing and then move back to my parents' house. Until God shows me what is next.

I think the hardest (scariest) part for me right now is how unknown my future is. I honestly have nothing concrete or definite that I am looking forward to. For some people that wide open opportunity is exciting, but it's not when I consider the default if something doesn't happen. I know that I want to write for a horse magazine, bless those around me and have a fulfilling life. I want to glorify God with my life, and I want to know that what I am doing it exactly what He wants me to be doing with my life. I want to do everything perfect, and I sometimes (a lot of the time) don't enjoy or praise God in the process. And I am going through a process to get somewhere - and that somewhere is unknown to me right now.

Two and half years ago I came here to Asbury to finish college. It was a step of faith, and God took care of me. Looking back and around - this has been a mountain top experience. I wouldn't change a thing. He took me from a valley to a high green meadow. I still get so giddy and excited when I think that I've gotten to study equine journalism in Kentucky - in Kentucky, with horses and friends my age who love horses, and professors who love God. I am so thankful that I have gotten to experience this community, a place where I belong. Asbury is my school, and it will always be my school.

Now I have to go out and be the person that Asbury prepared me to be. I know it's time to move on. I am ready to be done with school work. But I am almost afraid that once I leave the Asbury community that I'll loose the community and connection I have here. Asbury's creed is "Academic Excellence and Spiritual Vitality." There is a great emphasis on community here. At the barn, the emphasis is, "God, people and horses." At no church or community group have I felt like I belong, as I have here.

You probably can read into the paragraphs above that my emotions are like a roller coaster right now. One minute I am super excited to be done with school. The next I am terrified of what I will do now that school is over. One minute I'm thankful for the friendships I have made and am confident that the ones God wants to last will last; I just need to treat everyone as Jesus would. The next minute I am so sad to be leaving my friends.

Life goes on. I know it will work out. God is in charge. :-)