To say that my life has been crazy is an understatement. My
last post was on September 2nd-the last time I probably actually did
not have homework. A lot has happened over the semester, and it continues to
challenge me in many ways. Although I am now considered an “upperclassman”, I
still feel like that freshmen trying to get a hold of this whole college thing.
I thought it would get easier, but in reality, it became more challenging.
Looking back at high school, if I could single out one year of my high school career it would be junior year. Why? Because it was horrible. Worst year ever. I was so glad when summer hit. The year was exhausting mentally, emotionally, and academically. But I don’t want to focus on that. Rather, I want to focus on how my college junior year is going. When beginning the school year, I cringed at hearing the word “junior”. All I could think about was my junior year in high school and how that turned out. But I wanted to be optimistic. I determined that this junior year was going to be great. I was not going to let anything ruin it. Well, here I am, and I can personally say, it has been a lot more challenging than I thought. To simply say, I am finding joy in the midst of the chaos.
School. Where do I even begin? Let’s start with the word crazy. That has been my semester. I have had so much homework-an average of 8 hours a night. I have lesson plans and standards coming out of my ears, and not to mention an insane load of chocolate to help J My classes have been demanding not only mentally, but also emotionally. Being an education major may seem like it is easy, but it is actually hard. I’m interacting with kids who have poor home lives, family issues, and not enough money. I’m learning to love each kid for whom they are, not what they can do academically. Most importantly, I’m learning that teaching is always going to be challenging. Some days my heart is full, other days my heart is hurting. I’m in a kindergarten classroom right now and experience some of the most real things in that classroom. I’m overwhelmed and grateful how much my professors care for me and my future career. They want me to succeed-not for myself, but for the children. Maybe that’s why they push us so hard. I am so blessed to be in this mission field. The next 3 semesters are going to be even more challenging, but the Lord has His hand in this-along with everything else in my life!
With the demands of schooling, it has not been easy for any other part of my life. I have been at my job at the Y for two years now, and I continue to love what I do. Some days are easier than others, but when you have those great days, you know why you do it. I have fallen in love with the first grade age and would love to be a 1st grade teacher. They are awesome! But with my class schedule, I was not receiving enough hours to support myself financially so I had to find a second job. I was offered a job at Family Wellness in the childcare center. I started orientation and am excited for this new job. It will be challenging holding down two jobs on top of school but it’s what I have to do.
Looking back at high school, if I could single out one year of my high school career it would be junior year. Why? Because it was horrible. Worst year ever. I was so glad when summer hit. The year was exhausting mentally, emotionally, and academically. But I don’t want to focus on that. Rather, I want to focus on how my college junior year is going. When beginning the school year, I cringed at hearing the word “junior”. All I could think about was my junior year in high school and how that turned out. But I wanted to be optimistic. I determined that this junior year was going to be great. I was not going to let anything ruin it. Well, here I am, and I can personally say, it has been a lot more challenging than I thought. To simply say, I am finding joy in the midst of the chaos.
School. Where do I even begin? Let’s start with the word crazy. That has been my semester. I have had so much homework-an average of 8 hours a night. I have lesson plans and standards coming out of my ears, and not to mention an insane load of chocolate to help J My classes have been demanding not only mentally, but also emotionally. Being an education major may seem like it is easy, but it is actually hard. I’m interacting with kids who have poor home lives, family issues, and not enough money. I’m learning to love each kid for whom they are, not what they can do academically. Most importantly, I’m learning that teaching is always going to be challenging. Some days my heart is full, other days my heart is hurting. I’m in a kindergarten classroom right now and experience some of the most real things in that classroom. I’m overwhelmed and grateful how much my professors care for me and my future career. They want me to succeed-not for myself, but for the children. Maybe that’s why they push us so hard. I am so blessed to be in this mission field. The next 3 semesters are going to be even more challenging, but the Lord has His hand in this-along with everything else in my life!
With the demands of schooling, it has not been easy for any other part of my life. I have been at my job at the Y for two years now, and I continue to love what I do. Some days are easier than others, but when you have those great days, you know why you do it. I have fallen in love with the first grade age and would love to be a 1st grade teacher. They are awesome! But with my class schedule, I was not receiving enough hours to support myself financially so I had to find a second job. I was offered a job at Family Wellness in the childcare center. I started orientation and am excited for this new job. It will be challenging holding down two jobs on top of school but it’s what I have to do.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers
and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the
testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
-James 1:2-4
School and work is only the beginning of this crazy semester but I am thankful for this season of my life. It has been more difficult meeting with God on a daily basis, but I am learning how to incorporate it into my schedule. Spending time with Him is so necessary. I need it. More than anything else. Those times at 6 am where I spend time with the Lord is the most peaceful time of the day. When I forget to spend time with God or simply push it til later, my day is off.
School and work is only the beginning of this crazy semester but I am thankful for this season of my life. It has been more difficult meeting with God on a daily basis, but I am learning how to incorporate it into my schedule. Spending time with Him is so necessary. I need it. More than anything else. Those times at 6 am where I spend time with the Lord is the most peaceful time of the day. When I forget to spend time with God or simply push it til later, my day is off.
But through all of the busyness, stress, and craziness, I choose joy. I don’t always have a joyful attitude, but it is something I am working on. Even on those bad days, I choose joy. The only reason I have joy is because of Him. I am seeing more fruits develop in my life, but it is only because of the challenges I am facing. God is changing and stretching me. It is a process.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
-Galatians 5:22-23
You may be having the best year of your life or you may be
in the same boat as me, but if there is one thing you can do it is this: choose
joy. We have joy in Christ and it should shine!
With Blessings,
Heather
With Blessings,
Heather
