Graduated.. Well, I’m a graduate! From what might you ask?
COLLEGE
4 years, 3 colleges, 2 countries and 1 degree. That’s exactly what I wrote on my graduation cap… I made it through. Not just made it through, but I journeyed through this thing called college.
A lot of you may know my story of college but for those of you who don’t… here it goes. My senior year of high school I was recruited by a few different schools for lacrosse. Where I would go off to college and play the sport that I loved and that I was pretty good at. I thought this was the best thing ever, that I would be going off to a top ten D3 college where I would play the sport of my dream. Little did I know that this was a decision that would change my life. I got to Fredonia my freshman year and was enjoying everything for the first 3 weeks… until depression and anxiety hit me full on. It was like a freight train had hit me but it was invisible, although it was still going full speed. I was going to class and then going right back to my room, not wanting to be around anyone or doing anything. I lost 15 pounds and wasn’t eating, I was not happy with myself or the place I was in.
I decided that I was going to leave that school and would go to community college, little did I know that I would go off to a school with a guy I was dating at the time. I thought this was a good idea because I was comfortable with him and I would be close to family… yet the same exact thing happened at this school. I wasn’t happy and I wasn’t growing, I was actually going downhill. So I decided it was time to stop deciding for other people and just go home for a year to figure everything out… little did I know that God had a much greater plan for me.
July 2014- I was sitting in my grandma’s backyard with my entire family, chatting about life and what I would do next. This is when my Aunt Becky said “Have you looked at CNU?” and I shrugged it off, discouraged that I would never find a college that I liked or be happy again. My mom had a different thought and said let’s go look at it, it can’t hurt. She basically dragged me down there, and I am so thankful for that now. So, 2 weeks later we got in the car and drove down to southern Virginia, 9 hours away from my home, family, and life.
The minute we drove up to that campus I knew that was where I needed to be, I fell in love with the campus and the area it was in. From there I went on to apply to the school in late July, contact the lacrosse coach and hope for the best. The coach said she wanted me on the team and I got into CNU the first week of August… 3 weeks before school started. There was only one issue, I had nowhere to live and admissions said it wasn’t looking great for me. 5 days before orientation was going to start I got a call “We have a room for you.” I was going to CNU and there was no turning back. This was God working, there was no other explanation for this timing and all that he was doing.
As I look back on this series of events I realize that God was working in my life even when I didn’t even know it. He was preparing the way for me to find CNU where I found my community, my faith, my joy, my education, I found life in Christ. He knew exactly where he wanted me to be, although I still struggle with different things and continue to sin, God gave me the opportunity to grow and flourish. I joined the business fraternity, becoming the Vice President of Activities. I joined Fellowship of Christian Athletes where I became a leader of events and ministry on campus. I got into the business school and finished my degree on time. I studied abroad in Italy for three months. Although my college experience isn’t what I thought it would be… but it’s exactly what I needed it to be. God knew where he was taking me and what was happening next. I am truly blessed by everything and everyone who has gone through this with me, so thank you.
Now that I have graduated I realize it’s time to take on the World, quite literally! The World Race is in 5 months and I am beyond excited to take on this journey. Although, the past couple of weeks I have been feeling anxious again, about leaving my home at CNU and going into the unknown. This morning God told me something else and gave me this scripture…
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
-Matthew 6:34
At first, I was confused about this and had to re-read it. Then I looked up and I realized that’s it not about tomorrow it’s about what was before it and what was before us. The verse before it said…
“So do not worry saying ‘what shall we eat? Or ‘what shall we drink? Or ‘what shall we wear?For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly father knows you need them. But seek FIRST his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
-Matthew 31-33
It’s not about us, it’s about first seeking his kingdom and he will give you his glory. This is what I am going to focus on today, not worrying about tomorrow. But, seeking his kingdom first.
Love to you all!
