I think I can… I think I can… I did it!!!

I have officially graduated from Anderson University with an Art Education Degree K-12! Woo hoo! I did it and in only three and half years. 
 
As an education major, we like to reflect.  And through those reflections I grew in knowledge, values, and community.  So today I sit here and reflection over my three and half years at college.  And one word that comes to mind is Change.  Over these three years I have changed and I have grown. 
I came into to college set on being an art teacher.  My elementary art teacher was the one who had an impact on my life. And  I wanted to make a difference in students’ lives, just as my elementary teacher made a difference in me. 

Freshman year, one word to describe me was quiet.  I hid behind my friends and my high-school relationships.  I struggled to find my place, and where I belonged.   But I find an amazing bible study group that encouraged me. 

Freshman Year Bible Study

Sophomore year, I became an RA (a resident advisor) which means I was in charge of my dorm of 40 upperclassmen girls.  I loved this job, my staff, and my hall.  I was able to pour into my peers and help them with anything and everything.  I planed events and became a campus leader.  Through my sophomore year and this job I became bold. I was no longer quiet and timid.  I also started looking into study abroad opportunities, but doors continued to be closed.   One door that opened up was going to Kenya with a different university over the summer on a mission trip. Ohh how I loved Kenya. 

RA staff

Kenya Light Team

Junior year, I figured things out…. Ha. I will never figure things out because God always has a different plan.  But I did decided to graduate early, and my old boss told me about the World Race.  And doors started opening up and things started to fall into place.  I knew that this is where God wanted me to be, but I had to wait a semester for the January 2012 race to open up.  Junior year, I lived in a ministry house with four other amazing girls.  Our ministry was for out-of-state freshmen girls.  This was a great ministry where I was able to develop relationships and help girls out who lived out of state.  We were able to use our house to bring God all the glory.  Junior year was also the year that I devoted to school whole-heartedly and committed to all my classes.  Needless to say I sent hours on end in the art studios. 

Ministry House Party!

Senior year has come and gone, it was short, simple, and to the point.  I student taught all semester at TL Hanna High School.  I taught seven different art classes at the high school level.  The state requires me to be in the classroom for 65 days.  This was a great experience.  I was able to learn about teaching, classroom management, parent communication and much more.   I feel prepared to teach in the public school.  Over this semester, I have enjoyed student teaching but I know that God is calling my life to missions overseas. 

Thinking back over the years, I did a lot of proving. People saying I could not or it was ill-advised to do that… But I did it.  I proved that I could graduate in three and a half with an art education degree.  I prove that I could make 150 pieces of ceramics in one semester.  I proved that I could handle high-school students and teach them.  And now I am proving that this is where God wants me to be.
 
Today is graduation day… December 9.  I did it!  But today also marks the one month countdown to my next adventure.  On January 9, I leave for the World Race.  And I am now $1,165 away from being fully funded! It is only God that has gotten me this far.   Although my formal education at college has come to an end, God is consistently teaching me… and I am learning something new each and every day. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6