Plans, plans, plans....

Wow, a lot has changed since I posted last. Before I start this, I just need to say that God has been working overtime in my life, shaping me and molding me into the person He wants me to be. I never knew I could change so much in such a short amount of time.

Ok, where to start?....Well, the original plan for this year was that I would be finishing up my last semester of classes right now and then next semester I would be doing my student teaching internship at a local elementary school. I was getting all excited about being done with classes and graduating in May. I was starting to think about where I wanted to go after graduation and everything that goes along with that.

Due to some circumstances with one of my summer classes, I still have one more class to take besides my internship. And, according to Clearwater, I have to have all course work completed before internship. SO, I was going to have to go home for the Spring semester, take fulltime classes (so as not to have to start paying back loans and so as not to lose my health insurance), work, and then come back down here and pay buttloads of money for summer school, and then come back down in the fall for student teaching. After much reluctancy and tears, that was the new plan. THEN, my parents told me that I might as well just take an easy load of classes down here in the spring and pick up another minor and not have to come back for summer school and then do my thing in the fall. I was a lot happier with that decision, because honestly I love being here. I didn't want to have to cart all my crap home for a few months and then turn right around and cart it all back down here.

Well, anyways, the real point is: I have learned SO much in the past couple weeks. When I first found out about having to take a semester off and not graduate until next December, I was so upset. I had my life planned like 9 months in advance as to what I was going to do. I went to my advisor's office and just cried and cried trying to figure out what to do and if there was any way around the rules. I kept telling myself that God had a plan and there was a reason why this was happening. Finally, one day, I pretty much gave up holding onto my plans so tightly. I gave it over to God and really believed that He was in control and had a plan for what He was doing in my life. That very night, my mom called me with the idea of staying here. It was awesome that the same day I gave in to God, He allowed me to have this new opportunity of getting a History minor and maybe even my coaching minor too. I will also be down here for Spring soccer and for next season, even though I can't play. My coach wants to my help out with the team though, so that is a plus.

Anyways, as I said before, I am the type of person that thinks my plans are carved in stone and I get really upset when they change. I was talking to someone I consider a mentor of mine and he said that "A plan is just that...a plan". And that is so true. I don't know why I think my plans are the best. God's ways are higher than mine and He knows what is best for me. I know there is a reason for these changes and such, and I have learned intensely and QUICKLY to trust God. I was telling a friend that it is so easy, when someone else is going through a rough time, to tell them to trust God and that God has a plan and purpose for everything. But, your faith really gets tried when it's you that something is happening to. Those are the times when you're like, "ummm can God really do this?" I have such a small faith in such a big God.


SOOOOO....the new plan (haha....i should say tentative plan...) is:
Jan-May 08 Take 12 credits @ Clearwater
May-Aug 08 Work @ home
Aug-Dec 08 Student Teaching Intership @ Clearwater