From the Microwave to the Oven

The Road goes ever on and on,

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

~J.R.R. Tolkien

     Four years ago, I didn't want to come to Bryan College. Now, I wouldn't want to change it for the world!

     It is amazing when you look back and see how different your life could have been if you had made a different decision. If I had gone to another college, I would not have had made all the friends that I have made at Bryan. If I had not been a Musical Theatre major, I would not have had the same influence at school or the opportunities to perform in fabulous shows. If I had not gone through specific difficult circumstances over the past four years, I would not be the person I am today!

     Bryan College has been quite an experience! Some of my best days and some of my worst days have been at this school. I have struggled through grief, heartbreak, and stress. I have been given the wonderful gifts of friendship, performances, and victories! These past four years have greatly influenced and shaped who I am.

Yet, all beautiful things must come to an end. This chapter has come to a close. 

     Now a new chapter has begun and I am not quite sure that I am ready for it. The working world is filled with stress, planning, and complications that I now have to learn how to navigate. It can be overwhelming at times.Thankfully, being home has allowed me to have the time to be taught and trained by my loving parents. It has also given me time to save for whatever comes next. This wouldn't have been the case if I had found an internship like I had originally planned.

     Although I am overwhelmed in this new phase of life, I am underwhelmed also. I didn't know that it was possible to feel both at the same time! College life moves at such a crazy speed that the rest of the world doesn't follow. I had gotten so used to the pace of college that the working world seems to move so slowly. My dad fittingly described it as going from "living life in a microwave to moving to the oven"! Changing to fit this new speed has been an adjustment.

To think, it has only been a week since I graduated from college!

     In that week, there have been a lot of learning curves, reality checks, and goal evaluations. In that week, I have come up with dozens of scenarios of what could come next. In that week, I have struggled with the balance of planning ahead and still trusting the Lord with one day at a time.

     Yet, God is good. God is faithful. God is my provider just as He has been throughout all of college. No matter where I am or where I go my relationship with Him will always be my constant in the midst of life's transitions. This transition from "the microwave to the oven" will be confusing and rocky, but it will also be filled with new adventures, new explorations, and the promise of the Lord's faithfulness no matter where I am! Here we go on a new Road!