The song this blog is named after...

Return of the Ducklings

This is always one of my favorite days of the quarter. Everyone is coming back from their spring breaks and I get to hear all the stories! I love seeing my  resident's happy shining faces because (most of them) are excited to be back. They tell me all about their adventures but it ends with "but I've missed you so much!" And I love hearing noise all around me again. People are talking everywhere! And I missed the "Anna I have a question for you" moments. Or the "Anna I need you to____." And I've missed the happy smiling faces that pass my door all the time. So yeah, I'm glad they're back.

The big green chair has already gotten two uses for the quarter. Best RA investment EVER. If you haven't met my chair, it is the perfect combo of fuzzy and soft and you sink into it just perfectly and it's big enough that you can fit 2 people, or curl up in it, or whatever your little heart desires.

But anyway, today has been great. Evidences of God's Grace:

• pudding cup
• cheap paper for grad announcements
• laughing with residents
• having good conversations
• Kelsie

It's a New Day

I'm baaaaaack!! And full of all kinds of plans and exciting thoughts for what I can write on here, etc. Actually achieving those things will be the challenge, but nothing is gained from sitting around and thinking about it.

So since I last posted a bit has changed:

• I'm a senior in college
• I'm a Resident Assistant in the first-year residence halls
• I'm 21
• I've found a neat college church
• I've begun the police officer testing process twice
• I've had some major disappointments and some huge successes
• I've made some incredible friendships and grown apart from some people that I truly miss

Yesterday I found out some very disappointing news. I applied for a Police Reserve job with a department that I was extremely excited about. It would have been pretty much perfect. The testing process was an emotional roller coaster, but I had hope. Yesterday I received the news that I will not be getting the position. I spent a long time, pretty much the whole afternoon, struggling with WHY. Jesus sent me this verse:

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act." Psalm 37:5 

That was my encouragement to keep going. And goodness it's tough. Because now I'll be stressing out all over again until I find another job that I'm excited for. But that's ok. 

On the bright side, my residents have started coming back from break!!! I love them so much. They have no idea. I've always liked being needed, and this year my ressies have been phenomenal. Yes, I occasionally have to be the "you're breaking policy" RA, but most of the time I have a blast just hanging out with them and getting to know them. They call me Mama Duck because I explained to them at the very beginning of the year that they're like my little ducklings since they follow me around everywhere and ask me for help for everything. Some of them have flown the coop already, but I've held on to most of them and we get along just fine. :)

I've been listening to Mars Hill's Real Marriage series. I know, I know, I'm not married. I don't even have a boyfriend. I'm not even CLOSE to having a boyfriend. But the message I just finished was on how to be a respectful wife and I learned so much. I was so blown away that I'm going to listen to it again to take notes. Basically, this is something that all women who desire to love Jesus and show it in their lives and marriages (present or future) should listen to. 

So that's the most recent news.  I'm excited to start this again, to be able to put my thoughts down in writing. It won't always be profound. In fact, most of the time it'll probably be the day-to-day mundane things that I love so much about life. But 5 years from now, I'll be able to remember what life was like. So 'till next time.

Thanks

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and of course I must do the obligatory thankfulness post. I'm thankful first and foremost for Jesus. I have my days that I'm totally in tune with what He wants, and days where I could care less, but I know always, ALWAYS, that he loves me more than anything and that makes me feel so special!

Right after Jesus, I'm thankful for my friends. These are a unique group of people who range from loud and outgoing to quiet and reserved. Some are mega smart and some are just normal (like me!). Some are ambitious, others are content. Some are artistic, others are athletic. Some are great at communicating, and some suck. But all of them make me the happiest girl ever. I know that I have several dozen people who honest to goodness care about my life and what direction it takes. I know there are at least a few who have the guts to stand up to me and challenge my beliefs, thoughts, and actions. And because of what God has done through them, I am a better person.

Also, I'm very thankful for the daily things we take for granted. Safety. Toilets. Heat. Water. Money. Good food. Computers. Internet. Pictures. Clothing. Movies. Coffee. Gloves. Soap.

And there is a category I wouldn't have mentioned last year--the police force. I am SO thankful for the wealth of information about not only the job I want to do, but also life in general that I have learned from being an Explorer, talking with officers, going to Academy, and riding with officers. Going to Academy was literally one of the most life-changing moments I've ever had. I know I can do whatever I set my mind to--whether I feel like it's possible or not.

Yay. Happy Thanksgiving!

The day before

Tomorrow at noon, my dad is picking me up for Thanksgiving break. YAY! Alex and Brittney left this afternoon, along with most of our podlings, I think. So Hollie and I decided to have dinner and watch a movie. It was funtastic. I love Hollie. She's like........well I don't know how to describe her, but she's awesome. She goes home on the weekends, so the entire time I've been here I haven't gotten to know her that well, but now that I am, I like what I know :)

It's just weird trying to pack to go back to my house and my empty room. This feels like home. And I know my empty room won't. But the plus side is that my extended family is coming over for Thanksgiving! YAY! And then I get to hang out with Jill. And I forgot the best part--MARS HILL ON SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm a little excited :D

My goals for the week are to finish my reading and talk to Caroline. Because I miss her. And that's all folks! Next time I blog I'll be back on the hill!

snow, snow, go away, come back after Wednesday

All of Washington has been getting snow. We've had snow several days. However, it's never stuck around like this before. I went to see the school's production of Urinetown (excellent, by the way) and when I came out, it was already sticking. I'm guessing we'll have an inch within the hour. The bummer would be that it's Sunday. So I'm supposed to go to church tonight and classes tomorrow and Tuesday. If it keeps snowing, I'm not going to be able to go to church because I walk and it's so cold and slippery. And walking to classes is just going to stink.

But I guess as long as it goes away so that I can go home for Thanksgiving, I'm ok.