The choice

So it begins, this branching out of mine. Living eight hours away from my home, dwelling with people I have just met, and studying harder than I ever have before.

Am I willing to be changed by my experiences here, or will I refuse to listen to others?

Will I thrive in my classes or just do enough to get by?

Will I invest in relationships with my classmates or shut myself off because it's easier that way?

Will I stretch myself or expect others to change?

The choice is up to me.

focus

The sound of crickets, rustling leaves, chirping birds, and rippling water mix with sounds of civilization, of the train whistle and busy traffic.

All I can see is the pond, trees, golden sunlight, and distant power lines, but I know that just over the row of trees and houses is the train station and the busy town that surrounds it. 

Tonight is a beautiful night, full of laughing sunshine, a teasing breeze, and a refreshing warmth. But I could focus, if I so chose, on the ugly power lines and rushing vehicles.

My enjoyment of this evening is entirely dependent on where I choose to focus.

fist pumps

fist pumps

McDonald's ice cream cones

one-day field trips

making fun of commercials

playing tourist

random fact debates

stick figures on the side of a 12-passenger van

life as a musical

brainstorming

Adventures in Odyssey and movie quotes

matching t-shirts

popcorn

reading books outloud

Daddy Claus, not Santa Claus

I love my family.

Cell phone snapshots

bracelets from the Dominican Republic. Yay for friends going on missions trips. *smile*

Late night selfies

Celebrating this little one's birthday

Last beach trip with my friends

Car all packed up, ready to head to college

Cell phone snapshots.

End of summer and camp.

 Beach run with friends. 

College packing. Lots and lots of packing and shopping packed into a couple of days. 

Driving eight hours to college. 

Unpacking. 

Making friends with the girls in my suite.

Almost jumping for joy because my roommate loves God, tea, Jane Austen, and fruit even more than I do. 

Marathon watching Emma Approved. 

Finishing The Fellowship of the Ring.

My life over the past few weeks in a nutshell.

How is your August going?