What College Has Taught Me

Three years of college have taught me a lot of book knowledge, but possibly the most important lessons it has taught me are those regarding life.  I hope these lessons will stick with me long graduation fades into a distant memory. 

The world is full of hurting, broken people.

So be that listening ear.  Be the one that walks the long way to your car because someone is pouring out their life story to you.  Be the shoulder to cry on when life is tough for your fellow classmate.  Be the one that shares class notes with the person who missed a class when they were without childcare.  Smile kindly at the person who took your favorite seat.  Everyone is fighting their own often unseen battles, so spread God's love and grace when and where you can. 

Not everyone believes the way I do, and that's okay too.

They are still precious in God's sight and I should treat them as such.  I don't condone hanging out with bad influences, but you may be the light God intentionally sets in someone's path.  We can agree to disagree and still have respect for each other and our differences. 

You don't have to believe everything someone tells you.  

I was taught things in class that are contrary to the beliefs I hold.  But you know what?  It is so freeing to know I don't have to believe it just because they say it is true! What is true for someone else doesn't automatically have to be true for me too.  Others are entitled to their beliefs and I'm entitled to mine as well.  If that means remembering something only long enough to regurgitate it on a test, so be it.  Recognize it for what it is and then move on.  

Grades are important, but they do not define you.  Many grades are not representative of what you know.  You can be taught how to be a safe nurse, but you can't be taught how to be a caring nurse.  School can teach you how to start an intravenous line, but it can't teach you how to listen compassionately to a patient's fears surrounding the placement of one.   

Enjoy the journey.  Like everything else, "this too shall pass," so make the most of it through the joyful and the difficult seasons.  

Chesapeake Shores Review

                                      

Image found online

I have so enjoyed watching the Chesapeake Shores TV series on the Hallmark Movies Now app recently.  I know it has been around for a while, but I'm late to the party and never watched it while it was airing in real-time.  This fun series is set in fictional Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, and it has an amazing small-town feel to it. I love that the characters can drive their golf cart into town and grab a bite to eat.  All the beach and water scenes make me want to visit a northeastern beach. The series is *relatively* family-friendly.  It is a Christian show, but the Christian references are sometimes few and far between. All things considered, it is a pretty benign and light-hearted show that I believe you would enjoy too.

The first season had a lot of family drama in it.  Child custody disputes and old grudges added a good bit of tension to the first season.  It wasn't overpowering, but for me, it made it less enjoyable.  When I watch TV, I generally want it to be relaxing and happy.  I love Jess's personality but wish she was able to forgive the grudges she held against her mother (edit: they mellow out over time!).

The second season had a lot less tension and drama in it.  I thought something was off with Abbie but after some research, I realized she was pregnant in real life during that season.  She wasn't showing huge at the time, but it was funny seeing her always carrying something bulky or camera angles hiding her growing belly.  I enjoyed this season a lot more than the first one since it was more low-key and relaxed.  Trace and Lee's song will get stuck in your head - you've been warned!  Jess's romance is the cutest thing ever. 

Season three was a lot of fun.  Trace Riley, Simon Atwater, and Kevin's girlfriend really grew on me this season.  Admittedly, I didn't care a whole lot for any of the three early on.  Trace spent a lot of time on the road, which strained his and Abbie's relationship.  Meanwhile, Jess's relationship continues to bloom.  Her boyfriend's character, integrity, and commitment are admirable.  He has turned into one of my favorite characters on the show!  

Season four was lovely but sad to watch since I knew it was coming to an end.  It's six episodes were over way too fast.  This season was full of life-altering moments. I so enjoyed watching the characters navigate life and happily ever afters.    

Season five is supposedly coming out next year, so we'll see!  You'll find me impatiently waiting until then :).

Fall is in the Air!

Fall is upon us!  The days are getting shorter, the nights colder, and the air crisper.  This is my favorite time of the year.  There is a certain feeling in the air when fall approaches that I can't quite describe.  The fireplaces, the blankets, the pumpkins, the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot - I love it all!  Like Anne Shirley in L.M. Montgomery's iconic book, I am truly so glad we live in a world with Octobers.

Photo via Pinterest

As I pulled out fall decorations this year, I smiled when I unearthed this pumpkin and remembered its history.  Last fall at this time, a sweet group of girls and I got together for a night of painting and fellowship.  We had a blast singing to Disney tunes while painting wooden pumpkins.  Yes, we're crazy but we had a lot of fun!  The more creative ones of us (myself not included!) derived inspiration from Pinterest for our pumpkin decorating.  This colorful pumpkin is what I ended up with.  I cannot paint or draw to save my life, but I had lots of fun in the process!  Though fall gatherings look different or absent this year, I am so thankful to have memories such as these to reflect on. 

Corrie ten Boom's Words for Today

Beautiful sunsets recently!

We have certainly seen our world fall apart over the last months.  Every source of stability seems to have been pulled out from underneath us.  I have always loved quotes by Corrie ten Boom, but recently they are speaking to me even more than ever.  I encourage you to google Corrie ten Boom quotes and see what wisdom can be gleaned from her.  This quote by her has such relevance lately:  "If you look at the world, you'll be distressed.  If you look within, you'll be depressed.  If you look at God you'll be at rest."  Reading the news headlines produces all kinds of feelings and emotions the past months: fear, frustration, disappointment, questions...the list trails on and on.  "When will things go back to normal?"  "Will we live this way forever?"  "When will a stranger be able to see my smile without a mask?"  "When will I be able to hug the elderly at church?"  Every influence is telling us to worry, but Corrie reminds us that "Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength - carrying two days at once.  It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time.  Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength."   Worry and fear are pervasive these days, but fear is the opposite of faith.  We are reminded in second Timothy 1:7 that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."  Even when the world goes crazy, our God stays the same and is still there for us to run to.  He listens to our worries and cares, reminds us that He is the one in control, and He is the One reigning on the throne.  Praise the Lord for this truth!

My Sister Started a Blog!

My beautiful, smart, amazing sister recently started her own blog!  She blogs about Christian lifestyle, music, piano, book and movie reviews, and all things lovely according to Philippians 4:8.  Go check it out!  Her web address is www.gracefullyelisabeth.blogspot.com or click here.

A Bookmark for My Mom

I had the joy of making this sweet bookmark for my mom recently.  One of my mom's friends cleaned out her crafting supplies and gave me the pattern and supplies for this bookmark.  The scalloped edging is darling and the colors are so calming.  This sweet bookmark is now ready to dutifully save the place in her books!