I have had some extra time on my hands this week since I'm not working during the day, so I've also had more time to lay in bed and just think...about everything...but mostly what changes are about to happen in the next couple months in my life. 

 I am starting at a new college in a couple weeks. I'm fearful of stepping out of my comfort zone to meet new people, which I don't understand because I am a very bubbly, outgoing person...but it scares me. I'm scared about the 19 hours of classes I'm taking and not being able to get all my work done with the perfection I strive for. 

 My father is getting married in 1 month and that scares me. Am I going to have the same relationship with him when he is married? Am I going to get a long with my step-mom when we have family gatherings? Are my brother and I going to connect with our step-sister and step-brother? All questions I keep asking myself because this is an experience I haven't ever been through. 

Some of my best friends are moving away to college (very soon) and I was afraid that college would change who they are. Until I realized how grounded they are in their faith, that they will only change into a better, stronger version of themselves. 

 I pray for everyone, that throughout the changes in your life as you go back to school, that you will stay grounded in your faith and continuously spend time with God so your faith will continue to blossom. I hope that everything you have shared, about the mission trips changing you for the better, will keep growing throughout the next year. I pray that you step out of your comfort zone to meet new friends. I pray that whatever God puts in your path, that you take on the challenge...but when it gets hard, that you don't go at it alone, but ask for God's help. He is always there to protect you and help you. I pray that you use the friends you've made on mission trips as support groups to keep you accountable for spending time with God and working on enlarging your walk with him. 

Jeremiah 29:11-14

"I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out-plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. I'll turn things around for you. I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you, bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on me."