I'm a dreamer...and a doer. I've had so many dreams--places I wanted to go, things I wanted to do, and people I wanted to meet-- and most of them have come true. People tell me I'm a "go-getter" and are marveled by the things that I have accomplished and experienced in 22 (almost 23) years. It wasn't until recently when I read my senior affirmation letters from my friends in the Duke Wesley Fellowship that I actually started listening. (Side note: Wesley is my campus ministry and the place I've called home for four years).
I believe my disinterest with people's fascination in my adventures stems from my small town roots. Let me explain... I'm from a VERY small town (I thought it was big until I found out that few public high schools in America graduate less than 50 kids on average). Now, I am the first to tell you that small town does not equal small minds; however, when most people were born and raised in the area, and few have lived on a coastline, I am not surprised that they think my life is crazy awesome. It is only recently that I have been able to fully appreciate just how amazingly blessed I am.
So here's my first blog post, as an adult. These are the dreams that have come true with a lot of preparation and the right opportunities.
#1 Going to Duke (and graduating)
Four years flies by, especially when you're having as much fun as I did, but I made it and have a LOT to show for it. The fancy diploma in its frame can't hold a candle to the friends and memories that I have in North Carolina and around the world with my Wesley family (throw your Dubs up!)
#2 See the world (or at least some of it)
In case you missed that semester I was "studying" in Italy, I got to see more of Europe than most people see in a lifetime, and I did it on the weekends throughout a semester. Also, missions trips in Kenya, Guatemala, Eleuthera, and Canada gave me a greater appreciation for mankind and have truly opened my eyes to the brilliance and diversity of God's creativity in humans alone.
#3 Change a life
I now realize that you change people's lives, so this dream should have been to change it for the better. I wanted to put this on my dreams, because it's always been a goal, but I think I know consider it more of a lifestyle that I'm working on every day.
#4 Find love
Condoleezza Rice spoke at Duke in the spring and I had the privilege of hearing her speak. She said many inspiring things, but this thought stuck with me. "College is about finding a passion, not a career." Now when people ask what I'm going to do for the rest of my life, I can tell them that I may not be certain of the career path, but I have found my passion. I love kids and working with them is a job I'd do for free, so I can only hope that I can make a career out of it.
#5 Give it all away
In my Valedictorian address at the Fairview High School graduation four years ago, I said a lot of things, but even though I wrote the speech, there's only one or two things I remember. I was tired of hearing the same quotes repeated (even though I love quotes), so I decided to write my own. It may never be used in another person's speech, but it will forever be my life motto: "Give until you've got nothing left; then give of yourself." When I feel like I've got nothing left, that always comes to mind.
I've got a few more dreams, and I believe that in a few years I'll be writing about how they played out and came true, but I am completely content with my life right now. To bring all my friends up to date, this Okie is going to be a Georgia Peach soon. As a US-2 missionary for the United Methodist Church, I will begin serving as the assistant chaplain at Murphy-Harpst Children's Center in Cedartown, GA in August. I can't wait to share this next adventure with my friends that now inhabit all sides of the globe.
There are dreams to be had and things to be done. To bed I go, and early I will rise. Night ya'll :)
I believe my disinterest with people's fascination in my adventures stems from my small town roots. Let me explain... I'm from a VERY small town (I thought it was big until I found out that few public high schools in America graduate less than 50 kids on average). Now, I am the first to tell you that small town does not equal small minds; however, when most people were born and raised in the area, and few have lived on a coastline, I am not surprised that they think my life is crazy awesome. It is only recently that I have been able to fully appreciate just how amazingly blessed I am.
So here's my first blog post, as an adult. These are the dreams that have come true with a lot of preparation and the right opportunities.
#1 Going to Duke (and graduating)
Four years flies by, especially when you're having as much fun as I did, but I made it and have a LOT to show for it. The fancy diploma in its frame can't hold a candle to the friends and memories that I have in North Carolina and around the world with my Wesley family (throw your Dubs up!)
#2 See the world (or at least some of it)
In case you missed that semester I was "studying" in Italy, I got to see more of Europe than most people see in a lifetime, and I did it on the weekends throughout a semester. Also, missions trips in Kenya, Guatemala, Eleuthera, and Canada gave me a greater appreciation for mankind and have truly opened my eyes to the brilliance and diversity of God's creativity in humans alone.
#3 Change a life
I now realize that you change people's lives, so this dream should have been to change it for the better. I wanted to put this on my dreams, because it's always been a goal, but I think I know consider it more of a lifestyle that I'm working on every day.
#4 Find love
Condoleezza Rice spoke at Duke in the spring and I had the privilege of hearing her speak. She said many inspiring things, but this thought stuck with me. "College is about finding a passion, not a career." Now when people ask what I'm going to do for the rest of my life, I can tell them that I may not be certain of the career path, but I have found my passion. I love kids and working with them is a job I'd do for free, so I can only hope that I can make a career out of it.
#5 Give it all away
In my Valedictorian address at the Fairview High School graduation four years ago, I said a lot of things, but even though I wrote the speech, there's only one or two things I remember. I was tired of hearing the same quotes repeated (even though I love quotes), so I decided to write my own. It may never be used in another person's speech, but it will forever be my life motto: "Give until you've got nothing left; then give of yourself." When I feel like I've got nothing left, that always comes to mind.
I've got a few more dreams, and I believe that in a few years I'll be writing about how they played out and came true, but I am completely content with my life right now. To bring all my friends up to date, this Okie is going to be a Georgia Peach soon. As a US-2 missionary for the United Methodist Church, I will begin serving as the assistant chaplain at Murphy-Harpst Children's Center in Cedartown, GA in August. I can't wait to share this next adventure with my friends that now inhabit all sides of the globe.
There are dreams to be had and things to be done. To bed I go, and early I will rise. Night ya'll :)
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