Blessed to be here

The reality of graduation is sinking in.  In 40 days that I know will fly by, I will be walking across the stage in my cap and gown, showing my family around the amazing place that has become my home, and saying goodbye to the most wonderful friends that have become my family.  It will be the epitome of bittersweet, and even now I'm counting the days until I finally get to be done with my undergrad, while also never wanting to bid farewell to the people.  My motivation is shriveling and dying due to the very real diseases of senioritis and burnout (the latter of which I found out actually has psychological and physical symptoms, several of which I am experiencing).  It is pretty crazy how fast four years of college fly by.  And my baby sister is now a beautiful, smart, passionate, caring, prayerful and Christ-loving adult, graduating from high school a few weeks after my ceremony.

There are so many things I want to say but I don't know where to start so instead, here are photos of this year, not in chronological order.

After a fun line-dancing event, there were lots of chips and salsa left over and college students can never have too much (many?) chips and salsa, so Steph and I took it home in cups and Walmart bags.  She is always up for an adventure, is constantly seeking to know Christ better and become more like Him, encourages others and speaks truth.  Stephanie and I are total nerds (library dwellers) and like to geek out, laugh, and challenge each other.  I've grown so much as a Christian being her friend, and I can't wait to see how God uses her in the future.

L to R: Paige and John are two very sweet fellow science majors (and recently engaged), me, Lydia is a biology grad and my sweet pal and kindred spirit, and Amber (also a bio major) is my lovely and kind roommate.  This day was a perfect fall trip to the farm, complete with pumpkins, donuts, roasted corn, and a hayride.

Blenders are not easy to use.  This smoothie was so labor intensive and messy that it almost wasn't worth it.  Notice the red all over my hands?  Smoothie.  I think it took us almost an hour.

This is my dear friend Zack and me at the lighting of the Christmas tree in downtown Lansing.  We've been buds since my freshman year and we also did the Guatemala semester together.  Zack and I have a unique and wonderful friendship and we like to sing and make music together, speak Spanish, and enjoy each other's company.  He is passionate, goofy, talented, and is always striving to draw closer to God's heart.  God has blessed me and taught me with our friendship. (Also, Zack if you're reading this, I'm currently listening to the Gray Havens.)

Here's a picture of Zack without winter clothes so you can see what he actually looks like.  Also see how pretty Spring Arbor is in the summer?

Emily happened to visit during this winter's coldest week.  It was in the negatives during the day.
"Ugh, you look so classy and I look like a snowman!"

Man I love this gorgeous girl.  (By the way, we are at IKEA and she is holding a stuffed carrot.  During this trip I also bought a stuffed rat named Rutabaga.)

I think Lydia is the only person I know who can match my enthusiasm level.  Together we can get to the point where people stare and wonder if something is wrong with us--I am not exaggerating.  This beautiful girl and I hit it off from the start with our zeal for life and excitement for a future in medicine.  Her family became my family and my inner country girl was happy at Lydia's house.  She loves the Lord and is a genuine and wonderful friend.  This picture was taken the night we went to a Josh Turner concert, which was AMAZING.  Lydia has also kindled my love for country music.

I also met Jed during my first couple weeks of college, and he has become a true brother to me.  He knows me well and loves me despite my quirks and wild emotions, and I am so thankful for his faithful love for Christ, humor, kindness, and friendship.  He is now with a wonderful, vibrant woman and I could not be happier for them.  Jed is a huge blessing to me and many others and I love him a lot.

Amber and I visited the world's largest Christmas store, Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland.  After 4 years in Michigan, it was about time I made it out there.  Amber and I met when Lydia and I invited ourselves to stay at her house because we needed a place to stay, and we were known as the three musketeers of the science department after that.  Amber and I are now roommates, and she is such a blessing to me.  We love cooking and baking and our kitchen is always active, and we get great joy from watching musicals together and being hardcore science nerds.  Amber is incredibly thoughtful and caring and never lets anyone's birthday or special occasion slip by without a celebration.

I came down to Jed's hometown during spring break (for the first time in four years) and he showed around, took me out to lunch, and we visited his house.  It was a great day :)

This is me, pouring plates of agar for bacteria to grow in.  This room is the biochemistry lab where I  have spent many hours both in class and working as a lab assistant.  I love my work here and I'm going to miss being in the lab.

Well, that is a lot of pictures.  But I think it gives you an idea of why I love these people so much. I'm glad I've been taking so many pictures this year.  Of course there are still friends of whom I do not have photos, but I love them too.  If you want to come surprise me at graduation, I would love to see you!! My post about spring break will come eventually--I haven't forgotten.

Oh my gosh I'm just so thankful and joyful.  God is good and I am blessed--and so are you.  I don't really have a message for this post other than that.

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."