A year of learning

Finishing my first year of college, I was pleased with the way everything went. Since Christmas, I have finished my second semester with all A's, "officially" moved to California into my own apartment, and joined the First Christian Church of Orange. It has been a very eventful year and has led me closer to God as I learn more about myself and discover new things about the world. At the beginning of the year I was nervous about many things, and as I searched for answers throughout the year, I feel that I was able to see what the right path for me was.

God has opened many doors for me to learn in and outside of the classroom. Making the move to California official is one of the major experiences that I prayed over for a while, and finally felt that it was where God was leading me. I am learning to be more independent and more confident in who I am as an individual.

I completed my covenant project this semester, which proved to be another learning experience. I put on an event to raise money and boxer donations for a homeless shelter. Everything turned out great with the project except for the part of advertising my event. While trying to promote the event by handing out flyers and spreading the word around campus, I felt very vulnerable and insecure. I have learned that self-confidence is a huge thing that I need to work on and ask for God's help with.

I am headed back to Missouri for the first time since I moved out of my parents' house, and it is right before my nineteenth birthday. The greatest part about going back this specific week is that the church that I grew up at is having their annual picnic at the lake. When I was younger, I sang for special music at this picnic every year. This year is different, because I am going back as a visitor. I have a feeling that this is going to be another way God is helping me to learn about myself as an individual. I am no longer going to be grouped in as one of the church kids. I will be looked upon as an individual, as Charisse.

I hope I continue to have situations that help me learn more about myself. I don't believe that any of us know everything there is to know about ourselves. God created us each individually, and all we can do is strive to be our best for him, and ask him for strength and guidance as we push through the hard times, and excel in the good times. God is great, and so are we. Sometimes it just takes time to understand it.