FOR GRANTED.

Well hello there, Hart. You're 24 years old. I don't know how this happened, but I've been thinking so much about it lately. Right as I started this very sentence, I got a text from a dear friend...

"I miss you too, Hartly! You have a husband, dog, house, and I have two children and live in Florida.  How did this happen?" 

I have NO idea.  How did this happen?  My parents always told me that the years get shorter and shorter the older you get.  Granted, I'm still very young by most standards, but it seems like I should still be in college, at least.

As I've been reflecting lately, it has been brought to my attention that I took (and still take) so many things for  granted.  If any younger girls read my blog (especially college girls), I want to tell you this: Enjoy where you are. Make the most of every opportunity. Make as many friends as possible. Stay up late. Go on road trips. Work at a camp. Go on a summer project or mission trip. Live in a big house full of girls. Be discipled. Eat as much ice cream as you want. Meet people different than you. Spend your work money on something you want. GIVE as much as you can. Soak up every learning experience like a SPONGE and don't take a moment for granted. 

I tell you this because I did (and still do) a lot of those things and took (and still take) most of them for granted.  I guess in the process I just thought it was normal or just an everyday part of life.  It has taken a couple of years for me to realize that those "everyday"  things have been the biggest blessings in my LIFE!
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Man how I took for granted living in a sorority house.  After spending many nights alone this past year while my husband traveled, I could not fathom the thought of being able to walk into the next room and have a best friend just sitting there ready to talk, run to sonic, go on a walk... Or living at the GO with my very best friends. There was definitely no fear in taking on a huge dinner when you had 4 other hands available to help!  You can't live with your best friends forever... some will move off for jobs, others will get married. Whatever the case is, you won't have that girl time forever.  So soak. It. Up.

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Or how about having a free summer?  Having rotation this summer (as well as realizing that I'll be a pharmacist for the next 50+summers) has made me realize how I took that free time of opportunity for granted!  Having the opportunity to work at Kamp and go to to Jackson Hole Summer Project... I cannot believe how I took that for granted.  What blessings those experiences were and oh, how I wish I could go again! Don't hesitate... if you are thinking about it, DO IT!  Don't let the chance pass you by... you won't have the chance forever... 

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These girls.  Oh, oh, OH how I miss these girls.  Finding the time to get five 25-year-old's together is quite a task... and five 25-year-old girls who are in the same life stage is even harder!  I think about some of the times that I skipped out on meeting with my discipleship group for one reason or another (studying, etc.) and I just want to cringe.  What I'd give to be able to have them back and even more so, have an older woman who cared about pouring into me as much as this one did.  I really took this for granted. 

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Now, don't let me sound as though I am complaining about this next one... Chad and I have been blessed beyond measure with so many wonderful things, including Chad's great job that the Lord uses to continually provide for us... But, man.... the thought of life without an electricity bill, car insurance, house mortgage, medical bills, etc... Now that's something I took for granted.  I try to remember what I used to do with my work money/allowance.  I guess I would go out and eat a lot or order a dress online.. who know's, but I don't do that much any more... Ha!  You may feel like a broke college kid, but don't take for granted being on your parent's health insurance.  Order those shoes! :)  And even more-so, give money to that girl fundraising for her mission trip... buy that Sally Foster wrapping paper or cookie dough from the kid ringing your doorbell.
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LEARN.  This is something that I am still taking for granted.  You are at a University!  There is a limitless amount of knowledge around you at all times!!! There are hundreds of classes, thousands of people, and an extremely wide variety of organizations within minutes from your very feet!  Get off the computer, get out of your room, get away from your comfort zone and GO LEARN!  You will never be in a place with as many free (or pre-paid) learning experiences around you!  I struggle with this every day as I am also still at a teaching institution... I work in a very diversified culture: healthcare.  I see all walks of life on a daily basis and I often forget that I'm not just here to learn about drugs... I'm here to learn from these people around me!  I have to remind myself of this every day... To not take this opportunity for granted.

It's funny that I say these things because I'm sure on down the road, if I'm blessed with little Berry's, I will say "MAN, HOW I TOOK THAT TIME ALONE FOR GRANTED!!!" So I'm not only telling you, but I'm telling myself this:  ENJOY TODAY!  Don't take a minute for granted.  Savor every moment with those you love where you are.  For where you are and who you're with is SUCH a blessing!

Don't wish your life away!

Days like today

Career Day.

Being in year 7 of college, one would think that the word "career" would be music to my ears.  CAREER.  That's such a big-girl word. Am I even old enough to have a career?  I often forget that I am officially in my mid-twenties, so it's probably about that time. With career day comes the realization that I have to make some major decisions very soon.  It also includes "how to make yourself the best candidate for the job you want" talks.  While I find this extremely helpful, it allowed my self-doubt to creep in and remind me of all the ways that I am insufficient.

I have to say that on days like today, I can't help but be incredibly grateful for the fact that the Lord has a very specific plan for my life.  A plan that He has had in store since July 13, 1988... and one that no one else can interfere with.

On days like today, I am thankful for the Lord's sovereignty and that I don't have to be overwhelmed with the decisions and choices that I must make in the next few months.

On days like today, I am thankful that in my insufficiencies, the Lord has an immeasurable amount of grace and goodness to make me complete.

On days like today, I am thankful "because everything He does is right and all his ways are just."

On days like today, I am thankful for moments that I am called out of comfort.

TONIGHT, on the other hand, has been wonderful!  Fresh Market date with my sweet friend Jamie complete with a spinach-feta pizza and chocolate ice cream. :)