1st down!

Today I finished my first week at school. I'm exhausted, but I made it through the first week! As my mom and I would say, I made a first down. Being from the south we are of course football fans, so it seemed like the perfect metaphor. My mom definitely won her game when she graduated from nursing school this summer. I'm just looking to make it to the end of the 1st quarter at this point. That would be the end of the semester for those of you who are not catching on. ;)

I'm starting to learn my way around and I really like this city. My heart is still currently with Atlanta, but there are some good things I can say about this place.

Classes went really well. I really like all of my professors and I really like that they each begin class with a prayer. Really puts you in the right frame of mind. Also, my professors are really funny. Neat individuals who really love the Lord and who are extremely intelligent; I look forward to getting to know them more. I have read more in the last week than I have all summer! I think I may need glasses because by Thursday night I thought my head would explode if I looked at another book or computer screen. I should start working this week so it will be interesting to see how I balance all of that. I know the Lord is good and He will provide.

I know this is short, but I just wanted to give a quick update. I will write more later because I'm definitely learning a lot and have a lot more to share. :)
Jill

Night before Orientation

Well my mom just pulled out of the parking lot and I cried like a little baby. This is crazy, I'm 30 years old and crying because my mom left. Everyone here has been so so nice since I moved in and I know I'll feel much better once everything gets rolling, I just feel like a little kid without their mommy right now. Uhhhh, why do we have to grow up?! This is a little harder transition than I thought. I didn't realize how comfortable I had become in Alpharetta. :) Like my Mom said though, "the Lord brought me to it and the Lord will get me through it". BTW - Thanks everyone for your encouraging posts/comments. They help more than you know. Oh, and I found out today that I can't wear jeans to class! I about had a heart attack. I am a jeans girl. When I packed for this move I thought, "I won't need dress clothes. I'm a student, all I'll need is jeans and t-shirts". Nope, I was wrong. Oh well, guess I will need to go shopping. That will make me feel better. :) It will boost the economy a little more as well. Not that we didn't do enough of that driving out here, buying books and filling my apartment with just about everything you can get from Target. Thank you God for Super Target. What a wonderful place. :) My apartment is smaller than what I am used to, but it is very cute. I couldn't have gotten it all set up without my mom. She was amazing! I'll take some pictures so I can post them later. I live in a building that is all singles and it is right across the street from campus. Campus is small as well, but very pretty. I'm glad since this is my home away from home for the next two years.

Well orientation starts tomorrow at 8am sharp so I better get some sleep. Night all.

1 Day Out

Well it finally hit me tonight that I'm actually leaving. I have been trying so hard not to cry, but tonight I just couldn't help myseft anymore. I did cry some at the gym saying goodbye to the kids, but tonight was a real hard cry. You know the kind where you make sound while crying. I don't know why it hit me then. I guess because in less than 24 hours my life is going to completely change. New friends, new home, new city, new job, etc. . . I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous. I'm nervous about my knowledge of the bible, about studying and writing papers and being the only one in class who doesn't know the answer. Ahhhh. . . I feel like a kid again. I know that is just dumb insecurity, but still it's there. Keep my mom and I in your prayers as we drive. I'll write more once we get there.

10 Days Out!

So ten days from now I will be pulling out of my driveway to head to Dallas, Texas.  Everyone keeps asking me if I am excited and I am, but it all feels so surreal!  I don't feel like I won't be in Atlanta in two weeks.  I've been here my whole life so this is all I know really, other than my few years at Clemson.  I'm so excited for change and new experiences, but I'm scared too.  Scared I won't do well or won't know enough or won't fit in.  I know that is not from the Lord and I know without a doubt He is leading me this direction, these are just my insecurities coming out.  

My going away party is this weekend at my sister's house.  I'm so grateful to her for doing all this for me and I love parties (especially ones for me ;)), but this will be bittersweet.  I have felt so loved from everyone this summer wanting to spend time with me and this will be like the last horrah.  It will sort of make it more official.  I know my mom is reading this and dreading me leaving along with a few others, (Alisa & Thea) not to mention any names ;), and I love them for it!  It will be hard to say goodbye, but we all know that November will come fast and I'll be home for Thanksgiving. :)  And then a few weeks and home again for Christmas. :)  This summer has been so great and I have really truly enjoyed working at the church and spending my last few precious weeks with the kids at the gym, but I feel a calm/peace about this move.  So it will be hard and I am nervous/anxious, but it's time and it's right.  I'll write more once I get to Texas.  For now, just want everyone reading this to know how much I appreciate them!

Much love,

Jill