#noexcuses and #discoveringHisplan

Last year, I began a journey of creating a motto or "hashtag" for each semester.  The fall was #buildingconfidence and the spring was #demandexcellence.  As I begin the fall semester of my senior year, I have already figured out my new motto for the semester: #noexcuses

I chose this motto because it is something that one of my professors has always said to me.  Last spring, I had a very rough semester...and at one point she pulled me aside and reminded me that there was no more time for excuses: the time was now.  And as WIU President Jack Thomas once said in a commencement address: "Now is the time, and the time is now."

SO, as I began to reflect on my goals for the semester, it finally it home that there really is no time for excuses. If I want my dream internship, then I have to work for it.  I have to improve my skills that are lacking and continue to master the skills I have already acquired.  This journey won't be easy, but I wouldn't be here without the support of my friends and family.

This semester will be full of concerts, internship applications, working at my voice/guitar skills, preparing for a combined recital, and hard classes.

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As I reflect on my goals for this semester, I am reminded of how far I have come since my start. However, as many of you know, this journey has had its ups and downs. Last year, as I was #buildingconfidence, I started to surround myself with more people who had a positive outlook on life and who had the same views/ideals as I have.  Through this, I became more active at my church and my faith journey advanced.

I am excited to be even more active at the Newman Center this year.  Just in my first week back, I have already experienced a change in my attitude by being more proactive in my faith.  The opportunities I have to be more active at Newman are not only challenging my faith, but also challenging me to be the best version of myself.

Tonight, after a day full of classes, a rehearsal, and lots of email exchanges, I took some time to be with Jesus during Wednesday Night Adoration/Worship.  There was a part of me that wanted to go, and a part of me that just wanted to sit at home and watch Netflix...but all day there was this little voice in my head telling me to go to Adoration....so I did...and it was THE BEST choice I made today. Not only did I get to spend an hour with Jesus, but I had an hour without any distractions from other people, social media, or texts/phone calls.  Being able to spend that entire hour with Jesus truly made my heart full.  During this time, I was reminded of His endless and never failing love for me, the need to want, know, and love Him in order to live, and how thankful I am to have been brought up in a loving and safe environment by people of faith.

When we are truly living a life devoted to God's plan for us, it is so much easier to have a more joyful spirit and a more positive outlook on life. So while I have already accepted to follow God's plan for me, one of my faith goals for the semester is to constantly be living out and discovering His plan for me, which is where you get #discoveringHisplan

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As these two parts of my life combine, it is allowing me to have new ways to overcome my fears and reinforce the mottos I have chosen.  And as I work at #discoveringHisplan, I am given the opportunity to work on my music skills and overcome some of my fears. 

To end, I just want to say that I am looking forward to a very exciting semester and final year at WIU.  I know the weeks and months ahead will be full of joys, sorrows, trials, tribulations, triumphs, and other exciting things.  It will be a journey that is scary, but yet so amazing at the same time. 

Love, hugs, and prayers to all! 

Cross Country

The wet dew on the grass seeping through your shoes.  The sounds of birds chirping as they wake.   The sun peeking through the clouds as you walk the course with your teammates.  The brisk morning air hitting your face during those first few seconds of the warm-up.

It's a sport that some make fun of..some even say it's not a "real" sport.  But to those of us who know the greatness of being on a cross country team, it is the only sport.

Summer workouts are nasty, hot, and sweaty. You start your day with a run, before you go home and crash from exhaustion. As the school year approaches, the workouts slowly intensify.  Then comes the first week of official practices: a long run in the morning and core in the evening. And before you know it, the first race has arrived.

As the season moves forward, the bond of the team grows.  The love and passion for the sport blossoms in the first timers.  Everyone truly becomes a family. And as this bond grows, everyone works harder to accomplish their goals.  Each runner works to beat their personal bests and to do their part to help the team place.

And as the growth of the team comes, so do the cool fall mornings.  It's those cool fall mornings that all former cross country runners associate with the sport. The memories that come with the feel of the wet grass seeping through your shoes are some of the best.  The gentle breeze hitting your bear legs will forever give you the chills. The memories of the oh, so wonderful snacks and treats that the parents brought to every race make you want a fruity pebbles rice crispy treat.

Whether you were the number one runner or the last runner to cross the finish line, it didn't matter. What mattered most was that each person was working hard to be the best runner possible. Teammates cheered for and encouraged each member of the team to push forward and put up a fight as the final stretch to the finish line came into sight. The feeling of accomplishment sets in as you cross the finish line and find out that you just set a new personal record.

This sport forever holds a special place in my heart. Love and hugs to my QND XC family.