I looked around the room of people wondering what they were thinking. Do they see the changes I do? Do they wonder what happened to the friendships that used to exist? Are they scared of what comes next? Once upon a time I knew the person behind that fake smile. We were friends, but things have changed and more changes are about to come. It's funny the way life works. People constantly come and go...and sometimes you don't even realize it until you're in a room filled with people you once knew.

Has it been 4 years already?

Today marks my last day of classes for undergrad…can it really be over? I remember crying almost the entire drive down here my freshman year. I had a new boyfriend and hated that I was moving away. More than that, I had just recently learned that UTC had lost their social work program so at most I would be at UTC a year, but more than likely I would be transferring after my first semester. It was a roller coaster ride that first semester here. I got involved at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry on campus and made friends, but I was going to leave so what did it really matter anyway? (great attitude, I know) But then one night in November I realized that I didn’t want to leave Chattanooga. Somewhere over those first few months I began learning who God really is and I knew that I wanted to continue to learn more and I was afraid that if I transferred schools I would end up on a different path. A good friend of mine walked me home that night and as we stood outside my door I told him that I just wish God would give me a clear cut sign of “Hey! _______ is where you need to be!” We just laughed knowing that it was a silly request anyways. Then I went inside, signed online, and on UTC’s homepage was a little blurb saying that the social work program was coming back the following fall. I couldn’t help but laugh as I called my friend to let him know that I was staying…God gave me the big sign that I needed! I called my parents the following day to let them know that I wasn’t going to transfer schools…and well, the rest is history.

It’s been a long four years and I’m so thankful that God used the experiences and people in my life to bring me back to Him. I remember who I was when I came to this city and I can’t say that I’m much like that girl anymore (all for the better I promise!) It's just crazy to think that I'm really moving. Little things hit me every now and then, but it just doesn't seem real yet...as irony would have it I cried when I came here and I'm sure I'll cry when I leave.

=)

I've wanted to create a new blog for a long time now...but, I just couldn't decide on a name. (and I really just never sat down to think about it and go through with it) So I figured since things are beginning to slow down now is the perfect time!