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.