Perserverance

Perserverance. Sooner or later, we go through times in life that involve that word. We are tested to our limits; we must max out, hold on, fight to the end, keep on keepin' on. It's a battle so harsh that when we look back on it- it's enough to say we persevered...

That was my week.

A number of factors contributed to my fight to make it through. Various obstacles stood in my way, attempting to hold me back, or make me slip. These included:

1. The dreaded first Paideia paper!!! It was due Wednesday at 8 am. After countless hours writing the paper, I brought it in for revision last week...only to find that I had written in MLA format instead of Chicago style. Now I'm sure I speak for all incoming freshman who've had MLA drilled into their brains for four longs years, when I say that now that we've learned it, it would be nice to continue using it...not so. Which led to countless more hours switching to Chicago style.

2. My serious dearth in sleep!!! (for anyone who isn't sure what the definition of dearth is, it means "serious lack of") What led me to lose so many zzz's this week? On Tuesday we went to Simpson for a volleyball match. Since I'm from Texas (and am very geographically challenged in Iowa), I wasn't aware until we left on Tuesday that Simpson is in fact 5 hours from Luther! It made for a very late night...with 8 o'clock class the next morning.

3. The loss of my roommate. Ok, not literally. She has mono and went home for the week. These days have been quite lonely. I even had to watch the premiere of Grey's Anatomy by myself! Talk about perserverance!!! :) Just to let everyone know, Christy (a.k.a. the coolest roommate ever) is feeling much better and will be returning to Luther on Sunday! I'm psyched!!!

4. I saved the worst for last- I have re-injured my knee. Now I know this doesn't sound life threatening but let me give you a little background: I've spent the whole last year recovering from ACL surgery in my left knee. When that was finally feeling better, I strained my right shoulder. When that was finally feeling better last week, I twisted my left knee in practice on Sunday....Needless to say it's been a hard first season- let alone week.

Oh yeah- I forgot to tell how I perservered all of those events!!! Oops! :)

1. Switching formats was frustrating, but I bought a Chicago style format book and was able to figure it out. I ended up with an awesome first essay! It was a great way to start off in the class!
2. The great thing about being on your own as a college student is that you really appreciate part of your childhood. You rediscover the beauty of returning to your old habits- one of which is napping! I've had to take naps everyday since Wednesday, and they totally kept me going!
3. Although I missed Christy a lot this week, it gave me a chance to get to know some other girls on my floor. It really showed me how important it is to get to know all the lovely ladies around me- because before that I was missing out on some really great girls!
4. As for the leg, I just have to stay positive. I know that I haven't hurt my graft which means no more 8 month recovery times! And I go to Mayo Medical Center on Monday to find out what really happened- I'll let you know what I find out!

So despite my stressful week jam-packed with road blocks and jumps to hurdle through (not literally because I've been on crutches!), I was able to not only survive, but also to overcome my problems and make it to the weekend! This is what I like to call: perservering!


Have a good week y'all!
Anna

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -James 1:2-4

"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail nor abandon you."-Deuteronomy 31:8

Home Sickness (and why I don't have it!)

Many elements, from new found freedom to more responsibility, combine to form the perfect college experience that every freshman is looking for. But there will always be less glamorous aspects of being on your own, from having to make yourself study to doing your own laundry. Let's not forget though that there is another element in the mix; it's the one that parents constantly fear will come and kids scoff at, believing it will never happen. It's the one thing no first-year wants to experience but inevitably will- that's right: homesickness.


Now I'd like to write that last night I had a big heart-to-heart with my mother, and she was able to console me. After all, I've been here over a month- by now you'd think that I would've been homesick. That I would've sought the comfort of a phone call. And that it would've given me the inspiration to write this blog.....not a chance.


Unlike every other first-year whose had the chance to miss their parents, mine still haven't actually left. Since coming to school I've seen my mother or father every 3 to 7 days on average. They do have valid excuses for coming- to see my volleyball match, or my sister's golf tournament. And it's great because they always take me for a Wal-Mart run and then to the Whippy Dip for ice cream. You'd think there'd be no downside. However, I've begun to notice that I'm a little bit delusional.


I've not only accepted that they will always be back within the week, I've -dare I say it- begun to expect it! I really do enjoy when they come! I look forward to seeing them again, and again, and again!!!


But I'm beginning to wonder what will happen if their trips to Luther ever slacken! Will I then be forced to face that fatal element still missing from my college experience? Will I join the thousands of first year students who have also had to deal with homesickness?...It's hard to say. After all, they still keep coming. But if I never learn how to deal with homesickness, won't it just be harder later?


Perhaps I should call my mother and let her know that's ok to spread the trips out. That I'm doing fine. That I'd like to be a normal freshman forced to deal with missing home. Yeah, that's it! I'll tell her that it's time for both of us to face the facts- I did leave home, but I'll see her at Thanksgiving (like everyone else has to do.) Yep, I have the courage to do it! Get ready because I'm finally breaking free and ready to deal with missing them!


Oh...never mind...my parents are coming today. Maybe I should wait to drop this on them until next week...oh wait- they already said that they're coming for my tournament...hmm...this might take a while...



Have a good week y'all!

Anna

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." -Isaiah 40: 30-31

How To Say "No"

When I look back on my high school years, I'll never forget how hectic it seemed. I was running everywhere I went, hurrying from one activity to the next, going non-stop 24/7, always trying to catch my breath...

Don't get me wrong- high school was great. I asked for that kind of a schedule. I wanted to be on the volleyball team, on the football pep squad, in Student Council, in my church youth group, in Latin club, president of National Charity League, in the top twenty of my class...you get the idea. Partaking in everything and building up that resume for college- that's just what a senior in high school does. It seems like a requirement. If you can't take the pressure and stress of high school, how will you ever make it in the big leagues?

I thought that I needed to run around and be involved in everything because that was what it would take in college. But I missed one very crucial step in high school- learning how to say "no!"

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from the activities I was in- come on, Latin Club rocks! :)
My point is that it's ok to slow down a little. It didn't take all that stress to get into college. And it definitely doesn't have to be that way now that I'm here. I don't think I've ever turned down a club, organization, or activity ever- until now. My first attempt at it was pretty weak (and now I'm chairing a phonothan!) However, it does get easier. I turned down joining multiple choirs; all I'm ready for is one this year. I'm thinking about joining the math club once volleyball season is over- but not until then. I'm actually breathing, calmly and surely. I feel good. I have time to relax and enjoy. And get this- I find those calm moments everyday! Not just the weekends!

I wish I had learned this lesson a long time ago. It wasn't something ever taught at my high school. It's this magic word that can take stress from your life, put fewer activities on your plate with more time to enjoy them, and even leave you enough time to watch "Grey's Anatomy" while still getting your homework done. Once you have mastered the word, you find great empowerment in taking control of your life. SENIORS OF AMERICA- JUST SAY NO!!!


"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" -Psalm 27:1

Bye y'all!
Anna

First Impressions

Wow. So this is college. This crazy whirlwind that I've been doing for the last three weeks. This two-a-day practices, no rest orientation schedule, classes have started, find time to call mom and old friends, make time to hang out with new friends, not too mention way too much homework for the first day of class, join the choir, go to chapel, get to the cafeteria, go buy your books, catch a few z's, wake up, do it all over again... this is college.

This is what seniors in high school dream about. This is what alumni remember as the best days of their life. And now it's finally mine!

At first I felt like I was just at a summer camp. A really long two week volleyball camp. A camp composed of grueling three-a-day practices that never seemed to end. There are many names for this kind of crazy torture that a player is willing put themselves through, the most common being "pre-season." Now I know not everybody loves sports, but everyone can appreciate working really hard for something and then getting rewarded for your efforts. Yeah, pre-season was tough, but in those two long weeks, we became not only conditioned athletes but also a united team. We bonded when we practiced, at seven o'clock breakfast, at movie nights, and (my personal favorite) as we went tubing down the Upper Iowa River! (Hence the picture up top- I'm on the left!)

Now pre-season has come to an end. This week I started classes and (thankfully) have just one practice a day! However, I didn't really expect the rest of this stuff. I figured when volleyball calmed down I would have more time on my hands, not the other way around. I didn't think it was possible to actually get busier than those last two weeks. Orientation definitely proved me wrong! But that's another blog! ;)

For now, admist the new waves of stress that I'm undergoing, the risks I'm taking, and the classes I'm trying to study for, it's just nice to know that I have a team to turn to. I think coaches make pre-season so hard because they know that college will be that much harder. And in my hour of need as I start this crazy, exciting new journey, it's great to already have a solid group of friends to get me through it. How many freshman girls can say that on their first day of class they already have thirty other girls who "got their back?" It's an awesome feeling to have. It definitely helped this first week of classes, and I know it'll get me through next week as well....WOW! I'm in college. And I think with a little help from my friends, I'll make it just fine!