Are we there yet?

I keep asking myself if it's January yet...three more months. Well, 3 months and two days to be exact. But who's counting? I have my first of three bridal showers this Sunday. I'm really looking forward to it. I can't believe how quickly it's come because my aunts and I sat down in July to plan this far off event, and now it's here. Wow, time flies.

This semester has been one of searching for balance almost daily in what I spend my time doing, and where I let my thoughts wander. Sometimes it's very overwhelming. I came to college not so much focused on the degree I would earn, but rather on the relationships I would build and the light I could be here for the Lord. As the requirements of that degree I don't really care about heighten and intensify as the end draws near, I find myself in a battle. Spend time with my friends or on that darned independent study class? Spend time leading a Bible study or reading the 100 pages assigned in any one of my classes this week? Write on my blog, or go to sleep? Am I painting a picture for you? So there's the attempted balance of spending as much time with those I hold dear in Columbia while I still can, seeing Jason as much as possible, and graduating from college (this requiring time devoted to studying and such). I have yet to mentions the running checklist of wedding responsibilities that never stops. Yesterday I bought a longlasting lipstick when I did my grocery shopping at WAl-Mart. I lamented over which color to choose for at least 15 minutes, only to get out of my shopping line to make a last-minute color change. Ridiculous stuff people. So, I bring it home and try it on and of course, I don't like the color. Oh, it's a pretty color, just not on me. So, I must exchange the lipstick. I couldn't wait until later. I was so concerned with marking the "get lipstick for wedding" box off my list that I couldn't concentrate on my schoolwork until the lipstick issue was settled. I spoke with my dear friend Leslie about this whole episode and as a shower gift, she is having my make-up done for me on my wedding day. Now that's a true friend. Check that one off the list!

This weekend I must say my balance was lacking and I swayed heavily into the spend time with friends area. I spent time with many different friends of mine and it was great. There was an impromptu camping trip and then a last minute breakfast after church date with two of my closest friends. There are friends that you have fun with and then there are your friends who would be more accurately described as kindred spirits. I spent Sunday morning after church sipping coffee with my friends Megan Retka and Myndi Meyer. It felt like coming home. There is something about the company of these two girls that sets my soul at ease. It doesn't matter how much work I should be doing at the moment. The checklist lessens to a dull roar, my fatigue lifts, my mood soars. The whole day is better because I was in the company of these friends. Of course I live with one of them, but there's something about the three of us. It was wonderful and just what I needed.

Sometimes I wonder if January is really going to come. Heck, right now I'd be happy with December because at least that brings graduation! Never in my life have I felt so many things all at once, but I know it has a purpose, and it will all work together for the good. God is faithful, He always has been and will continue to be. For example, I'm writing this blog using my new computer. God is faithful. I will make it through as long as I let him do the prioritizing. I just have to come along for the wild ride!