First Quarter is Almost Up ...

Where has the time gone? The first quarter of my senior year is two weeks away from being finished. I'm not sure how this is possible, and I've been wondering whether or not I somehow time-traveled in my sleep. It literally seems like we just started senior year, and now I'm already a fourth of the way finished with it. So hard to believe. 
      I'm super excited for college, but it's also hit me lately that this is my last year at home, with my friends of 11 years, with my parents, with everything I've ever known. Next year, there will be new people, a new home, a new state, a new school -- nothing will be the same except my memories. It's a difficult thought, I admit, and I'm a bit sad that the first quarter has gone so quickly. Right now it seems like it can't go fast enough, but I know that when I'm headed to Virginia, I'll want nothing more than to be back at BCS with my friends. A Trace Adkins song comes to mind: 

"You're Gonna Miss This"

She was staring out that window of that SUV
Complaining, saying I can't wait to turn 18
She said I'll make my own money, and I'll make my own rules
Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school
Then she kissed her head and said I was just like you
[Chorus]
You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this ...

That's not all of the song, but that's the part that really hits me right now. I will miss everyone next year, even as I make new friends. I'll miss my school and my teachers and everything they taught me. It's a hard thought to wrestle with, and I hope you'll pray that I can come to terms with all of the changes that will be happening after senior year -- and even the ones that are taking place right now. Growing up is scary and exciting and strange, but I know there is one thing I can always rely on: God and His faithful love and constant presence. Even though everything else will change next year, He will always be the same, and that's very comforting. People come and go, places change, we get older, but God is always God, and He is always loving and ready to defend me from whatever bad things come my way and wanting to teach me to rely on Him. So I'm not worried. Scared and excited, yes, but not worried, because my God is definitely big enough to help me adjust to all the changes next year will bring :)