Mission: U of M

It hit me this morning like a brick wall while I was walking to the bathroom at the bank: GOD'S PLAN IS SO GOOD AND ALL I HAVE TO DO IS PATIENT BECAUSE HE IS WORKING FOR MY FAVOR. I legitimately can't explain this overwhelming excitement inside me right now and how joyful I feel. SERIOUSLY. How did I miss all this before?! Like fkljqelriorfjdd5f4eruq33yue!!! (Hopefully running my fingers across the keyboard like that can convey all my enthusiasm. Maybe not. Probably not.)

What on Earth am I talking about? College. What about college? Everything. This fall, just kidding, in 19 days, I move into my dorm at the U of M - Twin Cities campus. Before making my official decision in December last year, I had thought about/looked at/filled out applications for 2.5 years. To say the least, I was more than worried and anxious always about going to school. Finally, in December, God calmed my heart and led me to go to the U, despite never having a tour there or knowing more than the fact that Minnetonka ships off a good portion of the senior class there. Progressively this summer, I have been getting more and more excited for all the things this next year will bring and the Lord reaffirms this decision every day.

How so? Today, I was just hired by a friend into the Carleson School of Business and Management. Job? Check. The Rotex (past exchange students who went on a Rotary Youth Exchange) hub is the U campus. People who understand my year? Check. I will be living in the honors community in my dorm. Stimulating intellectual environment? Check. All my classes pertain to language and 3/5 are in Spanish. Speaking Spanish/learning more languages? Check. Classes that interest me? Check. I have friends who are encouraging me to join the Christian worship/organizations on campus as well as go with me to ones at other campuses like Vespers at Bethel. Supporting Christian community? Check. Endless study abroad/international seminar options. Traveling? Check. Not to mention, all the friends I have in every year there who can pass down wisdom and hang out with me. Friends? Check. Beautiful campus? Check. Tea Garden? Check.

God has so incredibly and strategically brought certain people into my life to help aid this and show me that this was the best choice and was a part of the plan all along. HOW COOL IS THAT?! That God knew I would go there and feel so content with it way before I did! All I had to do was bask in His glory and allow Him to speak to me in little ways for a long time.

To those who don't know where you are going, what you want to do, what classes you will take, where you will work, just stop. Be still and silent. Let God speak to you in His time because He is your best advocate and will always work for your favor when you put all your trust in Him. Let it all go (cue "Frozen" soundtrack) and let Him deal with the future. My God is in control and that's all I need to know to satisfy me.

~Ashlyn