My hall's theme this year has been Celebration, and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. I've been focused for too long on what my dreams for the future are rather than living in the present, and God has used my RA to re-direct my vision.

Looking back, there are so many things that I currently have that once looked so far into my future that I thought they would never happen. I feel overwhelmed by a surge of gratitude, and I think it would be wrong to not share it.

I have independence - I'm allowed to make my own choices and make my life look the way I want it to. This is simultaneously terrifying and wonderful, and it's a major responsibility. However, I do think I've found the secret to being successfully independent - it's being dependent on God.

Though this may seem like a contradictory statement, it's not. I believe that it's how we were created to operate, fully depending on Him to take care of our needs. There's a lot of comfort in knowing that He can redeem any and all of our mistakes that we make as we try to learn how to adult.

I have wonderful friends - Though God has always given me people in my life who love me, for most of my life they've been far away and visits have been few and far between. It continually blows my mind that I can just walk down the hallways of my dorm and get to be with good friends.

There are so many utterly incredible people at my school, and I've been blessed with friendships that are simultaneously deep and full of laughter.

I'm going to college - Homework can be frustrating and lengthy, but at the end of the day I have the immense privilege of getting to study something I love. I get to learn, and I've been reminded of how special that is. I have a brain that can comprehend language, and I live in a society that values education.

I get to be surrounded by other people who want to think and learn and have intelligent conversations. It's what I've wanted for my entire life, and it's wonderful that it's finally here. Academics aside, there are wonderful opportunities that arise for fun. Corban SAB has introduced a brand new game called Syndicate, and it was utterly delightful.

There's just so many reasons that I'm glad to be alive right now. There are sunsets, puppies, blue skies, rain, flowers, music, laughter, coffee, tea, luxurious baths, paint, fulfilling relationships, tasty food, fluffy blankets, and good books. I feel blessed beyond measure, and I'm determined to focus on enjoying it instead of wishing that the other things I'm dreaming of were already here.

I am becoming who I want to be -

and it's exhilarating.