A New Beginning

Hello dear family and friends!

So this is my first attempt to keep in contact with everyone on a more general scale (notice the word "attempt").  I've always thought it would be interesting to keep a journal, however I've never been quite a pro at the whole "journaling" part of that idea.  So, as I start a new journey in a new state, a new home, and at a new school, I thought - why not try and re-attempt that goal of mine to journal?

First, I know the burning question you all have - "Where did she come up with the mustard seed?"  Well, it's quite simple.  As I was packing fervently earlier this week, I came across a necklace given to my by my aunt and uncle that has a mustard seed in the pendant.  At that moment I thought to myself - I feel about as big as this mustard seed today.  With all of this change, I just felt small, powerless, and a little weak.  As I sat on my bedroom floor, just my thoughts and some time of prayer, I thought of the parable of the mustard seed.  From what I can remember (and this fits to what I was feeling - so if I'm wrong, wait to tell me for a bit - haha!), indeed the mustard seed is small, but when it grows, it really grows - and if I'm correct, it can grow among weeds and all other sorts of plants.  I was reminded of the thought that even as the mustard seed starts small, it quickly grows into a flourishing and sizable mustard plant.  So here is my analogy, I might be like a mustard seed now - but I know that USC and SC is where God wants me to be, and therefore I know He will use me in ways that I can't even imagine right now as me (a "wee" mustard seed) is planted in my new home.  My prayer is that I can flourish and grow in my faith, while demonstrating God's love to others, just as a mustard plant becomes deeply rooted and grows strong from a small seed. 

Okay, I'm done with my "title" saga...you can let me know what you think :)

Second, a shout out to all my family, friends and loved ones who joined us at our PA home to celebrate my graduation and impending move to SC - I couldn't have asked for a better day with more wonderful people.  You all have guided me, influenced me, and supported me in so many ways.  "Goodbyes" are never fun - so I prefer to suggest that I am on a 2 year adventure and will always welcome visitors looking for a little "vaca."

I write to you this afternoon from the balcony of our little place on Hilton Head Island - I couldn't ask for a better place for some R&R before the craziness of actually setting up my apartment and starting a new job/school begins!  First I have to tell you all, that I have the two most incredible parents who are 110% committed to making this the most enjoyable and smooth transition a girl could ask for.  Yesterday, after 12 hours of driving two fully packed cars almost 700 miles, we arrived in Cola. (Columbia, SC) and proceeded to unload the physical contents of my life into a storage unit.  From there we went to my apartment building and took care of all the administrative duties so that the move on Monday is fairly simple.  After that we went mattress shopping, ate lunch, then more mattress shopping, and then around 3pm I think we finally looked and sounded pathetic enough to convince the cashier at Sam's Club to sell us a mattress, frame etc. without having to purchase a membership.  After making one final trip to the storage unit, we then headed to HHI where we literally collapsed.  All it took was a hot shower and some food from our favorite Italian place, Giusseppi's, to make us feel somewhat human again!

But as I said, couldn't have asked for two better people to make the trip with...so thankful for my parental unit!

So the next few days I probably won't have much to post about, since the whole point is to relax - the calm before the storm!  But of course there will be a few shopping trips in between beach times - a girl's got to furnish her new apartment! :)

Love you all, miss you always, and I promise to "post" again soon!

SCD