A Month of Change

Ok so it's been about a month... I apologize for that... I am a horrible new blogger. Although I do have a good excuse, finals and checkouts. The end of the semester is always a busy time for students, especially RAs. Well, I guess that kind of gets to the point of my post... former RA. About a week ago I finished my 2 year service with ResLife and my 4 year streak of living in a Residence Hall. I know what you're probably saying... "4 years? You're crazy!" Well, yes, actually I am and you will come to see that as I hopefully begin to post more here.

The past month has been a whirl wind... I don't really know what to think and feel about it yet. I learned a lot about myself and just the difference one person can make in the lives of others. First of all, I learned just how much I personally have impacted those around me. I had some many residents tell me that I made a difference in their lives, and for many of them I had a hard time coming up with in my mind just how I have impacted their lives (sometimes it's easy to pinpoint, sometimes it's not). Either way it made me feel sort of accomplished as an RA and a person who strives to change the world. Besides my residents telling me how much of an impact I have had on them, I was also recognized by my campus that I hold so dearly to my heart. First I was given the member of the year award from the National Residence Hall Honorary, a high honor in our organization. Then I was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the sociology anthropology and social work department for an essay I wrote about my future career goals, I was the only social work student to win this year. Finally, I was nominated by my hall director for a service award, an award given to an RA who has made service a daily part of their life, presented at our annual ResLife banquet and was one of two recipients of the award. All in all it was an amazing and surprising end to the semester! What's funny is that the awards themselves mean nothing to me... it's the comments that people say about how I had made a difference to them or their organization that really mean a lot. They mean a lot because God has given me some amazing talents and gifts and those words that others say to me are like in essence praising God because He gave me the ability to serve and do Him well. I feel as though He is proud of me using the gifts He gave me to serve others, and that is so cool.

This month has been kind of bittersweet for me. All the recognition is cool, but it's hard for me to leave behind the lifestyle of Residence Life and those people I have connected with for 4 years. The hardest to leave is my mentor, Cathy. Cathy has been there for me all 4 years in ResLife and has guided me all of the way. She is a mentor, a friend, and a mom. If ever I was going through something or a situation was difficult for me Cathy was always right there to comfort me and give me words of encouragement. She's been there for me since my 1st day of college. I know that I am not leaving CMU for good, but sometimes it feels like I am because Residence Life is the only life I have known. But. It's time for the tide to change. Time for a new adventure off campus, away from Cathy and Calkins, and a new beginning to end an amazing collegiate career. I'm nervous, but yet excited at the same time.

Another exciting thing that is happening in my life revolves around the Peace Corp. There's a bit of a story that goes along with it though... See, I have known for a year that I am called to go into the Peace Corp, unfortunately... my parents are not supportive of this decision, they feel it is too dangerous and not a good career move, basically they are scared. Well, this past weekend my brother was graduating from MTU and my parents went up there for the ceremony. After the ceremony my mom called me. She told me she had cried during the whole ceremony, but not because of my brother, because of me. She cried because the commencement speaker was the Vice President from the Peace Corp and she talked about following your dreams, making a difference in the world, and that your career will wait for 2 years for your PC service and you will be more likely to be hired because of it. She cried because she finally understood why I needed to go, and she supported me in my decision. That was such a weight lifted off of my shoulders! Now all I need to do is apply and get accepted, not an easy task, but I know the if God wills it He will provide. I am nervous, but again excited to see what God has for me! It will be so good! I am going to change the world!