Right now I am sitting in the SLC, drinking a white chocolate mocha from Jittery Joe's, putting off studying for a test and being kind of amazed that I am actually here. I've been at UGA for almost 5 months now, and it's taken me this long to realize that I finally made it to the point in my life I've been wanting to be at for the last three (almost four) years. No more living with my parents and having every move I make criticized by my dad. No more family drama in my face every day. No more wishing every moment that I could just pack up and leave.
Finally being out on my own has been a mixed blessing, though. It's a lot to get used to being responsible for everything from paying rent to making sure my car gets an oil change on time (which I haven't been very good at). There have been times when I have not been sure I would be able to buy food or pay my bills that week. But God has been there for me, and I have faith that He will continue to be there. As I've learned to honor Him with my finances by starting to tithe at 12Stone, He has been faithful in providing for me. The past two weeks, I gave 10% of what I had to the church, and the very next day I got a check in the mail. I used to think the whole "give and you shall be blessed" thing was just a scam for rich churches to get even richer, but I am beginning to understand the test of faith that it really is. Not to say I or anyone else should start sending checks to big-haired, charismatic televangelists, just that I have been blessed to see firsthand the faithfulness of God when you follow His will.
In the same respect, Mike and I have recently been challenged with following God. Almost two weeks ago, he put in his notice at work to take a job at which he will be making almost $2.00 less per hour. Next week he'll be moving to Athens, getting an apartment in the same complex I live in, and teaching preschool right across the street. Living almost an hour apart was really difficult for us, and after much prayer, Mike made the decision to change jobs to be closer to me. It's exciting, but I know it's going to be a challenge for both of us. He'll be challenged with living out on his own for the first time, and I'll be challenged with making sure that him being here doesn't affect my studies. It's going to be difficult, but in the end it will be worth it.
Writing this has effectively wasted about 30 minutes of what should have been study time, so I think I should get to that now.
