It's Official:
I officially changed my major! Who knew going in to change your major could be such an amazing experience? First off, let me tell you that anytime I wanted to see an advisor in the ECE office I had to make an appointment several weeks in advance. I walked in and the awesome desk lady found an advisor I could talk to and provided all of the necessary forms I needed to fill out right away! She laughed at my shock and amazement over how relaxed they were. I'm still in shock now (almost a month later). Another great thing is that every person I encountered in this department made some sort of joke. These are my kind of people!
Secondly:
(is that a real word?) I had been praying really hard about going to study abroad in Italy from May 22- June 19. When I offered this up to God, I asked him to make this decision evident by miraculously providing the $300 application fee before all of the slots filled up (there are only 10 spaces in the program). I didn't know if this would come in the form of a job or someone giving me the money. Low and behold, 2 weeks later (on a sunny Monday afternoon), my mom calls me when I'm getting out of lab to tell me that she and my dad have decided to give me $250 to put towards my application fee! I started crying which is not normal for me at all. This was such a huge answer to prayer! I hadn't asked my parents for the money, I didn't expect it, and I didn't tell them I had asked God for this provision as evidence that I should go.
I was able to sign up that Wednesday after meeting with Dr. Santini (the head of the Italian department). Meeting with her was another great experience because she was able to answer some of the questions that I had and just being able to build that student-teacher relationship before I go to Italy.
Thirdly:
(another word that may not be "real"). I was able to sign up for classes almost without a hitch. All of the teachers I've registered with had great reviews! I'm so excited! I've never been excited about college or classes. There was only class I that didn't work out so I cant take 15 hours, but I think that's just God's way of saying "Don't overdo it." I'll try to take some classes online over the summer, so hopefully that will work out.
Fourth (real word!):
Another study abroad related thing was the fact I need a second job to pay for it! The cost of the trip is 3250- a 750 global learning scholarship + tuition+ airfare.. the grand total will be somewhere around $5000. I'll be honest, thinking about it makes me stressed. I don't want to take out loans to pay for it (I already have enough of those, ugh), so while I've been praying I had to decide that if I can't get a job by January that I will have to withdraw my application (which would also mean that I'm wouldn't get my minor in Italian). After applying at a headache-inducing number of places, I had to sit back and trust in God that something will come around. It's been a battle to fight off being discouraged. Yet again, God is good, last Friday night I got a call for an interview this Friday night at Gymboree children's clothing! I'm really excited about this opportunity. Now is really the time that I have to pray for wisdom in this decision. I have to be wise because there's a certain amount of pay and hours that I need. If they can't provide that I have to decide to wait and trust that God will bring another job opportunity. I cannot justify taking a job for a few weeks "until something better comes along." I would feel like such a terrible person. It would be a bad witness to my character. Prayers would be much appreciated.
What I've concluded:
So many doors are opening! It's amazing what change can do! I've been researching multitudes of paths I can travel with this degree, my heart can barely stand the joy and excitement. God has been so FAITHFUL through this whole experience! It's so amazing to see where He's coming in and making my paths straight. He's had such a hand in everything and it's definitely forcing me to grow. It's up to me to do the best I can with what He gives me, so I will need to mature a LOT. I must say, it is so wonderful having someone I can trust with everything in my heart and knowing He WILL do what's best! Please continue praying for clarity and that I will follow His direction. Thank you to everyone who is supporting me though all of this and praying!
-Love-
