Dear God, thank you for college:

Hi there.

I'm a fortnight away from being done with classes/finals/moving my stuff out of the dorms for the last time, and a fortnight + 2 days away from walking across that stage to receive a pretty nifty piece of paper I've worked my rompus off for. I have a lot of homework. I'm swamped with my to-do list from school and multiple other commitments. I'm a little stressed. And I'm in dire need of a puppy and a few gallons of coffee. 

All of the above are exactly why I'm making the time to reflect, reminisce, and thank God for all the goodness He has shown me and provided me with in my four years at Trinity International University. In doing so, I thought I'd share with you just a smattering of the many people and things that have at times helped me survive college, but more importantly blessed me and taught me in more ways than words can fully express:

• My parents.
• My daddy, even though I've been many miles from home, he has: always been there to look over a paper since I never procrastinated at the last minute, deal with my million over dramatic reactions, prevent me from further freaking out, make me laugh when I most needed it, and never failing to challenge me to glorify God through my life--teaching me that college should be about so much more than the measure of your grades and successes.
  
• My momma, who was there for the aftermath of my first all-nighter. I coped with this by drinking way too much coffee and calling her super early in the morning, wanting to chat about every possible thing you could think of. She never let me live that down ;) My momma always reminded me to not take myself too seriously, sent me care packages, and was always there for me on difficult days. You can read more on what she's meant to me in my letter to my momma. I so wish she could be here to see me walk across that stage, but I know she has the best seat in the house right now.
  
• My girls. As 18-year-old me left for college, I prayed hard & often that I would find girl friends there who I'd want to have stand with me in my wedding someday (little did I know God's plans were for my wedding to happen shortly after graduating), but I did indeed find such friends. In particular, the fabulous four girls (my suities) pictured with me below. We came in as teenagers and are leaving young women...we've been through it all together as we've each become more uniquely rooted in who we are. So incredibly grateful for these godly girls have challenged me in my weaknesses and encouraged me in my strengths. But we've also had crazy amounts of fun.  Thanks for making it a suite bonding activity to help me study and learn the Spanish alphabet song, for all the fro-yo runs, for quality time with Casey at Denny's, for occasionally dressing like goons with me, for rolly chair races, for the countless episodes of Gilmore Girls and Once Upon a Time we've shared, and for building friendships with me that will transcend any amount of trials and miles. I'm so excited for all that God has in store for you!
  
• Mr. Jesse Forney. My fiancé, best friend, and number one fan...I don't think I could've done this past year in particular without you. Thank you first of all for asking me out in Hawkins. For that crazy fun semester we spent together when we first started dating. For supporting and encouraging me this past school-year so well, despite the miles temporarily separating us--listening to my Senior Honors Project more times than you probably cared to over Skype, the care packages, sending me math jokes via text message before tests, and going on creative dates with me over Skype.
  
• Coffee
• My sista...even though I sometimes often forget to respond to her texts until days later in the craziness of the average week, she still loves me. And has been there and rooted for me really well (even at all hours of the night) since momma went home last August. Also she has sent me massive amounts of sugar and chocolate each Valentine's Day...what more does a girl need?
  
  
  
• Families that welcomed me as one of their own and gave me a home-away-from-home. They've all blessed me so much by opening up their homes and giving me the retreats away from campus that I needed. Thanks especially to:
          * The Speckhards
          * The Kowieskis
          * And The Slaughters
• My Mammaw's biweekly cards. Their simple but encouraging truths were always wonderful to find throughout the week in my mailbox (and so were their sometimes included little extra cash to get groceries/sponsor my coffee addiction ;)

• Dance parties. 
• College let to the breakout of 3D and the Babushkas. The discovery of the Orangutan. Birthday "raves" (TIU style). Nerd Dances. Far too many incriminating videos published online like the one below. Enough said.
• Coffee
• Breaks. God made work, and it is good. But God also made rest, which God, through college, has taught me is good and so necessary. These two stand out in particular:
• Spring Break 2012: Cali-Sota 
  
• Spring Break 2013: That one time I got engaged... :)
  

• Encouraging Blogs.


• Today's Letters
• My youth pastor's blog: the adorable, fun-loving Hough family
• Coffee.
• My favorite ridiculous YouTube videos that provide welcome distractions from homework
• Boys will be Girls
• Vintage 21 Jesus Vids
• Jessica's Daily Affirmation
• Facebook. This may sound trivial since people normally hate on social networking, but I believe Facebook/social media can be a great resource for building community. Whether reading debates about homosexual chicken/guns/presidents/etc., stalking perusing your photos, reading encouraging statuses/learning lessons alongside you, or creating/viewing witty memes, you people never cease to be entertaining.
• Coffee.
• Studying Abroad. That was a whole lotta wonderful adventure. 
  
• My job as a Trinity Ambassador.
• I'm grateful for the 3.5 years I've had the privilege of giving tours, hosting, and sharing meals with many prospective students and their families. When I accepted the job my freshman year, I knew it would be fun, but I had no idea how much the next few years working there would be formational in strengthening my interpersonal skills and teach me a lot about myself at the same time. I'm sad to be leaving my team and wonderful co-workers, but grateful for the lessons and many great/crazy stories I now have to tell :) 
  
• Quality devotional books
• Charles Spurgeon: Morning & Evening
• Various Author Compilation: How Great is Our God
• John Piper: A Godward Life
• Epic music to study to:
• Sherlock Holmes soundtrack 
• The Piano Guys
• Jenny & Tyler
• Mumford & Sons
• Caffeine in other forms (hot tea, cold tea, energy drinks when desperate, etc.)

I'm so excited for the next chapter of my life, and though my four years of college are wrapping up, the blessings I've been given, memories I've made, and lessons I've been taught will continue to remain with me and shape who I am for a lifetime. 

College, it's been real. It's been fun. And despite the saying, it has indeed been really fun.