I really wish I had done a better job keeping up with the hang-ups and hoopla of the first semester of dental school, but for the most part, that was out of the question. The first days of orientation were exciting and nerve wracking and hard in some ways. There were so many people to meet and as bad as I am at that, even though I tried really hard, it didn't work out the best some days. Other days, it wasn't so bad. But I pushed through it all and enjoyed it for the most part and ended up meeting some really nice people. And sitting through a lot of talking. As school really started, I was absolutely exhausted. But there was no time for that! I got myself organized and jumped into the game - and what a game! Thank God I adapted well and found my group of friends and made sure to have time for Erik and relaxing and - for a few months at least - exercise and even a little tai chi. I started going to the Christian Medical and Dental Association and got elected to the curriculum committee for the D1s and Erik and I began our church hunt that ended up in Rockwall. At First Baptist... We made it a priority to spend Sundays with my family and that worked out really well. I started out with a great quiet time that dwindled to quiet pleas to God to help me through the day/night/test/tooth/quiz/lecture. In other news, Erik took on the stereotypical "wife" role and took over laundry and dinner and dishes. He brought me my dinner on the couch where I was studying every night. He always had clean scrubs for me and cleaned up every mess the cats made. Amazing. There were a few quiet moments where I would just turn to God in tears - not out of despair, but just exhaustion, thankfulness for His strength, and amazement that He was carrying me through it all. Not that I doubt His promises, just my worthiness of His blessings. Which is dumb, I know. As a freshman at A&M I clung to the "I am the vine" passage in John - "without Me, you can do nothing." The coolest part of that is the promise in Matthew - "and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." So at least that means I can do something, right? : ) So even though we miss Austin, don't have very many friends, and live like students, the point is that we're doing something that will, God willing, be a part of His kingdom coming. For now, I enjoy a slower pace that won't last much longer. Then the push to spring break is on...mission trip! Then the push to my last full summer break ev-er. Hopefully I'll be painting and landscaping the new house in Chandler's and spending time with my new niece or nephew. Yeah, buddy.
