rollin’ with the punches

Well then, within the last 14 days my life has been turned upside down and sideways.

In short, COVID-19 has done it’s deed at SVU and the state of Oregon.

All classes at SVU has been moved online, campus will be shut down by the end of March, and all students encouraged to return home. Commencement was cancelled. And within a week of all those announcements, I am home. I said good-bye to Virginia, packed up my things in 24 hours, and was on a plane ride home to Oregon. (Bright side of those flights, had the row to myself on both flights!)

Back to sad the stuff though (slight sarcasm):

Within a week I had to say good-bye to a place that has held my heart and been a sacred place in my story since 2014. My heart broke was hurt, and it all felt heavy. SVU is just such a special place to me, and it always will be.

I was already slowly mourning my goodbye to a place that had become so dear to me, but I wasn’t ready for my time there to end so abruptly.

Ironically, the day that this all went down, I woke up feeling an urgent prompting from the spirit that I need to be with my family. So at least Heavenly Father was trying to prepare me.

I cried a lot.

And then the high school girls (who’s program I have been a part of 3.5 years)  surprised me and came over with Virginia stickers, and a virginia cutout, and after they left I BAWLED. I broke. I left myself cry and then after that, I told myself no more tears. And so far, I’ve done okay with that.

(Uncle Shad, thank you for freaking mom out btw).

I’m curious to see how well I handle online school for the next 2 months, but may the odds be ever in the favor my GPA.

So far, I’ve spent lots and lots of quality time with my family (which I have LOVED), and am slowly adjusting to doing school online. So, although it is hard... all is well and I’m trying to see the bright side of things.

Some negatives: I haven’t ran a single time since I’ve been back (THAT IS CHANGING), and I’ve eaten absolute garabage... but don’t worry. Imma fix it.

Anyway.

Life is good. God is good. I’m grateful for the amazing things that I DO have... and that I have a loving family to come home to. All is well.

halfway through the last semester of college

Whoa whoa whoa.

I am HALFWAY through my last semester of my undergrad. WHAT THE HECK. 

How is that even possible?

Anyway.

Here’s an update for ya’ll. 

The last semester of college is kicking my butt. 

I’m so ready to be done. 

Senioritis is a real thing and I believe I could be diagnosed if I visited with a healthcare professional. 

The future is a scary thing. I still feel a little bit out of control of my life. And I’m not quite sure what the future will entail. I’ve been considering PT school or Athletic Training instead of PA school. I think the gap year is going to be a very good thing for me. The plan is to move to Utah, work somewhere in the healthcare profession, and then attend for my master’s next year. 

This semester, I started off emotionally drowning. I dealt with crippling loneliness like I had never felt. Although, I will say that I spiritually was taking off in the best direction possible. And I’m still that way. Man, things are so much better there. And after the first few weeks of the semester, I just had a change of heart... I decided to be more grateful for the people that I do have around me. Be grateful for the relationships that I cherish. 

I’ve taken two trips down to the temple, and they have been amazing. 

I’ve been bowling. 

Shopping.

Lots of Hiking.  

To the movies. 

Working a bunch. 

Went to a rodeo (YEEHAW)

Spending time with friends. 

Coaching High School Soccer. 

And although life is hard, and the stress is high... life is good. 

^^the temple trips I have taken this semester have been some of my absolute favorite every. I have had such spiritual experiences. I wish I could recall the spiritually enhancement in a way that would allow me to put it to words, but it was so good. 

Update: still hard to be so far away from family when crap is going down, but there is only so much one can do. I just pray for them, and fast for them... and hope that they feel my love from the other side of the country. 

Here’s some pics.