School & Prayer Request

Today started another semester. It amazes me that I am starting my third year of grad school. On the one hand it feels like I just got here and yet sometimes I think that I have been here forever.

My goal for this semester, other than my three courses and current research projects, is to figure out my dissertation research topic. This is a HUGE prayer request. I ask you to pray that I will be able to find a topic in which I am interested, a professor with whom I can easily work and who will guide me in my studies, and a way to be funded through this project. Ideally I would like to be working on a project that is similar to what I hope to do long term. My interests are in survey statistics with application in a social, education, or health field.

Family

This morning I had a conversation with my roommate Emily about family. I was telling her that I was feeling homesick and that I felt funny to be 25, starting my third year of grad school and being so homesick. Throughout our discussion I made a few realizations. I realize that my feelings of homesickness show how much I love my family, how important family is to me, and how much I long for family.

Our discussion also included our desires to have our own families. We both desire to be married and have children of our own. We know that the Lord has created us with these desires and that one day we will 'leave' our families (our parents) and begin new families.

I guess this post doesn't really say much other than I am okay with my feelings of homesickness. God has given me strong feelings and love for family and that is perfectly fine. So for now, I am trying to patiently wait for family.

Back in Ames

I always have such a hard time coming back to Ames. I love the time that I get to spend with my family and hate to leave them. Ames is becoming more like home, but it is not home.

FEAR. This is what I have dealt with the past two times that I have left AZ and returned to Ames. I spent a week in AZ in May for Carina's graduation and during this time my Aunt Pat passed away. This was a hard time and continues to be difficult. I struggled leaving my family and coming back to Ames. I feared that something would happen to them. While I was just home, a dear friend was in the Grand Canyon when the dam broke and a flash flood ensued. (She made it out unharmed. Praise the Lord!) Again I deal with fear.

I must continually remind myself that God is the One with strength and protection. He is the One who watches over my family and friends no matter where I am. I am incapable of always protecting others. I must let go of my fears and truth in the Lord.

Pictures

Family Vacation

My family is leaving in about 30 minutes to head to my Grandparent's cabin in North Arizona for the weekend. We are planning on hiking Mt Humphreys, hanging out, laughing, and having fun. I am looking forward to a great weekend of fun and relaxation. Perhaps there will be pictures next week.

Home

Love
Laughter
Freedom
Early morning runs
Rest
Peace
Fun
Late night talks
Hugs
Comfort

These are some of the things that I most enjoy about being home. I love to be with my family. I am looking forward to spending the next two weeks with them and making many memories.

More stories and fun to come...

Leave of absence

Forgive my absence over the past few days. I am currently sitting in the Denver airport on my way home! (To AZ that is) I have been in Denver since Saturday at the Joint Statistical Meetings. I have not had access to the internet since I left Ames.

I realized how much I like living in small town Ames IA. When I arrived in Denver on Saturday, none of my friends had arrived yet. I was walking around downtown Denver and I was a bit frightened. When I am in Ames, I typically feel safe wherever I go. I like living in the little town that isn't overcrowded, I can get everywhere on my bike, and I see people all over that I know.

I also realized that I do love statistics. I was able to give a presentation on my current research, attend a continuing education short course, and develop an interest in some new areas of research. It is a little overwhelming to be around over 5,000 statisticians for 5 days.

But, now I am on my way home to AZ and I am very excited!