Happy Advent!

Five weeks until Christmas...

Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days:
Oh jeez. Let's see, getting through these darned subject tests, getting into University of Michigan, having a crazy-awesome 18th birthday, not going to Europe (sounds crazy, yeah?), maybe a relationship depending on my maturity level at that time, starting college, and MOVING OUT.
Yes, I am very excited for college, but mostly for the whole idea of not being at my house. Don't get me wrong, I'm very, very grateful that I have a house and a family who gets along... semi-well... well, we all love each other. But, at the same time, I've been here for almost 15 years. I'm ready to move on.
No, I don't know how to take care of a husband or kids yet. Heck, I hardly know how to take care of myself. But, in my opinion, that's what the whole college thing is for. I have to get a job and make my own money. I have to make my own food. I have to clean my own room!! Oh my goodness. Yes, it's for education and learning about careers and such, but education is so much more than that. Education is learning how to conduct yourself in the "real world." I've been home schooled all my life, so I've been very... not "sheltered" per-se, but I've been surrounded by Christians my whole life. One has to learn to deal with people of other religions, cultures, races, etc. Culturally, I think I'm fairly well rounded. Racially, well, I'm a minority myself, my mom was born and raised in Indonesia, so the whole idea that skin color makes someone different really bothers me. Religiously? Again, being surrounded by Christians my whole life, I need to learn how to share Christ with those who don't know Him, or even those who are opposed to Him. I need to learn how to be strong in my beliefs, respect others' beliefs, and continue spreading the Gospel in a way that would make my Lord proud to call me His child.

Anyways, this turned out to be a way longer post than I had anticipated. Well, now you know my views on college.

Love,
Sarah @)~