21 Years and 3 Days

So...I turned 21 on Saturday October 23. It's hard to believe that I'm 21 years old...I feel the need to have some deep meaningful reflection on what my life has looked like in those 21 years. It's crazy to me that it was 3 years ago that I was in high school, childhood memories seem farther away all the time, and it seems like just yesterday I was climbing up on my stool, clapping my hands, and saying "Everybody! Listen to me!" and then proceed to sing all of my Bible school songs while everyone watched.
I remember in high school, I was always so ready to grow up and get out of there. And I always heard people tell me not to grow up too fast, but to enjoy each segment in life as they come. In my life I have always looked forward to the next step with anticipation. Finally it was senior year and I was that much closer to getting out of there, and let me tell ya, I was so ready to leave high school and head to college. Then after only 2 years of college, I decided I needed something different, I didn't want to 'do school' anymore. So here I am, 21 years old and touring with Silver Ring Thing and seeing things I never thought I would see.
In reflecting on my 21 years of existence I can genuinely say that I have learned the most in the last 2 1/2 years. I will also say that decisions only get more important and more difficult as you get older. I like being older though, and being more responsible. I can feel myself being readied for the future and I can see the ways in which I have grown and matured in just the last 2 1/2 months with SRT. It's amazing what God will do in our lives when we decide to step out in faith, go against the grain, and follow Him into something you never thought possible. He has moved in powerful ways in my life already since I chose to leave college and my comfort zone.
So...21 years. I feel older, I feel more like an adult. Now, I cannot say they've been easy or perfect, but what can I say about my 21 years?
I can say that God was faithful even when I wasn't. God continues to pour out His love and grace even when I most certainly do not deserve it. I see God's blessings everyday in various ways: when looking at His creation, reading an encouraging note from a friend, talking to my parents on the phone, or when I think about how thankful I am that I'm not in college taking classes everyday but I'm on the road gaining real world experience ;-) But seriously, I serve an amazing God, and I would be incredibly lost and miserable without Him. To God be the all the glory! And I can definitely say that while I am enjoying this time in my life right now, but I am also looking forward, with anticipation, to whatever it is that God says is the next step in my life.

~Jeremiah 29:11~