Where Do You Go?

I have found myself thinking, many times, over the last month or so, that I need to write a blog. So, here I am, sitting at my little desk in my living room, sipping a cup of coffee in my Badlands, SD mug with a vinyl spinning on the turntable. Thinking back on this year is wild. I can’t believe that it’s already September. I can’t believe that I’m a senior in college (246 more days until graduation for those of you counting down with me). I can’t believe that I travelled about 4,000 miles this summer going back and forth to South Dakota. Man, I can’t even believe that I have been to South Dakota 3 times this year. Something I’ve said since the 1st time I went was that I had never been anywhere that made me want to leave Memphis, but now I have. 

Anyways, that’s not why I’m writing this. hahaha y’all already know how much I love SD. I’m really just writing to give y’all an update on my life. So, I got home on August 9 and started a summer class on August 12. My school does, what they call, Blitz classes. These are 3-credit hour classes shoved into 2 weeks. So, I took a Survey of Christian Music History. It was Monday – Friday from 8am – noon for 2 weeks. Oh, and during that time, I decided I wanted to get certified in teaching English as a second language. So, I am taking an online 150-hour course on that. Luckily, it’s an “at-your-own-pace” class and I have until February to finish it. I am about 1/3 of the way through with it. My reason for doing this is because I honestly have no clue what I am going to do when I get out of school. **Waiting on God to give me a clue.** So, in the meantime, I figured I could get this certification and get a job online, teaching English lessons to foreign students. I am pretty excited about it! It pays well, and hopefully, it will keep me on my feet until a more permanent solution arises. 

The week after my 2 weeks of Blitz ended, I started my regular semester. MY LAST FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! Woooooo! I’m excited! Can you tell? It feels like I have been in college for ages, but it also feels like I just graduated high school. Oh, and if you think I’m excited, you should see my parents. I think they’re more excited than anyone for me to graduate. So, this semester, I am taking 16 credits. They’re pretty much all for my major. If you care, these are the classes I’m taking: 

Lab 5 (where we record bands & songwriters)

80-hour internship (at Farmhouse Studio in Moscow, TN)

Advanced DAWs (about using recording software)

Audio History & Aesthetics (about the history of audio & listening to well-engineered albums)

Commercial Release 1 (preparing to release a project)

Mixing & Mastering (about mixing & mastering music)

Visible Community (our weekly worship, accountability, & discipleship sessions)

So, there ya go! That is my course load. Also, I am doing a 12-hour per week work study, this year. I am the Student – Studio Manager for our in house studios at the school. 

If you’re wondering how I keep up with all of this stuff, my Erin Condren Academic Planner has been a life saver. I also bought the school tracker dashboard which has been super helpful in keeping up with all of my assignments. Staying up to date on my assignments and tasks has really helped me academically, professionally, and spiritually. In previous semesters, I found it difficult to find time for Bible and prayer when I am constantly worrying about finishing assignments that I procrastinated on. So, seeing everything in one place has helped me in being more motivated to check things off the list early and that leaves me at peace knowing that I have time to sit down and study my Bible without a cluttered mind. 

Recently, the question that has been spinning around in my brain is “Where do you go?” Where do you go when you are overwhelmed? when you are anxious? when you are lonely? when you are sad? when you are happy? when you are afraid? when you are at peace? Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” If you keep reading, it says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me (Paul) — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” So, where do you go? Do you go to food? Do you go to Netflix? Do you go to a friend? Do you go to drugs? Do you go to alcohol? Or do you go to Jesus? My goal for my life is that I can always answer this question with “Jesus.” We serve the GOD OF PEACE! No matter what you are going through, he will give you peace. His peace surpasses ALL understanding. We can’t explain it! But He has it! So, ask for it! In our preschool Sunday School class, we have been learning about Solomon and reminding the kids that if they need wisdom, all they have to do is ask God. He will give it to you! Go to Him! No matter what the situation is, He has an answer for you. It may not be the answer that you want, but He’s got something for you. 

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