Summer of '22

This summer was…well, it happened. Read on for a life update!

I worked full time at the Lynchburg Lowe’s this summer, and what a time it was. My job as a cashier was less enjoyable than I expected, but switching to the customer service desk gave me the adrenaline I needed in my life. I know that Lowe’s is retail and everybody hates working retail, but I’ve honestly loved it, so much that I'm staying at Lowe's part time into the school year.

The highlight of working at Lowe’s is the absurd things that people say to me. If you follow me on instagram you know some of the stories…it’s mostly old men hitting on me in the most uncomfortable ways possible. Not an ideal situation, but it keeps life entertaining I guess.

I went on the biggest trip of my life this summer…I drove 2,500 miles by myself in the space of two weeks and it was so fun.

I saw my family at the beach in Charleston, SC, where we lounged at the oceanside pool and rode our bikes to the beach. Then I trekked to Florida, where I spent a whole week visiting friends and seeing sights. I stayed with Rachel in Cape Canaveral; I got to hear (I didn’t see it though, so sad) the space launch and we watched a cruise ship leave the port. Isabelle and I went to an art museum in West Palm Beach, and I went to a much less exciting art museum in Tampa. I went to Disney Springs twice because I’m still not financially stable enough to go to actual Disney lol, sat on the beach at the Atlantic coast and the Gulf Coast, and went to two parks in Jacksonville. On the whole, it was a great adventure.

On a heavier note, I made the decision this summer to start taking antidepressants. I came to the realization that my mental health was impairing my ability to live, counseling on its own was not bringing much improvement, and if left unchecked I was going to become dangerous to myself. So, I admitted my weakness and started medication in July.

If you are struggling with anything similar to this, I’m so sorry. This is not easy. Run to the Father. Sit at his feet. He can handle your weakness, and he loves you in spite of it. Do not lose hope.

I’m more than willing to share more of this story, so just ask if you want to know more. I’m okay; the meds are helping but the progress is slow. But I can see the grace of the Father in the whole process, and how he is showing me more of himself as he helps me live with myself.

While we are on the topic of major life changes, I changed my degree! I started the summer working on an MA in Secondary Education but realized in late July that I didn’t want to teach high school chemistry. Did not see that coming lol. I changed my degree to an MA in Composition in the first week of August, missed the course registration deadline, and barely made the financial aid deadline. But now I’m in a classical rhetoric class and a research class, working at Liberty’s Writing Center, and absolutely loving it. I can see the Lord’s hand in bringing me here, and I can’t wait to see what he does with this season.

I think that’s all for this update…stay tuned for more as I embark on my Master’s degree and a whole new season of life!