As Long As You Are Glorified

As my time at Bryan has now been drawn to an end, I look back and see how I've grown through the past four years. I entered as an opinionated, immature, independent young girl ready to take on a new world. With this definition it does not sound like much has change, huh? Yes, I’m still opinionated, immature, independent and young. Now my opinions are more educated, based in truth and the godly wisdom of my professors. My immaturity is more visible to myself as I seek to develop in the Lord. My independence is stronger, yet with an understanding that it is not always a bad thing to rely on someone for help and I also understand my weaknesses more to know when to seek help. My youngness fades every day, reminding me that though I’m still in my early years, I only have one life to live for Christ.

I entered Bryan with the goal of being a music producer. I wanted to spend the rest of my life creating music for the world. Spending late hours in a studio, recording music, editing it, polishing the sound, perfecting the outcome, it was all a part of my dream for years. The last thing I ever wanted to do was enter a full-time Christian ministry. I refused to be a music education major because the thought of being in school for the rest of my life was less than thrilling. Knowing I’d eventually have to get my masters if I wanted to continue teaching was overwhelming. I had no desire to be a part of school post my undergraduate career, whether sitting at a desk taking notes or standing in front lecturing.

Now, I have a degree in Music Ministry. Ministry! The last thing I wanted. Now, I’m pursuing a degree at seminary. A MASTERS! More school! Now, I want to work as a Minister of Music in a church. I hope to one day be a college professor, training other hopeful Ministers of Music. TEACHING! I want to dedicate my life to helping the church of the Lord understand how to worship Him wholly, what HE wants from us as worshippers. Francis Schaeffer would be so proud if he knew how much his book inspired me. It’s crazy how far I’ve come in just four years.

As I look ahead to the next two(ish) years at Southern Seminary, I am so excited to begin imagining how God is going to shape me there. I will have the benefit of studying under some of the top professors in their field (not that I didn’t have that at Bryan. Thank you Dr. Luther and Dr. Wilhoit). I will be studying along side people who, like me, are fresh out of their undergrad, ready to grow some more. I’ll also be along side those who have spent years of their life in the ministry already and have come to earn the degree that their experience well deserves. I’ll be along side people who are preparing a life of service to Christ. This learning experience is going to be at such a higher caliber from Bryan, the growth the Lord has in store has to be just as great. I hope I’m ready!

Oh, Let Your will be done in me

In Your love I will abide

Oh, I long for nothing else as long

As You are glorified

As Long As You Are Glorified

Sovereign Grace Music

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7 Days!

One week until graduation!!!

I'm DONE with my undergraduate homework! I just have my final left for my online class. YAY!

We left for Senior trip today. Charleston is a blast. I definitely hope to live here for an extended amount of time one day.

Today's reflection is on the music groups I was involved in over the years.

Chorale in Switzerland. Europe Tour 2010

Chorale has been my biggest music involvement over the past four years at Bryan. In all 8 semesters, there was only 1 when I wasn't a member of this group. I have been all over the US with them touring, and toured Europe with them as well. Four tours with this group made for some great adventures!

I'll admit it, I did not always enjoy being a part of this group. I really struggled to fully enjoy my time with them. I don't socialize well in big groups, so I often was frustrated in varying situations. What made it all worth it was the people I did come close to. Some of my best friends sang along side me in this choir.

Singing, oh the singing. I never knew how much I loved singing until I joined this group. No matter how much I was struggled socially within the group, performing with them was the best thing in the world to me. I loved the songs we would sing each tour, I loved the blends we made as we performed together. It was all just amazing and that it what I will miss most about this group.

Bryan College Chamber's Singers

This year I finally decided to try out for Chamber Singer's. It is a smaller group, and they travel on weekends. I was not sure if I could even get in the group, and I was not sure I wanted to be in the group. Traveling on weekends was not that appealing to me and the social issues I had with Chorale made me fearful of putting myself in more situations like it. But, I just wanted to know if I was even good enough, so I auditioned. And I got in! I was nervous about it at first, and not very excited. I'm so glad I stuck it out. I made some close friends in this group. My chamber buddy, Randy, stood next to me in our concerts. If I had not joined this group I doubt I would have come to realize his awesomeness! It was great to have an excuse to spend more time with my dear friends Anna, Caitlin and Alexis. Also, I was able to get to know Kristen Underwood a lot better. I'm glad Dr. D placed me in this group this year. I think it was a great growing experience for me as a musician, person and Christian.

Freshman year I sang in the Women's Chorus. This was such a blast! It's like girl time on steroids. We had so much fun as a group. I loved all these girls so much. Mrs. Keck was our director and she is so funny. In this group I was really able to be myself. This choir is what really shaped me as a singer and prepared me to be involved more with Chorale and join Chambers.

Time to sleep. Tomorrow is "be lazy on the beach all day" day. I LOVE being a Senior! :-)

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