Well, I can't seem to fall asleep tonight, so writing it is. 

I've been home for a week now and I always forget how much I love it at home. I have started to realize lately what a blessing my home is. I am 22 years old (almost 23) and I have lived/come home to the same house that I was born in. 

Good ol' Mount Vernon St. :)

Our little three bedroom, two bath, home that was built in the 30's that's still standing and still serves its purpose pretty dang well. From the hard wood floors to my Great Grandma's oven to the fort in the backyard. 

I love this place. 

Over the years, there were times when it seemed way too small and we were stepping on top of each other and we almost moved twice. But I sure am glad we didn't. Sure, when everyone is home for the holidays, I usually end up on the couch, but you know, you make it work. In June, everyone will be home and lots of family will be in town; we will have about ten people sleeping in the house! The running joke is with only three beds in the house, we don't even know where everyone will sleep! I think Grandpa suggested a tent in the backyard (just wait, that's where I'll end up!) 

I can picture Easter egg hunts, Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas trees, birthday parties, Mother's day, and Superbowl games all happening at our house. What special memories I have growing up in this old, wonderful home.

When people walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night, the floor creeks. When Josh gets something in his closet and the door closes, he's locked in. When you try and open the closet in mom and dad's room, the door gets jammed. But it's home. For 22 years it's been home. 

I was laying in bed tonight thinking about how when we were younger and friends use to come over they use to say we have so many books. When I stopped to think about it tonight, it's true. We have a bookshelf full of books in the family room, in the living room, in mom and dad's room, in the girls room, in Josh's room, there's even books in dad's bathroom. And the garage and shed out back are full of more. I mean I guess that's what happens when you have teachers as parents and home school parents :) 

That's another blessing though, having so many books at my fingertips. I think about all the kids in the world who dream about having more books to read. I probably have taken it for granted so much. What a blessing it is to have good books to read. 

Our home may be small, Josh may get stuck in his closet sometimes, the washing machine keeps breaking, and all the picture frames are not always dusted perfectly, but it's warm, clean, cozy, has all the books in the world, and wonderful people who love me a lot. And to tell you the truth, I'll take that over everything else, any day :) 

Goodnight friends!

Whitney Rose 

Home for Spring Break and I have eleven beautiful days ahead of me to do ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING besides studying and homework! Everyone is posting about being done with senior year of college, I have one more quarter and that's it. I can't believe it.

Today while driving home I kept thinking to myself. "Whit, I think this is the first time in like ever where you're going home for spring break and not stressed about what your grades are going to be."

But really. 

And yet, I ask myself, why is so much emphasis put on grades? Sometimes I feel like everything revolves around grades. Like you need to get good grades to go to a good university and you need good grades to go to a good grad school and you need good grades to get your Phd. It goes on and on and on. My psych professor said she pays more for her twins preschool than for her son's college tuition. 

Sometimes I wonder, where do we draw the line? 

I mean I love getting good grades, just like anyone else. And my stress level is so much lower when I get good grades. This quarter I am not only surpassing my goal of getting Dean's List. Pretty sure I am going to end up with a 3.6. And I have NEVER done that well in college before. Yes, I am very proud of myself. 

But at the same time I think it is important to remember that there are even more important things in life than just getting good grades. Yes, of course we need to work hard because that's why we're in school, but there are also so many more things that we are meant to do and accomplish in college. 

Because for the past ten quarters I have thought to myself, "Maybe this quarter Whit, maybe you'll get Dean's list." And it has never happened. This is going to sound dramatic, but we'll go with it. I remember one time in Trinity freshmen year they were having a dean's list banquet in the study lounge. I LIVED in that lounge. I studied my butt off that first quarter of college. I wanted to be at that banquet SO BAD. I remember looking into the room at  all of the students and wishing so badly that I could be there. 

At that moment, I just wish someone would have taken my shoulders, looked at me in the eyes, and just said, "Your value does not come from that, Whit." Of course I knew that. But in that moment, I know I needed the reminder. 

I always work hard in school. School's important to me. And those ten quarters I worked HARD. Dean Bailey likes to tell students that when you work 25-35 hours a week on homework and studying you'll make his list. You know what I want to tell him, "Nope, that doesn't always work." Of course I wouldn't, but everyone is different and school is just not that simple.

 I've learned a lot in my past ten quarters and one thing that I have learned is that none of my value is found in school. So, whether I pass or fail. I am still Whitney Rose. God still loves me just the same. 

I have also learned that it's important to do things that make me happy and give me joy. There is a balance that one needs to find in school. Because going on hikes, going somewhere "beautiful," watching sunsets, giggling, babysitting, TOT NIGHT VIP, running three miles at the gym, laying in the sunshine, and falling asleep at the library are all equally important. As Katie always tells me, "there are more important things in life, like chickens and babies and fun." 

This has been one of the best years at school because I have learned to remember that. Also like Ruth told me sophomore year, "Will this matter in a year?" "Noooo." "And does Jesus still love you?" "Yessss."

And I'll tell you that D I got on that plant biology lab test doesn't matter. And it's been TWO years now ;) 

It's important to remember how beautiful the world is and sometimes we just think calculus is more beautiful because we're stressed about it (I mean that's great if that's your thing) but for the rest of us, it's okay. You don't have to think calculus is beautiful :) 

Go "somewhere beautiful" folks, it makes life that much better :) 

xoxo, 

Whitters 

With the craziness of my senior project and how all of that is finally over, I realized something today. "You're leaving for Spain soon, Whit!" I have been getting more emails from Mission Nannys (That's the way they spell it!) about specifics and prayer letters/cards. I have been emailing them back and forth and figuring out more logistics about things.

I have been continuing to save for Spain, but now instead of my future jar, my savings are safely in Chase. In the words of Paige, "So if a burglar ever breaks in, he can't steal the future jar!" I mean he could, but there's only a couple pennies in it currently.

As I think about the future and graduation, I can't believe that I am going to be headed out to Spain in a few short months. I was reading some Mission Nanny newsletters and in the February letter my name was listed that I'm going to Spain. It's so crazy to me. This is really happening. Whitney, in Spain? I can't believe it.

God is good. God is SO good. 

I think back to the end of summer and when my questioning of "should I really get my credential" started. Back then I was like, "well, what else am I going to do with my life?" And I went back and forth with a decision for a long time. Then in the middle of fall quarter, I did it. I just said, "You don't want your credential and you don't need to get it." 

But then now what? 

I trusted God. I had to. I had no other choice in the matter. People kept asking and I kept saying, "I don't know, but God sure does!" Half the time of course, I worried and I forgot about this truth. 

Then one day my Mom stumbled upon  Mission Nannys.

You could say the rest is history? You know, I had to put my faith in God in order to apply and know that He would do what ever he would want with it. Who would have thought. Spain. God wants me in Spain. 

I'm not one to "go off the path." Heck, I think I have skipped class ONCE this school year and it was to study for another class! But you know, sometimes God does the coolest of things when we say, "Okay God, I'm just going to let go." 

Am I terrified? Oh yes, but am I excited? Even more. 

Because the coolest thing? God's got my back. And He will never let me fall. As I finish up this quarter and prepare for ONE more before graduation, I can't help but smile when I think about the fact that I will have no math problems, papers, or presentations come September. No, I'll have giggles, hand holding, paint, and a whole lot of love with three little bundles of joy. It's going to be good. Real good. 

Whit :)

Rain Rain Rain

I am sitting at the dinning room table, the candles are lit, my tea is hot, lists have been made, and the rain is coming down outside. When I was in elementary school and it rained, it was a BIG deal because it doesn't rain much in Riverside. I remember when it rained Mom would let us stay in our pajamas all day with the fire place on and do our schoolwork in the family room so we could watch the rain through the sliding glass door.

I loved it so much. 

This morning the crock pot is on, the kitchen is clean, the house is quiet, my hymn music is playing, and the rain and wind just keep coming. As I work on my senior project about home schooling I can't help but smile at all my treasured memories of being home schooled. 

We use to wait by the front door a little earlier on rainy days because we knew daddy would be home a little early. He always came home a little early on rainy days. Dinner in the crock pot would be ready when he got home and we would eat early. As a child I felt so happy and so loved. 

I miss it. 

Sometimes I just wish I could go back to those days. They were so wonderful. I am on page 13 of my senior project and I am almost to the part where I get to talk about my own experience. I am still trying to figure out my own thoughts and what exactly I am going to talk about. My wish is that I will be able to write in just a way to say that I grew up learning and exploring in all aspects of my life. I learned for the sake of learning. There is no need to try and "prove" to anyone that I had an acceptable education, I know that through the stories I write people will come to their own conclusions as to what they think. For me personally, those were some of the greatest days of my life and I know I will always cherish them. My hope is that I can share this gift of learning to my own children and students. And even more so to my three bundles of joy that I will be with in five short months. 

I can't wait!

xoxo,

Whitney Roses