I spoke with my favorite friend this evening.  I vented my concerns and thoughts about college to her and she encouraged me so much.  

I hope that all of you out there, reading this blog are putting into practice the

gifts God has given you.  Because the people that get to experience you practicing your gifts will be so blessed.  God has given you those natural qualities and gifts for a reason.  And I believe that the gifts he gives, if they truly are gifts and not merely talents, will automatically come naturally to you.  It might be something you need to practice so that you can better know and understand when to apply them and under what circumstances, but if they truly are gifts I believe you will already be naturally inclined towards them. 

I believe one of my gifts is encouragement, and I'm already inclined to encourage people when I see them doing something well or that they’re good at. 
 And, to some extent, every single person in this world needs some affirmation and sometimes it’s just such a major relief to hear that you are on the right track; that what you’re doing is good; and that you simply are amazing and the best person in all the world…. *s i g h*   Yeah, that one’s always nice to hear…

Another thing I learned, or rather was reminded of, this evening was that so long as you're loving God, you have nothing to worry about.  You will always win!! He is on our side!! And he is perfect.  He is a redemptive God.  So if you do mess up or make a wrong decision he will redeem it.  So long as he is the one we are seeking and loving, I think we're always gonna win.  So just love God, with it will come all of the other qualities you need as a person: faith, patience, confidence, provision, love instead of hate, peace instead of anxiety and worry.  All of the things we long for and simply need, come with loving the Lord and knowing him.  What a blessing it is.