Preface: I wrote this blog post two or three months ago, and have been going back and forth on future plans. Since then, as of this weekend, I have finalized all plans and can finally post this!!
I am finally back home after a long and life-giving two years of living in the weird little tourist town, that I like to call Hillbilly Vegas. Leaving Branson, this time around, was filled with emotion and bittersweet feelings. I wish I could say that I handled it like a champ, but I cried the whooooole drive down to Fayetteville (for real, the whole way). Saying goodbye to a town that is filled with so many new family members and a place that holds so many of my favorite memories just honestly sucks.
Last year when this time came around, I knew that I would be back after summer, so it wasn't as hard to say goodbye. This year was different, because I wasn't a student, and honestly nothing will ever beat my year of Link Year, but this year was special to me. I gained a bunch of little brothers and sisters (even though most of them were older than me) and I got to see another side of Link Year as a staff member. You guys, Kanakuk is just a really special place!
BUUUUT, all that being said, I am very, very excited for the new step in my life! It has been a very long process of trying to figure out what "next" is for me. I avoided the questions about the future like the black plague, but now I have solid answers for those once dreaded questions!! So you’re probably thinking, okay Codi we get it, now what ARE you doing?
After a whole lot of prayer and seeking wise counsel (my parents obviously lol) I have decided to attend Northwest Arkansas Community College in the Fall 2017! I never in a million years would have thought that I would go to college, but God works in crazy ways, y'all. I am going to be pursuing a degree in Graphic Design with a focus on Photography, and am stoked to begin classes in August. I am living in the Fayetteville area, actually with my old roommate from Link Year!
I am excited for school, yet fearful at the same time. School is something that I have never really enjoyed. I made it through in High School, but was convinced that was going to be the end of my education days. God has a funny way of working His plan into our lives over our own. I know that I am capable of college, but I cannot do it on my own. I will have to work hard in my classes and rely on The Lord for the rest. I am excited to say the least!! The community I have in Fayetteville is great and I cannot wait to be surrounded by my people again! The Ozarks just haven't had enough of me, yet!