Enter at your own risk...

After a LONG internal debate over whether or not to start a blog based on the fact that it is a rather large commitment (I am planning on doing this regularly enough to make it worth while), I have decided to take the plunge and see what happens. After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a Public Relations degree, I decided that I hadn’t quite had enough school. I am beginning a highly unique journey in my post-grad life, and I couldn’t be more excited.

On Sept. 12, I am moving to Branson, Missouri (a.k.a. Shady B: from now on, this will be its reference) to begin the Kanakuk Institute. Every time that I tell a family friend or complete stranger that I will be moving to Shady B, I get this look and must instantly clear up their wandering minds ensuring them that I will NOT be performing in one of the local shows. After performing Cher for my Freshman Follies tryout, you would think that word had gotten out that I was NOT gifted musically! Another great reaction is when I simply say the Institute is my next stop in life, and people mistake it for some sort of mental or behavioral institution. People, I may be a bit strange, but I promise I’m not crazy! Nevertheless, I still get crazy looks when I tell people what my actual purpose for moving there is. After working at Kanakuk Kamps for the past four summers, I decided that I couldn’t pass up the incredible opportunity that the Institute had to offer. I truthfully don’t know exactly what I’m getting myself into, and oddly, I’m alright with that. All I know is that I am about to embark on a life-changing year in my life because I’m going to be devoting eight months to studying the Bible. There will likely never be another time in my life where I focus on the Word like this. I have no idea what I am going to do after the Institute. I have, however, decided that no matter what is next, having a solid foundation in the Word and my relationship with the Lord will benefit me far more than beginning my career immediately upon graduation. My prayer has been that I would simply be a sponge to the Word and nothing else as I begin this journey. To top off the already long list of perks, I am also going to be pursuing my Master’s degree in Leadership and Ethics through John Brown University at the same time.

Like I said, I am definitely taking a bit of a different path than most college graduates, but I’m looking forward to it. Multiple people have asked that I keep them updated on what I am learning/my life in general during my time in Shady B. I hope that I have the opportunity to share more than just my life but also stay updated on each of yours as this year goes on. I just don’t think there is anyway for me to keep everyone that has asked in the loop with what I’m learning, and I would rather spend the time we do get to share talking about YOU. So I have decided to resort to my PR roots and use a bit of social media to keep anyone that cares informed.

With that being said, I have decided that this is going to serve as a soundboard for me to process what I’m learning and what’s going on in my world. So, I am warning you now…this may not be the funniest, most interesting or life-changing reading material for you. Then again, let’s be real…I don’t know what’s going to come out of my mouth half of the time, so it has the potential to be hilarious, thought-provoking and simply an insight into my world. Enter at your own risk…