Orientation...day 1

Today was the first of two days of orientation for the DPT program at TWU Houston. It started at 8 this morning. I left my house at approximately 6:07 to get to the park and ride to catch the 6:30 bus. I missed the 6:30 bus by 4 minutes, so I caught the 6:45 bus. I had my quiet time on the bus; it was fun to have it in a new place. Anyway, I arrived at the medical center at like 7:32. I had plenty of time. I just don't like depending on public transportation... too many factors could make me really late. Anyway, it started pouring down rain right before my stop, and the bus leaked! It made me laugh because the little escape hatch in the ceiling would drain water on the aisle people. Fortunately, I was by the window. :)

Orientation was good, overwhelming, slightly boring, overwhelming, interesting, exciting, and overwhelming all at the same time. I learned a lot about TWU's graduate programs. I heard a lot of somewhat useful information several times. I learned that when you pass people on the street you should look at them rather than looking down. That way, if they try to mug you, you can ID them. I guess that is common sense, but it is my tendency to look away or down. Thanks Officer Booker. (Isn't that the coolest cop name EVER?!) I learned that this will be the most challenging, yet probably most rewarding three years of my life. This battle is the Lord's, not mine. I just have to keep reminding myself of that.

By the time orientation was over at 5, it was POURING down rain. It wasn't like this morning; it was storming, lightening, windy, psychotic, etc. I had an umbrella, but by the time I made it to the bus, my jeans were soaked up to my knees. My purse was also soaked. I think everything was soaked, actually. I have these really cute black sandals from target. The parts where my feet rest is like foax wood. It gets really slippery when wet. I was a sight to see. Ha. It's a good thing I LOVE stormy weather. I couldn't help but think about Lindley. If she was with me today, we would've been dancing and going crazy in the rain. It's awesome to find joy in the little things.

The commute home should have taken about 50 minutes, but it ended up taking like an hour and 15 because of the weather and traffic. Oh well. I think I am going to enjoy public transit. It will be a good two-ish hours of my day to read my Bible, study, keep learning how to knit, or sleep. I enjoyed it today. It was much less stressful than driving myself. And it helps the environment and our pocket book. Those are always good things. We ate dinner and played dominoes with my parents tonight. It was refreshing.

Anyway, I am about to hit the sack. I guess to close up my random ramblings, I'll leave a last thought. God is reminding me that He is in control throughout this whole process. No matter what happens, He is sovereign. He loves and cares for me more than I could ever imagine. He is more faithful than the morning--(Phil Wickham). This morning I read in 1 Samuel. As David is about to kill Goliath, he says in Chapter 17:46b-47, "Then all the world will know that Israel has a God, and this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the LORD saves, for the battle is the LORD's. He will hand you over to us." This passage made me think. I'm still thinking about it. Scripture is amazing that way. This "battle", if you will, of graduate school is the LORD's. The same LORD that was, is, and will forever be. Nothing that I can do on my own will get me through it. The battle is His and is for His glory. In my state of being overwhelmed, my LORD remains faithful and glorious. Please remind me of that if and when I freak out later this semester.

Blessings.