Time for a New Chapter

Normally we wait for New Years resolutions to make the changes that will shape our next year, but mine came a little early this year. I have been struggling this semester to fully Trust God in all of my life. I came back from a life changing trip in Namibia, Africa really wanting and knowing I needed to pray for God to show me areas in my life I need to let go and also areas in my life I could build up. To my surprise the first thing God told me was I needed to step away from basketball, and I said NO! This turned into a long exhausting semester of me not wanting to face that and selfishly spending my free time thinking about anything but that and avoiding my treacherous anatomy 2 class. Fast forward to November when I had failed consecutive anatomy exams and was about to turn 21 and the thought of getting old just freaked me out.....I went into my advisor to figure out my next semesters and the news I got was again not what I wanted to hear. I have a pretty packed last two semesters and then finish in the spring of 2021 with my student teaching!!! I left that meeting saying okay maybe this is God's way of saying you need to think about your future involvement with everything you do! I prayed and prayed and everything seemed to be figured out, with little wiggle room for me. I then was given the opportunity to apply for Advocate Co-Coordinator. So instead of leading you guys on for the next few paragraphs here is the big news and why I said that this is a TIME FOR A NEW CHAPTER! This week I stepped away from Basketball and had the hardest conversation I have had to have in my life with the Best Head Coach I know! It went amazing given the circumstances. I have loved the opportunities that Basketball has given me at the college level as a manager and have made memories that will last a lifetime. (video coming out soon) I am leaving a group of people I have spent the last two and a half years with, but I am so excited to see what God shows me in my last year and a half here at the University of Montana as a student. I also am so excited to help lead the best group on this campus and grow as a student leader and friend through my new role as Co-Coordinator of the UM Advocates. This starts in the spring, but I am looking forward to helping with tours, orientation, and prospective student events while also leading and growing the group of amazing individuals that I get to call my friends! This last semester has taught me so much! I have learned that I can't survive on my own, I need to reach out and have conversations with friends even if those are hard conversations. I have learned that opportunities are what you make of them and it is okay to let one go and pursue the next, even if it is hard to decide and reach that decision. I have learned that living in the moment and realizing you don't have all the answers is the most healthy thing you can do, and there are more than one or two or even three ways to do something. I have also learned that Anatomy and Physiology two is not a class you take it is a lifestyle and something you need to embody in order to pass.....even if I don't like it! On that note, it is okay to admit failure, but it is not okay to accept it. Keep trying, figure out what you are doing wrong and brainstorm to fix it and learn to grow through the process. I am so ready to start this next chapter and grow as an individual in many ways both as a leader, friend, and person! As always GO GRIZ and if you ever want to talk or have questions about anything I would love to chat! Over the next year I hope to live each day with more ambition, joy, and heart and be there for my friends and family more! It will be a year of local travel, going to my sisters games, and also of learning and growing on this campus! I can't wait to fully see what Montana has to offer! Thanks for reading and for all the support in this transition. My identity is not in what I do, but how I do it! Much Love!!
Isiah 40:21 "But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."
Kamm Mangun