You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet!

Warning: This post contains a lot of JOY- which may or may not be contagious- you have been warned. :)


It was once said that the greatest response to life was to be joyful. I find that to be exceptionally true. 


You know, if you remember reading some of my posts over the summer, you'll notice that I've made a lot of improvements. I thought I was feeling great and life couldn't get any better.


Boy, was I wrong. I came back to school, I was on top of the world. 


If I could write this in all caps, screaming, bursting with joy, I would, but I haven't found a word processor yet that correctly translates my emotions into fonts. 


Anyway, I thought I was feeling good over the summer. Little did I know, that was mild compared to the joy I have just come on.


I never, ever knew it would be possible to feel as good as I do right now. 
I never knew my heart could hold this much joy, my spirit this much excitement, my attitude this much optimism, my smile unable to be turned upside down, my hope so undiminished, my desire to share my joy with others. I never knew it was possible to feel this way.


I hope you're catching on to my excitement. Life is as good as it has ever been, and I cannot stop thanking God for doing all He has done for me, and putting so many wonderful things and people into my life. A verse that is in my heart right now that I am holding dearly is Psalm 34:1:
I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop praising Him.


I know that always is a long time and you're never really supposed to say never, but that is the prayer of my heart- I cannot stop thanking God for the blessings He has not only shown me in the last few days, but also the last year of my life.


It's almost like God blessed me this summer, and said, "You ain't seen nothin' yet!" , and now He has blessed me even more tremendously, and maybe saying the same thing- I am really thrilled to find out what other blessings, opportunities, etc. life has in store. 


Here are a few reasons (and happenings) that have contributed to my uncontainable joy:
-Friday- My birthday!!!! I had so many Facebook posts, texts, calls, cards, etc. that I definitely was not forgotten about. I got a camera, ipad, a tub of teaching props, and most importantly, a lot of LOVE! The evening I celebrated with my parents, grandparents, sister, and great aunt and uncle. We ate at a restaurant called "The Glacier Bay" - it was fun, and afterwards we had chocolate cake, ice cream cake, and played Quelf until our sides were hurt from laughing so much!


-Saturday I moved back to school. I had not been on campus for 10 minutes and I was greeted with a big bear hug from one of my friends. It continued into the evening, and it was such a GREAT feeling to be back among so many amazing people!


-Sunday morning I got to worship at the church here in town. When the organ sounded, and the strong congregational singing kicked in, I almost teared up- I forgot how beautiful it was. I was greeted in church with more hugs and happy emotions!


-Sunday evening was our opening worship- and it was so amazing, awe-inspiring, touching, and meaningful- I was in tears again! Of course, there were more hugs and happy reunions after church. It is so great to see all of these people!


-Afterward, I also saw one of my theology professors, and he is an amazing preacher. He has offered me a job of once a month playing organ in the congregation where he is serving as vacancy pastor... YES! YES! YES! He said "Meet me at my house, and we'll drive there together. It will be a good way for us to catch up."


-Monday was my first methods class, and workshops- I could go on about how re-affirming they are for my career choice, but I won't. I AM SO EXCITED TO BE A TEACHER!!!


-Monday also brought more hugs, and big hugs from so many professors!


-I also found out I will be MEETING JERRY PINKNEY at an endowment event!!! If you don't know Jerry Pinkney, you can google him, but he is an AWARD WINNING Children's book illustrator- his most recent book, The Lion and the Mouse, won last year's Caldecott!!! I didn't think I was going to be able to go because of money, but a GENEROUS donation is ALLOWING me to go!!! I am SO EXCITED!!!!


-I got a big hug from the campus pastor and he said we needed to do a chapel hymn sing together sometime. YES! 


-My mentor professor is collecting resources for me and we're having lunch together Thursday!!!! Again, you get the idea that I am excited.


-I have about 27 people that I need to have "catch up" times with!!! Again, excited.


-Another Theology prof. said to me today, "Please stop by so we can catch up!"


-I have been told my so many people, "Dylan, you look so great!!! You look amazing- so healthy and well!" YES!


I want to share an e-mail that a professor sent me yesterday:

Dylan,

You look great, healthy, happy, and with such a nice tone in your complexion!! Hatred and anger make people look ugly!!  Health, positiveness, faith in God, faith in yourself, and the support of friends and family, makes people look beautiful!! Not in that order, as Faith in Our Saviour comes first and foremost!!  

I love you!

-Another e-mail from a lady back home said this:

I am praying for you every day, that you will be able to balance all that is before you, your classes, along with student teaching, and I know you can do it with the help of the Lord.  When you get discouraged and think the load is too much, remember what you have already accomplished... especially how quickly and how well you learned to play the piano and organ in such a short time.  With God on your side you can do whatever you put your mind to and I know you will enjoy this last year of your college career. 

-So many encouraging people in my life!

-Also, after workshop today, the professor said this to me, which definitely made my day! (I had been laughing really hard all day):

"We need to keep you around because of your laugh. It's contagious and a stress reliever."

 

-I got this in my mailbox today. It was attached to a Baby Ruth candy bar. I don't know who sent it, but the challenge is gladly accepted!

-This is long and I know I am forgetting things! But the point is here- I am on top of the world, and I am excited about life. God blesses me far beyond what I deserve!

What are some exciting things God is doing in your life?