Ch-ch-changes.

It's funny how much my world is changing lately. And for once, these changes don't scare me. They excite me. Today, I fully realized how much my life is going to change over the summer and this coming fall. How do I know this? By seeing how much the lives of my friends are growing and changing...

Today I got a call from the head of admissions department at Providence college. For those of you who may be unaware, that is the college that I am heading off to in the fall. She was returning my mother's call about loan papers. But since my mother was not home we just talked about the school, the new things that are happening there, my summer, and my coming there in the fall. It made me excited and eager to start my freshman year of college. I'm a freshman. Holy crap.

My buddy Tyler, the guy I've known since I was like 5, is a youth pastor now. I saw him with some of his youth group the other night, and it was kind of a surreal feeling. He's great with youth , and he has wanted to be a youth pastor for quite some time. But to see him living his dream, is very happy, and exciting.

Today in the mail, I got a invite to my friend Lindsey's bridal shower. Her wedding is next month. A friend of MINE is getting married. She's just a year older than me. I had AP English
with her fiance 2 years ago. And now she's getting married. It occured to me that there is a very real possibility that I could be getting married in the not-so-distant future. Not that I have any prospects but, I'm all grown up. I'm excited for Lindsey and Luke.

My little Laura Lou has a boy. We used to sing stupid songs and have burping contests in Jr High. And now she has a boy. Gosh, when did we grow up? When did Laura and I get old?

Tomorrow, I'm going to a "going away party" of sorts for my friend Adam. Where is he going? Iraq. He's finished his marine training and is now a semper fi. And he's leaving for Fallujah. My old friend Shawn is over there right now. People who are my age. Guys I knew in High School are going to war for my country. That astounds me.

My youth pastor said something to me today that really caught me off guard. He said "between you and me, adult-to-adult" Adult to adult? I'm an adult. He doesn't see me as the little sophmore that I was when he came here 3 years ago. And I guess he shouldn't. But I have a hard time seeing myself as such. But for the first time since my senior year started, I'm not afraid of that anymore. I'm ready. I'm excited.

-Em