The next chapter

Once upon a time there was a little girl.

She always loved learning. Reading. Writing. Creating. History. Geography. Literature. Math. Science. There were never enough books to quench her insatiable thirst for more knowledge, more words, more stories.

And her dreams. Her dreams were as bright as her eyes, and her ambitions as bright as her faith. She wanted to see the world and to make a difference--somehow, someway--in her small corner of the world. 

As the girl grew, she learned more about her talents, gifts, and even changed her dreams a few times. But she never lost her love for learning. In her travels around the world, she learned lessons of empathy and of the power of hope. She learned these stories through literature, through history, and through the lives and examples of those around her . . . but most importantly, she learned them in her own life.

The girl realized that she wanted to use her talents and gifts to teach others the importance of these stories. She realized the privilege of having a voice and she wanted to use her voice to write and tell the stories of those who history had forgotten. And, based on her talents, experiences, and desires of her heart, she realized that grad school was the next step in her life.

And so, the girl applied to grad school programs in history. And waited. And heard back. Yeses and Nos. And she came to a crossroads.

Because she had choices. So many good choices. But choices, nonetheless.

And whenever you come to a crossroads, you must give something up.

Doors open, doors close. Opportunities gained, opportunities lost.

But the girl knew and felt--deep in her bones, sure as blood--that whatever choice she made would be good. She just had to make it hers.

And so, based on pros and cons lists, advice from mentors, family, and friends, inspiration and ratification from God, and ultimately, the desires of her own heart, the girl made a choice.

This, my friends, is what it looks like when you get accepted into Oxford:

But, this is what it actually looks like:

And this:

With a little bit of twirling too:

And so, dear reader, I am happy to announce to my small corner of the world the next chapter of my life. I have officially accepted Oxford's offer for their Master's Programme in US History. I am thrilled, excited, and slightly terrified for this new chapter in my life. But mostly excited. I am also humbled. Because who ever thought that little girl who played pioneers and princesses with her sisters in the backyard would be going to study at Oxford?

Because, let's be honest--I basically just got my acceptance letter to Hogwarts.

#megisgoingtogradschool #megisgoingtoOXFORD