Reflections

Wow it is hard to believe how fast time goes!! I am almost done with my first year here at Winona. This last year has been the biggest blessing, scariest yet most exciting and rewarding time of my life. I have grown so much closer to God through experiences that are too many to count. I have met amazing friends, and wonderful people along the way. I was diagnosed officially with my disease in December and have been doing wonderful since then. In just a few short weeks, I will be having my surgery which will be a full Sternotomy Thymectomy. For my readers who are not in medical school (don't worry, I am not either) that means I am having my Thymus gland and the tumor on it removed.
I have been so insanely blessed in ways I couldn't have even imagined. The night before I came to Winona, I had a conversation with my mom about how I just had a feeling that something significant was going to happen this year. Something special. I have had several special things happen so I couldn't pick just one that would be the one I was talking about that night. Some of my blessings this year include

• Growing in my faith
• Leading my friends to the Lord
• Having FABULOUS RA's!!
• Being able to work with the kids in the schools
• Meeting all of the friends that I have
• Getting to share my love for Jesus with others
• Being able to walk again and getting to do normal activities with my friends without limitations
• Seeing God clearly working in my heart and through people around me
• Starting to see where my life is going
• Being supported to unbelievable amounts by my family
• Developing lifelong friendships

The list continues and keeps growing as I am continually blessed by God. 

As the year ends it is very bittersweet. I have enjoyed living in the dorm that I do with all of the wonderful people that I live with. I will miss them next year but look forward to seeing them on campus. 

It is so hard to believe I am almost a sophomore in college. It seems like I just graduated and was getting ready to leave home. Time flies. 

I hope that everyone is well. The flu and bad colds have been going around. Take care and God bless you all!!!! I will probably post one more time before my surgery but not much before then as the school year is coming to a fast and busy close. Love you all!!!

- Alyssa