Second years!

Today I was officially a second year graduate student! I can't believe I actually made it this far... I think back to the countless nights last year when I was so stressed and overwhelmed by all that I had to do each and every day. There were many days and nights I sat around with these girls and we wondered aloud if we would ever really be second years....

BUT WE DID IT!

Holding up TWO fingers! 

We are second years! I can honestly say that graduate school  has been 10,000 times harder than I ever could have imagined, but it has also been 10,000 times more rewarding. I have had the BEST experience, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world. It has been such a blessing to be part of this program, and I am so grateful for the journey. All of the sleepless nights, all of the tears, all of the stress and exhaustion have been worth it. We did it! I did it! And I am one step closer to being Amy Simmons M.S., CCC-SLP. I can't wait to finally be able to answer "Oh, I'm a speech pathologist" when people ask me what I do for a living.  :-)

I am reminded almost everyday that God has chosen me for this career. He continually renews my passion and love for this field and for the work that I know He has called me to do. I can't imagine doing anything else with my life. As I find myself "growing up" and beginning to think about life after college, one thing remains a constant. My God loves me and has a plan for my life. I know it now more than ever. I can so clearly look back on the past year and know that it has all been a part of God's plan for me. As I begin to seriously think about how my life might change over the next year or so, I cling to His promise that if I surrender my life to Him, He will fill my life with blessings far greater than I ever could imagine. As I come to this new/exciting place in my life of not knowing exactly what's in store, I pray for God's guidance above all else.

Love,
Amy