Looking forward in anticipation

So my last year in Dunedin is about to start. And you know what? This past week I have practically been jumping around the house counting down the days. I can't help it. I just have a feeling that this year is going to top all my years at university, that's 4 amazing years. And although there's definitely been ups and downs, there is just no way to describe how much I have changed and grown individually.

One of the biggest lessons I have learnt is how to love my friends unconditionally without the fear of being hurt again. When I say 'again' I am referring to a friendship at school with a girl who used to be a very close friend. But her discouraging comments and hurtful behaviour led me to distance myself from her by putting up a brick wall. I would not act myself when i was around her because I was so scared that she would use what I said to criticise me or hurt me even more. It was the worst feeling in the world to feel this way! Moving to Dunedin, I thought I could just ignore her and start over and make new friends. but when our paths crossed I knew I was still being defensive all the time. I asked God what I needed to do to resolve all the hurts, the bitterness and deep wounds that had caused a chasm between us. I mustered up all the courage in my bones to call her and eventually confront her directly. God totally pulled me to my feet in my weakness. He taught me to forgive and forget. And I haven't looked back once.

Throughout my uni years, I have had the support of the most special group of friends. I am truely blessed. To have friends, who accept you for who you are, who look beyond your faults, who can laugh and cry with you, is a gift from God. And this has allowed me to discover the real (wacky) 'Jacqui' on a whole new level. And more importantly, love others unconditionally and freely or should I say fearlessly.

Here's to 2007. Step up in faith to your calling, Give it all you've got! I know I won't be disappointed.