The anticipation of the first day of this school year gave me a mixture of two contrary feelings. Was I to be sorry and sad that school was about to start, or was I to be excited and energized? For most people, summer is one of the greatest and most anticipated events of the year (next to Christmas, personal birthdays, and other celebrated holidays). This was a holiday lasting two months! Who wouldn’t want that? Summer equaled sleeping in,watching television or surfing the net all day long, spending time with your friends… and did I mention sleeping in? On the other hand, summer also has its flat and colorless moments that cause you to think thoughts like “Where are PACEs when I need them?"or “I want to go back to school anytime now”. Nevertheless, I very much enjoyed summer “activities”, and honestly did not want school to start until a certain far-off time. Obviously and frankly, I wasn’t eager to start school—but that was then. School, for me at least, was somewhat the total opposite of summer.

School translated into PACEs, work, waking up early, writing, sensible brain power, and even more PACEs. Contrary to that is the brighter side of school—learning, friendships, lessons, strengthening, your personal and others’ betterment, and so much more you wouldn’t have thought was a benefit of school. Come to think of it, these are why you’re supposed to be thrilled to go to school.  When I came to the point of pondering these ideas, the excitement started building up. But of course the relaxing idea of summer was still there.

As the first day of school drew near, I was doing my best to savor my last days of summer. I was going to miss the fun and enjoyable days of vacation and say hello to the academic and constructive days of the incoming school year. I know most of you are still adjusting from lazy summer days to educational school days. It is definitely challenging, but we are certain that we will learn new things, develop and strengthen Godly character traits, improve ourselves, and reach new goals we never thought we could. So persevere, because God will never leave our side. Isn’t that a wonderful promise to hold on to?