"My darling girl, please remember that there is always more than what meets the eye."

As we head into a new semester full of stressful days and lack of sleep, I want you all to remember these little bits of encouragement.

When God wants you to grow, he makes you uncomfortable.

Some days it is going to feel like God is against you. Let me assure you right here and now that this is not true, nor will it ever be true. On those days, weeks, months, God is helping you grow. Don't be angry with him for that, just pray.

Everyone has a chapter they don't read out loud.

Speaking from experience, I know that sometimes it feels as if you are the only one being graced with rough times. I want you remember that you are not alone. don't compare your first page with other people's highlight reel.

'Finished last' will always be better than 'Did not finish' which will always trump 'Did not start'.

That's right. Always take on the challenge. It may take you longer than most, it may take months or years, maybe you'll never finish. At least you can say that you had the courage to take the first step, which is more than most will ever be able to say.

Successful people make a lot of mistakes, but they don't quit.

Walt Disney? Fired because he lacked creativity. J.K. Rowling? Turned down by numerous publishing companies before Harry Potter was published. Steve Jobs? Fired from his own company, then created Pixar and came back to Apple to create the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Moral of the story is that failures and mistakes are proof that you are trying. They will one day help you to succeed.

If it was easy, everyone would do it.

That's right. It is supposed to be hard. It's supposed to be really damn hard. That is what makes it so amazing. You are brave. You took the chance. This is how it is supposed to be. Just keep chipping away at your greatness.

Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.

That's right, I bet you never thought of it that way. Trust that God has got it handled. I promise you that he does. You just have to believe it.

You may not be there yet, but you are closer than you were yesterday.

You are getting there, little by little. Keep your head up and, "just keep swimming!"

I want to wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy, and successful spring semester. Some of you will graduate when its over, others will take on internships, maybe you'll travel. Whatever it is that summer will bring you, I hope that it is motivation enough to get you through another semester.