I had my second midterm exam for Physical Science this week. I was overjoyed to receive an A on the first. But I must admit, I was also very concerned. You see, for a portion of the test we were allowed to go over our answers with a pair of fellow students. I found this collaboration extremely beneficial, and changed many of my answers after discussing them with my partners. But, was my unexpectedly high score merely a reflection of their knowledge? How would I fare the next time around?
Meticulous note-taking, reading and rereading the textbook chapters helped me feel I'd prepared the best I could. So I headed out the door with a light heart, amid the cheerful encouragement of 5 childish voices, heeding Daddy's direction, "Everybody wish Mama good luck on her test!" "Goodluck, Mama!!"
The glorious, crisp October weather kept my spirits bright. And the stroll up the hill on the south of campus was too breathtaking to hurry through. I took my time, walking the brick-laid path that wound through the trees and green lawns instead of bolting up the paved road I normally take to get to class. The benches were smothered in piles of dried leaves. I stopped, a grin spreading ever wider over my face as I stooped and filled my arms with an autumn bouquet. Then I buried my face into its lovely, earthy smell and inhaled the memories of countless leaf piles from my childhood. I was in heaven, my friends!
After I'd taken a few pictures, I continued on the path to class. I held a prayer in my heart, near bursting with gratitude for the beauty and blessings that surrounded me. I felt the Holy Spirit reminding me as it has so many times before, "Keep your eyes open. Just look, and you will see the evidence of God's love all around you."
Ascending the stairs, my thoughts began now to turn to the test I'd be taking in a short while. And I was truly amazed to find that not only had my Heavenly Father arranged a landscape of rapturous beauty for me to enjoy, He'd even sent me a couple personalized notes of encouragement!
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The exams have not been graded yet, so I don't know what score I received this time. But regardless of the grade, I know I've learned the most important lesson: Just keep your eyes open!
Meticulous note-taking, reading and rereading the textbook chapters helped me feel I'd prepared the best I could. So I headed out the door with a light heart, amid the cheerful encouragement of 5 childish voices, heeding Daddy's direction, "Everybody wish Mama good luck on her test!" "Goodluck, Mama!!"
The glorious, crisp October weather kept my spirits bright. And the stroll up the hill on the south of campus was too breathtaking to hurry through. I took my time, walking the brick-laid path that wound through the trees and green lawns instead of bolting up the paved road I normally take to get to class. The benches were smothered in piles of dried leaves. I stopped, a grin spreading ever wider over my face as I stooped and filled my arms with an autumn bouquet. Then I buried my face into its lovely, earthy smell and inhaled the memories of countless leaf piles from my childhood. I was in heaven, my friends!
After I'd taken a few pictures, I continued on the path to class. I held a prayer in my heart, near bursting with gratitude for the beauty and blessings that surrounded me. I felt the Holy Spirit reminding me as it has so many times before, "Keep your eyes open. Just look, and you will see the evidence of God's love all around you."
Ascending the stairs, my thoughts began now to turn to the test I'd be taking in a short while. And I was truly amazed to find that not only had my Heavenly Father arranged a landscape of rapturous beauty for me to enjoy, He'd even sent me a couple personalized notes of encouragement!
The exams have not been graded yet, so I don't know what score I received this time. But regardless of the grade, I know I've learned the most important lesson: Just keep your eyes open!
What a lovely reminder to stop and notice the beauty around us. I think God sends us messages of love everyday, if we're watching for them.
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, I was sure when you described the bench full of leaves that you were next going to plop yourself down on it. Crunch!
Haha, Arianne! Next time I'll have to try making myself a leaf-throne!
ReplyDelete