This, my dear friends, is life.

So, I'm sitting here in my local coffee shop in the town I was born and raised in. I've been back home for a couple of weeks now, and I've answered the question approximately 2 million and 7 times at this point. You know the question. The "So, how is college? How was your first semester?" question. Please, don't take this the wrong way. I am so grateful to have such an incredible support system here at home that cares so much about me that is willing to take the time to sit and ask me about first semester. The reason for this post is that if you were one of the people that asked me about first semester, you know that my answer was one that went slightly like this "College is..uhh..well...amazing, difficult, confusing, etc." (among a few more words that completely conflict each other.) Now that I've had some time away from college, I've been able to process a little here and there. First off, I was slightly nervous to go to college. For the

I'm speechless right now. Where do I begin? Man, have I been blessed here recently. And I do mean beyond blessed. Things that others tell me I deserve have been happening to me, and I sit here in awe just wondering how and why I, Ashton Mason, the person that has caused so much heartache in this world, deserve this. I know Jesus provides redemption, but man, it's still difficult to accept. I'm at a point where everything amazing that is happening, honestly scares me senseless. One thing that college has taught me (or is in the process of teaching me, at least) is when to sit and think, and when to react on the spot. (Thank the dear Lord for this skill!!!) So, thank goodness, on a few different occasions, I have stopped to think before acting on impulse, and I'm convinced I have avoided much pain and trouble in doing so. Especially whenever life throws me things that absolutely put me on my knees and tears in my eyes, in the joy sense. When those things happen, I star