Finale

Today, I say bye to my freshman year. No more classes, no more exams. I am Done!!

So the finals, He truly has his blessings, or even himself, in there. I am very pleased with all my performances in my finals. They are not perfect, but just through these imperfection, He revealed Himself to me. I first had an A- in my theory class, and I finished with an A. I took the final at 8:30 in the morning, and I always snooze during class, and the final felt like a dream as well. However, I was able to finish, when all the people who started earlier than I didn't finish. Moving on to my math final, I studied for a total of three hours. This not nearly enough for an accumulative math final. usually a homework sheet takes Yisi and I 6 hours to finish. I was able to cram in as much as possible in 3 hours. The next day, after the exam, I checked answers with some people. I haven't gotten anything wrong yet, I am waiting for my 100%.

my jury, the shortest but most nerve-racking exam. I had to perform for 15 minutes and have the whole piano department judege me. It was such a miracle. before monday, I was so numb practicing that I thought I was so ready for my jury. I found some friends to listen to me, and two of them spent an hour each with me on one piece, helping me feel the music--and they are both christians haha. One of them was a pro at the piece. When he toured around Europe giving recitals, he was requested to play this piece. He helped me a lot with creating the desired tone. I was so pumped afterwards that I felt alive again playing the piano. Thursday night when I was practicing, Shin told me that I should read Psalm 4. Before sleep I read it, and I rested peacefully in Him. Next morning, I went, warmed up, prayed to lift jury up to him (even though i was holding something back to myself). Thinking that I was prepared, I went into my jury. First Mozat, played really well, but because of time, I was cut, and told to go on to the next piece. Therefore I started playing the Chopin Black Key Etude--completely messed up the beginning, it was so horrible that I stopped. But I was able to grab myself and finish nicely. Third, my Debussy, and this was the piece I got help from. I had confidence and played beautifully according to my teacher. The judges listened to the whole thing. Lastly, I played some of my other debussy piece--messed up, and got cut. Surprisingly, I came out of the room without worrying. I knew because of the messed up playing I couldn't get an A, but secretly I was still expecting that good grade to drop from Heaven. In the afternoon, I got an email from my teacher that I got an A. He said I played fine overall.

All these glories I am receiving, they are not from the people, they are from God. All of them are reflections of God's blessings. He was telling me to lean not on my own understandings. And He showed me that He is not just the God at church, He is everywhere in my life. He tells me if I allow Him, he will fill up my life. All these work I've done, they are not from me either. I barely did any work--didn't practice enough, didn't study enough. There are so many things I needed to do, yet didn't. I receive all the goodness from his grace. He gave me a clear mind taking exams, playing jury. He is really everywhere, and if I ask, He will give.

Freshman year--Finished victoriously in the glory of God!