Hello Everyone, It's been a while since I've blogged. So I'm almost done with my first semester of college...and it's going great minus a class and a few people. I had a good weekend...went to Mason to my girlfriend's house...we came back Saturday night and cleaned my room! haha...and then Sunday I had a performance and then went to Miamisburg to watch Martian Child. Monday I went back to Miamisburg and bought some clothes and then went and bought a BMX bike...it's sweet. Oh and my friend's parents took me to Lonestar. I've got two days left of this week for classes....tonight, Friday, and Saturday I'm going to watch the school play because my girlfriend is in it....and it makes me smile!

So next week I only have classes on Monday and Tuesday. Then I'm leaving Tuesday evening. I'll be having a week off...classes officially start back on the next Monday, the 26th..but that's my birthday so I'm not coming to class. Haha. But I'm turning 19. Should be a good day. I'm just looking forward to being at home and hanging out with my family and some friends. My sister is hopefully making me a penguin cake for my b-day!!! Lol. I'm just ready for a break from campus. Life is good right now! I'm happy.

Oh...this Sunday I'm doing a benefit concert for the Clinton County Hospice...and we're singing a lot of really cool songs! They make me happy. Especially because the director is amazing. I worked with him yesterday and he made me work hard and pushed me to perform at my best....and I had a blast! Then also yesterday my friend Kevin and I went to go watch the play because we could...so we went and it was really good. Then we went to Burger King with Nichole...because she and I were hungry.

So I've got my schedule set for next semester I'll be taking: Chemistry and the Environment, Intro to Bible Intro to Psych Collegium Musicum Chorale Band Private Voice Lessons and Writing 1. Hopefully I'm going to get into Music Theory.

Here are the lyrics for the one song that the choir director wanted me to sing....and it's called out here on my own. Following that will be the lyrics to the other song we're singing on Sunday called Coming Together

Sometimes I wonder Where I've been Who I am, do I fit in? Make-believing is hard alone Out here, on my own We're always proving Who we are Always reaching For that rising star To guide me far And shine me home Out here on my own When I'm down and feeling blue I close my eyes so I can be with you Oh, baby, be strong for me Baby, belong to me Help me through Help me need you Until the morning sun appears Making light of all my fears I dry the tears I've never shown out here on my own But when I'm down and feeling blue I close my eyes so I can be with you Oh, baby, be strong for me Baby, belong to me Help me through Help me need you Sometimes I wonder Where I've been Who I am, do I fit in? I may not win But I can't be thrown Out here on my own On my own

Coming Together!

Come to the waters, the water will flow Stand to the night, see the light, let it grow Hold on for hard winds are starting to blow. Stand up! Hold on! And swear you won't let go. Whatever I said doesn't matter. Whatever you said doesn't hurt. Whatever we meant And whatever we did is lost in the water. Whatever I felt I've forgotten. Whatever I planned I released, But come take my hand, Come down to the water, Come down to the water. Where people are coming together And people are falling apart, And no one can hide We're caught in the tide And punched in the heart. People are harder than diamonds. And people are stronger than knives. We breathe and we burn, But we'll never return For the rest of our lives, For the rest of our lives. People are coming together People are coming together Come down to the water, Come down to the water. Where people are coming together. And people are falling apart. We're branded and blind, And we try to rewind To Reset and restart. People are louder than fire, And people are stronger than knives. We'll pick up the slack, but we'll never go back For the rest of our lives, For the rest of our lives. People are coming together. Hold on. People are coming together. Come to the water, the water will flow. Stand to the night, See the light, Let it grow. Hold on for hard winds Are starting to blow! Stand Up! Hold On! Stand Up! Hold On! Stand Up! Hold On! People are coming together. People are coming together. Come and get down into the water. Come on, hold on, all across Come on down to the water! Hold on cause the hard winds are blowin'! Oh, the people all over the world Comin' to comin' together oh People are coming together all across the water! Hold on! Stand up! Hold on! Stand up! Hold on, and Swear you won't let go!

Hello Everyone, It's been a while since I've blogged. So I'm almost done with my first semester of college...and it's going great minus a class and a few people. I had a good weekend...went to Mason to my girlfriend's house...we came back Saturday night and cleaned my room! haha...and then Sunday I had a performance and then went to Miamisburg to watch Martian Child. Monday I went back to Miamisburg and bought some clothes and then went and bought a BMX bike...it's sweet. Oh and my friend's parents took me to Lonestar. I've got two days left of this week for classes....tonight, Friday, and Saturday I'm going to watch the school play because my girlfriend is in it....and it makes me smile!

So next week I only have classes on Monday and Tuesday. Then I'm leaving Tuesday evening. I'll be having a week off...classes officially start back on the next Monday, the 26th..but that's my birthday so I'm not coming to class. Haha. But I'm turning 19. Should be a good day. I'm just looking forward to being at home and hanging out with my family and some friends. My sister is hopefully making me a penguin cake for my b-day!!! Lol. I'm just ready for a break from campus. Life is good right now! I'm happy.

Oh...this Sunday I'm doing a benefit concert for the Clinton County Hospice...and we're singing a lot of really cool songs! They make me happy. Especially because the director is amazing. I worked with him yesterday and he made me work hard and pushed me to perform at my best....and I had a blast! Then also yesterday my friend Kevin and I went to go watch the play because we could...so we went and it was really good. Then we went to Burger King with Nichole...because she and I were hungry.

So I've got my schedule set for next semester I'll be taking: Chemistry and the Environment, Intro to Bible Intro to Psych Collegium Musicum Chorale Band Private Voice Lessons and Writing 1. Hopefully I'm going to get into Music Theory.

Here are the lyrics for the one song that the choir director wanted me to sing....and it's called out here on my own. Following that will be the lyrics to the other song we're singing on Sunday called Coming Together

Sometimes I wonder Where I've been Who I am, do I fit in? Make-believing is hard alone Out here, on my own We're always proving Who we are Always reaching For that rising star To guide me far And shine me home Out here on my own When I'm down and feeling blue I close my eyes so I can be with you Oh, baby, be strong for me Baby, belong to me Help me through Help me need you Until the morning sun appears Making light of all my fears I dry the tears I've never shown out here on my own But when I'm down and feeling blue I close my eyes so I can be with you Oh, baby, be strong for me Baby, belong to me Help me through Help me need you Sometimes I wonder Where I've been Who I am, do I fit in? I may not win But I can't be thrown Out here on my own On my own

Coming Together!

Come to the waters, the water will flow Stand to the night, see the light, let it grow Hold on for hard winds are starting to blow. Stand up! Hold on! And swear you won't let go. Whatever I said doesn't matter. Whatever you said doesn't hurt. Whatever we meant And whatever we did is lost in the water. Whatever I felt I've forgotten. Whatever I planned I released, But come take my hand, Come down to the water, Come down to the water. Where people are coming together And people are falling apart, And no one can hide We're caught in the tide And punched in the heart. People are harder than diamonds. And people are stronger than knives. We breathe and we burn, But we'll never return For the rest of our lives, For the rest of our lives. People are coming together People are coming together Come down to the water, Come down to the water. Where people are coming together. And people are falling apart. We're branded and blind, And we try to rewind To Reset and restart. People are louder than fire, And people are stronger than knives. We'll pick up the slack, but we'll never go back For the rest of our lives, For the rest of our lives. People are coming together. Hold on. People are coming together. Come to the water, the water will flow. Stand to the night, See the light, Let it grow. Hold on for hard winds Are starting to blow! Stand Up! Hold On! Stand Up! Hold On! Stand Up! Hold On! People are coming together. People are coming together. Come and get down into the water. Come on, hold on, all across Come on down to the water! Hold on cause the hard winds are blowin'! Oh, the people all over the world Comin' to comin' together oh People are coming together all across the water! Hold on! Stand up! Hold on! Stand up! Hold on, and Swear you won't let go!

As I walked out of the dorm this morning I breathed in...felt the cold air travel down to the bottom of my lungs, and back up as I exhaled. It's finally the season I love. As I walked to work the cool wind surrounded my face and blew through my hair. I felt so scerene.

Well the real reason I am writing this blog is because I've experienced something recently and feel that it is necessary to let everyone know.

Throughout your life, you go through good and bad things. When bad things happen, we get the baggage. Most of the time we carry that baggage for a long time.  Just imagine having a very little baggage and as time progresses more luggage gets added to your load. How great do you feel? Well recently, I left the baggage at the door. I'm walking around free from dealing with the pain of the past. Yes, I still remember the past because it made me who I am today, but I'm no longer living in the past and no longer carrying around the burdens.

I'm not going to tell you what that baggage was, you don't need to know.

How did I get to this point? Well...I met an amazing friend here on campus, his name is John. He's helped me realize so much. He pushes me spiritually to read my Bible and just to do what I'm supposed to do. He might not even know it. One evening we were having the conversation about baggage that I still carried around. He told me at one point to not dance around the truth, and just to leave the baggage at the door, give it all to God. It was easier said than done but I did it. John if you read this thanks for being such a great example and role model!

It's amazing to have a great Christian friend here on campus, to keep me in check. I've grown more in a few weeks than I have in a year. The funny thing is I was scared I wouldn't have any one to keep me spiritually accountable. I work in the Campus Ministry office here, and working with Martha is amazing. She is a great role model. I love to being able to go to work and when it's slow I can read the Bible or just talk to Martha about what's going on. The professors here are absolutely amazing. I've had several conversations with many of them about different spiritual things. Infact, in Chorale we're singing about the story of Joshua. How amazing is that story. I mean walls are built up to keep basically God out...but God breaks down those walls. I heard at church on Sunday that as Christians sometimes we keep walls around our hearts for the areas we don't want to change, that sometime we just need to let God break down the walls. I've come to realize I need to let God break down the walls.

The church I go to here, is called Dove Church of Wilmington. It is absolutely amazing and God is speaking there.

Here's a song I heard recently and it's amazing. It's called Before Too Long by the Goo Goo Dolls

I wonder through fiction to look for the truth
Buried beneath all the lies
and I stood at a distance
To feel who you are
Hiding myself in your eyes

and hold on before it's too late
Until we leave this behind
Don't fall just be who you are
It's all that we need in our lives

and the risk that might break you
Is the one that would save
A life you dont live is still lost
So stand on the edge with me
Hold back your fear and see
Nothing is real til it's gone

Hold on before its too late
Until we leave this behind
Don't fall just be who you are
It's all that we need in our lives

So live like you mean it
Love til you feel it
It's all that we need in our lives
So stand on the edge with me
Hold back your fear and see
Nothing is real til it's gone

Hold on before its too late
Until we leave this behind
Don't fall just be who you are
It's all that we need in our lives

Hold on before its too late
Until we leave this behind
Don't fall just be who you are
It's all that we need in our lives

It's all that we need in our lives
It's all that I need in my life

Well,

in the morning I take off. Tonight I'll say goodbye to everyone and look forward. Look forward to my future. Start on a new adventure!

Wish me luck!

I'll miss everyone, but I know I'll make even more friends!

I wont have my laptop for a few days due to configuration to be able to sign on to the internet and ya.

But feel free to write me anyway on these different things:

Chris Hughes

251 Quaker Way

Pyle Box 499

Wilmington College

Wilmington, Ohio 45177

or email

cmhughes@wilmington.edu

or call my dorm room 937-655-3407

or my cell if u have it!

Well this blog is called change. Why? Well because I'm getting ready for a major change in my life.

As of Thursday I'll be an official college student. I'll be living in Wilmington, Ohio. I'll be on my own. Tell me that's not scary for someone who has always lived at home with their parents.

I'm so excited. But soo incredibly nervous to say the least. I know that big and better things are in my future. I finally decided on a major...in fact 2 majors. Biology and Communications.

I'm going to miss so many people. Without having my best friends (Eric, Timmy, Rachel, and Jennie) at an arms reach is going to be so hard. I won't have them to fall back to. I'll have to deal with things without them...that's going to be so hard.

My best friends have made a huge impact on my life; I'll never forget them and love them until I die.

In fact, I just got off the phone with Eric, and wow...I have missed that kid so much. I haven't seen him since I graduated...I've talked to him for a few every once in a while...but damn I miss him.

I keep asking myself why am I going to go through with this change. Seriously, why? I'm not quite sure...but I know that I am reaching to the highest goal. I know that I'll be doing my best. I know that every step of the way God will be there and that everyone who loves me will be pushing for me to succeed.

One of the hardest things for me and college is going to be getting used to living with different people. It is going to be a huge adjustment living with someone for a year that I barley know. Living in a hall with people I don't know...let alone sharing a bathroom with them.

It's also going to be semi-easy for me too...because I met this amazing girl at summer orientation. She's going to be my best friend from college. We've talked pretty much all summer. She'll help ease my fears about being away.

We're going to church on Sunday morning at the church called Dove. I have family friends that live in Wilmington that go to that church...so we're going with them! That should be exciting.

But keep me in your prayers, I'll miss all of you...I love you!

My contact info is below!

Love ya,

Chris

Chris Hughes

251 Quaker Way

Pyle Center Box 499

Wilmington College

Wilmington, Ohio 45177

My dorm room phone is 937-655-3407

If you want my cell phone number you have to ask for it...I might give it to you!