For Christmas last year I received a Giving Key with the word "courage" on it from my Oma. At first, I wore it here and there and it was a great conversation starter because people would always ask what the key is for or what word is on the key.

The next year I started college and I didn't transition easily. I believe I was more than the normal homesick, I had bad anxiety. I hardly ate my first week, got little to no sleep, had an aching feeling in my chest, and cried to my mom and dad that I wanted to come home. God had a different plan for me. My parents, with love, reminded me that I had to stick out the semester and make the best of it. Slowly but surely my anxiety went away as the semester progressed. And not a day went by that I didn't wear my "courage" necklace. Courage isn't being fearless. Courage is pushing through even when you are afraid and want to give up.

No, The Giving Key didn't give me courage. My family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and best friend gave me courage and ultimately relying on God's strength got me through the weeks. However, the key was a simple reminder of my family that supports me and the fact that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

-Skylar