Paper: done. Mystery Smell: gone.

Sometimes I underestimate what a little prayer to the Big Guy upstairs can do. It's not that I don't believe I am being heard or am missing the faith that is required, I just don't expect the things that I sometimes get. What am I talking about? No, I didn't solve world peace or hunger, but I did finish my final paper for my final class so this semester is officially over.

Now, anyone who knows me should know that writing papers isn't hard for me. I can bust something out in a few hours or less and have it be quality. I also don't usually stress about a paper becuase I know once my juices get flowing in my brain I will be good to go.

This wasn't the case for this last paper though. I have been putting it off, mostly because other things were due before this was, but also because I am not a pro in the subject and was nervous about it. I became a little less nervous when I realized last night that the paper I thought was 7 pages only had to be 3-4 but I still wasn't feeling too confident.


How and why has the state (defined broadly to include any level of government) intervened to manipulate, shape or change sexuality or sexuality practices in the U.S.?
Topics to consider:
Slavery, prostitution, sex work
Lynching, rape, incest and domestic violence
Disease prevention like syphilis and AIDS
Birth control, sterilization eugenics and abortion
Identity formations like homosexuality and heterosexuality

Not too daunting right? Considering the fact that we have been talking about all of these things all semester long I didn't think it would bee too big of an issue. Of course we had to base our paper on the 32167 pages that were assigned to us throughout the year and make those articles "talk to each other" but even then, a pretty basic assignment.

But for some reason last night I could NOT get anything to come out of my head. After two hours of misery in which I ended up on the floor of our office staring up at the ceiling, I took a break that lasted the rest of the night, determined to finish it this morning.

Then of course morning came and I spent between the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. deep cleaning/scrubbing/organizing my house because there was a mystery smell that was bothering me (but only me, because Bart couldn't smell it). 

When I finally made my over to my current seat in front of the computer I bowed my head, folded my arms and closed my eyes and said a little prayer. After a little mishap of not being able to turn on the monitor (don't judge me, it's a new computer) I was able to write my paper within the hour and it is dang good if I say so myself.

I know that my Heavenly Father was watching over me today, helping me reach into my little brain and finish this semester.