It has been quite the time up here in Johnson City, NY over the past week: my last final examination wrapped up a week ago Monday morning, so the week was devoted to having final good conversations with people I might never see again, reading, writing and studying some topics of interest, and trying to absorb the final days with the community I have lived in for the past 2 years. So much has happened in such a concentrated amount of time; turning 20 years old about a week before my graduation really left me with the impression of how fast time flies, especially when events are so concentrated and conversation so fascinating. Even today, my first day of work with my Bachelor’s degree… I thought I would feel different. I thought I would sensibly or intelligible discern some sort of click, like I finally snapped into some different frame of mind upon receiving my Bachelor of Religious Education with a concentration in Christian Counseling– but I didn’t feel anything like that. :) Jesus has been teaching me that there is no such thing as magic words, automatic changes… and feeling only lasts if it is genuine and maintained. Graduation came and went in a rush, and in a way, I felt aloof the whole time, watching, yet involved.

Graduation, since nothing new falls into being upon receiving a diploma and changing a tassel on a cap, feels to me like a confirmation of everything that has occurred over the past several years of life. I was only here at Davis for 2 years, two of the fullest years of my life that have changed me into an entirely different person. So when graduation was over, I looked back to who I was and where I was with Jesus… spent a few hours paging through the multiple notebooks I have faithfully maintained, some letters I have written, and feel like I was so young when I stepped onto this campus. So naive. And I realize I still am. Through this past year especially, and this semester in particular, Jesus and I have begun to walk a closer road, one I hope is getting progressively closer in relationship. I wish I had more time for reflection, but I am still in the process of storing up memories and preparing for life ahead leaving here. Jesus has brought me through a lot, and I feel more young now then when I got here, though I know I have been growing  (and have a lot more growing to do to).

Events like graduation are some of the times I honestly dread most: I don’t want to be the center of anyone’s attention– I guess that is rather antisocial of me. But my friends convinced me that even if I don’t need pictures and ceremony to feel like what I have wrestled through with Jesus at this phase of my life has resulted in change, maybe those outside my life need it. So in the spirit of love that mutually binds us together, I am enclosing a link to 57 of the 200 + pictures my dear twin Chelsea barraged me with on graduation eve and day. I appreciate those who were able to come out, and those who shared love without being able to come! Hope these pictures make you feel a bit more apart of that phase of life:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=21469&l=4fb93&id=500695512 And so the journey is bound to continue now.

So for those who couldn’t come, I will recount graduation events: We had a Senior banquet Friday evening, which all my family but Morgan (18 year old sis) came up for; I guess as senior officer I was more in charge of the student sharing than I realized, but amid the food and talk, talents and pictures were shared… friends and laughter  enjoyed, and awards dispersed. I get so lost in my studies that I never realize things like academic excellence, leadership, etc. are sometimes rewarded, and I did receive several awards. One in particular really encouraged me towards the future… that my professors think I could become a scholar with more hard work and dedication. Fun, busy evening. The three girls spent the night with me, Trevor with my friend Matt, and early the next morning, we dressed up again and attended commencement. I was very moved by some of the events… some of the songs, people I saw again, and overwhelming goodbyes. I think part of my favorite “hope” in Jesus is that we Christians never have to say goodbye. We’re still part of the same body, and we can still love each other from afar. We have filled needs in each others’ lives, blessing and sharpening one another. The family stayed until Sunday, got to meet my Church… everything happened in a whirlwind.

And then this morning at my library job for the week, I realized just how much all that I was blessed with over the weekend means to someone who has no opportunity for it. How I wish I could give my graduation experience to others; how much I am still learning to realize my need to remain in community despite loner tendencies; God has blessed me far too richly with education and graduation, and I am so grateful…. to those who have contributed to my learning through letters, phone calls, email, finances, teaching, friendship, love… I am eternally indebted.

May we continue to seek to live these lives as a blessing.
In our Holy Jesus,
Hannah