Graduation

Well, it's that time of year again: graduation. This will be my third time graduating! I am now the proud owner of a Masters of Arts in Teaching! Today was my last day in class, and, as always, it is bittersweet. On the one hand, I am proud of all that I've accomplished with Yahweh. On the other hand, I will miss the people I've come to know and love.

It's amazing. Some of it still does not seem real. It seems so...wow. It's just a lot. I've learned a lot in this past year. I think I've learned more in this one year than in the years before both of my other graduations.

I've learned:

How to wake up earlier than you have to so you can exercise before school.
How to attend classes daily, and regret going home sick because you WANT to do what you are doing with excellence for Yahweh.
How to socialize and interact with people I don't know very well. How to trust them.
How to be positive and optimistic instead of cynical and fearful.
How to glorify Yahweh in a place that is not centered on Him.
How to prioritize-to choose Holy Spirit's promptings, family, and love above assignments, ambition, or accolades.
How to do assignments with excellence for personal satisfaction and for Yahweh, even though the professors care less than I do about the assignment and the grade will not be higher because I put more effort into it.
How to enjoy a thirty minute commute in the car alone with Yahweh.
How to talk on the telephone with someone new.
How to have a Sabbath and do more in 6 days than I could have done in 7.
How to forgive.
How to fast food AND soda.
How to love.
How to give to Yahweh.
How important it is to choose Yahweh every moment.
How many people are hurting in the world and need Yahweh.
How I do not understand why someone would go out of their way to be mean to others, and how I would not want to understand this.
That I should not understand evil in order to combat it, but rather I should be filled with goodness so there is no more room for evil.
That I can make a difference.
How to respect authority.
How rare it is to respect authority.
That adults can be bullied, too.
That there are sweet people in the world, gems and treasures to be discovered.
How to identify with adults and not just children.
How to bridge the adult and child worlds.
How much more there is to learn.
That Holy Spirit will guide me and always help me learn what I need to learn, and forget what I need to forget.

Praise Yahweh! I could not have done any of this without Him. He is the Greatest Teacher, and the One who will teach me to teach. He is the greatest. He is give. He is love. HalleluYah!

And now, I grow. I go on. And I am not, this time, afraid to move forward, or unsure of my future. I will find employment...a place where Yahweh can use me to make a difference. And Yahweh will provide.

I am ready. I can do ALL things.

HalleluYah! Amen.