Destination True North: April 2017

I'm pretty sure just yesterday I moved into Galloway 120 as a freshman in college. I was an emotional wreck, unfamiliar, overwhelmed, and I distinctly remember shedding an embarrassing amount of tears during the emotional move-in weekend.

In some bizarre reality, three years have passed since then and in three days I graduate from this place that I've grown to love and call my home. I am truly, truly excited. Yet a portion of my heart hurts because I know that this moment in time, which is so rich, will not last, nor will it ever be the same again. The friendships I've cultivated over the past several years, no matter how hard I try, will not remain in the same shape as they are now. The adventures and activities I've experienced will only live on as words on journal pages, reminiscent text messages, stories I'll someday tell my kids, memories that grow foggier and less tangible with the passing of time. This place I've called home, will no longer hold that title. And that's sad. (Yes, I know I'm a sappy sentimentalist.)

But seasons come and go, and I'm beyond thankful for this season of my life I had the privilege of experiencing at MVNU. I've worked in Admissions for three years, and I know that nearly every college boasts of being community-oriented and providing that "home away from home." But I've also learned that this aspect truly sets this campus apart—the way people genuinely care about one another and foster relationships that matter; the intentionality of professors to care about you beyond your grade in their class and speak into your life as a person and fellow child of Christ; the faculty and staff who invite you into their homes and treat you as one of their own. This place isn't your average college, this place is something special. And while this place will no longer be "home," it'll be a place I can always come home to, a place I'll carry with me wherever I go.

And yet again I'm reminded of the beauty of seasons. While the ebb and flow of life brings constant change and transition, I'm thankful for the love of a God who is constant. As I prepare to transition from an independent college student to an adult wife (that combination of words just sounds funny), I know I do not walk alone, and I hold on to that hope.

I've been here before, treading this place of unknown waters. The future is scary, and I still don't know what God's calling me to do with my life. To an individual who just completed college and is going to walk across a stage and into the "real" world in a few short days, that is an intimidating reality. Upon entering college, I assumed that by the time I graduated, I'd surely have figured things out. Of course I'd have a career path planned, a job lined up, and a future I could skip happily into. Naturally, life doesn't always work according to plan and here I am, still in the process of figuring things out (translated: begging God to open doors and help me figure things out).

And even in the midst of all the unknowns, I have peace. God has proven Himself faithful time and again. I know He has plans, good plans, for me. In the same way that He took my stressed-out fears as a senior in high school into His hands and led me to MVNU in the most perfect of ways, confirmed my major and minor, and brought the best people and friendships into my life, I know I can lean into Him to take my hand in His and lead me step by step into the path of abundant joy He has lined up for me.

For years, I have loved the passage in Isaiah 55 that serves as a reminder of God's perfect plans and the way His timing far exceeds anything we could plan or even imagine for ourselves.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isaiah 55: 8-12

These past three years have not been wasted, not in the slightest. I'm stoked to see how God chooses to use the knowledge and experiences I've gleaned from my time at MVNU to accomplish His purposes. In the meantime, I'm rejoicing in the season of newness that is ahead. In 45 days (45 DAYS!!) I marry my dream boat bff and get to start the much anticipated adventure of marriage; I can return to my hometown and invest in friendships I've been sloppily maintaining at a distance for three years; I can begin to dream, serve, and enjoy the community I love. I'm truly excited for all that's ahead in the coming months. I have no doubt it'll be good. In the meantime, I think I'll join the mountains, trees, and hills in a holy dance party.

[a brief walk down the college memory lane]