Lately I have been experiencing a lot of "marks of completion" as I get closer to graduation. And I've been really thankful for them.
These marks have been present in so many aspects of my life, and they have been really helpful in processing not only what is coming next, but what these last four monumental years have been all about. The day that I seem to know that I am looking forward to the least is the dreaded move-out. and it's fast approaching. The day when decorated walls and a vibrant cozy home littered with nostalgia becomes a stark white box. The worst. However, I've been really thankful for the process that God seems to have me in. A slow and gradual approach to the finish, as the days I have left as a student dwindle. I'm reminding myself that the future doesn't have to bring worry, but that the unknown can and should be exciting. Adventure, right?
Running in the half-marathon this past weekend not only was a) a ton of fun and really helpful challenge, and b) a minor surprise because I sort of forgot about it, but also a reminder of what this semester has been - such a marathon of sorts. As days slow down and wrap up, I am thankful for moments to reflect, not only on the goodness of this year, but on the beautiful overarching themes of life in Eau Claire that the Lord has been weaving together over these years. And that's how I want to finish as a student here- sprinting towards the end.
Last sunday I was able to join a group of seniors and IV staff in an evening devoting to reflecting on what we've been learning as seniors throughout college. It was one of the first tangible reminders of the end in sight - recognizing how God has shaped me since being a gung-ho relationally-crazed freshman, to who I am still becoming now. It was a humbling night eat pie and hear stories from other folks that I respect a lot and who have been alongside me throughout college in InterVarsity. There is something so comforting about being understood and known- especially in the context of the heaviness that seems to follow college seniors in transition.
Today I was able to complete another mark, which I really should name a milestone. Not only is my social work senior capstone SUBMITTED, but I have finished presenting it as well. My days at my internship are numbered as well. Although I still have a reasonable amount of papers to write (wait really?), its starting to feel like the end of academia as well. And for that I am more than ready.
One thing that I have been thinking about lately has been the idea of celebrating blessings. I was convicted by a talk that my friend Logan gave at an InterVarsity large group a few weeks ago, and I recognized ways that I can actually feel "entitled to blessings." Seems pretty backwards, huh? I end to fall into this trap not only when I feel distanced from God and think I can earn my own righteousness or high status, but also when I forget to celebrate and reflect on good gifts. One thing that I want to grow in is cutting out time to celebrate blessings and achievement, whether it is an intentional conversation with a friend in thankfulness, eating Vanilla Bean 16% Ice Cream, or adventuring to a favorite bridge. I think the twinkle in our eyes gets a whole lot brighter when we celebrate thankfully the cherished small ( and big ) things.
As these days are dwindling, here's a quick list of some good things as of late:
These marks have been present in so many aspects of my life, and they have been really helpful in processing not only what is coming next, but what these last four monumental years have been all about. The day that I seem to know that I am looking forward to the least is the dreaded move-out. and it's fast approaching. The day when decorated walls and a vibrant cozy home littered with nostalgia becomes a stark white box. The worst. However, I've been really thankful for the process that God seems to have me in. A slow and gradual approach to the finish, as the days I have left as a student dwindle. I'm reminding myself that the future doesn't have to bring worry, but that the unknown can and should be exciting. Adventure, right?
Running in the half-marathon this past weekend not only was a) a ton of fun and really helpful challenge, and b) a minor surprise because I sort of forgot about it, but also a reminder of what this semester has been - such a marathon of sorts. As days slow down and wrap up, I am thankful for moments to reflect, not only on the goodness of this year, but on the beautiful overarching themes of life in Eau Claire that the Lord has been weaving together over these years. And that's how I want to finish as a student here- sprinting towards the end.
Last sunday I was able to join a group of seniors and IV staff in an evening devoting to reflecting on what we've been learning as seniors throughout college. It was one of the first tangible reminders of the end in sight - recognizing how God has shaped me since being a gung-ho relationally-crazed freshman, to who I am still becoming now. It was a humbling night eat pie and hear stories from other folks that I respect a lot and who have been alongside me throughout college in InterVarsity. There is something so comforting about being understood and known- especially in the context of the heaviness that seems to follow college seniors in transition.
Today I was able to complete another mark, which I really should name a milestone. Not only is my social work senior capstone SUBMITTED, but I have finished presenting it as well. My days at my internship are numbered as well. Although I still have a reasonable amount of papers to write (wait really?), its starting to feel like the end of academia as well. And for that I am more than ready.
One thing that I have been thinking about lately has been the idea of celebrating blessings. I was convicted by a talk that my friend Logan gave at an InterVarsity large group a few weeks ago, and I recognized ways that I can actually feel "entitled to blessings." Seems pretty backwards, huh? I end to fall into this trap not only when I feel distanced from God and think I can earn my own righteousness or high status, but also when I forget to celebrate and reflect on good gifts. One thing that I want to grow in is cutting out time to celebrate blessings and achievement, whether it is an intentional conversation with a friend in thankfulness, eating Vanilla Bean 16% Ice Cream, or adventuring to a favorite bridge. I think the twinkle in our eyes gets a whole lot brighter when we celebrate thankfully the cherished small ( and big ) things.
As these days are dwindling, here's a quick list of some good things as of late:
-Greeting "Mystery Surprise," the mother duck randomly nesting on her eggs outside of Bridgman each morning before work
- exploring Late night bridges of Eau Claire
- Monday night Smoothies.
- chatting honest with Ethan about the heaviness of being a senior during my front desk shift in Towers
- spontaneous hang outs with Jon Butz - hearing about his life and cherishing together ways he's been growing in his faith this semester.
- laughing with my office workers at my internship
- "full circle moments"
- Discovering and falling in love with Rod and Gun park
- being encouraged by quick but significant words passed on from friends
- chasing some of the best sunsets I've seen in Eau Claire in a while
- FINISHING strong and clocking a PR for my first half-marathon this weekend! With the level of anxiety I was having over this race I am so thankful with 1:55!
- Sometimes forgetting that I'm dating Holland because 1) life with her feels great as usual 2) thinking its all a dream, then realizing that its, in fact, a real thing and that dating your best friend is THE BEST. Already so thankful for life that we get to do together. Seriously what is this life. 10/10.
- exploring Late night bridges of Eau Claire
- Monday night Smoothies.
- chatting honest with Ethan about the heaviness of being a senior during my front desk shift in Towers
- spontaneous hang outs with Jon Butz - hearing about his life and cherishing together ways he's been growing in his faith this semester.
- laughing with my office workers at my internship
- "full circle moments"
- Discovering and falling in love with Rod and Gun park
- being encouraged by quick but significant words passed on from friends
- chasing some of the best sunsets I've seen in Eau Claire in a while
- FINISHING strong and clocking a PR for my first half-marathon this weekend! With the level of anxiety I was having over this race I am so thankful with 1:55!
- Sometimes forgetting that I'm dating Holland because 1) life with her feels great as usual 2) thinking its all a dream, then realizing that its, in fact, a real thing and that dating your best friend is THE BEST. Already so thankful for life that we get to do together. Seriously what is this life. 10/10.