YAY! I'M GRADUATING!

I am so happy :)

Now that I'm done with finals, I can fully celebrate graduating! Yay! I was so excited to turn in my final paper on Tuesday that I skipped across Metzger Lawn with Jamie. It was so much fun :) Then on Tuesday night, I watched Midnight in Paris at the dollar theater with Michael, Mel, Maling, Annalyssa, Andrew, and Babs. When we got home, the roommies and I had a dance party amongst the three of us in our living room to celebrate being done with finals. After my final Greek class on Wednesday night, I skipped down the Talbot hallway with Annalyssa, had a Guppy's run with the roommies, and watched Polar Express in the A.S. office. Today, I am looking forward to getting hooded at Baccalaureate and then Graduation is tomorrow! WHOOOOOOOO! Let the celebration continue!

God has been so faithful to me :)

This song pretty much sums it all up. "Never Once" will be my graduation anthem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1bXG4WIesA

Never Once

by Matt Redman

Standing on this mountaintop

Looking just how far we’ve come

Knowing that for every step

You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Carried by Your constant grace

Held within Your perfect peace

Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace

Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

You are faithful, God, You are faithful You are faithful, God,

You are faithful You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Nearing the End.

Graduation is only 2 weeks away! As graduation approaches, I've been reflecting on the Lord's goodness to me during my time at Talbot, and His transforming work in my life.

I read a few papers from the past few years, and I am overwhelmed by His steadfast love and mercy.

This is the application portion from a paper I wrote on Romans 8:1-11 last fall semester (October 27, 2010), for my Romans class. I actually wrote about the experience in a previous blog post:

"The present realities that there is no condemnation in Christ and the Spirit lives within believers are freeing and exciting truths for believers! These truths describe the life we have in Christ and in the Spirit, which is not a struggle between flesh and spirit – a battle that seems hopeless, but it is a life that is characterized by life and peace. The truth that the very Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us is powerful.

Writing this paper brought great joy to me, because as I meditated on these truths, I saw and felt much hope and freedom. Because I often feel guilt and condemnation which leads to a spiral down into despair, the truth that there is no condemnation in Christ is greatly freeing. For someone who struggles with the guilt and shame of depression, this truth has been transforming for me and gives me great hope. The reality that the Spirit lives within me and that there is life and power in Him also gives me great hope as I know this is a struggle that is not hopeless, but that there is victory and there is hope in the transforming work of the Spirit. While it is hard to confront the pain of looking at myself and the pain of my past, I see the hope that Christ and the Spirit give. Even in the pain and suffering, I know that Christ is holding me in His loving arms and that the Spirit’s power lives within me – and this gives me great comfort and hope.

I found so much joy in these truths that I actually started dancing in the middle of writing this paper because I cannot contain the joy that I feel while thinking about the great freedom and hope I have in Christ. I am thankful for the consolation God has given me while writing this paper, since it has been awhile since I’ve felt this excited. I love the truths of Romans 8 and having the opportunity to study these truths. I am now exuding with joy."

As I read this paper today, I was moved to tears at the how the Lord has truly brought so much freedom to my life. Even in the midst of a time when I was in a deep depression, the Lord showed me the transforming power of His truth and love through His Word, and through community. I am not the same person I was when I entered Talbot three and a half years ago, or even a year ago, and I am thankful for the Lord's grace in my life.

I am overjoyed! This picture is from a Talbot hoodie photo shoot, courtesy of Wade Chan. I love this jumping picture with my fellow Talbot A.S. teammates with Josh, Andrew, Annalyssa, and Crystal.

I also love this picture - just shows how amazing our Talbot faculty and staff are. From the left: Dr. Richard Rigsby - Hebrew professor/Talbot Bible Lands professor/my Talbot grandpa; Dr. Scott Rae - Philosophy Professor; Anita Regehr - Talbot receptionist a.k.a. Talbot mom; Gail Neal - Bible Exposition/Philosophy Departmental secretary.