The Strife is O'er... er...For Now

Good news, Folks! I completed my final Geology test last night! This means that only 6 hours remain until I am an official college graduate! 


With that in mind, I can't help but think of last semester. Nine months pregnant and in a Latin-American literature class, I was so close to giving up. The class was more difficult than I had anticipated, walking around campus with a 9 pound child in my belly was taxing (temporary, yes, but nonetheless discouraging), and the thought of another semester of this was a bit more than I thought I could bear. Tears built up as I sat on the phone frustrated telling my mom all about why I was just done! She tried every possible convincing method to set me straight again, from my duty as a privileged child of God to good old motherly guilt. Angry, I quickly gave up talking some "sense" into her and turned towards my husband who would surely have pity on me. Kelby emphasized that this was something I needed to do and that I had said I would do. He reminded me that he'd promised my parents when he asked them for my hand in marriage that I would still graduate. With compassion, my loving husband heard me out, blubbering and all, but steered me back to where I needed to be. So here I am, on the cusp of finally completing my degree (6 hours remaining) and I want to thank Kelby and my mom. While I've been and continue to be encouraged by so many others--my dad, Barb, Bernie, Melanie, my friends, and many others--those two have carried me through my breaking points and dealt with my emotional instability and shown me that this is more than just a degree to qualify me for a future job.  It is first and foremost my duty to continue in my education gratefully responding to the gifts God has given me. Also, it's a "life thing." Sure, not everyone gets to go to college or is able to graduate, but I've been given this opportunity and I need to complete it for myself, so I can say that I finished the task. God be praised and acknowledged for the good He's done for me. 

So thank you, Kelby and Mom, for your kindness and your weathering through the storms with me. I love you!
Christine