Pointed Hats and Billowing Robes

We have not posted for a while!!  Soon we will be writing of the summer, and then there will be more to come.   As of right now, we are in the mist of packing, preparing to move into our new home in the fall, and getting ready to go to New York for the summer.  All of this is piled on top of Jeff and I both having Classis Exams, and many of our dear friends graduating.  I can say in full confidence that I am not complaining in any of these changes, and have actually enjoyed most of all of it (even studying RCA History).  I do wish my classmates the VERY BEST, but it will be hard to watch them walk across the stage, for I will miss them so much.

Most of the Western Theological Seminary Class of 2012 in the In Residence program began three this journey three years ago with me.  We danced together at Tim and Nancy's.  We cried together at the Junior Retreat.  We wrote projects together, ate together, went on trips together, translated together, shared life together, and even played some ping-pong and golf together.  And here we are for most of us:  at the end of this three year time together.  In proper counseling fashion, I know that I can say I will mourn this transition of not seeing my class daily.  I am extremely excited for the friends staying, and the new friendships which will begin, but I must recognize the fact that this time is coming to a close.  Next year when I walk down the seminary halls, Keith will not be there to give me a fist-bump.  There will be no cowboy hats from Chiapas.  No little Zoe calling for her mom as she sings up by the organ.  Jen won't be doing announcements, and Marla won't be there to make them.  Whenever Shell Silverstein is referenced, it will be less funny.  There will be fewer Star Wars references in my life, and not as many people around me telling me their latest Lord of the Rings insight.  I will miss these people dearly, and I struggle to think that we will not be together in classes any longer.

I do think there is a beauty to our small denomination (and can connect the PCUSA and the CRC in with this comment):  we like to stay connected.  I have ENJOYED learning with my classmates, but I think this past year has shown me that I will LOVE serving and leading together with them even more.  The LORD has been preparing each of us to come to seminary in order that we might not all stay in classrooms together.  We were meant to come here, because we were meant to continue in our calling.  While it is bittersweet to see all of my friends leaving this Stemed Town, they (WE) were never meant to stay in this specific place.  Some may stay in Holland, but they were will be pastors and teachers.  We (All of the Church) were meant to grow, following where God is leading, and impacting lives along the way.  These seems like a sappy graduation speech, but it is true.  We are created and formed for something larger than we can imagine.  Let us go forth and witness....