Graduation!

Sunday evening was the seminary commencement. Thankfully the church where we were was air conditioned. Carl went early for rehearsal with Wendell, Nate, and Budi. I came at 4:30, just in time to check the kids into child care and make my way into the sanctuary. I was fully loaded with my video camera as well as my digital camera. I wasn't going to miss a moment.

I got a bit choked up when Carl and the other grads came in. He was just beaming. There were a few songs that were sung, a few opening remarks, and the main speaker. I was just waiting for the presentation of the grads and their walk across the stage to get their hood and degree papers.

I stood there with tears welling up in my eyes with pride as I saw Carl march across the stage. It was an awesome moment; a moment I have been waiting for for the last 6 years. I told Carl all of this packing, traveling across the continent, leaving our jobs, our families, our friends, putting up with growing pains, putting up with the stresses of being students....it all comes down to this moment of recognition. And it was all worth it.

After, there was a grad response, and one of the graduates had some very meaningful things to say. I could tell that he was gifted in preaching. Greg said something that was pretty profound for me,

"Whatever God calls you to, He will equip you for".

So true, so true.....

After the grand recessional, we all made our way out to congratulate the grads. There were many hugs and tears and pictures, and more pictures and hugs. I almost forgot to get the kids. Joel made a bee line for the refreshments (and got buzzed on the red dye #5 juice) and Kezia and Asha were a bit overwhelmed with all the people around. We didn't stay for long because it was still very hot outside and we were off to another party.

Nate and Maddie and Carl and myself organized a waffle extravaganza at the court. We wanted to have a grad/goodbye party; some people were leaving the next day. It was good to be together for one last time, though it was disappointing that some people didn't come. And for me, that last gathering was symbolic of how the entire year has been with this community. Sigh.

So after the waffles, we headed home. The kids gave final kisses and hugs to Derek and Laura and I took them home while Carl and Wendell headed to help them load up their trailer. It was 11:30 before they came back and I still wanted to say goodbye to Laura. I swore I heard gunshots and so I had Carl come along with me while Wendell stayed home.

It was hard to say goodbye to Laura. Sure, I'll see her in a few weeks back in Canada, but by that time, she will probably already have her baby and things will be different. She'll be tired and her and Derek will be getting to know their new son. But on the way home, I realized that part of me is saddened that we are leaving this place where our friendship blossomed. It's like sacred ground and we are both moving off of it. When we reunite, we will have family and friends and new babies that will effect how we can relate to each other as friends. We will always be friends, but I wish I could take the sacred ground with me, and not have to figuratively hold it in my heart.

Oh such a day; what an emotional day!