As I approach my college graduation, this time is very bittersweet to me. I can't believe that after the summer, I will not be returning to school. I've been waiting so long for this moment... and now it is actually happening. My journey through college was a crazy, tough, fun, long, rewarding roller coaster. It has taken seven years, but I've now reached the end.... and it feels good to have accomplished one of my biggest dreams.
I began junior college down in Riverside in 2002. I can still remember my first day. I was a lost little small town, 18-year-old leaving Barstow to try out the real world. I remember sitting in rush hour traffic and being late to my first day of college. There was nowhere to park, and the Riverside Community College seemed so huge to me.
I just remember crying and calling my mom. I know she wanted to just tell me to come home but she stayed strong and encouraged me that everything would be okay.I felt so small in this big new world and I didn't know anyone. Luckily, my dad was working in Riverside at the time and he came to my rescue =) He helped me find parking, then walked the campus with me so that I knew where all my classes were. He took me to lunch and I felt so much better. It was a silly story... but I will never forget it.
Many years have past since that first day of college and many life changes have happened during that time. I went through adjusting to a new place, to break-ups with boyfriends, finding my relationship with Christ, finding the love of my life, becoming his wife, and now.... becoming a mommy. I can't wait to tell my baby boy that he walked with me across that stage when I get my diploma.
Without this sounding like an academy award acceptance, I want to give credit where credit is due. There have been so many people who have helped me get where I am today. I know that it is my precious Jesus who carried me through all those tough times when I wanted to give up and run away from college altogether. Satan had such a hold on me and my confidence when it came to college. He was winning, then my Jesus stepped in and told me that with HIM, I can do anything.
My parents are so amazing. Their love and belief in me is such a big part of why I am where I'm at today. My dad always pushed me when I needed it, bought my books even when I failed classes repeatedly, and even provided me with a car so that I didn't have to worry about a car payment during school. He never gave up on me. My mom was there when I had a bad day, needed to cry over a failed test or an ex-boyfriend. She always encouraged me and told me to keep my head up. She is the glue that held our family together and would do anything to see her children happy. I hope I will be as good of a mom as she is. I am blessed to have been raised by two incredible individuals. Their love for the Lord and for each other has paid of greatly when I look at our family.
My husband has been my anchor for the past two years. He has worked hard and provided for me so that I can continue my dream of education. He is my best friend, my love, my support, and now, my baby's daddy =) His love for Christ, and his passion to see others succeed has helped me to believe in myself and always work hard. He is my hero, and it is a honor that I get to graduate from the same school as him and wear his graduation robe at my graduation. I know that his grandpa Clark who is not longer with us on Earth is looking down from Heaven and thinking what an amazing man Marcos has become. I am so blessed to be his wife.
There are so many others who have encouraged me, prayed for me, and made my college years unforgettable. My brothers, my family, my Clark family, my best friends, my small group, college buddies, church pastors... this accomplishment is not just mine... it belongs to everyone around me and I am convinced that it takes a community to raise a college grad =)
It's now time to say bye-bye to the books and hello to our beautiful baby boy. I am so humbled by the fact that God has chosen Marcos and I to take on the role of parents and raise one of his beautiful creations. I am so excited about this new chapter in our lives, and there is no one I would rather share it with than Marcos. I won't be working right away, and we often wonder how we are going to afford to raise a family, but that is when our faith comes in. We are trusting that Jesus will provide just has he has since the day we got married. God has truly blessed our lives and I know that every single thing that is good comes from my Jesus. Thanks for being a part of our journey!
"The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." - Psalm 116: 5-7
