Grad School: Quite The Journey.

I got accepted into the Community Counseling Master's program at Regent University right before I turned 22. At only 21 years old. I was so excited. I kept my acceptance letter as a keepsake because I was so proud to be following through with my hearts desire and dream. I remember the first day of class, heading to Dr. Parker's Skills class on Monday morning at 9am, and leaving my house freaking out. I spoke with my mom on the phone, grabbed Starbucks, and sat through my first class. I cried at least two weeks into every semester, feeling overwhelmed and under-prepared.Now it's all done and over. I had a dream the other night about having to take an exam and when I woke up I told myself, "BOOYAH! THAT CAN'T EVEN HAPPEN ANYMORE SUCKA!"

Since I'm graduating, everyone wants to know what my post-graduation plan is (because saying Happy Graduation or Congratulations! is apparently overrated). My answer: honestly, I really don't know. I guess I'll become a Licensed Professional Counselor. I might like to do some Play Therapy trainings. Maybe I'll apply for another doctoral program in the fall. But honestly, I can't think past June, much less the next year. And I understand why people keep asking me if I'm getting married since the whole Ph.D. thing fell through and the Master's bit is over, but come on ya'll. Marriage isn't the only other thing I could possibly hide up my sleeve! I'm in the hands of a very creative God that provides opportunities I can't even imagine. I trust that. You should too.

Yesterday when I talked to my therapist I told her that all this graduation stuff still feels surreal. Like there is no way that it could have been three years, but it has DEFINITELY been three whole years. Looking through old journals and blog entries has helped me to remember all the sacrifices I made these past three years to in order to complete this degree. I gave up time with friends, trips, weekends, "normal" life, my sanity, and most importantly my comfort. God has changed me so much during this program that there is no way to describe all of the progress. The achey, painful, comfort-shattering progress. He has healed me, changed me, and grown me tremendously. I can honestly say I am not the same person that I was when I began the program. At. All. Completely different. I have been so healed over the past three years.

Dear Sarah,
Remember all those times you said "this doesn't last forever" to help you get through the tough moments? Well, it doesn't last forever and you will be graduating in a few days. Well done. I'm really, really, really proud of you. Congratulations!
Lots of love,
Sarah