There are times....

There are times like this one...

Many people would say that these 4 people were being immature.

But I beg to differ. Sure three of these people are college students... but these are four friends and this is a memory that will never be forgotten. :)

Many people would also question the appearance of these peoples' faces... but yet again, there is joy and innocence in this.

All of that to say... this was a blast!! Between gales of laughter, dangerous knives, cocoa puffs, bobble heads, Jonas brothers, and gooie plastic lizards.... four friends came together for this picture!

May I present the graduated class of 2009!! Part 2

With light steps and a glint in my eye I made my way out the door following the people in front of me. We walked out of the main building and then stopped. Minutes passed... those minutes felt like hours. Then we started moving again, my heart started to speed up. Slowly we wound our way up to the gym where graduation would be. Once again we stopped, this time just in front of the double doors.
I looked around behind me. Two long rows of black stood directly behind me and then behind them were two more rows of students. Those two lines of students stretched as far as I could see. The breeze was gently blowing and gowns gently swayed in it and tassels bobbed. A slight hum came from that mass of students. Hands waved to me and I recognized some of my friends... I smiled. This was good... life was so very good.
We started moving again, but once again we didn't make it very far. This time though, we were inside the building. The loud sound of a big crowd came from the gym doors. People were running in and out trying to get to seats. The VP turned and smiled and me and offered words of encouragement. My knees began to tremble slightly but then I remembered that I was doing all of this for the Lord and the only reason I was here was because of HIM. All became quiet but only for a moment. Suddenly the strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" began to play. It was soft for a few moments, but then it grew gradually louder as the seconds passed.

I looked up with a smile on my face and saw that the people in front of me were moving. Graduation had now officially started!!

With a light step I began to walk. As I walked in through those double doors my heart lept with joy and emotion. The music was strong and powerful. The gym was full of people everywhere. They were all standing and smiling and clapping and it was all too wonderful to take in. How do I describe that moment? As I walked down the aisle between hundreds of standing people I thanked the Lord for bringing me to that point.

The small group of us walked up on stage and for the first time I looked around me. The faculty in their marvelous outfits were walking down the aisle and filing up against the stage. Then I saw them. My dear sweet friends from church, the ones who had been there for me for so long. They were amazing, they were such a blessing, and I can't tell you how much they mean to me. They were in the front of the line of students. Those moments of watching them were some of the most precious to me. I felt so proud of them!! I marveled at all that each one of them had gone through to be there that day. God had been so good to them! I loved watching their faces as for a brief moment a look of awe crossed each of their faces. I grinned as I saw them start to smile and then break into the biggest grins you have ever seen. They looked so awesome and at that moment I don't think life could have gotten any better. I had goosebumps as I realized once again and more fully, that now we were really graduating.

I clapped until all the students had been ushered into their rows of chairs. Then the faculty were seated. Finally we were told to sit down. Much of the first part of the ceremony was a blur to me. I do remember the president speaking and making the students who were in RS, honor's program, honor's society, etc stand. That was fun! Then the choir sang and I felt butterflies gathering again.

After the choir was done, the VP stood up and introduced. I felt so very honored. I heard those words "please join me in welcoming Hannah G__" and then applause. I rose from my chair breathless and happy. Now was the time, no, not to shine for myself. It was the time to shine for Jesus. My prayer was that somehow this speech would touch lives. I walked up to the podium, the applause stopped. I opened my notes and adjusted the mike. Then I began to speak...
"Ralph Waldo Emerson once said "Watch your thoughts they become words, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become character, and YOUR character become your destiny. I firmly believe that character is one of the most important priorities in life."
..........................................
I finished with "because the measure of success in life is NOT its duration but its donation. Congratulations to all of the graduates here today! Thank you!"
At my last words I smiled as big as possible and looked down at my friends. Applause broke out and I was finished. I went back to my chair as happy as a clam. Thank you Lord for giving me the strength.

Then, one of the best parts of the night happened. The graduates were individually presented. Each one handed a card with their name on it to one of the VP and he would read it along with what they were graduation with into the mike. As he was doing that each graduate stood in front of flags and had their picture taken. Once that was done, they made their way on stage and were handed a diploma from the president. They paused there so that they could get their picture with the president and then they progressed down the line of the board of trustees shaking hands with each one. I was blessed with the privilege of being in that line to congratulate the graduates.

Congratulating my friends was by far the best part of that section. As I hugged (I could shake hands with my friends!!!) each one of them I praised God for the great friends I had in them. Wow! We had done it! The graduates kept coming, many of them congratulated me as well and thanked me for my speech. I pray that they were able to take something from it.

My feet began to hurt but it didn't matter. The rows of students kept coming though. Finally the last row got up. As it neared it's end I quietly walked off stage and stood behind the last person. I would be the last to graduate. Finally, it was my turn. I handed my card to Ron and stood in front of the flags. Screams echoed after my name was announced. I was so happy that I thought I would burst. I received my diploma and stood with the president for my picture and then finished by shaking hands with the trustees. Then we all sat down.
More of a blur... the graduates were presented as a whole. We moved our tassels to the left side!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then the graduated class of 2009 was officially presented!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The ceremony was over. Those of us on stage started the recessional and the music once again played. I was content, life was amazing, God had been good. Joyfully I made my way down stage and down the aisle. This time I walked the aisle as a graduate!!

We made our way out of the gym and the faculty and myself formed two lines. While we clapped the graduated students made their way through the tunnel we had formed. The only downside to all this was that it began to rain. I didn't care though...
Then I saw my friends... but where was my family? I turned and started talking and....
(to be continued on pt. 3)

May I present the graduated class of 2009!! Part 1

Friday dawned cold and misty. I rolled out of my sleeping bag around 9:20 with groggy eyes and a smile. TODAY was the day. Not just any ordinary Friday, but the Friday in which my friends and I would graduate from college. See why I was smiling??? :)

Every 20 minutes or so, Shelby and I would turn to each other grinning while we said something like "This is it Shelby, today is the day... we graduate (this said in a rather screeching high pitch tone of excitement)".

At 11:30 am I arrived at the school for rehearsal. God gave me the privilege of being the commencement speaker and so I had to practice with the mikes and the other people speaking. I waltzed into the gym and stopped short, speechless. Yes, I had seen graduation last year, but for some reason I struck like it was the first time seeing everything before me. All the bleachers were folded out, the whole floor of the gym was covered in chairs and some had ribbon on them, and the stage had been put up with trees and a table with diplomas, and there in the center was the podium. My heart leaped and I could barely contain my excitement. The dream of graduating was finally coming true. I was walked over to the sound guys and given instructions from them.

Then... I walked up the middle aisle of chairs, up the stair to the stage and stood in front of the podium. The mike was turned on and I began to speak. The echos of my voice filled the room...it was weird. The sound guy came up and fixed where the mike was and I began again, this time with confidence and joy. It made a difference. I went through the speech one last time and just as I was finishing the Vice President for Instruction and other speakers walked in. We all had a small meeting and were each giving a overview script which outlined what would go on that night.

They all introduced themselves to me and many of them practiced my last name (its a hard name for those of you who don't know it...lol). Then the president of the college came in and we talked briefly before she too was given a lesson by a staff member on pronouncing my name. Hahaha..

I ran to another building and made copies of my speech and before I returned I stopped by my boss's office and read her my speech. Her smiling face was such an encouragement and when I looked up for my final words there were tears in her eyes. I will never forget that moment.

After giving copies of my speech to the other speakers I was free to go. I floated back to where I worked because one of my boss's had bought flowers for me. Thank you Bridget, you are sooo very sweet! Before leaving I ran into one of my good friends, she and I talked for a while and also did the little "We are DONE" scream.

On my way home I stopped and bought a pair of earrings for graduation....they would go perfect with my outfit. I arrived home and bounced into the house. Daddy was grinning and so was I! I ironed my gown and prepared the last minute things needed. Then I returned the Shelby's house.

By this time there was only 3 1/2 hours left till graduation and so the level of excitement was steadily climbing. We had a brief lunch and then commenced with getting ready. As I curled my hair I reflected back over the last two years. Sure there were many times of misery and sadness, but I believe that the good times far outweighed the bad. I would be leaving this school with a treasure box full of memories and more importantly with some of the best friends a person could EVER have. No, I would not trade those two years for anything. God had been so good!!

Every few minutes I would run downstairs and talk to Shelby. My adrenaline level was through the roof! I laughed as Grant and Andrew proudly showed off their "mirror" shoes. I persuaded them to iron their gowns (they were going to go all wrinkled) and then looked in awe at the amazing job they did at it (way better than my iron job). Even those two boys, who many times pretended not to care, seemed excited.

Shelby and I got into our dresses and then... we put the caps and gowns on. I put my stoles and honors cord around my neck, slipped into my shoes and I was finished. There was no more left to do.

We were ready.

And so, wreathed in smiles we left the house and headed for school (I had to be there a little early). All the way over we talked excitedly and the camera flashed picture after picture. Finally we pulled into the school parking lot. I turned the car off and took a deep breath. Here we were... and it was time. I opened the door, grabbed my stuff and we proceeded to our starting point.

We walked into the building where we were supposed to start and to my great excitement there were graduates! Yay! I don't know why, but I was just so excited to see others dressed like I was. Quietly I slipped into my boss's office and hugged her. Thank you Laine for everything you have done for me! I bought my honors stole and then Shelby and I checked in. We got cards with our names and then I received instructions that all amounted to "Don't get lost, we don't want to come looking for you, stay with Trish, and watch the clock". Hehehe... you would have thought I was a little kid, oh well.

My mom was there, looking very fabulous I might add, and she helped me breathe and helped fix my outfit. We walked out of the preparation room and there were Grant and Andrew. They looked awesome!! I had waited a long time to see them in "dresses" and it was well worth the wait. They honestly didn't look funny like I thought though. I put my lip gloss on for one last time and stood talking and waiting with my 3 "siblings", Ryan, Vanessa, and Wes. It was fun and helped pass the time that seemed to crawl along. All throughout the wait I saw friends... and what fun it was! Everybody looked fabulous in their maroon outfits with the gold cords. Each minute that passed seemed to get better and better. The whole experience so far was 100 times better than I thought.

Finally the head of registration moved all the graduates into a hall. I had to stay behind. I sat down on a bench in the now quiet and spacious main hallway and thought. How many times had I walked these halls with a backpack, and what fond memories I had. These halls had held some of my greatest fears and some of my greatest joys. This hall, normally bustling with activity, was all but deserted and in it's quietness I once again praised my Savior for His many blessings to me. I thought about what would be happening soon. In a few minutes I would be participating in one of the greatest ceremonies of my life.

The faculty came out of their meeting and walked up to Trish (VP for Education Serv.) and she told me where to stand. I stood there and watched as the faculty made two lines behind me and then the students filed into two lines behind them. Everybody was in place. The faculty looked grand in their flowing black robes and colored scarves representing their schools. I smiled, this was a memory. In front of me stood the board of trustees, the president and two vice presidents, all dressed in those black robes. All of them, as well as the faculty had black hats too.

Suddenly, Mike (who was in charge) signalled us and we began to move forward. My heart leaped and I drew in a sharp breath. The time had come....

The last time...

Alas, I have had a severe case of writer's block. Actually I would say it has been more of a large case of busyness and sadness. *sigh* Yes, I have been busy (lol!!) and even sad.

How do I put the last couple months into words?!?!?!

Its been a whirlwind, an absolute blast, and a trying time.

To my great sadness the play is over. What a wonderful experience it was! I will never forget it. Here is an excerpt of what the theater part was like:

Words from other cast members on stage came faintly over the intercom. Although most of us were backstage... it was quiet. We talked in whispers and those with mikes on walked around softly and mouthed the words. And yet beneath this quiet was an overwhelming sense of excitement, of joy, of fun! People began to come out of the dressing rooms; looking fantastic in their brightly colored "party" clothes. Then the words we were waiting for came over the intercom... it was our cue. Skirts swished and there was a soft pad of many feet and once in a while a faint click from a heel hitting the cement. We stood in the outskirts of the curtains... on either side of the stage. With smiles on our faces we waited; eagerly anticipating what was to come. Then the moment came! Instantly everyone was transformed... no longer were we normal people covered in makeup and dressed in gorgeous outfits. No, we were the people of the town, we were at the sociable, we were living it out!

The music started, and smiles glowed on everyone's faces. My foot tapped with the music and my smile stretched from ear to ear. As I went out to dance with my partner my feet were light, I felt like I could fly and that the stage was my home. I twirled around stage feeling like a princess! My dress sparkled and my heels clicked. Could life be any better? I stopped dancing for a few minutes and took everything in. The lights, the audience, the amazing people that I had grown to love. Aaaah... this was worth every minute of sweat, tears, and exhaustion. Once again I was dancing. We were floating along... my partner whisking me in and out of the other dancers. This was the time I trusted him, I trusted that we wouldn't get run over and that our dance would look beautiful. And my trust paid off. As the music climaxed to the end my heart swelled with happiness and looked out into the audience and gave them my biggest grin. The last choreographed move was done and the final strains of the music came and then... it was over. For the last time I had polka-ed around the stage, showed my pretty bloomers, done a grapevine, and pointed my dance shoes.

I will never forget the people that have become my dear friends through this show. I love them!