Posted in Special Thoughts of Mine

arrived yesterday evening....I graduated college (again!)!!!  Yes, last night was our 2009 Commencement Exercises and it turned out wonderfully!  I do believe I am finally finished with my college education (unless the Lord leads otherwise), and I, for one, am thankful.  It was a joyous occasion, and I was glad to share it with one of my dearest friends and her family.  My son, as well, was there--working.  He was ushering, seating guests, and then led us out in our Processional, guided us onto the stage when we needed to go, and then led us out after it was all over.  Afterward, the school provided a lovely Reception on the downtown Plaza, and I enjoyed mingling and talking with everyone.

This day has been a long time coming in many ways.  Yes, it took about 33 months for me to get both degrees, which really isn't long.  However, it took nearly 30 years after graduating high school for me to get to college!  You see, first I got married and raised my family!  Now the boys are all grown (and parents themselves), busy in their careers and raising their own families, and Mama is now spending her time enjoying being a grandmother and pursuing my own life.  Most importantly, though, I continue to serve our Lord, I continue to be Mom and Nanna, and now am working and adding more areas to my life. 

My writing has been "on hold" for the last several months, mainly because so much time and effort has gone into school.  I didn't want to sacrifice my time with my grandchildren and my son who lives here, so I did put my writing to the side.  Of course, I've enjoyed my time with the children--Allen and Cayla have both played baseball this Spring and that was a delight--and we have been tremendously blessed by our Lord providing a wonderful woman to care for them while I'm at work.  She's a Christian treasure, and I give our Lord all praise for sending her our way.  But I've gotten off topic here.....

As I sit and reflect back today on my time in school, I've also reflected much on different areas of my life that have led up to this moment.  I must say, its been quite a journey!  I won't say its been easy, but I will say our Lord has been with me through it all.  Our vocalist sang a lovely song last night called Footprints in the Sand (a version I've never heard before), and as I look back, I see so many times when there truly are just one set of footprints in the sands of my life.  The many, many times our Lord has carried me through one trial after another, one calamity after another, one sorrow after another.  And yet, mixed in with them all have been times of joy, times of peace, and many, many times of refreshing.  What an honor it is to serve Him!

I truly don't know what tomorrow brings, and that's just fine with me.  I know Who is holding me and guiding me each day of my life, and I know that when God brings me to something, He alone with bring me through it, as well.  I know He has much more for me to do--in His timing.  I do know I will begin writing again--very soon!  I've already begun making notes and such and there is much ahead.  I do know I'll also begin sewing again--very soon.  I have some quilt designs rolling around in my head waiting to be worked out on graph paper, some new apron designs being finalized, and much more.  I do know that I'll once again be able to be more active in church once again--albeit in a new church now.  ~sigh~  Sometimes the Lord moves us, and He also moves in mysterious ways.  But He knows what lies ahead, and He alone knows the thoughts and plans He has for us.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.  ~Jeremiah 29:11-13

I'm looking forward to sharing more of my journey here with you and also in my newsletter (which should be out once again very soon).  I leave you now with this picture of my youngest (and silliest) son taken with me last evening...

Hugs,

Cynthia Robin