Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

Just under two years ago I sold over 1/2 my stuff at an amazing, God-blessed garage sale, and traveled to Waco, Tx to begin my master's study. My mom came with me and we packed my little tan protege to the gills, and some friends who were moving to San Antonio let me piggy back some of my stuff on their truck - so that I could have a bed, etc. I didn't know my roommate, Sarah, we had spoken about three times on the phone and that was it. I just knew I would be able to see the Fergasons more often and that Sarah and I seemed compatible.

Now here I am again. My furniture is packed in the truck. I'm sleeping on a mattress on the floor, on a sleeping bag. I'm about to make a long drive tomorrow, and I don't really know what the future holds for me. Its all speculation and expectation.

So I have a few quote for me, and for my friends who read this blog. As encouragement.

The first is a paraphrase of Thomas Campbell: "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to leave"

I like to think that its better to say "see you later" or, as the hymn says, "God be with you till we meet again" - there is something good about expectation and knowing that there will be a time when we will meet again... even if that time is not until we get to heaven. There is a time coming. We will remember each other.

The last is a quote from a carving on the Pacific Coast Trail. It's one that i love, but that I had forgotten in my mind. My heart had not forgotten it though, and when Matt discovered it in my high school creative writing manuscript, I felt like it was right for this time in my life, again.
It is a quote by Rene Daumal:
"You cannot stay on the summit forever; You have to come down again; So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see, one can at least still know."

This experience has sometimes been summit, sometimes valley, and it has often been work - climbing to either location. I am grateful for knowing that I have a God who walks beside me; I am grateful for knowing that even as our journey is individual, we have companions who walk along with us at different points. I am grateful for the reminder that I can still conduct myself in light of the experience here at Baylor. And I intend to do so.

I love Baylor. Thanks for all the great memories, Waco. Despite what I thought at the beginning... I will miss you.