The close of a chapter

Many friends are graduating today, and the atmosphere at UCLA is different. Moving vans litter the streets of Westwood, and inherited couches line the sidewalks. Every 8th person has a cap and gown on when you walk on campus (there are several graduations that take place at different times), and families with cameras are all over, beaming at their college graduate. Flower stands are located at several different places on campus... its' just a whole different feel. Three of my roommate (ok all but me) are graduating. They are caught up in the hustle and bustle of family meals, different ceremonies (potentially 3!), graduation parties, etc. I've observed and taken notes- cuz next year it will be me! Jackie is getting married in less than a week, so graduation isn't on the top of her mind.. she is entering a much bigger milestone. I'm excited for her- I swear she is looking very bride-ish. Something just happens to brides two weeks before the wedding and they start glowing... I've seen it a few times. Jackie is no exception.
Tonight I'm going to a graduation party with many of my closest friends and community here. This year has been an amazing testimony to the Body of Christ and building close community. We've spoken truth to each other, given one another grace, laughed often, danced (oh and there will for sure be tons of dancing tonight), gone on adventures, eaten lots and lots and lots of food, worshiped together (sometimes at church, sometimes at midnight in an apartment) watched movies, and so much more... In one year I've taken up rock climbing consistantly, gone kayaking, taken a hip hop class, worked at Starbucks, witnessed a co-worker come to Christ, worked at Outpost and witnessed the Spirit move in ways I've never seen before, dislocated both my kneecap and shoulder, gone to Yosemite with my closest friends here, experienced Hollywood, lived amongst athletes who love Jesus and learn to love Jesus through their sport, prayed a lot, cried a whole lot, laughed even more, and learned to love others in ways I never imagined. There's more but you get the gist. It's been an incredible year.
So many good friends leaving after tomorrow, but the friendships I've developed with them will be lifelong. Next year is a new adventure with new people and new activities. I'm going to live in an amazing apartment complex next year... and will learn a lot from that. Ok, so if you've followed me through this year (Starting from the fall and continuing until now), you know that I broke up with my boyfriend of 4 years last year at about this time (July 10 to be exact)... well, God has delivered me in so many ways from the relationship and from the brokenness. In fact, my living arangements next year testify to God's power to heal and to bless... I will live next door to Garett's new girlfriend Brittany (who is a sweetheart and a joy to be around), and downstairs fom Garett and his roommates. Haha I know that to most people this sounds ABSURD, and maybe it is- but nothing about the relationship or break up was completely normal, and God brought all of us to a place where we would be able to live in close quarters to one another. So the adventure continues, and God is good.
Before I get too far ahead of myself and start thinking about next year though, I have a few things to do and see before September. Here's my summer folks:
June 21-25: spend a few days in Washington to be a part of Jackie and Kyle's wedding
June 28: leave for Prague
July 30: leave Prague and travel in Italy
August 5: come to America
August 7: two week road trip with my family to Colorado (and yes I get to visit my incredible cousins whom I miss sooooo much)
September 3-6: 21st Birthday celebration with amazing people in the ummm yea, beautiful state of Nevada....
September 20: move back to LA.
It's a summer of travel that's for sure!!! Let the journey(s) begin...