HE IS FAITHFUL, my journey to graduation.

 

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

This coming Saturday is a day I have been looking forward to for years. When I say years, I mean like 8 years literally.

This Saturday is the day I graduate college. I will have a college degree. I will officially be a social worker and a health professional. This has been a dream of mine for many years, and on May 12, 2018 that dream will come true. ( Lord willing if the creek don’t rise)

The journey to this point has been a rollercoaster. A lot of time spent on my knees begging God to help me and fill me with courage and wisdom. A lot of tears and worry over the future. A lot of time spent away from my family, due to hours of writing papers and studying. A lot of hard work.

I want to tell you why this day is so important to me and the beautiful journey that took place. This journey I will forever be grateful for.

I have always had a heart for children and children in the foster care system. I believe this passion started when I was very young. My sweet memaw would bring foster children into her home at Christmas. She shared her home and made them feel just as special as all of her children and grandchildren. She loved those who knew little love. I knew I wanted to make a difference like my memaw. I believe God used that to help me get where I am today.

But as I grew older college did not seem appealing and I just wanted to work and make money. I received my cosmotology license. Then a couple of years later I got married, had kids, and was a stay at home mom. My heart still had the tug of wanting to get a education and help others in need. The older I got, the worse the tug to accomplish it.

I approached Chad about going back to school and being a social worker. He was against the idea, because of the danger it may put me in. I was a little disappointed, but knew I could teach school and still help children in need. Soooo, I started EACC and pursued teaching. To my surprise I loved the classes and was so excited. After completing all of my teaching classes at EACC, the Praxis was the next step to go on to ASU for the teaching program. I knew that this would be the determining factor for my future.

Well, lets just say, God had different plan for me. I took the BIG test 3 times and could not pass the Math portion of the test. I was very discouraged. I knew I was suppose to teach, and could not understand God’s plan. I finally approached Chad once again about social work and he agreed that God must be pushing me that way.

I applied for ASU to pursue social work, got in, Chad knew and was very proud. The day I was suppose to get my books for ASU was the day that changed the course of my future. The day that God had planned from the beginning of mine and Chad’s life. The day Chad would say goodbye to this world and hello to his heavenly home.

We buried Chad on a Saturday and I started ASU on the following Tuesday. I know that seems crazy, but I knew the future was not just about me, it was about how I would take care of my kids. I had to accomplish this degree and I knew Chad would have wanted me to.

So on that Tuesday morning, my good friend Emily Mcgee walked me to my first university class. I was probably holding her hand, almost in tears and scared to death. She lead me in the classroom, talked to my teacher and left. I will never be able to thank her enough for that day.

That day started my journey at ASU and was the beginning of a new chapter of my life. I knew God’s plan was good, but I never imagined it would be this good. I have met so many great people. I have made so many great friends, more like my family. I have learned so much about who I am and what I can do. I have learned that I can’t do anything without the Lord and constant prayer.

The Lord has opened many doors for me and has made the journey through this chapter beautiful. On my last day of class as a bachelor student, I shed a lot of tears while driving to class. So many memories and a overwhelming feelings of thankfulness came over me. I made it through college and the worst time of my life, but only with the hand of Jesus and His sweet presence near me.

I want to share today that life can take some crazy turns and may seem life a disappointing journey. Life can seem so unfair. But there is one that see’s our lives as a opportunity to show HIS overwhelming presence and power, if we will let him. I tell my kids all of the time, “you can do anything you set your mind to, but only if Jesus is in these things.”

Love all of you and I am thankful for your support, love, and prayers.

Lacey