Anyways, although my technical "what year am I in school" definition is way more complicated than "Senior", suffice it to say that I walked a graduation ceremony this year and will (likely) not next year. I walked with 7 other seniors at the homeschooling coop that I was part of for a few years before moving to South Africa. It was such a nice ceremony, just family and friends, but the small graduating class (many who used to be in our class graduated from the local high school) meant each and every one of those graduating had to give a speech. I probably knew about this 3 or 4 months ago, but did I write it? Noooo.... It was okay, though, the speech-writing and -delivery went fairly well. Below is the product of that hurried 15 minutes an hour before showtime. As the M.C. said, perfected procrastination is known as inspiration. Keep that in mind.
Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.... it was a spring day in North Carolina when I was born on April 9, 1996. The first born, I was to be my parents' guinea pig, as they have so lovingly called me, for the next several years of my life. Indeed, probably for the rest of it. Thankfully, my parents are relatively ethical with animals, and I think I turned out okay.
My mom jokes that she started homeschooling me because she didn't want to take me to the bus every day, and I am certainly thankful for that decision; buses almost always smell bad. Thus began my homeschooling journey, with many different teachers, friends, and experiences. I tell people I love homeschooling because I can finish my work at noon and have the rest of the day to myself, but I also love working at my own pace, avoiding the drama of public school, and forging a strong relationship with my parents, especially with my mom. She has taught me so much outside of academics - to cook, to sew, to be independent, to serve those around me. I am so thankful for her.
I am also thankful for my Dad. he is a strong father who loves me deeply, who wants me to figure out everything, including how to change the car radio, and who is always ready with a hug when I need one. I love you Mom and Dad.
And although at times it may be hard to see past the annoying outsides, I love my siblings as well. Esther, I love your laughter. Ivan, your cheerful heart. Becca, your smile is beautiful. Jonathon, I do (most of the time) love your goofiness. Teresa, I love the way you listen to me in the night as we discuss how to solve the problems of the world. Or how you put up with me when I fall asleep in the middle of the problem solving.
My whole family has supported me as I've grown. It hasn't always been easy, goodness no, or even always good, but it has been a family for which I am so grateful. Now, as I look to the future, I don't know where I'm going, but I know they'll be with me every step of the way.
Although I have been class of 2014 my entire life, my 2 years overseas "messed up" my school schedules, so I am actually only a grade 11 in the eyes of the government; I dropped back a year to take full advantage of the Running Start program. I am acting a senior in most everything else, but I'll finish up my Associates Degree next year.
From there, who knows where God will lead me? I'm considering the air force, or going into chiropractic. I'm interested in photography as well, I want to raise a family, and I sense the call of God into the mission field. Wherever I am, my Lord will be with me and my family behind me.
So yea.
