This past month I graduated from California State University of Fresno.  I still haven’t received my diploma in the mail, but I guess it takes awhile.  It was a long four years in Fresno, starting out at a Junior College then transferring into Fresno State.  I remember my first day going to register at Clovis Center, Isaac was a little over a year old, and Christina and Isaac waited in the car while I put in all the paper work.  It is hard for me to imagine how much has happened since that day.  There were many sacrifices to make in order to get to the finish line, not only by me but for my young family to be apart so often while I was at school and work. 

My good friends Mike Ingwell (middle), and Paul Vandersluis (Right) helped me out tremendously this past semester.  Coming home from Mike’s Funeral to school was one of the strangest experiences in my life.  I was numb, nothing mattered.  Writing papers and studying for tests felt pointless.  These guys came beside me and helped me finish this long journey.  God has a way of putting the right people in your life at the right time, I am convinced of this.

Many family and friends traveled to see my graduation ceremony which meant the world to me.  Grandpa got a great place for us to eat and hang out. 

Looking back at some of my favorite moments in college I can remember this time there was a class debate.  The debate was on foreign food assistance, and the person I was to debate was to speak first.  He gave a good speech, and the class was very impressed and even clapped.  When it was my turn I torched him, he never stood a chance.  I’ll never forget the guys face after I was done shredding everything he said, the look of defeat. 

My most precious memory of school though is of my Grandma Lilley.  As kids we spent many hours of home school at Grandma’s house.  One morning I woke up earlier than Mike, or Jo and Grandma had a jar of pennies and a game waiting for me.  The game was every multiplication I could remember I would receive a penny.  By afternoon I had memorized my multiplication, and had a couple dollars for the store. 

Graduating Magna Cum Laude I look back and give credit to my Grandmother and my Mom.  These two women taught me how to learn, not simply facts and figures, but a discipline for learning that has stayed with me over the years.  I’ve started the process of enrolling for law school, and have even tougher challenges ahead.  Yet, I’m excited to not end the journey, but to continue on to better things.