Hello, friends!
It's been forever since a post happened on here, I really hope to update this more often. I know I keep saying that, but I'm ready to actually follow through.
School is over, exams are done, and recently I returned from the EOTYG in Pennsylvania. It was incredible. I got to spend time with my best friends, meet my teachers, make so many new friends, reconnect with old friends, take pictures, perform in a talent show, and so many other amazing things! I was re-elected as Junior Vice President, and I couldn't be more excited.
I'm working this weekend on getting all of my EOTYG pictures up on facebook, so I will be posting some on here after that. :)
Anyway, because of EOTYG, I've had a lot on my mind, and I decided to spill it all to you wonderful people.
My friends. My friends are incredible people. No matter what, they encourage me, they're there for me, they love me, and they are so special. The EOTYG reminds me how much I need my friends, how blessed I truly am for being in VPSA, for making these friends, and for having the opportunity to go to the EOTYG. Being able to see all of my friends again + make new ones was such a blessing in itself. I always knew living with all of my friends around the world was hard, but after leaving the EOTYG, I know for a fact I can't live without any of them.
Two of my best friends, George Landis and Levi Law told me all year long they wouldn't be able to make it to the EOTYG. I believed that George and I may never meet, and that Levi and I would only meet one year, next year - when he graduates. It made me sad to realize that sometimes, you don't get a lot of time with your friends, that the internet is really the only way to hang out with one another. Well, several hours into the first day of EOTYG, Margaret texted me. She told me she had something to show me, and to meet her by the indoor pool. So, I went. I rounded the corner and made it to the indoor pool, found my brother standing with her and asked her what she needed...they told me to simply turn around. I turned around and came face to face with Levi Law. I couldn't believe it, he only told a handful of people he was actually coming so he could surprise all of us. Talk about a great surprise, right?
Well. Several hours after Levi's surprise appearance, we all sat down to eat pizza...except Levi. He stood behind me and another close friend of mine, Sarah Berry, repeating over and over that he was waiting for Hannah and would sit down in a minute. No more than 30 seconds later, Sarah and I were attack hugged from behind by none other than George Landis. He, also, only told a few people he was coming to surprise everyone else.
I was completely and utterly overwhelmed; sometimes, I still can't believe they actually came.
God provided my brother and I with a more than fantastic school, amazing teachers, and incredible friends with it. I cannot thank Him enough for giving my family the opportunity to have VPSA as our school and to experience everything that comes with it.
I admit, I've tried to imagine what life would be like without VPSA. I don't like that thought. I've learned to accept that with the many hours I spend doing school, VPSA is my life. Being a Christ centered school that continues to grow me in God's Word, I couldn't be happier. I almost can't imagine my life without this wonderful school.
Several of the graduates from 2015 were very close friends of mine. Some of the graduates I didn't officially meet or barely talk to until two days before their graduation, but by the time graduation came, I was crying because they had made it. With all the like minded students in VPSA, it only takes a conversation or two to make a really good friend. Seeing the graduates walk to receive their diplomas made me realize that next year, my brother will be doing that. He graduates in one year exactly...along with almost 50% of my VPSA friends. Wow. The year after that? I graduate. It seems to come all too quickly. And people told me high school took forever. Haha. No. xD
Realizing the graduates of 2015 were really leaving as they received their diplomas was sad, because I don't know when I'll see some of them again, yet it was so happy, because they've all worked so hard for this, and I couldn't have been prouder of any of them.
And the next step is college. For the graduates, for my brother, for me. It all seems so quick. It'll all be over so quickly. Crazy, right? Well, you're in luck, because there's one thing, and one thing only that can keep the years not exactly smooth, and not always in line, but better. This one thing is Christ. Read His Word when you feel discouraged, read His Word when you feel happy. Read His Word. Pray to Him when you feel discouraged, pray to Him when you feel happy. Pray to Him. Without Christ, I would not be where I am today, or who I am today. I would not know VPSA or any of my friends. Christ gives us everything we need if we call on Him. Cast your cares on Him, lay your burdens down at His feet, thank Him for everything.
Growing up is hard. God is so willing to help you out. Let Him. :)
Simply,
Sarah. :)
