Yes, I can promise you the tears will be flowing off and on over these next few weeks (at least on our part!). But as they like to say at graduation speeches, your journey isn't over, it is only beginning. And what a journey you are all going to have.
Over these next four years, I cannot say exactly what is going to happen in each of your lives, but I can guarantee certain things. You will be changed. You won't be the same people four years from now that you are today. The challenges that college brings, especially away from home, will be significant. New people, new situations. I am confident you can and will successfully meet all of these challenges, and that you will not merely be changed, but changed for the better. Just trust in God for all things, don't lean on your own understanding or wisdom; in all the paths you take and all the challenges you face, acknowledge Him, and He will direct you to your ultimate destination. Put your faith in the One who knows the end from the beginning, who loves you beyond measure, who can turn the hearts of kings (or professors, or directors, or employers, or anyone else) on your behalf.
I can guarantee you will be discouraged at some point along the way. There will be those who will try to tell you to set your sights lower, perhaps even to give up on your dreams - fellow students, professors, even family members and friends. Don't let them. God didn't lead you this far to abandon you now. You are no accident - you were created for a purpose. He gave you your talents and giftings; He has stoked the fires of passion within you for those things He created you to do and to be from the beginning of time, so that you would be fulfilled and He would be glorified in you. He has directed your respective paths to APU for a reason. And so now is your chance to shine there. I can guarantee you will have many successes as well. It is going to be an incredibly fantastic experience for you - APU will impact you, yes, but you are there to impact APU - and so you shall.
And finally, I can guarantee you that we will be there for you every step of the way. Just as you have each been called to APU and to pursue your passion - so have we. But our passion is you. Our passion has been to prepare the next generation and make a way for you. We will always and ever support you to the best of our abilities. We will pray without ceasing and put our faith in the One who can take care of you better than even the best parent can - our unfailing God, who will open doors for you that no one can shut, and close doors for you that no one can open. We will help you with your four-year planners (those blessed documents!), give you our advice and counsel whenever you ask (and sometimes when you don't), help you through the difficult times, rejoice with you in the many victories that we know you will have, and through it all love you without fail.
We are so excited and happy for you, it is hard to express everything we are feeling these days. Our hearts are so full. A lot of mixed emotions. Forgive us if we try to cling more than we normally do. God entrusted you to us for a little while and the time just seems too short...too short. Sometimes as parents we wish we could turn back the clock and fix all of our mistakes; or at least slow down the clock so we could enjoy you in our home a little longer. But we wouldn't hold you back from flying for anything in the world. The world desperately needs you to fly. We believe you are destined for great things. And we love you too much to hold you back. You are our pride and joy. Go in confidence, and become all that you are destined to be.
