The goodbyes have begun. Time marches on, as inexorable as ever.
I would say the goodbyes really started with the last dorm life meeting last Thursday. All the girls who are not coming back for spring school got an opportunity to share their experiences living in the dorm and also something they have learned and will take with them. After they shared, we got to pray for them. Then we went over to the chapel loft/hang out area and sang some worship songs together. At the same time, we had a foot washing ceremony in the chapel; we went down a few at a time and our family group mom washed our feet and prayed for us. Last, we enjoyed chocolate fondue and fellowship with each other.
Monday and Tuesday this week were beautiful, sunny days so I went for some short walks and talks with God, which helps to keep things in perspective. Tuesday night was our last family group; all three of the boys in our family group are not coming back for spring school, so it was our last chance to hang out with them. We ate pizza, chatted for a bit, then split into two teams and competed in eight 'challenges' where one person from each team competed in each challenge. These challenges included putting a fifty piece puzzle together as fast as possible, added numbers in your head, shooting pop cans off the table with rubber bands, and drawing a picture with the paper on your head. I put a diaper on a stuffed bear while blindfolded in just over 20 seconds. It was a great time of just hanging out and enjoying each others' company. After curfew, the girls had a clothes swap and “hang-out room” party; over the last two terms we used one of the extra rooms as a hang-room, but this next term it will be needed again as a dorm room so we had a party in there one last time.
Wednesday we had a prayer day. In the morning we were on our own to reflect on what we had learned and how we had grown over last six months and also what our hopes and expectations were for the next term. I found a quiet meadow and a spot in the sun for that part. Since I had woken up at 5:30am and just couldn't get back to sleep, I started the day pretty grumpy and didn't really feel like doing any of it, but I took some time to talk things through with God and by the end of my solo time I was feeling more optimistic about the day. In the afternoon we split into groups of five or six and my group hiked to the ski hill where we had hiked to at the very beginning of the year. We had a lot of fun laughing and talking as we walked and eating lunch together; at the ski hill, we shared what we had learned this year about ourselves, God, community, and the Bible. Then we encouraged each other with the ways we had seen God working in each person's life. Last, we prayed for each other.
Wednesday evening was reserved for packing. We were not allowed to leave the dorm until we had everything completely packed. Sandy, EJ, and I also swapped back rubs and foot massages. The students decided to switch the boys' and girls' dorms in the middle of the night, kind of as a prank on the RAs. I did not want to participate partly because I have not been sleeping well and wanted an unbroken night of sleep and partly because I did not feel good about sneaking out, so I slept in Sandy's room, which was a no-go zone for the boys.
I woke up early on Thursday morning but not as grumpy as Wednesday. Since I was up anyway, I went for a short run with EJ before breakfast. After breakfast we were given our new room assignments; I am in a room with Gertrude from Germany and a new girl name Sarah Jane. Thursday morning was our final work day of the term; I got to clean the bathrooms in the girls' dorm. Thursday afternoon, those of us staying for spring school unpacked into our new rooms. At 3pm we had a commencement ceremony where each student that is not coming back was given their graduation certificate, their family group parents said some encouraging things to them, and their family group prayed over them. Supper was called the Last Supper and was like a passover supper. We started by washing each others' hands like Jesus washed the disciples' feet. Brad, the head cook, explained the significance of the different things we were eating. He also read some scripture and we finished the night in song. It's hard to explain the atmosphere and specialness of that meal. Before and after dinner we signed each others' yearbooks. I really like the way they do yearbooks here at Holsby; each person is given their own page to design however they want – pictures, scripture verses, notes, email addresses. It also included the classic picture collages, pictures of each student, few of our favourite recipes from the year, and a few blank pages at the end designated specifically for signing. I didn't even attempt to sign everyone's yearbooks last night; I just focused on the people who were leaving.
I woke up at 5:30am this morning (on purpose this time) to say goodbye to Bethany, my first-term room mate who won't be returning for Spring School. I lay down for two more hours after that but didn't really fall back to sleep. At 7:30am I got up to say goodbye to Katy, one of my room mate from this term who also won't be coming back, and “see you two weeks” to the missions trip team going to Bosnia. Now I've got a pretty long “I should do” list but not much motivation.
On Sunday my Discovery team leaves for our ski trip to Lapland. I'm excited and nervous. This trip has been much anticipated and I can barely believe it's almost here. I'm looking forward to this next term, especially for the Discovery trips; we'll be on trips for a total of 17 days during the 8 weeks of Spring School. I'm also a bit apprehensive since this last term has been busy enough without any Discovery trips. We are going to have 36 girls in the dorm next term (which is two more rooms than before) and around half of them will be new. I'm still wanting to attempt a half-marathon in May, and so far my knee has been cooperating with me. I am up to running 35 minutes three times a week, and I'm trying to add a fourth slightly longer run in as well, but life here is just so busy. Please keep praying that my knee stays healthy, especially as I go on this ski trip.
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