Graduation.

Again, everyone is looking at this post title and silently saying to themselves, SHUT UP already Sam we know you are graduating in 8 days, you tell us everyday! Well yes, I do graduate in just three short weeks but that is not entirely what this post is about. I was really thinking about the meaning of graduation and what it means to me.
Graduation is more than just a ceremony to say, Hey great job with taking a million classes and spending way to many hours on homework! It is a time to celebrate a new chapter in life and reflect on all you are
"graduating" from.

Early this semester I wrote my goals for the semester, here they are as a refresher for both you and me:

Do not be late in school or work (snow delays do not count)

Get straight A's

Be productive and get projects done week by week

Do not procrastinate (that is a little big, maybe just procrastinate less... haha)

Come closer to my Heavenly Father through my experiences and school work

Find a job

Graduate!

So looking back on these, I have actually done a pretty good job of not being late, let's be real, I am really good at being late and this semester I have really made a lot of changes with that! Grades, working on that, looking like I could reach that goal so far. Productiveness, ya working on that one and procrastination but I am definitely not as stressed this semester so I think that goal is coming a long. Come closer to my Heavenly Father, check! The last two, working on both, I will keep you updated. Stay tuned for the job search blog too, that one has been a challenge to say the least. Now these goals, I may not have performed them perfectly but I look at these and most of them are work in progresses. As I start my new chapter, I hope to take these goals to my home projects and new job. Each time I am about to start something new I always tell myself, ya I will do that when I'm married or when I am done with school. Well now I have to, no more laziness. I will finish my decor in my home and finally bite the bullet and start crafting. That one may take awhile but I will learn to craft and sew and one day maybe I will be good at it. 

See I always have goals, but with this graduation, I have finished with a lot of my goals and now it is time to make new ones, don't you worry I will probably have a blog all about new goals soon. So graduation is a time to reflect on all things I have accomplished and overcome. These last four years have not been easy AT ALL but man have they been worth it. I feel like I am not only graduating with a bachelor's degree in communications but one beginning stages of marriage, a growing testimony and a full heart. 

I thought people were crazy when they told me you learn so much more at BYU-Idaho than just the information you need to know for your major, but I have to say you really do. My professors, bishops, friends and loved ones have taught me so much more than how to make a bouquet or write a PR plan. I have truly been taught on how to be a disciple of Christ. 

My graduation is really telling me that I am coming one step closer to becoming more like Christ. I have completed this much of my education and through it I have learned of how to be a better example of the gospel and how to use my skills as a communications major to do so. Looking back on my time here at BYU-Idaho I would say that I have come and I have conquered. Thank you BYU-Idaho for teaching me to become the daughter of God I am supposed to be. I still have so much to learn but I know my Heavenly Father loves me and continues to teach me those life reminders I need each day to continue to grow.

I am looking forward to my next "graduation," that may not be an actual ceremony for a degree but in more of the life chapters and steps I will take like being a better wife, a mom, a grandma, and hopefully an example of the gospel. These graduations will come slowly and in steps but each one will be a major accomplishment to me. 

So hopefully I have not bored all of you will my rant on "graduation" but I know that I will be walking away from this school with more than just a diploma. 

Happy Tuesday & Happy March!