My first semester of college was Spring of 2012 after a semester off after graduating high school. My goal was to graduate in the fall of 2015. Then life happened. I had to take the next semester off because I couldn’t function due to chronic panic attacks. A year and a half later I had to take a whole year off in order for God to (literally) save my life by introducing me to His love. It was worth it but I was behind on “my plan.” Then I felt ready to finish what I had started and returned to community college to finish my last 3 classes towards my AA. Then one morning, God told me I wasn’t supposed to be back at school yet.
I literally had 3 classes left!!! What?!? I had worked so hard to simply walk away when I was almost at the end. I fought, I refused, I prayed it wasn’t so. Then I realized, I didn’t want to be the one who said “no” to God. I left and then I quickly saw why He called me away from there but I was still a little bitter.
A year later I started my internship and a new degree. A degree where only a few classes transferred over. I was annoyed but I tried hard to trust God. 2 years I spent working towards this degree and finished my Associate’s degree in June of 2018 with 1 extra class done for my Bachelors degree.
I had one semester between finishing my AA and launching for the race so I decided to get 2 more classes under my belt during that time. However, they started asking me to take classes I had taken in community college. I emailed my advisor to make sure I needed to take it with them before committing to a class I didn’t need. He realized my transcripts needed to be resubmitted since my degree changed from an AA to a BA.
He contacted me the next morning and lo and behold I didn’t have to take the class! Actually, he said after transferring some of my credits I would only have 3 classes to complete my BA.
wait.
what?
DID YOU SAY THREE?!?
Are you saying I only have one semester between my AA and BA??? When I thought I did the math the other day and had at minimum 3.5?!?
“There’s going to be a redeeming of time for you says the Lord.”
This was spoken to me in October of 2014. The day before I even accepted Jesus into my heart. I did not know what it meant at the time but boy, oh boy, has the Lord shown Himself faithful in this one phrase. I had only planned on 2 classes but I said “sign me up!”
My last semester was hard. I was working 5 jobs, getting ready for the race, spent 2 weeks at training camp, was trying to fundraise, moved 4 times, and prepared to say goodbye to my family and friends. It was easily the worst grades I pulled in college but somehow I finished! I graduated! I reached the Milestone I had been working towards for almost 7 years.
I then learned that there was no commencement in the fall, only the spring, when I would be on the race. Ouch. Sure, it’s just being one in a crowd, waiting forever to walk across a stage in 5 seconds and take a photo. But I worked HARD for that honor. May 11th was my commencement ceremony. I spent the day on a train traveling towards Kyrgyzstan.
I shared this with my new team (3 cheers for ladies month!). I was sad, I wanted to be there! So they blessed me.
Girls chipped in scarves, hats, lipstick, and even string to make a tassel in order to have a graduation photo shoot in out back yard in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan.
They granted my hearts wish to celebrate the years I put in for a piece of paper. My friend and Squad leader played Pomp and Circumstance as I walked towards the kitchen and all the girls cheered and clapped. I just about cried… but I was wearing mascara for the first time in 3 months.
I got to throw my cap in the air in this beautiful country. All these photos were taken in our literal backyard where we hang our laundry and it was beyond perfect. I felt loved. I felt seen. I felt celebrated. When Emily was done taking these amazing photos for me, she handed me a hand picked bouquet of flowers because “every grad needs a bouquet!.” *cries*
Also, there are TULIPS here! Do you know how much I love tulips?? A ton. The Lord sees me and He has blessed me!
So, no, I didn’t get to walk across a stage. I got something much better.
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
I also got a haircut.
Love always, Ashley
