commence.

word of the day: commence \kə-ˈmen(t)s\ to enter upon; begin

This past weekend, my youngest brother-in-law, Justin, graduated from high school.

I tend to be fairly over-nostalgic about graduations. In fact, I usually get misty-eyed at any event that represents a change from one life stage to another. I also tend to be fairly reflective, and as I watched Justin receive his diploma, I couldn't help thinking about all that I have learned since my own high school graduation 6 years ago. The following are a few of my post-high school lessons learned. . .



Sometimes God takes everything worldly away from you in order to reveal that all that really matters is your identity in Him.

Life is more fun when it involves talent shows and old dance costumes.

In college, you don't have to let your professor know when you're going to miss class.

Eating soft serve ice cream every day is the most efficient way to put on the "freshman 15."

God places people in your life who are different from you so that they can help you grow as a person and provide an alternate perspective on life and all the issues it brings.

Sometimes Christian singers posing as college students are kind of creepy.

The best television shows in the world are ones where a bunch of girls can cram in a room together and never get tired of watching (ex. The Bachelor, Friends, & Grey's Anatomy).

One of the best ways to get to know someone is by writing letters.

Coca-Cola and soy sauce is NOT a good combination.

So You Think You Can Dance is the best television show ever created.

Birthdays are best when they come with a homemade scrapbook, bottle of non-alcoholic champagne, & an engagement ring.

God designed love to be a choice. When we treat it as a feeling, it doesn't last very long.

College girls are still capable of going on scavenger hunts. These scavenger hunts are more fun when you make said college girls dress up like pirates, indians, cowboys, etc...

And then I graduated college and commenced life in the real world. Who knew there was MORE to learn even after your college education?



Even if you tear a huge hole in your veil on your wedding day, you still get married and have a marvelous time in the process.

Whitewater rafting isn't as scary as I always thought it would be.

God didn't design marriage to be easy, but to point you back to Him. The only easy thing is seeing how selfish you are and how much you need God's help in loving unconditionally.

We are not defined by our jobs, but by who God made us to be. (I learned that lesson in college too, but God needed to pound it back into my head this past year a few times.)

God's timing is different that my timing, and it is always better.

Jake does a really good impression of Tracy Morgan and he is really bad at geography.

Kindergarteners say a lot of funny things.

God does not give us gifts unless He intends on drawing them out of us and using them.



To "commence" means you are beginning something new; you are walking a road you have not yet walked. The best part, though, is that it also means a road of continual learning and realizing that you didn't have it all figured out, you don't have it all figured out, and you'll never have it all figured out.

It's all about learning, right? And, there's always something to learn.