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Today was one of the happiest days I've had in a long time. Didn't expect graduation to feel this way - being my usual more pessimistic self ;-), I was expecting more to feel sad, because today marks the day where it is all finally over. My grieving process for the last few weeks has been sad but good :) I have been tearing many a time throughout the many "lasts" - last counselling class in SBC, last theology OT3 class, last SOTE chapel... last time I may see many of the wonderful people I have met, some returning to countries where life as a Christian will be very difficult for them. I will miss seeing my classmates everyday.

But when I walked into the auditorium with the rest of the graduands in the processional - my heart was filled with a deep conviction and a sense that I will move forward into the future, it is an exciting one and I am able to say with all my heart that I have finished this part of my journey well, by God's divine grace.

If anyone were to ask me to summarise what my past two years in Bible College have been like, I would probably do it in 3 points. Firstly, it  has been a journey of knowing God more. In the last chapel, we sang the song "Knowing You". It goes like this: Knowing You, Jesus, Knowing You, there is no greater thing; you're my all, you're the best, you're my joy and righteousness And I love you, Lord. It was significant because my theme verse for the year is "All I want is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection." Phil 3:10 There has indeed been no greater joy than to delve in the riches of His Word and no greater peace and fulfillment than to know my God more. I could study His Word forever!

Secondly, I would say that the past two years have been like an extended retreat for me. Who could have the privilege of working and studying alongside such godly men and women, whose lives are broken and poured out for God, full of compassion and the greatest humility even though many of them are pastors? And who would have the chance to sit at the feet of such knowledgeable lecturers and professionals, who live out what they teach in their lives by being, not just doing. I have learnt in the past few years that being is much more important than doing, and I have also learnt to go about my days with an inner restedness and much peace and joy. Now it's back to the working world where people will be far from easy to get along with, armed with the tools and "weapons" I have acquired to continue fighting the battle for Him. I will miss my classmates dearly, though! The consolation is we will meet again one day, if not in this world then in the next.

Lastly, this graduation has been the most meaningful to me out of all the ones I've had (this is my fourth!) My mum also said she told Mark that this would be most meaningful for me, and it is true. It is because I have never taken such a leap of faith before, and indeed, as I shared in a blog entry two years back, I jumped, and God caught me in His infinite grace. I have experienced grace upon grace in my time in SBC, none of which I take for granted. He has continued to provide my family with financial resources despite our difficulties. Has has kept each of us healthy and together in Him. He has blessed me so much through my ministry as a teacher and a youth leader. He has given me Mark in my life, and granted me a new level of self awareness through many of the counselling courses. He has provided resources, time and energy for me, each time I worried there would not be enough. I was very encouraged to receive the Counselling Award this past week at chapel. To me, much more than good grades, it is a testimony that He is faithful.