The end???

Can this really be the end? Am I really graduating in less than two days? It doesn't seem real. In a little over a month, I'll be heading back to the US, and leaving behind this beautiful country where I spent my childhood. From the August lockdown to Carnival to Encounter to Christmas break to vacationing in Madang to the Yearbook trip in Lae to the Senior Retreat to these end of the year events, this year has flown by in a blur. Just like a joyride, it's been full of fun and adventure, but there's also been risks, and hard times, like when Luke N. was hit by a PMV while riding home from Aviation one day and suffered terrible injuries, or the day that Matthias' house burned to the ground in less than an hour. Often more is required of us than we'd like to give, but God always proves faithful and helps us do more than we ever imagined was possible. The road hasn't always been rocky. Sometimes it's been smooth and easy-going, like most of the sports tournaments down in Goroka. Thankfully, God has watched over and protected all of us along the bumpy ride, especially on the way back from Encounter traveling down the steep mountain "tracks". This year has in no way been perfect. Some have become addicted to smoking. Reckless driving has become a normal occurrence. Still, God is present, and he has been working. I have learned to love people no matter what they're like, and no matter whether they're doing right or wrong. Every person has been made in the image of God and therefore deserves to be loved, regardless of who they are. I am putting 1 Corinthians 13 into practice, especially 1 Corinthians 13:14-17 which says, "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." Many people that I have gotten to know have not been good examples, but they have helped me to become more loving. If I wanted to sum up this year from my perspective with one word, I would have to say that word would be love. I'm not as loving as I should be, but I have matured in love these past 12 months.