You make me new, You are making me new

I don't know how I think it's possible to succinctly reflect on the past 4 years of college, of my life--but I am going to attempt it. [as always, click the links for fun goodies)

University of Washington, you have been good to me. Though I never felt especially connected with you--and at times came to hate the impersonal, mega-school feeling of the institution--you did provide some great learning and opportunities. I feel blessed that I can only think of a handful of teachers I didn't enjoy. Despite the large classroom size, I was able to speak my mind and be known by many of the professors. The beautiful campus, locale, and viewpoints made me happy to walk to class everyday. Some thoughts for future generations:

1) Reading room of Suzzallo is pretty, but not great for studying--we all know the Law Library is where it's at.

2) As the Queen of lower-division classes (I've taken so many 101-like courses, not ashamed of it), can I make some recommendations?

-Rorabaugh for Hist 101 (talks like Kermit the Frog and wrote his dissertation on "The Alcoholic Republic", therefore infusing any knowledge about America's reliance on booze into his lectures)
-Speed for Anth 202 (loves the Igbo people, analyzing hegemony, and sticks it to the university that kicks him out and then re-hires him every year)

-Seales for Music 331 (Obama look-alike (?) who made me laugh without trying to be funny)

-Berryman for BH 481 (Favorite lecturer--reminded me how much I love random history tid-bits)

-Gay for Educ&I 424 (super sassy black woman from the south, laid back, and has great stories)

-Wellman for Relg 201 (Princeton seminary grad who's not afraid to question his faith)

I think anyone will tell you--it's the teacher who makes material enjoyable or not. And all of these teachers were able to do that.

3) Utilize 9pm free parking for the IMA, and pretty much all their facilities

4) Next time: Go to more basketball games (and become bff's with Mr Gant), spend less time on certain assignments, take multiple classes from the teachers you like. heh

While I learned a lot at school (things I didn't even think I was interested in like Marxism, Feminism, hegemony, incidence vs prevalence, gothic novels, and the creation of basketball), these past four years have really been made by the relationships and community I have found in my time at UW. I've talked about my time at UCU and Umin, but haven't talked much about the INN. One reason I was very at peace with going to the UW as a senior in high school was the knowledge that there was a strong Christian community there, often centered around UPC's college ministry, the INN. While I enjoyed my first year going to freshman group and Tuesday nights in Larson Hall, it didn't play a major role in my week. Early sophomore year, I prayed that God would start surprising me--at the rate college was going that fall, it was not what I had envisioned and the path looked kinda "meh" ahead (basically I had a negative outlook, let's be real). Anyways, one of the ways God answered that prayer 3 years ago was how impactful the INN has been on my life these last few years, something that didn't hit me until late this year. From leading freshman group, to managing the Umin ladies house, to meeting with the R for speaking team, I have had such a good time here. It was cool how making my attendance at Tuesday night's INN a priority this year made me enjoy it so much more (A lesson with implications for anything I do in the future: get more involved in church, and you'll like it more; Decide to love someone, and you'll love them more). I've made fantastic friendships (too many to count), laughed a lot, worshiped, cried, been challenged, and experienced the Lord's grace and redemption in that community. When I think back on college, it won't be the classes or campus that comes to mind, but instead the intersection of 47th and 16th, and the 2 block radius around it that I have called home for 4 years.

It's amazing to see how the Lord has shaped me since my senior year in high school. I came in to college as a fresh 18-year-old-- bright-eyed and bushy tailed, ready for "my real life" to begin. I had plans and expectations about how school, love, and my story was going to go. I was living in paradoxes--both confident and terribly unsure, looking toward the future while dwelling in the past, maturing and yet increasingly aware of my ignorance (which, I suppose go hand in hand). God quickly debunked my preconceived notions about the future and plans that I had for myself, and I now thank Him all the time for it. Time and time again I have been slapped across the face with the reminder that God's plans for me are so much better than anything I can conceive for myself. It's a painful reminder, but fills me with so much hope and gratitude each time. He has used my joys and pains in my schoolwork, relationships with others, and life experiences to draw me into his loving embrace, lavishing me with his grace, provision, and faithfulness. This year I've especially learned about trust, and how my relationship with Him is rooted here.

The Lord has been so good to me, and has placed certain people in my life to show his love and mercy. I wouldn't be here without many of you all. So, some thanks are in order...

To my family: I love you. You encouraged me in my frustrations and discouragement, rejoiced with me in my successes, and spoke God's love to me even when I didn't feel like hearing it. You have always been my biggest advocates and will never give up on me. From paying bills to hauling my stuff, you do the grunt work with a servant's heart. All of you have been tremendous examples to me since childhood about how to be a good student, hard worker, and fervent follower of Christ. Thank you.

Amos and Anne: Not only do I count you as close friends, you guys helped me learn so much about living as a unit--what it's like to align schedules, experience the nitty-gritty of dividing responsibilities, compromising personal habits, communication styles, and backing down from arguments (still working on it). You both challenge me in my natural response to separate myself and temptation to use the excuse I give of being an "independent" personality; We are not made to be alone, but instead God has created us to be dependent on Him, and eachother. A lesson I am constantly relearning.

To anyone who has ever been my roommate: You ladies have a special spot in my heart. You've laughed, yelled, and mused with me. You put up with volcanic eruptions of mess on my floor, my love of music, and joy of underwear lounging. You've seen a lot of my quirks--good and bad--and gracefully forgiven my stubborn ways. Ahhh... I've had so much fun with you all, it's ridiculous.

K-Wo: I'm glad to call you my best friend. So glad we are still close and am excited to share our adventures together in the years to come, even if they're not always together.

Camp women: You know who you are. So glad to move from the context of LBC-friends to everyday life-friends! And so excited for Enchantments this summa!

Quadtiger: You played a large part in my college years and taught me more than you probably realize. Even though we aren't in eachothers lives anymore, know that I sincerely want God's best for you and care for you very much.

Senior INN ladies: It's been such a blessing to have a group of friends like you, a gift I wasn't expecting to receive so late in the game of college. Excited for the fun before us, and laughter....sshhiiiiidddeee buuueeebbbeee

B-Riggs, the R, and all the other INN staff who invested their time in me: I'm just one testament to the work you guys do--I'm sure there are so many like me with the same feelings of thankfulness. You encourage us all!

Senior Griizzzoouuppe: You all rock. I think we re-invented college ministry.

Four years, 181 credits, and one 45-page thesis paper later....and I'M DONE!! Grateful for the past, hopeful for the future, determined to live in the present. 

And very excited for the adventures God and I continue to go on in this thing called life.

Yours,

Emily J VanOss

University of Washington, Bachelor of Arts--Public Health

Magna Cum Laude, Class of '11