513

... is the number of miles driven this time around to Cville and back.

19 May 2013. Another set of graduates from dear ol' UVa traipse across the Lawn to wear the honors of Honor. Unseasonably cool for graduation weather but it beats the heck out of the anticipated sweltering mugginess.

This is the 5th one I've been to (mine included) and I feel I have it down to a science. I know where to go, where not to go, when to go, when not to go, etc. etc. Even though I'm 3 years removed, it feels like I've never really left and things have stayed the same. At the same time, TOO much has changed. Newcomb has had an impressive face lift. More buildings have risen up and continue to rise. Faces don't look as familiar. It's a lot to take in and process...

Despite my first world grumblings, I never regret coming back to see old familiar haunts that I both hated and loved at the same time. I'm reminded every time I come back of TOO many people, places, and things that make me miss that school in the hills so dearly sometimes.   

A bit bittersweet every time I leave but the next (when???) return is always much anticipated. 

Many congratulations to the Class of 2013!

Wahoowaaa!

成了!

John 19:30.

Every now and then I'm amazed on how eloquent a phrase is translated into another language. This is one of those times. 

At this year's Good Friday service, one of my pastors pointed out one of the last words of Christ as He hung dying on the cross in the sermon he gave.

"It is finished." Says the NIV translation, indicating a real sense of finality. In Chinese, John 19:30 is translated as 成了. Pastor mentioned that cheng le had a double meaning to it. It can be interpreted as what He set out to do was completed and that what He set out to do was successful.

It was successful?! That simple interpretation by Pastor gave me chills. Church going folks always mentioned that God had a plan. Hallelujah for that Plan!