So…
Yeah. I did it. I’m graduated.
I’m not even a senior anymore. I’m graduated. That makes me want to cry.
Goodbye schoolwork. Tests, quizzes. Days sitting at my desk studying my work. The excitement that comes with getting a good grade, accomplishing another booklet, finishing that DUMB PHYSICS SEMESTER THAT LITERALLY KILLED ME (technically that was last year but it still plagues me).
Ok so technically I finished school April 19th. But I haven’t said anything about it yet because.. I finished during Camp Nano and honestly it didn’t feel all that much like I’d finished since had to write every day still and it was an equal amount of brain power being used. So I guess when I wrote my last 5k to reach my 55K goal of Nano, that was when it hit me. Like
Guys. I’m done. With School. Forever.
My mom will walk into the playroom and say “Girls do you have any tests I need to correct?” And I go into a mini panic because I CAN’T REMEMBER WHAT MY LAST BOOKLET WAS ABOUT AND I’M TOTALLY GONNA FAIL THE TEST AND OMGOODNESS WHEN AM I EVEN SUPPOSED TO TAKE It oh wait I’m done.
So that’s fun. To sit back and grin and be like “I’m done. No more tests for me.”
What am I doing now? Well that’s a good question. Probably taking a million pictured of Philadelphia… oh wait, you mean now as in now that I’m done with school. Well.. I’m not going to collage. Not now at least. Maybe in a couple years I’ll go to Bible collage. Maybe I’ll take a couple classes on English or writing or something like that. But pursuing a collage degree isn’t in my near future.
I’m taking a gap year. Which means that I’m taking a year between finishing school and going to work. But I’m not sitting here doing nothing. I’m working on publishing.
At the moment, God has me writing Playgrounds and Black Markers, editing and preping Dewdrops and Butterflies for publication, teaching sunday school, and once in a while my dad will pass on some projects that I can do for the company he works for. That’s where I’m at.
Here’s the thing. I was feeling guilty about not getting a job. But listen. It’s a conviction my family has, that the girl (or boy even) stays in the parent’s home, with a sort of umbrella of protection over her, until she moves on to live with her husband. I know not everybody believes that and you’re welcome to it, but at the same time I’m welcome to believe what I think it correct. SO because of that, I will not be moving out. I will not be getting an apartment. I don’t have a drivers license yet because… I don’t have anywhere to drive to just yet.
Eventually, I plan on getting a job. I felt pressured to, but one night my mom came to me and told me this. “Honey, you’re not moving out, you don’t need to provide for yourself. Your contribution to this family as you’re home and doing chores and cleaning up and doing your part in keeping this household running is your way of contributing. If you went away to go work, you would not be contributing with money to this household. That money would be for your fun.” And when she said that, I understood better, that my place right now is at home, serving my siblings and my parents, doing my chores, cooking, cleaning, doing my part. And writing my book.
So now you know where to find me for at least the next year or so.
Part Two comes next week, where I share the Top Ten Things I Learned During in School. 😀 (Also yes I”m still out somewhere on the other side of the US and this is scheduled, however I have my phone so I am responding to comments!)
Live, Laugh and Love, Girls!
~Libby
Contrats, Libby!
YOU GRADUATED YOU DID IT CONGRATS LIBBY CONGRATS! *hugs* *cheers* *trips on milk crate* I’m so glad! Looking forward to seeing where God takes you. 😀
Aww thank you Jooo!!! I’m very excited too! Im also confused why this posted today when it was supposed to post tomorrow… but oh well
Congratulations, Libby! <3
Thank you Angie!!!
*throws confetti* YAY YOU!! YOU’RE GRADUATED!! This is awesome! And I, for one, think your family has an excellent point. We believe in a more traditional-Asian version of the same thing. I’m excited to see what your writing journey will be taking you!!
Thank you Merie!!!!thats pretty cool!
AHHHHHH, CONGRATS! That’s so exciting!!!
THANK YOU GRAY!
I am SO excited for you! Congrats girl!
I will say, I am 22 and still at home — my family also believes that a single young person should stay home with their parents and it has been a HUGE blessing in my life! I graduated when I was 17, so I’m going on five years at home, and I have done so much and learned so much that I never would have in a classroom =)
The first year I graduated, I had mono, and I feel like I spent a whole year of my life laying in bed, sleeping, with my heart racing. No. Fun. The next year, there was a baby added to the family, and I was able to care for my brother in a more hands-on way than when I was in school and a baby would come along. Along with meals, laundry, ironing, gardening, teaching a few different subjects to different people, helping Dad with a couple of work-related things, and organizing the children’s choir at our church. It was hectic but so worth it, and I learned so much that I will be able to use in my own home.
The next year was even busier. There was another little one, all the same responsibilities (my parents feel the same way about a job :D) and my grandfather had open heart surgery (I was the “nurse” — always interested in medicine, and at one time wanted to be a doctor, so everyone trusted me to care for him), there was a major termite invasion (Dad and my brothers rebuilt the whole foundation of our 1920’s home, and several walls), my baby brother ended up in NICU when he was born . . . it was a mess, and the next year found me living with my grandparents for six months, administering IV antibiotics, doing therapy, and helping my grandma get around while being totally wheelchair bound. I learned and grew, and got over my homesickness and quietness =) I also learned how to drive — I was 20, and, like you, there wasn’t any need before, because there was nowhere I needed to be that someone wasn’t already going.
This year has already brought a host of new experiences. I became the sole pianist for my church, I started a small bakery from home, and I have started freelance writing and editing . . . earning a steady income, and I never have to leave the house 😀 I do, of course, ’cause there’s this nice little coffee shop that is conveniently close and owned by friends =)
I say all this to say: there’s not many I know who have chosen to stay at home, and I know that in my church that all the young people would get jobs, and talk about wasting the talents the Lord has given you if you DIDN’T go out and get a job. Well, the Lord has gifted us with many talents, but I firmly believe that success isn’t rooted in a paycheck. If the Lord has given you the gift of teaching, teach your younger siblings, and look into tutoring from home, if you need an income. Music? Writing? There’s all a place for that under the protection of your family.
I’ll end this long comment with this: I had a friend tell me once to never act ashamed of staying at home with your family. Answer those who question you with confidence — and, if the people around you are like those around me, there will be a TON of questions =) — and never be awkward about where the Lord has you. Not saying you are . . . but it does happen, eventually 😀
May the Lord bless you, my friend!
Kaitlyn your comment was so encouraging! Thank you for sharing this! It’s so inspiring to see other young ladies who have been following God’s plan! I appreciate what you had to say. Thank you.
Graduating must be such a blessing! I have four more years before I can graduate. 🙂
Aw Lilly thank you for your comment! You totally got this!
Awww you go, girl! Great job on graduating!! And I totally support and encourage you in this next step in your life. After I graduated I struggled a little with not going and doing what everyone else seems to do…the norm, ya know! But what a blessing it has been to serve at home and church and have a little extra time to invest in some hobbies and just be present with my family <3 🙂
Thank you Olivia. I agree.
Hooray Libby! Congrats! I’m so happy for you!