A River Flows in Me: Moving Out.

Last weekend I graduated from UW Madison, and just a couple days later I moved out of the FLOCK, the college house I've been living in for the past two years. I'm not the best with transitions and changes, so the weekend was sort of a tough one. It was also all such a whirlwind. With Erin coming in from New York and everyone's family in town, and my friend Abby there too. Not to mention our mini daschund, Ovie, who also came along with my family for the ride.

Reflecting on the weekend, the main thing was, like I said, it all happened so fast. It felt like one moment I was walking with my housemate Alissa to get help from the Physics Learning Center as usual (our favorite place, haha!), and the next I was almost done packing up all my stuff. I didn't think about all the "lasts" as they were happening. Like the last time reading my Bible/studying at gallup coffeehouse with Sarah and Jen. Last time watching a movie in "the beach" with the Schiebers and Alissa. Last time dancing on the flock porch. Or my last run through the Henry Vilas Zoo. I've loved being able to live in Madison these past four school years, and especially having the opportunity to live in a wonderful house like the FLOCK. Madison will always remain close to my heart because it's the place where I was drawn closer to the Lord, and where I learned so much more about my faith, and where I came to the place where I desired God to be at the center of my life. Of course there were plenty of difficulties, but I have so many great memories from that city, and best of all so many amazing friends.

It was a short, but sweet last time with my friends all together in Madison. We had adventures scaling Abe, ate dinner at Brocach's, made a "motley" Flock pyramid on Bascom, took some more pictures at the Terrace and got ice cream, and of course, drank coffee on the porch. I was so glad that our friend and former roommate, Erin, could come and enjoy the moment and celebrate with us. Pretty much the only thing that could have made it better would have been if Jenna was there too. But God has her in His hands somewhere in Cambodia across the world, and I know that's where she is supposed to be. It didn't really hit me that I was leaving until I was taking the last pictures off the wall in our bedroom, and I looked at my empty third of our tiny triple room. It looked so strange, and that's when the tears came. It was almost funny because right then Erin came in and looked at me with tears already in her eyes and said "don't cry Brynn, because then I'll start crying too!"

When I finally had to say goodbye to everyone down in the living room, it was hard to actually walk out the door. Hugs all around to Randi, Jen, Erin, Gavin, the Wallers, and Sarah. It was hardest to say goodbye to Sarah, because I know I won't see her for the longest time. I can't come home after I leave for New York in June, and then she will leave for (almost) a year long mission trip in Uruguay in August. It's hard to believe we were roommates for three years! Wow! We've definitely come a long way since the beginning. :)

All in all I am incredibly grateful for the time I had in Madison. I left the Flock with heaviness in my heart, but I know that a new adventure lies ahead, both for myself, and all of my friends who graduated, too. I don't know where the next step will take me, but I know I've been trying to listen intently and obey the call God has given me. I'm already excited to see where He takes all of us, and I imagine the day when we can all get together again, and rejoice over the work He has done in us and through us.