Thank you. Seriously. Thank you.

I honestly wish I could transport each and every one of you to my university and force you to experience what I experienced yesterday.

Yesterday changed my life. It was a day I will remember forever. Literally. Forever.

I will be 80 years old, and telling my grandchildren about Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at around 4 o'clock.

Let me just set the stage for you.

In September of 2010, I began school at Simpson University in pursuit of a nursing degree. and the 24 months following that has been filled with countless hours of studying and lectures and lab, lots of tears, lots of hard work, lots of challenges, lots of decisions, and lots of great anticipation and joy.

I submitted my application into the nursing program on Monday, October 1st, and settled into a three week stretch of waiting.

It actually went faster than I thought, and the day finally arrived. Yesterday.

The last two years culminated in one moment.

I was literally shaking as I put my key into the mailbox and pulled out the envelope. I did my best to rip it open and read only the first few words... "You have been accepted"... before the tears came. I ran out to my dear friends waiting outside and we all just SCREAMED.

Loudly. So loudly that a group of girls from across campus yelled, "Who got engaged?!" haha!!

Jumping and hugging and declarations of our futures. Together.

I don't think I've ever been hugged by so many strangers in a span of five minutes. It was just the most magical celebration.

I truly wish I could adequately express to you everything that I have felt in the last twenty four hours.

But instead, I'd just like to take this time to say Thank You.

To each and every one of YOU. If you are reading this, then I'm talking to you.

Whatever role you have played, whatever amount of time you have invested, the kind words you have spoken or sent, the hug you have given, the hope you have held for me, the strength you prayed over me.

People say this all the time, but from the deepest corners of my heart I say to you:

I would NEVER be where I am today without each of you.

God's perfect timing so amazes me. Every.single.time. I didn't think I could study one more minute or read one more word or take one more quiz or see one more picture of the human body, God used each of you to remind me of who I am and who I am called to be. I found myself smack dab in the middle of so much love.

Your beautiful voices in my world shout so loudly God's heart for my life, and it is with overwhelming gratitude that I humbly thank you.

I got a text on Monday morning that said this: Lyss, you are a daughter of the Most High. Royal blood flows in your veins. The God of truth and hope will deliver what He promises.

God's word breathes life into my soul. His love letter to me is my primary source of peace and safety and truth. But I feel extra, extra loved by Him when He uses each of you to reiterate how He feels about me.

Royal blood flows in my veins...

and it flows yours, too.

I am BLOWN away by the amount of love that has just overtaken my soul during this process.

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing when He created you, and I will forever be grateful for your selfless love for me.

Thank you.

Seriously.

Thank you. 

It is with great pride and joy that I call you family and friends.

... and hey. Someday, if you ever find yourself in the hospital, and I get to be your nurse, I promise you that I will do my best to ensure that you are not only physically cared for. but that you are loved. that you feel as though you have an advocate. that you are safe.

I anxiously await the opportunity to step inside the hospital walls and spread the love of Jesus all over.

You are loved.

Gratefully,
Alyssa