One Final Note

During the last two years that I worked at Anna Maria College in the Campus Ministry Department I began sending out weekly updates to the whole campus. They were short notes of encouragement paired with a Scripture verse, quote from a Saint, as well as other campus updates, songs or fun things. It was wonderful to see how something so simple could be a real entry point for students, staff, and faculty alike to pause each week and center themselves on God.

With the news of this beloved community closing next week I felt led to write one more note. While it’s addressed to the AMC community, I also believe it is relevant to each of us.

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Dear Anna Maria Students, Staff, Faculty, Administration, Alumni, Board of Trustees, Donors, and of course the Sisters of St. Anne,

My heart breaks alongside yours as this beloved community witnesses the ending of its final chapter. There’s nothing that can prepare you for news like this. I can only imagine the pain, confusion, anger, sadness, and angst that is clamoring to plague your hearts and minds right now. All of those feelings are very real and have a place here. I’m sure for many of you the phrase, “This is not fair.” has crossed your lips. You are right, this is not fair. It’s a devastating ending to a beautiful story that brought so, so many people opportunity, community, growth, and of course hope. 

What I share next is not meant to diminish or downplay those rightful feelings. Rather, it’s meant to remind you. Remind you that the opportunities, community, growth, and yes even the hope cannot be taken from you even if the path forward by way of Anna Maria has come to an end. ALL that you have learned, ALL the ways you have grown, ALL the memories that have been birthed here are not meaningless. This institution has shaped you and you can’t ever go back to how you were before. That’s a good thing.

I know right now probably feels like you’re walking in some kind of a chaotic, disorienting fog. Pause. Breathe. Feel your feet on the ground. Even though it seems like the floor has been ripped out from under you, you still have somewhere to place your feet. And that, especially now, needs to be firmly planted on your relationship with God. When everything else moves, He remains still, and that is worth remembering right now.

As I conclude this note, there’s one more thing I want to share. I looked back on the final weekly update that I had sent out where I shared the news of my leaving Anna Maria. What I said then feels so fitting to share again now:

“I think back to my first days here and remember how much coming into this role was truly a dream come true. I am beyond thankful for all I’ve experienced and learned along the way thanks to so many of you! I’ve learned a lot about dreaming these last two years, particularly how dreaming can open you up to a completely new understanding of trust and freedom. There will be twists and turns, painful moments and moments of great joy when you dream, but my prayer is that each of you will boldly open yourselves up to God’s plan for your life and all the ways that can change over the years. If you trust Him and dream with Him, you will not be disappointed no matter what the outcome is.”

How you view this next chapter of your life matters. It really matters. You have a choice- will you open yourself up to the possibility of the adventure God has next for you or will you close yourself off in despair and frustration because God didn’t follow your plans? It takes courage to surrender your plans to God but the return on investment is 1000% bigger. With all the love in my heart I encourage you to honestly take this opportunity to dream BIG and BOLDLY with God. Your dreams coming true aren’t dependent on your circumstances, only on your willingness to give God the chance to do what he does best…

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

I’m praying for you all during this really challenging and emotional time, knowing full well how good the plans are that God has in store for each one of you.

Blessings, peace, & joy,

Melissa