Autumn is a time of change, and not always just for tree leaves and temperatures. Young adults head off to college; teachers and students go back to school; some families move; sports take off; and families cherish the last precious moments before the first snow falls.

This year, I’m going to be rejoining the college students, this time away from Evanston for the first time.

For nigh on 20 years, Evanston has been home. I grew up here, first learning to explore the boundaries of my neighborhood one block at a time — but always clinging close to family.

I never really imagined outgrowing Evanston or ever wanting to leave. When my brothers started going off to college, I was still content to continue my studies with distance and outreach education. It was certainly cheaper and a lot more comfortable (can anyone really imagine me in a dorm among energetic and often rebellious teenagers and 20-somethings?)

But at some point, Evanston stopped being where I wanted to grow up and live and work and retire, never venturing away except for brief forays. Part of it is that Evanston feels like it’s changed since I was a girl. It’s a little difficult realizing that the people moving away, especially those my age, seem to be building their lives and having families and growing and thriving, while I may stay the same forever here.

And at some point I realized that just because it is a big scary world doesn’t mean that everything out there is bad.

In the middle of all of this, the opportunity to realize my lifelong dream of graduate school finally presented itself. In fact, not only did it present itself, but it practically hurled me into a new and exciting world. From the first day in May when I learned about the Concordia Theological Seminary deaconess program, the last few months have been a whirlwind.

And now moving day is almost here.

It hasn’t been an easy transition. I’ve wrestled for several months now with the feeling of abandoning people and responsibilities here. This adventure isn’t really about “discovering myself” — on the contrary, I want to be pushed to grow to the point that I can truly put others before myself; to live as Christ would have me live; to share the truth joyfully and to give whatever I have to serve those around me.

That is ultimately the reason I am entering a deaconess program, which is centered around theology (specifically study of the Bible and Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod doctrine) and service of mercy. Writing, music, editing and design will hopefully still be a big part of life, but my hope is that this program will give clearer direction for those interests.

(Just a note of clarification: This is not at all a pastoral program but is instead geared specifically toward women’s role in the Church.)

But it remains to be seen where this autumn’s road will lead. There have been so many twists and turns in the last few years. For starters, I never imagined working at a newspaper or even teaching (violin or otherwise). I never even dreamed of doing writing full-time.

Of course, I’m certain that every single one of you has seen countless twists and turns in your own road.

But these years have been amazing. They’ve been full of adventure, new experiences, new and incredible people, learning opportunities and change.

I’m so incredibly thankful for all of it. I’m so incredibly thankful for all of you — readers, friends, family, coworkers and acquaintances.

Whether I know you from church, community college classes, music, the library, the newspaper or anywhere else, thank you. You have helped me grow in ways I never imagined, and I hope I’ve been able to return the favor even a little.

And I look forward to seeing you again next summer (or sometime in between).