Almost a Decade

So, this past Thursday was my last day on campus in Western PA.

I’m still believing that we’ll be back after our year in Washington DC, but it’s still a little odd and sad. The thing that struck me on Wednesday night was that for the first time in nine years I won’t be spending any time in Edinboro this fall. Edinboro has grabbed up and influenced almost a decade of my life.

The past nine years has seen me begin to take my faith seriously, I met my wife as well as my best friend, I earned a degree in Communication Theory, I went into “the ministry”, I got married, moved out of Erie county for the first time. I’ve had 13 addresses, 8 phone numbers, my dad got married, my mom and step-dad moved to North Carolina, my Grandma Merry and Papa Bob died as well as my uncle Ken. I lost a roommate as well.

I picked up a new sport (or three), I moved away from the particulars of my childhood faith, I bought my first car, I’ve driven across the country twice, I’ve poured into countless lives and I’ve talked to at least 10 people while they worked through a decision to pursue a closer relationship with their Creator.

I’ve seen a whole lot happen – 9/11, a new war, Katrina, Virginia Tech, the Indian Ocean Tsunami & Columbine.

I’m very much looking forward to a year outside of Western Pennsylvania as well as the next 9 or 10 years. Except the next part involves me turning 30. Gurk.