Its becoming all to real to me...

I must say, I have been rather sad these last few days. "Why the sad face, little guy?" (as Chris would say). It's a funny thing, actually. You complain and gripe about homework, constant noise, too many people around, etc, but when it comes right down to it Bethany is home. It is the place where so many memories are made, and too many friends that I must now part ways with. I guess that could be why I don't want to complete my homework, because it is another sign that all is ending soon.

It is hard to believe that 5 years have come and gone this fast. It's been an amazing five years, that allowed me to grow as a person. But all good things come to an end, and it makes me sad. It is amazing the bonds you form with people your share your life with constantly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 15 weeks, times 2. Even the guys who don't know what the off button looks like on their stereo, or the volume knob for that matter, all fit in to this equation that makes Bethany home. From the smiling faces , to the late night food runs, Safeway anyone?, the late night talks, the early morning classes, the building of the arc, the same meal everyday (chicken anyone?), the many pointless yet entertaining conversations, the randomness, the noise, the video games, the love, the friendships, and the occasional prank. It's simply home, and home is always hard to leave.

Home is the place that has given me hope, it has been the place where I could shed my tears, and fret my frustrations. Home has been the place that has created a new me. I have grown. I am not the same man I was when I stepped on to this campus in August 2004. So much, sometimes too much, has changed. I have friends I never thought I would have. I have lost what I was never ready to lose. Yet I have grown closer to the One who has remained the one constant in all the laughs, turmoil, pain, joy, confusion, excitement, and change that has taken place these last five years.

The friends I have made, the people I say ill never forget, from the youth ministry that changed my life, to the youth pastor that helped form the me, we see now. Words cannot be spoken to how much he meant to me or how much he influenced my life. I sit here at the computer and try to get the words to speak and I only get tears when I think of everything I'm leaving behind. The church family that accepted me, the people who prayed for me, the relationships lost, the hurt, pain and feeling of Ill never get over this, yet I would not trade my experience for anything in the world.

I know new adventures await. I am not one who likes goodbyes. But I press on, and I gladly run toward the unknown that awaits. Thankfully, He is already there, preparing this Great Adventure of life. 10 days till graduation and then my life adventure starts...

Passion for the Hungry

saturday was awesome!!! My best friend Mack brought two of his youth kids, and three other volunteers from bethany all spent our lunch time handing out lunches to homeless/hungry people all through out Santa Cruz.




this picture is the back of Macks car, here are one hundred fifty two lunches in all. We started out at Pacific Avenue then headed to a shelter in downtown Santa Cruz, went to San Lorenzo Park, and ended at the Santa Cruz Beach board walk. We got to touch the lives of the people in Santa Cruz, and feed them at the same time.

We didnt just hand them and lunch and say here you go, we talked to them and got there names and just had a conversation with them. We really tried to show them that Jesus loves them and does watch out for them. We had a lot of great moments, we had some not so good moments, funny moments and moments I will remember for my entire life. It was a great day and a great way to reach out to these people in Santa Cruz.

faithfully

Faithfully

Tonight I saw a shooting star,
Made me wonder where you are.
For years I have been dreaming of you,
And I wonder if you're thinking of me, too.

In this world of cheap romance
Where love fades after the dance,
They say that I'm fool to wait for something more.
How can I really love somone I've never seen before?

But I have longed for true love every day that I have lived.
And I know real love is all about learning how to give.
So I pray that God will bring you to me,
And I pray you'll find me waiting faithfully.

Faithfully, I am yours,
From now until forever.
Faithfully, I will write,
Write you a love song with my life.
'Cause this the kind of love's worth waiting for,
no matter how long it takes,
I am yours
Faithfully.

Tonight I saw two lovers kiss,
Reminded me of my own lonliness.
They say that I'm a fool to keep on prayin' for you.
How can I give up pleasure for a dream that wont come true?

But I will keep believing that God still has a plan.
And though I cannot see you now, I know that He can,
And someday I will give you all of me.
Until I find you, I'll be waiting faithfully.

Faithfully, I am yours,
From now until forever.
Faithfully, I will write,
Write you a love song with my life.
'Cause this the kind of lovie's worth waiting for,
no matter how long it takes,
I am yours
Faithfully.