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...