8 more days

well the times that I have had to post my entries have been very random, because I have not been in a place with internet or internet that allows looking at blog sites in the last day or so. I saw a copy of the MC yearbook today, Amanda brought one up to the office, and I saw a pic of Greyson in it leading worship. One thing about this house that I'm sitting in is that it isn't the same without Greyson Campbell. This house was once always full of people, every night, or at least it felt like a lot of people. it was the hang out. And we always wanted it to be. It was the same way at college when we lived on the Hall. we cleaned our rooms every thursday afternoon, because we knew that thursday night was open dorm night. The party always happened. It usually involved Smallville, red plaid shirts, great wall chinese food, waffle house after 12. we enjoyed company always, even if it was someone we had never met. but there was something about going through a hard week, and looking forward to a night when everyone hung out.
November of 07 was when we decided to have thanksgiving at our house, buster's friends, my friends, greysons friends, we all got together before some people left for the holiday or school got out and all got together to cook. I cooked a turkey. It was beautiful. people enjoyed it. it felt like home. not because we had cool surround sound in the living room, or we could cook a turkey, but the desire in our hearts was being met when we were able to watch community form and live around a group of people that loved each other, as well as they could, and just live. live life everyday. i never took it for granted. and now this house, this same house feels nothing like that. I mean I have my roomate allen here, and we are friends, we really are, but the closeness of community in a group of people no longer lives here. those days are gone. that season has passed from this place. it was a great moment to be a part of, but this house only wears out its welcome months later.
community. we crave it don't we. I do. we were created to. and when it's good, it's good.
in the past 6 years I have heard the term community, and watched it be defined within several seasons-in this house, at central hills as a counselor with marshall, fletcher, vanhorn, JJ, chad betts, jill, or on second floor chrestmen. everytime I have had to leave those places, move from those campgrounds or dormitories, it has been very hard to walk back into the real world. just last month I was able to go on a trip to Mexico with 7 other people and I experienced the same- a feeling of community that makes it hard to walk away from, because there's nothing else like it. within a season of living in a place like this, is where i met the woman who will be my wife in 3 months. my conversations and time with Amanda operate on honesty and being real, and I can rest in a place like that. I can accomplish things in a place like that.
if someone reads this, and you think i sound ridiculous, its only because you have never had the opportunity to experience it. dont stop looking for it, and dont try too hard either. just be yourself and let others do the same. and realize that all of you need Jesus. so walk together, laugh together, cry together, share meals with one another, pray together, give them something they need that you have and expect nothing in return, and don't be something that you're not.
love and be loved and love Jesus.