because of them

there are few things that i can truly say have
remained constant for the past nine months. 
one of them is this: community is a love-hate relationship.  there probably isn’t a single thing that i
love about living in community that at one point or another hasn’t driven me
absolutely nuts.  the odd thing, however,
is that even at my worst moments, when all i really want is to run far, far
away, i love living in community.  i love
each and every person.  they walk along
side me, challenge me, hold me up, laugh with me, cry with me, pray with me
& simply “be” with me.

dietrich bonhoeffer captured the gift of
community best when he said, “it is not simply to be taken for granted that the
christian has the privilege of living among other christians.”  because of my squadmates, i am a better
person.

because of traday, i know god knows our itinerary much better than we
do.  and it’s best that way.

because of caitlin, i have a totally new appreciation for the depth
& breadth of worship.

because of sarah, i know god delights in each of us. 

because of jea, i didn’t have to fight the facebook pressure alone
for 9 months…and didn’t have to dive into it alone a few weeks ago, either. 

because of mark, i know a free spirit is sometimes the best
guide. 

because of pam, i will never look at perseverance the same. 

because of cam, i know god uses us in ways we’d never expect or
anticipate. 

because of lindsey, i have seen hearts set on fire. 

because of becky, i know god will never leave us. 

because of colleen, i understand the beauty and release that shine
through true, deep, transforming healing.

because of meg, i know god has a plan for each of his
children. 

because of brandon, i believe the words “glorify,” “passionate,”
“worship” & “servant” transcend definition. 

because of burrowmeister, i know that the awkward hug* is not only possible
but can be successful and perfected over time.
*hugging someone whilst both parties wear both a
daypack on the front and a full
travel pack on the back.

because of renee, i understand the bond of sisterhood better. 

because of jackie, i know god gives us boldness. 

because of kari, i have witnessed the transforming power of
obedience. 

because of jenn, i know god really does give us his heart.

because of danny, i better understand the heart of worship. 

because of trael, i know nicknames just make everything more fun.

because of krystle, i have seen tears heal. 

because of christie, i know that if we never risk, we will never truly
gain. 

because of molly, i am recapturing my dreams. 

because of kyle, i know god works all things for good. 

because of aaron, i understand what it means to live a surrendered
life.

because of haley, i know god gives us the desires of our heart. 

because of seth, i have proof that all you really need to cook a
turkey and all the traditional thanksgiving fixins’ is a hotpot & two fry
pans.