.: musing recollection :.

This is my last week here in Mount Vernon, what with seminary starting back up next Monday. I am extremely excited for this Fall quarter because I have a sweet place (which I finally got to see yesterday and was blown away) and only have classes on two days (which might become only one day if I drop my fourth class). I cannot believe how fast this summer has gone. Allow me to recollect of my adventures and journeys during the summer of 2004. Traveled to Kauai with my family (minus my sister). Went and saw my best friend in Gresham, Oregon a couple times. Lost my friend Mark to Japan for four excruciating months. Dropped my brother off at college in Southern California. Had the opportunity to be involved in two different small groups – one with three High School guys, and one with several college aged guys. Was in a wedding for my crabbing buddy Ryan. Taught High School Sunday School for a couple months. House-sat a couple times for school money. Went crabbing and clamming a couple times. Attempted to give up caffeine and red meat. Moved from our old house to my parent’s new one. Taught myself to wake up at 5:30 in the morning. Preached at the church this past weekend. Saw way too many movies. Went out to eat way too many times (for a school bound / money needing guy). And watched as God allowed me to sit and simmer in mystery and exposure, both of which seem to indicate will follow me to school next week. I cannot believe that I arrived in April with tons of free time on my hands, only to wake up this morning to the reality that a transition is around the bend. I have felt soulless at times this summer, in such a way that I am moving too fast and experience far too many things that I feel like things happen to me externally, but they are far from impacting my heart. And at the same time, I have seen elements of my heart in such a way that I have experienced liberation on a level beyond what is common. Old issues have deepened their roots in ways, new issues have been fodder for challenge and victory. Growth has been at a deeper degree than the past, and yet I have really felt surround with what is “old hat”. Successes and failures – I cannot struggle with the apathy and misused strength of these months. I can only look ahead to the future with the greatest of hopes that I will plant my feet on firmer ground next year, with the desire for richer faith at the center of less sight. And maybe, just maybe, that is what this summer was all about.