I miss....

I have recently moved and have been doing LOTS of unpacking. Today I have been unpacking books and pictures. I found myself in tears as I remembered some great things and caught myself missing "the way things used to be". I miss the care-free days of college (even though they seemed so stressful at the time). I miss my 4 roomies from Goshen and the crew I spent every weekend with up there. I miss the days before everyone was married and had kids (even though I adore their spouses and children). I miss the days when we would hop in a car and go....wherever....no matter what time.

I also just got home from an awesome week at Camp Adventure (church camp). I miss the kids that I hung out with. I miss friends that I only get to see at camp. I miss singing praises twice a day. I miss built in nap time. I miss daily time set aside for Jesus. I miss late nights pouring our hearts out with each other about God and His work.

I caught up on blogs today. I miss my friend Jenn. WOW, do I ever miss her. She is doing missions work and growing so much. I miss her lots though. I knew I would miss my friend and roomie, I just didn't know how much I would miss her. I miss our nights of cravings. I miss seeing her in the morning before work. I miss her laugh and hugs. I miss the smell of her cooking crazy things in the kitchen.

I have had a reminder on my phone for the last 40 days to pray for my best friend. She has been on a 40 day/night hiking trip with her husband and others. So, I miss talking to her. I miss laughing with her. I miss hearing her voice. I miss the surprise email from her. I miss our accountability.

I miss my girls Bible study that I lead for 5.5 years. Those were some of the greatest times of ministry thus far. I miss our intense discussions. I miss our sleepovers. I miss laughing with those girls. I miss hearing from them often. I miss digging into God's word with teenagers.

I hope that this isn't depressing or sad. It is just a day of reflection for me. I have had a super busy summer and haven't had much time to just stop! I have 3 weeks until school starts - which is good, because I miss school and teaching.

I guess my purpose in writing this is to remind myself of all the blessings God has so graciously poured over me through the years. I look back through pictures or re-read journals or catch up on blogs and am reminded of how truly blessed I am. I am blessed to have memories worth remembering. I am blessed to have amazing friends. I am blessed to have gone to college and live in a house.

Thank you Jesus for the blessings you pour out on my day after day. You are a wonderful father and I am humbled to be in your presence.