Today was my first day not working at Canyon. I thought that it would be a great day, it would feel like a vacation day. And in some ways, it did. But, and here's what's weird, I missed it. I missed not being there. Ok, scratch that. I didn't miss 'it'...I missed them. I missed being with my friends and the people who have made such a difference in my life. So, I wanted to take moment and run down the list and give some shout outs....here we go!
Tammy: thanks for always being my nutty buddy! I could always count on you to be as crazy and random as myself. That always made for a good time....
Terri: thanks for being the voice of reason in the midst of chaos. You were always around to offer truth and a right perspective.
Matt: Ok, I know I've told you that you are the one person who really frustrates me because I can never come up with a comeback...it's true! But! I don't mean that that's a bad thing...you keep me on my toes and it's fun to be around you because of that.
James: thank you for offering who you are without apology. I have learned so much from you and from what Jesus has done in your life. Thanks, too, for marrying Ruth and bringing her to Canyon...she has become a great friend and I love her!
Sarah: it has been a tremendous blessing to be a part of your life at GCU...to watch you transition from student to staff to a dearly loved friend. I could always count on you for dance parties, pictures, and truth. Thank you for that and so much more.
Anthony: What can I say? I have learned what it is to walk along side people and do life with them from you...I learned about what it is that Student Life is from you. You have the incredible gift of speaking truth into the lives of those around you, but do so with humility, grace, and mercy. I am, as I suspect all those who know you, are better for having known you. I have been blessed beyond belief to have worked both with you and for you. Despite what you may think and believe, it was a pleasure working for you and you did an incredible job as our jefe. It's crazy to look back at pictures from the "old" days and see how we've changed...in more ways than even getting physically older. We have become adults in those 5 years...I mean you got married and had a kid. Wow...thank you for letting me share in all of that. It has been a privilege to bear witness to how God has worked in your life. I can't imagine what these last 5 years would have been like without you. You have no idea...and there are no words. Honestly.
Elise, Karley, Megan, Robyn, and Vanessa: I could not have asked for a better group of young women to go through my last year at Canyon with. I know you think that I have impacted your lives, but you truly have no clue how much you have influenced my life. I thank God that He entrusted you guys to me this year....you made my last year what it was. Thank you!!
Lees: you have no idea the tremendous influence you have had on both my professional and personal life. Thank you for always encouraging me to be who God created me to be, for always challenging me to move outside of my own perceived limitations, and for granting me opportunity after opportunity to use my gifts. You are a dear friend and I love you lots! Besides all of that (and so much more), you hired Ant, Erin, Ronnie, Mel, Kristin, Ruffo, Nicole, Sarah, Matt, James, Tammy, and Robin...thank you for bringing them into my life.
I have no idea why I thought it would difficult for me to feel anything or cry during all of this because I am sitting before my computer blubbering like a baby. My heart is breaking at the thought that I won't see them or talk to them on a daily basis. It's just that as I think back over my time with those mentioned above I know that I am who I am today because of them...because they created a safe place for me to be exactly who it is that God created me to be...without demanding that I be anything other than that and showing me grace when I didn't know what that looked like or couldn't be that. Each of them in their own way shows me Jesus in how they live and how they love me. I love you....
There are of course so many other people who deserve to be on this list, but if I did that I would be writing for days and I just don't think my heart or eyes could take that. So, just know that I love you and am so thankful for you!
Thank you, Jesus, for blessing my life with these people...through them You have shown me more of You...Your grace, mercy, humility, and Love.
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