Dearest Olympians

It was great to be back in Olympia this weekend to see friends and family. I flew in Thursday afternoon with my roommate Brandon to surprise our friends and family and I ended up receiving a better weekend than I thought I could have. Seeing my parents becomes a blessing after separation from even last weekends "parent weekend" when they flew down to see me. It was enthusing to see friends who hadn't expected me and to view the shock or surprise on their countenance. It was great.

Each surprise was good (although Marilyn's lacked emotion, Amy made up for it by screaming at me in the Starbucks parking lot). I loved visiting with old friends and catching up on current events in their lives. Whether it was catching up and jamming with Aaron right before he left, grabbing lunch with the Roberts clan after planting trees at the church in extremely "ripe" soil, or spending the night at Justin's after swinging over trees at Anna and Kelsey's, every ounce of my short weekend home was packed with fun and good times. Panda was definitely the way to end my vacation at home after a fantastic church service at Hope. I thank God for my friends and home.

Being in the airport on layover waiting to return to San Diego is bitter sweet. I'm glad to return to California, to my school, my new friends and dorm, yet I deeply miss my friends and family at home and am sad to leave them until I return. In the words of Kenzie, "I wish December would hurry up..."

"I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, every one of them."

           3 John 1:13-15