31 Days Later

I guess this is turning into a weekly thing...

Once again, here I am on a quiet Sunday afternoon trying to summarize an entire week at college. Only today is different. Today marks exactly one month since that fateful day our parents got back into their cars and drove away. So much has happened; so much has changed. In thirty-one days, I've made more acquaintances than you could shake a stick at, my body has survived almost 100 assaults from Hurricane Lottie (Lottie being the cafeteria), I've rock-climbed, played at one chapel and lead one bonfire worship night, redecorated my room many times, done laundry (three times, mom and dad!), eaten WAY too much, slept the perfect amount (..mom.), gone to many classes and stayed awake in all of them, missed my family, aced a Spanish test, listened to hours of music, spent hours trying to keep in touch with friends and family, received a few significant packages in the mail (including cookies, magazines, letters, shirts, and music), watched many movies, swum hundreds upon hundreds of lengths, played not-enough guitar, gone to church 5 times (thrice to the same one), played at one coffeehouse, explained to hundreds of people why I came from Canada (and sometimes where Canada is), left campus 4 times, gone shopping twice, missed Katrina many times, and made friendships that I know will last for years.

I feel as if I've lived a lifetime these past thirty-one days. It's almost as if I could just go home now and spend years recalling "those good-ol' college days." But I would never. For every awesome experience I've already had, there are so many more to come. I've started to consider my plans for the next few years, actually... which will probably include at least one semester in Philadelphia (maybe two), and one in Australia. And then there are other amazing opportunities awaiting me with music, concerts, worship, student activities, friends, trips, and even schoolwork. So even though it is tough at times to be so far from home with so many strangers, there is so much to thank God for and so much to look forward to. I've been blessed with so many great friendships and opportunities here, and even more comforting, I know I have many loved ones at home who love me all the same even when I am not around.

This past weekend Messiah College hosted what they call "Family Weekend." So, as the name suggests, dorms and buildings everywhere were full of smiling parents and curious children. As my family does not actually live in the same country as me (.. that's a weird thought..) they couldn't make it. But I got to hang out with some of my friends' families which was a blast. haha and when we went out to dinner my roommate, Austine, surprised me by telling the waiters of Texas Roadhouse that it was my birthday. So they came around singing, hoisted me onto a saddle and got the whole restaurant to yell "Yee-haw!" I just awkwardly played along..
And then this morning we all went to the same church as we have the past two weeks; our church-shopping endeavours didn't really last very long. I really like this church Christian Life Assembly, though, so it's nice to wake up every Sunday knowing that you'll be going to a vibrant church with genuine worship and passionate speaking. And any of you that can appreciate a rousing chorus from a massive choir would love this church. Boy, can their band play and singers sing!

Anyways, I think that's all I have to say for now. Other than a couple short fits of feeling sorry for myself (missing home and Katrina), things have been amazing. Oh, actually, on Monday Austin found out he has mono. So that was sort of depressing for him and startling for me. We've been really careful and he's been doing really well, but if you get a chance to pray for him (and for me too..) that would be much appreciated. Oh and swim team practices start up in full swing at 5:45 AM tomorrow morning, so that will be a tiny-bit of an energy-drain. But fear not, my faithful readers, I will not forget you! I will try to post again sometime this week (with pictures).
Okay, I need to go eat. Love you all!
-- josh

p.s. I'M COMING HOME IN A WEEK AND A HALF!!