Life Changers

lifechangers, originally uploaded by andebos.

This post is a two-fold post. The first part centers on the great relationships I'm formed here beginning with my good friend Brooks and how her and Andy, her husband, will be missed as they move on to a job in Colorado. The second part is because my blog is, as of late, well, boring and inefficient! Therefore, the second section will make the long attempt to catch you up on some major aspects/events in my life over the past few months. Friday night Brooks and Andy had their farewell rooftop party / Andy’s Graduation from MIT party. It was a sad day as I got to visit with Brooks about their leaving. I could tell she was torn between the excitement of joining Andy’s calling and the discouragement of the steps in leaving her well-rooted life in Boston. I was also sad to know they were leaving. Brooks was the first friend I made in Boston…by that I mean, she was the first friend that I made apart from other relationships. I believe it was a divinely intentioned meeting. Only in reflection do I realize that through Brooks every blessed relationship I have here now, began and trickled down through her. I thank God for her friendship, her trust, her ability to understand the story of my life like none other, and that she helped change my life forever. It’s funny because I always tell people that I consider Brooks to be my older sister here in Boston…because she was always looking out for me and helping me get myself on solid footing – now that her and Andy are married Brooks and I share the same last name, now she really is like my sister. I’ll miss you friend, thank you for being a lifechanger in the story of my life. You were one of the few whose names I can claim that altered the course of events in my life back towards life, and I will never forget you for all you have meant and done for me.

"I'm gonna be a history maker in this land. I'm gonna be a speaker of truth to all mankind"

Now, moving on to the other events in these last few months. Well, I’ve tried to place these in order of their happenings but that appears more difficult than I originally thought because several aspects are more aspects than they are events, thus being, they overlap many events and do not have a particular time stamp. The first event is most likely Zack’s Bachelor Party.

Zack’s Bachelor Party

A few weeks ago I gathered with many men to celebrate the upcoming marriage of Zack and Michelle. It was a great time! We gathered to attend the Park Street morning service and then carpooled out to Marshfield and stayed at a friend’s In-Laws house. It was also great. This place overlooked a vast marsh field and then onto the ocean. The house itself was likewise impressive with everything from a pool table and indoor pool to an enormous hanging projector with screen that descended out of the ceiling, remarkable! After arriving we headed out to eat some pizza, which got me a little sick, gross! Then, we left to play ultimate Frisbee, which tore me up from too much diving. Finally we headed to the ocean. There we proceeded to chill and play this silly rock throwing game that only men could be entertained by for an hour. Actually, it was a sweet game I think! Basically, one person threw a rock out into the ocean and others tried to hit that rock with another rock while it remained in the air. After the ocean we got treated with the cooking of Brian, Darcy, and Ellis – these guys are some of the best cooks I’ve ever personally met. Then, we gathered to talk about Zack for a while and then goofed around the rest of the night, woke up for another terrific meal, and then home to lesson planning and napping. It was a great time, with great friends, and gave a sneak peak at a soon to be a remarkable husband!



Phil’s Visit to Boston
I suppose this next event actually took place prior to Zack’s party, but like I said, I forget the exact order of everything…it’s kinda all blurred together!

A few weeks ago Phil Hart came to visit me. It was a great visit and I forgot just how much I love Phil, his friendship, and our history. One thing I have always respected about our relationship is just how well we click – from the first time we met we instantly connected. This trip was no different. I love Phil because he encourages me, speaks honesty to me, ask me questions, forgives me, believes in me, and loves me like few others – our history together is long and it is one of the most important relationships of my life. We had some really good talks while he was here and the one thing I regret is that we didn’t get to pray together more. Anyway, while Phil was here he got to see many of the Boston sights and meet many of the people with whom I do life. One of the key events is that, thanks to my parents, we got to go to the Red Sox and Yankees game. We lost but it was still worthwhile, what Red Sox game isn’t? We also took a trip with several of my friends to the top of the Prudential building, unfortunately Phil’s face was cut out of the self-taken picture…he’s on the right side of the picture – you can barely see him, see the eye?