I have never experienced a goodbye party before and I wasn't sure exactly how it would play out in terms of my interactions with people or the general mood. I'm not used to having the spotlight solely on me and to be honest, I am not completely at ease in it.
Knowing that some of the greatest people I have known in the past 5 years would all be in one place, I expected the party to be good, but I never thought it would be as great as it was. There wasn't an awesome band. There was no alcohol. No one did anything crazy. But, there were hellos and goodbyes, good conversations and laughter, and handshakes and hugs. There was love. Undeniable love. There were young guns like Brooks Tellekamp, Scott Gillard, and Collin Woodard . There were old timers like Quiggle, Heather Pearce, and Tatum. Old Hemphill girls, Kami and Emily. New Hemphill girls, Mary Ann, Amanda, Meagen McElroy, and Desprez. Christian legacy and future legends all together.
I may have been the obvious reason for this gathering, but at the root it was the love of Jesus. Quiggle showed me that love as my intern at CCF and he showed me how to be a better man of God. I loved him for that. I spent a year at CCF trying to imitate his example with my sophomore guys. I get the feeling they love me too, maybe because they told me. Christ's love is binding to those who come in contact with it, whether they know it or not and it holds us all together with a warm feeling of something bigger than ourselves. It was glorious to see all the ties, loving friendships, and even new acquaintances engulfing a blue house in Homepark.
As the party was fading and people departed, the goodbyes started. A great moment after another. No one was insincere about their kind parting words. Hug after hug. I can't recall a time where I have felt more love. It was bliss.
To all of those who came, thank you so so much. Each of you is an inspiration and pure encouragement. I promise to take that love that you have showed me while our paths crossed and spread it on the campus of Tübingen, Germany.
