But I was fairly inept at making friends in this awkward stage of my life, so I remained a loner. Then I met two guys who I became friends with. One was the guy who made coffee at my church, who was an architect by trade. The other was a guy a year younger than me who turned out to be the son of a couple who my parents knew when they were young (in college I think). They were great friends:)
Then I started attending my church's youth group and my circle of friends expanded. I also started a karate class and classes with fellow homeschoolers at a local church. More friends.
Fast forward to today. I have several groups of friends, from fellow homeschoolers, to church friends, youth group friends, and karate friends. There are a lot of crossovers.
And this is why leaving for college is bittersweet.
In the last five years I have made some awesome friendships with great people who loved and accepted me, quirks and all. But now we're separating. Of the friends in the Class of 2015, two of my closest friends are moving to Arizona to attend GCU, one is joining the Marines, and the majority are staying in our hometown.
As I look back I don't regret a minute of the fellowship, but the pain I feel now is unique. It is the pain of change. Big change. There are friends I may never see again, others who will move away in the next few years, and some I just won't see for a while. I will be attending a University where I will pretty much be on my own. I have a few family and friends who live in the LA area, but for the most part I will be alone. Back to square one.
Do I regret making friends? No.
Do I regret my choice of College? Never.
Will I dearly miss the family and friends (and friendships closer than blood)? Yes.
This is the life of a person such as I. I abhor shallow friendships. I can't stand small talk. And now the brothers and sisters (including my biological sister!), whom I have grown to love, will be hundreds of miles away. We won't be able to have late night discussions that range in topics from Feminism, Musicianship, Writing, and Theology (yes, this happened a few days ago;). No more Mountain Dew induced comas trying to stay awake through the fourth Harry Potter movie in a row. No more trips to all the best hangouts in our city. At least not for the next season of life.
Since I don't quite know how to end this blog in my own writing ability, I will leave that up to God's inspired Word:
“3:1 For everything there is an appointed time,
and an appropriate time for every activity on earth:
3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted;
3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
3:5 A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
3:6 A time to search, and a time to give something up as lost;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
3:7 A time to rip, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silent, and a time to speak.
3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.”
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NET)
Excerpt From: Biblical Studies Press. “NET Bible (noteless).” iBooks.
Sola Fide, (Faith Alone)
Sola Gratia, (Grace Alone)
Solus Christus, (Christ Alone)
Sola Scriptura, (Scripture Alone)
Soli Deo Gloria, (Glory to God Alone)
- Jonah