Missing Purdue...

recently, cailyn and i have really been missing purdue a lot. there are really a ton of things that we miss about it, but more than anything it is the people.

while i was on staff there, i was able to be around some of the most amazing people imaginable. and while i was there, i don't think i realized it nearly enough, but the staff community that existed there was out of this world and in many senses i think that it is what keeps things going there in such a healthy manor.

it makes things here for me very difficult. we just don't have much of a staff community. there are a few part time staff people, but they are not around enough to really make for a good community. and the only other full time staff member is a women's minister, and i have found that it is quite awkward and difficult at times to work closely in a one-on-one setting with a female. i just don't have a whole lot of desire to work that closely with a woman that is not my wife. it feels uncomfortable to me, and so that makes it hard also to create good solid community.

so yeah, i think that cail and i realize now more than ever before that the people that we were surrounded by at purdue were some of the most amazing people anywhere and we really miss being around them a ton. the real challenge for us right now, is to figure out how to pour into the work that God has called us to do here, while still fulfilling some of these deep relational needs that exist.

i know one thing for sure...the families that we have are absolutely amazing and we are both super excited that Christmas is just right around the corner and that with Christmas, we will get some amazing family time to fill up at least some of our relational needs.