Friends and thankfulness

I have nothing profound to say... only feelings that I wished to express.

I have been thinking a lot about love and life, friends and family. I think this is because I will soon be leaving them.

Like I stated in my previous post, I went through a period of sadness a couple of weeks ago. Nerves and anxiety overrode my excitement for this adventure. I thought that I would miss out on valuable time making and building relationships with my friends and family here in Fresno. But after realization that I would be used for a greater purpose also in Italy, my hopes and excitement are raised.

In regards to friends: For the last two and a half years I have been thrilled to have the opportunity to live, work, go to school, and make new friends at Fresno Pacific University. I am thrilled with the experiences that I have had there, and for the person I am becoming as a result of the community.

This year especially, I have been able to quote myself again and again as I’ve always said, “there are some quality people at FPU.” My friends are quality people.

Of course, having lived at FPU on campus for the past two years, I knew a lot of people and have had many friends; however, I have been quite blessed to find some extremely remarkable new friends this semester.

It was a bit of a random story involving a Russian language class, putting up Spasenie posters, an invite to Slaviklub and midnight games of Catan and Mafia. The friendships were not only fun, spending nights together most of the weekdays, but they include a deeper sense of brother and sisterhood, as I've attended their Bible studies and with prayer. Certainly a God-send.


Looking back on it now, I feel like I've always known them. Some friendships gracefully blossomed in a matter of two nights. It is truly incredible the love I've felt around these people and how well we've quickly gotten along.

I thank God for this. There are many things that I am thankful for: family, life in America, good education, but for the moment, my heart is overwhelmed with the blessing of these friends.

Thank you friends. Please keep in touch.

That's it for now; I will continue my thoughts on family soon...