i'm usually not into birthdays too much, other than a free meal here and there, so yesterday was nothing special. jenna did make it down for a late lunch/picnic, and then we were set to go out to eat with our friends mikey (whose bday was on friday) and lydia.
oops though, jenna forgot the directions, so we had to run home real quick to mapquest it. we ran inside (i was the first one), and wham
SURPRISE!
25 of my friends packed in my living room, in the kitchen, grilling outside, everywhere. there were grad students and churchies, rockers and sockers, and pretty much everyone i know in MD. and the mastermind behind it all: jenna. through the lies and deceit the week before she orchestrated this whole thing, looking through my address book and email list, until all the people were tracked down. it was my first surprise party, and the smile is still on my face.
so sorry after reading your post justin, i feel like if i were in BG i'd help "be your ben genson," a light in a dark place and a brother and a friend. but for whatever reason our paths didn't cross much (outside of great lakes baseball) so i'll just pray for you from over here i suppose.
real life, you know? we need people close to us to get through it. people who are constant and people who are encouraging and make questions like "what am i doing with my life/job/church" seem much more manageable. keep these friends, and tell them how great they are. and if you're a christian/believer, read john chapter 7 and realize that's how jesus meant for it to be.
