Thoughts and Perspectives

Well now that 2016 has started already I thought I'd post something. I meant to write this a few days ago but looking at some pictures of the recent happenings at Messiah such as Basketball Games and Wrestling matches made me think so much to where I just needed to lay back a little bit. I really can't believe that this time I did NOT head back to Messiah to take a J-Term class. What strikes me is that I noticed that the 4-1/2 years of College really did fly by fast. I had a whole lot of fun such as hanging out with many friends, attending sporting events, working Security for any event, and being around campus and the surrounding areas for adventures. The past four and a half years really had a lot of toll on me. It involved Adjusting to a new environment, funerals, changing majors, taking different classes, new jobs, graduations, and friends moving away while I remained behind. But what I noticed was not once did I ever back out even when the road was difficult. Backing out just wasn't an option. I was in the long haul whether I'd like it or not.

In retrospect I feel that throughout the years at Messiah they were definitely among the greatest times of my life. Because being there at Messiah located in Mechanicsburg, PA for the past 4-1/2 years I really felt like that area was my home. I literally loved the surroundings such as parks, malls, and the City of Harrisburg itself. Campus itself was beautiful as well. During my time there I would either bike or walk to classes across campus. There would even be awesome Chapels in which I often sat with Sports teams and other friends. I also liked attending Grantham Church which was on campus. I was so adjusted that in reflection last Spring I did NOT even go home from January 4-May 17, 2015. Staying out there was like the best get away present ever. More recently at least 70 people had came together at the South Side Cafe to throw me a Surprise Graduation Party in which I felt was So Undeserving. It was literally the best surprise I had Ever gotten during my years there. I realized that even though I had been doing an Extra Semester I had a much different feeling as I did not want to leave. However, now that I had finished and graduated a few weeks ago the feeling is so different.

One of the songs I had listened to some time recently is titled "Friends" by Michael W. Smith. He writes, "And Friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them and a friend will Not say never cause the welcome will not end. Though its hard to let you go in the Father's Hands we know that a Lifetime's not too long to Live as Friends". I miss the times where I would be hanging out with awesome friends whether it would be in the apartments watching movies and having dinner, the Union, Lottie, Shoemaker Field, and elsewhere. I miss going on and about around campus to the different buildings for classes. I really do miss all the awesome people that I became friends with and grew close to. For some reason the past few days had been a bit stressful and nostalgic on me as I kept on accepting the fact I was not a student anymore. Now it is the real world. This was what I had wanted back in May and now it really came. There sure are times where I could travel back to a certain point of time in College if Only there was a time machine but it doesn't look likely. One thing that I had learned throughout the years and especially the past semester was if hurting inside and out Look around you at other people who may have something going on. Don't always think so much about your own self. It is what I took and learned and really treasure for a lifetime now.

Despite all the craziness that has already happened here at home and the past few weeks I do not ever want to forget all the awesome things that occurred at Messiah nor do I want to forget the awesome people I came to love. I also do not ever want to forget all the people that helped me pull through challenges that were encountered. I know that one day in the next couple of months or later I would like to go and visit Messiah once more and see everyone again. I would even want to attend sporting events and Lord willing attend Homecoming in the Fall. I do want to end it now and not sound awkward, quirky, or sappy but to everyone who graduated and are still at Messiah I wish you all the best of luck in life. Be well and God Bless and may He be with you all in your future endeavors and Happy New Years. I miss you all so much already!



Picture By Courtesy of Victoria O'Neill

So August has come about. I just can't believe that this summer flew before I even knew it. It came about and my time at Push The Rock is bound to come to an end in about 2 weeks. This is sad as leaving somewhere is always very sad. But as it was said pain is temporary. I had experienced it and often times it was temporary unless you decide to make it permanent. I feel that there are memories that were definitely created this summer. They will stick with me for a good amount of years.

Coming in to Push The Rock at the start of June I was nervous but excited! It was the first time I was working camps and somehow I managed to happen to adjust quick. There were lots of people I did not know which often gets me nervous. However, the good side was there were people from Messiah working the camps which was quite awesome! I feel as though I had started slow but now am ending strong. The fact that most people here were coaches and I am a photographer I felt different at times. But I had to remember what had been taught. We are doing this for the glory of God not for man. As Colossians 3:23 states, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters". I had to constantly remind myself of that and it is a good lesson to learn and hold with you.

This summer consisted of travelling up and down the Lehigh Valley and Buxmont Region of Pennsylvania. I was to go to camps to take pictures and have fun with the children. Although I wasn't in most of the pictures I was fine because I enjoyed what I did. We also had so much fun with the staff as we hung out quite a good amount. At times we would go to the President's house for swimming and games. We also went to a Ironpigs Baseball Game alongside Dorney Park where it was a good time for the staff to bond together. I must say those times were memorable and precious. I do not think I want to let it go. Worst off I do not want this summer to end yet. In a few weeks I will be going back to Messiah and giving it a last shot. It will be my last semester and Lord willing I will graduate in December following the class and the internship.

Wow it has been a while again and now I am back. It is the end of May already. I gotta say there were great times but sad times too. The ones that I look at most was the wedding and the last few bits of the school year. It ended well but not as well. However, I do wish to post some awesome photos of some parts of it. Even though I had frustrations there really were some great times in the year coming to a close. I like to say the wedding weekend was overall the BEST weekend that I ever had. This was the second Messiah wedding among the hundreds that I had been to. I do want to remember this weekend for a long time as it played a special part of the entire year including putting a close to the school year. Here are some awesome pictures to remember the actual day itself. Enjoy them!

Me with my Car Notice the Bumper sticker

The Sunshine when it was getting Brighter like God watching.

Me with MWS '15

Danny and Lisa Thompson Soccer '12

Ali MWS '12 and Mike Krieger

Me with Tannia and Alex MWS '13

Me with Josh Wood MMS '13

 

Me with the Couple

Me and Alicia MWS '14

The Sunset so perfect and Beautiful

Josh and Corinne Wood Messiah Soccer '13

Me with the Bride Steph MWS '13

The Cross

Tannia and Jordan

Zeke

So I haven't been updating my blog for so long which is not a good thing. But here has been something that I am doing this semester. I have been making the most of it by reuniting with people and getting myself adjusted and accustomed to the upcoming Adult Life. It is literally coming up very soon. I can't even believe that in just 8 months I will be graduating College. The past months and especially this year have seem to be coming by fast. Now it is just time to worry about the future coming up quick.

I can't believe that so many things have been going on the past few years and how much I have accomplished. I made lots of friends here at College as well as figured out what I wanted to do. I love the soccer people as well as other athletes and non-athletes. They have been great in helping me through and doing the building up process. I have been there for them and they have been there for me. We all have been having great times. This leads me to think often about who I would keep in touch with after Graduation. That is tough. I sure hope to work in Harrisburg for a while and then eventually move South. We will see whatever happens in my career.

Grief Counseling is something that I have been going to lately. As many of you may not know I lost a person in my family 3-1/2 years ago and it has still been tough. But now I am making progress in getting through the life after the loss. In this I want to help other people as well as my family. I sure hope that this will be working much better. This in what I believe will be the best counseling in Grief I have ever been into.

Taking pictures is something that is of interest. Not to be egoistic but it has gotten better. I got reminded that maybe I should try to start blogging more and posting a ton of pictures up. I feel that I got some good ones but I never come to posting and blogging it. Perhaps there should be some blog about Messiah life. It is something that I love sharing with the outside world. However, I would not want to make my Facebook public. Hope that there is something I could still do with this after finishing school :)

All Right now Finally here are the pictures from the Awesome Reception! Was a bit different than I thought but I Loved It a Lot! I even CAUGHT the Garter that Night :)!

The Beautiful Bridal Party!

The Inside of Keefer's Barn!

Preston, Dan, and I attempt a Mirror Pic... Haha!

Outside of the Barn Still Beautiful!

Wow tonsa cars!

Preston gives the Best Man Toast!

Flick and Molly Greeting Guests!

Great shot of Preston and Bri! Haha!

Me with the Married Couple at Last!

Me and Preston! Best Roommate!

Flick and Molly's First Dance as a Married Couple!

Mother and Son Dance!

Father and Daughter Dance!

Lawn Games Bean Bag Toss!

Me with the Awesome Garter! I caught it!

Preston and Bri! Aren't they Lovely?