lifeasmission

Independence

July 5, 2005

In light of the recent holiday, I was planning on going on a rant in regard to the irony of freedom, independence, war, suffering, and ethnocentrism, but I don’t feel like it, so I am going to tell you about my weekend which began on Friday and is spanning on into the present future.

Friday afternoon I picked up my friend Olivia Gougler. Olivia was part of the student minitry at RiverTree and is going into the 10th grade. She and I ventured up to Chipotle where she experienced, and finished I might add, her very first Chipotle burrito (picture forthcoming)! She and I visited our friend Gina Tamburro who had recently sprained her ankle, so we went over to watch her walk funny (I will also try to figure out how to get that put in here). I dropped Liv back off at home and her parents gave me the key to their house to use at my leisure for the week as they were going to be gone on vacation. I just can’t tell you how refreshing people of hospitality are!

I spent the early evening with Erin Bissel getting to know her better and chatting about life and love, specifically in regard to her upcoming wedding. We also discovered that she is related to my brother’s girlfriend Katie. Totally one of those small world stories.

She and I went with Ryan, Christina, and Justin Savage to the Canton Monument to listen to the orchestra and watch fireworks. It was a beautiful and fun evening.

Saturday was spent out at Wendy and Jay Oldaker’s house on Lake Mohawk. This was to be the main event of the weekend for Malone friends near and far. All told, we enjoyed the compnay of John Ruhlin, Ryan Gerber, Heather and Ryan Battles, Sarah Lantz, Cris Kellogg and her friend Amanda, Josh Elek, Abby Welsheimer, and Branden Mast. Festivities included picnicing, Boccee ball, car rides, bonfire, smores, and good old fashioned story telling.

In the morning I went with Josh, Cris, and Amanda to ACRC (Akron Christian Reformed Church). I can’t begin to explain how liberating it was to be able to gather with other believers that didn’t find it necessary to arrogantly attempt to link America’s independence with God’s blessing and such. Just good old fashioned – “We’re here to submit ourselves before God and call upon His mercy.” We had lunch at Chipotle an headed back down into Canton. I snuck in a run over at Malone and laughed out loud at the fact that I couldn’t identify one spot on campus which was not somehow linked to a memory I had.

As a side note I’d like to include a thought that ran through my head when I noticed what I just mentioned above. I have been out of college for just 4 short years. Doubtless, some of those memories I had will fade with time – this is sad. However, I am also compelled to believe that some old memories will have to go to make room for new ones – this is not sad. I pray that I never become so consumed with the past that miss out on the grand potential of the present and future. End segway.

After my run a bunch of us had dinner at Cici’s Pizza, played basketball and volleyball at Malone and then went down to Taggerts for ice cream. I simply cannot do justice to the greatness of a day like this. Aside from straight up having a good time people were becoming (re)acquainted and sharing life stories. People were praying for others and helping each other hash out major life decisions. Future plans were being made, adventures were being shared, and lives were being changed. I live for days like these.

Monday morning I caught the annual Stow Parade with my brother Alex and his girlfriend. This was both nostalgic as it is a yearly tradition and uniquely memorable as he leaved for a 6-week trip to Japan and China later this month as part of his degree program.

That afternoon I left for Nyack, NY with my friend Cris. I am here now and don’t know when I’m coming home (that’s independence for ya). We’re gonna catch a Yankees vs. Tribe game on Thuirs. and maybe spend the day in the city. Should be a cool little adventure. I’ll be sure to let ya know how it goes…

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