Bittersweet, You're Gonna be the Death of Me.

This week has been the definition of bittersweet. I am happy to be home with my family and friends from high school but this comes at a price. Two of the best friends I have, not only since coming to college but in my life, have left SWCC. Jenny has gone to Graceland while Jake has taken an internship working at the capital in Des Moines. All week I was looking forward to finals being over but also not wanting this week to end because it means the end of an era. After each final I would give a breath of relief but then also a sigh out of grief. (I didn't mean to rhyme there but that was pretty dope....maybe i'll put that in a rap, but anyways)>. Its weird to think that I've only known these two for a year and a half but you would think that we grew up together if you knew how much I care for them both. We've had ridiculous times and times that very recently have threatened to rip us apart, but we pushed on through any endeavour.

Jake-You are the best roommate I have ever had, even though it was a short 2 months. Your work ethic and time management, all while finding time to be gracious and help others, is something I have always admired about you. Your charm will take you straight to the Oval Office if you wish it to. I'm gonna miss the breakfast club. I'll think of you every time I make french toast and have it not taste as good as yours (which will be every time). Every time I play Immortal Technique, I'll think of you. Every time I'm "Pulling a Jake Waddingham", I'll think of you. When you made a mistake and others wrote you off, I didn't. How could I? You're my friend. When I make friends, I mean, REAL CLOSE friends they never loose that place in my heart and neither will you. I hope I have challenged you when you needed to be challenged, and I hope have I have taught you something about yourself, your faith, and the world around you. Keep these lessons and memories close to you for I will be doing the same with what you've taught me as well. I know you'll be busy this next semester but I hope you can find time to come down. I wont be too busy on the weekends so hopefully I can come up and stay with you some time. God has really blessed you with something great. Don't fuck it up. I love you.

MC Jen Jen-You are one of the few beacons of light I have found in Creston. I see God's light shine through you every time you walk in a room. Your kind hearted innocent nature may put you in some difficult situations at times, but know that its not a weakness but rather one of the biggest strengths God has given you. And if people try to take that innocence or kind heartedness from you that just means that you must be doing the right thing. Often when we are on the path God has given us we are attacked or tempted but that is only an attempt by evil to keep us from God and his blessings. The saying "the night is darkest before the dawn" is great for what I'm trying to convey. I know you're not perfect but you're about the closest I've ever seen, and that's the truth. You always bring me so much joy when I'm around you. You are one of the few people in this world that I feel I can be completely real with. I don't have to try and be cool or funny when I'm with you, I just am (LOL). The only thing I worry about when I think about you being so far away is that people may take advantage of your kindness. You can stand up for yourself more without loosing the best parts about you. If someone wants you to do something you dont wanna do, don't do it. This is what I mean when I've been telling you lately to "Keep it real". Keep following the path God's given you and you'll do just fine. Thanks for the Christmas gift those songs have really spoken to me more than I honestly thought they would. I love you.

Jake and Jenny-We have not parted ways but merely taken different courses on our way to the same destination. Days before you left I've been praying that God does great things with your lives, keeps you safe, and brings you back in my life one day. You guys have truly been and will continue to be a blessing to me. And just because we may be in different places right now doesn't mean that you guys can't call me ANYTIME for ANYTHING, I give you my word I'll be there. I couldn't think of any better way to end this entry than to use something from a Michael Jackson song. I felt it summed up everything brilliantly. You guys mean the world to me. I just want you to know that I'll love you more than you'll ever know. In your darkest hour, in your deepest despair, I will still care and I will be there. In your trials and your tribulations. Through your doubts and frustrations. In your violence and your turbulence through your fear and your confessions. Through your anguish and your pain. Through your joy and your sorrow in the promise of another tomorrow, I will never let you part....for you are always in my heart.

May the Lord continue to bless you both...