Yesterday I was reading Katie's entry about her trip to Massachusetts and got to thinking about a spring break trip I took with Jenn and some other girls. It led me back to the photos we took on that trip. That of course led me back to all the other college photos I have from my days at EIU. As I was looking at them all, it struck me that I was looking at pictures of someone else. Yes, it was me in all of the pictures but not the "me" I know today. Looking at photos from years ago just seemed soo surreal. I mean, I remember doing all of the things I see in the pictures but it feels more like I remember a movie I saw a few times about a girl named shawanda. Do you know what I mean?
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I actually wonder if any of you feel the same way when you look at old photos of yourself. After a while, I began thinking about each person within our little blog circle and where you all are today. Instead of friends I hung out with after class, you are people I try and keep up with via internet. Instead of talking about papers and dreams after college, you guys share your lives as husbands & wives, mothers & fathers, ministers & teachers. Jonathan and Amanda are even finding their home within a missions trip.
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When I look at where God has brought me and dream about where he wants to take me next, I know that there is no other place in time I would rather be. But that doesn't mean that I want to forget my former life. I am soo grateful that I had friends like you to help shape me into the person I am today. For who you were then still impact who I am today. You guys truly taught me the meaning of family and friendship and gave substance to the meaning of a relationship with Christ.
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In honor of all who now travel within the EIU blog circle, I thought it would be nice to share some of my favorite memories of you. There were a few pictures I couldn't find. For some reason, Karen Wheeler has completely disappeared from my photos except for one and I am still working on getting a good pic of Rob(b). And no matter how hard I tired, I couldn't keep myself from finding photos of Jenn everywhere! Well anyway, I hope you guys like it.
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*Click on pictures to make bigger.
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So to all of you from me. . .Thank you!

shawanda
spewed 5:35 PM

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