I keep thinking about yesterday.
Lately, as I am slowly becoming closer and closer to graduation in the spring, I been processing through what college and Eau Claire have meant for me in the past four years. It hasn't been classes, it hasn't been campus, it hasn't even been living in the dorms. What has left one of the greatest impacts on me have actually been the ways that I have left Eau Claire. It has been in spontaneous midwest adventure that has not only brought me closer to great friends, but it has been in leaving a place that I have often been reminded of its worth. Whether it has been the freshman year tradition of swing dancing in the St. Paul's Caves, catching shows in Downtown Minneapolis, or exploring Devil's Punchbowl in Menomonee, it has always been a joy to return to Eau Claire after it all - being satisfied where I am, but also being excited for what will come next. Cataloging memories with friends in new places is something that is extremely valuable to me - there seems to be a beautiful shift in not only conversation and perspective, but how experiences themselves are remembered in an exciting, new context.
And, this adventure to Duluth was all that. yet, it was different. and I'm still in the process of discovering how. It was a 2-hour-car ride Northern trip that was new to me - and a surprise to a lot of my friends, that I had never journeyed to famous harbor spot on Lake Superior. Of course we walked on the boardwalk, gawked at the invisible horizon, and climbed over ice-covered rocks. But one thing that surprised me not only was our full embrace of spontaneity (the trip itself, yes), but our lack of planning. I hadn't realized that our itinerary was empty until we arrived in Duluth itself. That was the goal itself! Everything else after was an overwhelming and magnificent gift. I found myself through-out the day reflecting on how good it was to be in some of my favorite company (do you know these friends??), in a day focused on resting in small (and big) beautiful gifts. "If today ended now, I would be completely satisfied" was my refrain of the trip. Yet, a full day of God's great gifts and mercies seemed to keep on coming.
A few weeks ago, my wise good friend and room-mate Ben asked me one night about my list of "things to do" before I graduated. It was in that moment that I realized that my postured has changed recently, from what I want to "do" and "accomplish," to instead how I want to "be" and where I want my "focus." This first comes from a daily recognition of who I am as a son in whom God loves, but it also comes from slowing down and seeing each day and moment as a gift of grace from Jesus. I think Duluth was a day when I felt that so fully, which is why I can't shake it from my head. A day partnered with beloved friends in the single mission to delight in God's creation - to bring out joy in each other, and to reflect our wonder as praise to Him. A day separated from obligation and worry back home, for the sake of living in community the way we were intended; "wide-eyed and mystified."
And we I returned to Eau Claire last night down 53 North, I reflected on a few moments in which I'm most thankful:
-singing Sleeping At Last and Noah Gunderson songs together on the banks of Superior
- the absurd amount of dogs being walked in Duluth
- Big boats in ice fields
- Sitting in light surrounded by green plants and friends @ Amazing Grace cafe
- Ben's quiet and still posture of reflection
- the way Lex jumps about when she's excited
- Holland's big desire for cherished, small moments
- Ariel's honesty and true heart for her friends
Praise the Lord for Duluth.
& for all the moments I didn't mention, here's a quick vid:
Lately, as I am slowly becoming closer and closer to graduation in the spring, I been processing through what college and Eau Claire have meant for me in the past four years. It hasn't been classes, it hasn't been campus, it hasn't even been living in the dorms. What has left one of the greatest impacts on me have actually been the ways that I have left Eau Claire. It has been in spontaneous midwest adventure that has not only brought me closer to great friends, but it has been in leaving a place that I have often been reminded of its worth. Whether it has been the freshman year tradition of swing dancing in the St. Paul's Caves, catching shows in Downtown Minneapolis, or exploring Devil's Punchbowl in Menomonee, it has always been a joy to return to Eau Claire after it all - being satisfied where I am, but also being excited for what will come next. Cataloging memories with friends in new places is something that is extremely valuable to me - there seems to be a beautiful shift in not only conversation and perspective, but how experiences themselves are remembered in an exciting, new context.
And, this adventure to Duluth was all that. yet, it was different. and I'm still in the process of discovering how. It was a 2-hour-car ride Northern trip that was new to me - and a surprise to a lot of my friends, that I had never journeyed to famous harbor spot on Lake Superior. Of course we walked on the boardwalk, gawked at the invisible horizon, and climbed over ice-covered rocks. But one thing that surprised me not only was our full embrace of spontaneity (the trip itself, yes), but our lack of planning. I hadn't realized that our itinerary was empty until we arrived in Duluth itself. That was the goal itself! Everything else after was an overwhelming and magnificent gift. I found myself through-out the day reflecting on how good it was to be in some of my favorite company (do you know these friends??), in a day focused on resting in small (and big) beautiful gifts. "If today ended now, I would be completely satisfied" was my refrain of the trip. Yet, a full day of God's great gifts and mercies seemed to keep on coming.
A few weeks ago, my wise good friend and room-mate Ben asked me one night about my list of "things to do" before I graduated. It was in that moment that I realized that my postured has changed recently, from what I want to "do" and "accomplish," to instead how I want to "be" and where I want my "focus." This first comes from a daily recognition of who I am as a son in whom God loves, but it also comes from slowing down and seeing each day and moment as a gift of grace from Jesus. I think Duluth was a day when I felt that so fully, which is why I can't shake it from my head. A day partnered with beloved friends in the single mission to delight in God's creation - to bring out joy in each other, and to reflect our wonder as praise to Him. A day separated from obligation and worry back home, for the sake of living in community the way we were intended; "wide-eyed and mystified."
And we I returned to Eau Claire last night down 53 North, I reflected on a few moments in which I'm most thankful:
-singing Sleeping At Last and Noah Gunderson songs together on the banks of Superior
- the absurd amount of dogs being walked in Duluth
- Big boats in ice fields
- Sitting in light surrounded by green plants and friends @ Amazing Grace cafe
- Ben's quiet and still posture of reflection
- the way Lex jumps about when she's excited
- Holland's big desire for cherished, small moments
- Ariel's honesty and true heart for her friends
Praise the Lord for Duluth.
& for all the moments I didn't mention, here's a quick vid: