Pay It Forward をしましょう!!!

Okay, this has been in the back of my head and the bottom of my heart for a while now. Actually, just last week at cell group we talked about how we usually say how much we love and respect and will miss those we love only at the big 'goodbye parties' when AETs and other friends here leave and how it was sad and silly to save such great words for such great people for only that time. Why keep people waiting? So, I'm going to try and do something very un-Rusty like and put my emotional foot forward. So, here are a few things I'd usually reserve for the mushy-gushy goodbye nights at Mito church when we all end up in tears and swaying with arms around each other singing 'Kumbayah' or another of the 'doozies'. So here goes...

Rachel: I'm not sure what life would be like without you but I pray I never have to know. My greatest joy on Earth is knowing I can wake up next to you and end the day with you. No one makes me laugh or love life more than you.

Lj's: The most lovingly trash talking couple I've ever known. While Rachel and I can lovingly trash talk each other pretty dang well, we just haven't mastered the New York/'frickin' Boston attitude the way you guys have. Thanks for making here home for us.

Greg Sama: Dude, laughs, trips to Sendai, laughs, karaoke, laughs, good theolgical discourse, and laughs.

Marianne Sempai: Jolly good times with ya. No one can rock the 'I'm about to break' like you. Otsukare sama for all the work and good times.

'DAmy': Love having you guys around (2 times no less). Thanks for being wicked good easy-going travel buddies. Thanks for the friendship.

Pappaw (C. Rosser) and Heather: Of course, we never thank you guys enough. However, thanks for all the work behind the scenes and on the front lines.

Ranums: Servant hearts and sweet Chu Gakko CDs.

Gavin and Lindsey: You guys keep us laughing. I'm so glad you guys are here to keep thing light-hearted.

Baarrrrnechiiiie's!!! (Barneche): You guys are Godly and it shows. Thanks for the refreshing spirit and good times you bring to the table.

Arianne: You're not here at present but were part of the Fab Four that started together. We miss you and can't wait to hook up with you again so the good times with our Aussie bud can roll once more. Also, introducing us to Tim Tams solidified your place as one our favorite people in the world.

Chan's: Thanks for the passion you guys bring to our group. Its contagious and refreshing.

Huddleston's: You've been guides and pillars to pretty much everyone in Mito. Japan has been blessed by your service and so have I.

Denver: My favorite color blind friend. Just good hearted and looks great in purple.

Peter: Although my Engish abilities are failing at a rapid pace, its good to have your mind to bounce things off of.

Okay, this list is not exhaustive at all. And it is only limited to folks in Mito, Japan at present but certainly doesn't contain even all the folks here I'd like to reference. However, its 11:00 at night and I'm sleepy. So, I'll write more another time. But, if you've seen Pay it Forward, I'd like to give out the same challenge in a sense. Don't wait for some special 'goodbye' time to tell people the ways you love and appreciate them. Go ahead and do that now. Carpe some Diem. Tomorrow may or may not be there. Go ahead and get it done. Who knows who needs to hear something good today? As the great philosophers 'The Black Eyed Peas' once asked 'Where is the Love?' I suppose the answer is within the person who hasn't expressed it yet. So, that's your challenge.

Okay, I'm off to slumber land. Nighty night.

Rusty