it can be really hard when people leave. :/ i know a few of my friends were kinda mad when i was so thrilled to get out of ohio and move to NY! maybe i'm a jerk... but i like a change of scenery. :p and we'll be back in ohio again eventually i'm sure. :)

maybe it has to do with the prodigal/jonah complex in all of us. when that desire to "get outta here" lingers you have to let that person go. i can see both sides however.

looks like i'll be strolling back into town before the end of the year.

The zeitgeist of our age accentuates individualism, self-absorption, self-determination, and a belief that others and the world should somehow make our lives happy. We view ourselves ultimately disconnected from any deeper obligation to others, especially if 'there's nothing in it for me.'
The Scriptures are clear that at our baptisms we are grafted into Christ and made members of the One Body and we are individually members one of another - we belong to one another and have very clear love obligations. We are to love one another deeply from the heart. We cannot truly understand who we are, we cannot realize our purpose, we cannot become fully human until we live together convenantally and sacrificially. It is not 'my destiny' but rather 'our destiny'. We are made for community. We have been given gifts for others' sakes not our own; we are gifts for one another. We have been created to love as He loved - sacrificially and wholly. We cannot know others and be fully known except over time. The pains and the longings, the joys and the moments of light are never meant to be ours alone.
We cannot be butterflies flitting from context to context and ever hope to fulfill the deeper needs of others and find ours more fulfilled as well. We are "looking for ourselves" trying to find out "who we are" but it is not possible apart from a strong abiding commitment and connection to a covenant community of biblically worshiping godly believers.
Preparation for our callings, attaining skills, amassing knowledge for the establishing and unfolding of our vocations in life may take us away. But that is only temporary. When preparations are done, who we are Christians with and where we plant ourselves is of critical importance. Wandering is a curse.
Our holy presence and tenacious loyalty make the ultimate purpose of life more visible and real - to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. The glory of the Lord is made manifest in us, the Word is made flesh dwelling among us in the Temple made of living stones compacted together, each in its proper place. To accomplish this takes at least lifetime.

good article!

I can definitely relate. I do not like change either...