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I’ve spent the last two days hanging out with my family and a couple of friends. It’s been slightly surreal seeing the small city (Rockford, IL) that I grew up in for the first 18 years of my life. It’s not the first time that I returned to be with my family after a stint in Hong Kong. It’s just I’ve really adjusted to life in Hong Kong over the last five years, and my visit seems to be affecting me more than usual. I’ve decided I’m unofficially experiencing culture shock in my own country and culture. Weird.

Fortunately, there are a few people that are keeping my stable. One in particular is my friend  Garret Balcitis. He’s a childhood friend that’s stuck around in my life through thick and thin. No matter how long that we’re apart, we’re able to pick back up – not where we left off, but rather where we currently are. We took a road trip around the city and parked near the Rock River for an afternoon of catching up and encouraging each other. While there we talked about our lives, families, and ministries. It was a fantastic afternoon, and I feel recharged.

What’s even cooler is that Garret is just another guy. His friendship, though amazing, is nothing compared to the type of relationship that God wants to have with me and everyone else. He is more faithful than I can imagine, and I thank God for his steadfastness and His unchanging Spirit. Praise be to Him from whom all blessings flow.

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