Union.red thread.surreal.selfish post

I am in a state of shock. I am sad. I am not sure I can put my thoughts into words. This is not really an adoption post but I still wanted to share it. As I believe my college experienced helped shape me into what I am and that adoption seed was planted oh so many years ago.

I graduated from Union Univ in 97. In case you have not heard, Union was severely damaged in a huge tornado 2 nights ago. It will never be the same. As sad as I am, I have learned that joy will be found. I am sure of that. There are many UU alumni who are blogging and its funny that many of us have found each other after 10 years through a blog.

I have many friends in Jackson and I hope to hear from them soon. Michael and I will be visiting the area in a few weeks and I know it will be emotional.

I went to Union because I wanted to go to a Christian school. I went in hope to strengthen my walk with Christ while getting an amazing education. Oh I got much more than that. My 4 years there were just awesome. I am still in contact with my roomates and 2 of them sang in my wedding.

For my friends involved in China adoption, you understand the word community. With Union, its the same way. We all feel connected even though some of us have never met. This is such a selfish post because hundreds of students have lost everything and here I am talking about how I feel. Perhaps it the sentimental aspect, I am just sad. We watched the TV during trivia and I saw my old dorm. My actual dorm that I lived in. There is now a car in it. Only 20% of the dorms are livable.

It was during my stay at Union, my love for Christian music began. I went to my first Steven Curtis Chapman concert and it was that night I learned that Rich Mullins died. During the years I went to different concerts and just loved the music. During my sophomore year, I went on a short term mission trip to New Orleans. Union was my home away from home My family lived in Fl and my friends in college were my family. I learned to pray out loud. I learned what unconditional friendship was. I learned by watching that Christians were not perfect. I realized that loving God was fun. I learned that God can bring hope in sorrow. I realized I did not need to impress people. Boy that took a long time. My across the street neighbor was Sherry Lin. She was from China and one thing she did in college was visit famlilies who had adopted children from China. This is first time I had heard of that.

Union was the beginning of my spiritual journey and perhaps that is what I am sooo sad. I am sad for those effected and I am sad that Union will never be the same. Its the oddest thing.

So I have to tell you after college I heard the song "When Love Takes You In" and I have to tell you i skipped it on my cd every time it came on. I really did not like it. I saw the video. I thought it was nice but I once again skipped. In college, I had friends who were one of many children. I witness how they raised their families and I wanted that. I wanted a big family. Its really hard to explain but in college, I figured out what I wanted. It took my a long time to realize what I want is nothing compared to what God has planned for me..AMAZING..

Long story short. In the past year, I have learned that my college neighbor is adopting from China and has been logged in for over a year. I have learned a friend from college came home from China with sweet Emma in December. I am in contact with 3 other people who are home with their children, all from Union.

I can not connect everything together and this post is not going to make sense.
When you see Union on TV, please pray for the faculty, the students, their families and everyone in Jackson. It feels like a childhood home has been destroyed.

I do not think I would the wife or friend I am now without my college experience. I know the same will be said when I become a mom. Union is so much more than just buildings.
Union will be stronger. They will continue on.

I am amazed at how strong these emotions I have are.

To see some pics, head over to Michaels blog
To read a little more into my experience head over to my blog



***** thanks for your prayers. My prayers are with these students, most who do not have family near by. I was 3 states away from my family when I was college. I cant imagine going through that without them nearby. They lost everything. Their ID's, wallets, transportation, books, food. Most are having to accept help while grieving and suffering. This is real. This is a humbling experience. This is very hard to fathom. These are young college kids (some of them) who are having to become independent real quick. I still relied on my parents to help me with all problems when I was in college.



UU, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

photo taken from www.russellsabode.com
These were our dorms. Looking at this picture, I lived in the dorm to the far left, the one highter on the screen, the closest to the campus. As Steven said, the commons area (directly in the center of the picture) is gone. That is where we socialized since we had men and women dorms.