The Gang

If there is one thing I'm learning alongside my friends in the ministry it is how difficult it can be to make friends outside of the church. When church=life and being a good minister means you spend your free time investing in church relationships, little time is left over for yourself and being around people who don't know you by your professional title.

However, I feel very blessed in this regard because of meeting Kevin. He has introduced to me an amazing group of people who have adopted me as if we known each other for years. And they are people with whom I now spend my weekends. Some of these folks are Kevin's roommates, others are friends of his from grad school and others who have formed a connection to the group through just being in DC.

While it is against my natural tendencies, I love how laid back this group can be with one another. It doesn't take a grand event for fun to occur-- anything is fine as long as fun people are there. I'm learning a lot from them about how great it can be to make spontaneous plans for a Saturday afternoon or just share a regular Sunday night dinner together. There are always lots of jokes and laughter, especially if Bhavik and Patrick begin their bickering or if Frank gets Kevin started or if Michelle tells a funny story. Jeff always adds a sense of randomness to every encounter while Kerry just tells it like it is. Beyond just laughter, I've experienced a lot of great DC restaurants because of them including the new favorite of several: Thai Shiryington

Religiously the gang is as diverse as they come-- Catholic, non so Catholic, Baptist, Hindu, and Baha'i, but even still these fine people are a part of my community of faith. I feel that they are cheering me on and challenging me intellectually and spiritually to see God and life in new ways. I love how we all respect and appreciate one another's differences in perspective.

My life is rich with the gang in it! (Don't we look happy?)