'HOME' COMING...IN TEXAS

Well here is my collage for my amazing weekend back in Waco, TX at Baylor Homecoming 2006! I'll share more of my thoughts very soon. Here is another pic of the Homecoming Parade held on Saturday morning before the game. It is the largest collegiate Homecoming Parade in the USA...pretty cool huh? [Click on the collage to see a close up view, then click on the box on the bottom right corner for an even closer view] You may have to click on the picture once enlarged until the box appears at the bottom right. Enjoy!

Ok so here's are my thoughts on my first trip back to Waco. It was pretty hard yet sweet at the same time. I didn't really tear up until I saw one of my favorite students and she gave me a hug as they were practicing their Bonfire/ Pep Rally routine. It was strange not to be "in charge" but I think I refrained pretty well and let my successor, Jennifer, handle it all. :) The Bonfire/ Pep Rally was great...the squads looked great and hit the routine (yay!) You can see all of my adventure captured in photos HERE! Then the next morning I headed out early for the parade (see below) It was fun to actually watch and enjoy and not be managing a big group of students....aka doing my job. Then the game on Saturday...it was good to see alumni from the squads I worked with and we won the game with 1 minute to go...36-35 vs. Kansas....can't ask for a better game than that huh? We hadn't won a Homecoming game in 9 years....and 2 more wins puts us in a bowl game! I of course teared up at the end of the game just thinking what a "familiar" scene this was for me and now it's not. How I miss college gamedays! (Yay!) After the game, I came back to Kim's cabin and had 2 of my former students over for a grill out. It was so laid back and just what everyone needed from a crazy week/ weekend. It was just like old times! One has graduated and loves her job and one is graduating in May. Then on Sunday am....went to my old church and old Sunday School class. It was a sweet time to be back in fellowship with that group of believers. Of course I teared up during worship...because we have not found a home church here yet...and I miss that very much. Then I went to eat with my church friends and that was great...oh how you take things for granted when you are comfortable and enjoying life huh? The lessons I have learned from this move is to never take people or experiences for granted...to complain a lot less and to hug a lot more and to edify others and truely listen even to those around you. I nearly missed my plane by a 1 minute time window in the Waco airport. Thank you Lord for that. To all of my/our Baylor & Waco Family...we love you and miss you. As I figured out how to put it into words ...it's best understood as this "we left a piece of our hearts there and that's why it hurts when I/we have to leave." Until our next trip back...blessings everyone!

PS- Some of you have asked about "the brick with my name on it." It is in the ground outside of the new BU basketball arena/practice facility in my honor for the 4 years of work I gave to the Spirit Squads. It's so neat that it'll always be there even when I cannot be. Thanks you know who! :)