Ruminations
My social life is officially dead. If I haven’t found a good group of friends my own age to hang out with over the past two months I’ve been here, I’m done.
Thank God for the people I do hang out with, talk to and pray with on a regular basis. Without them, I’d jump in front of a train. I’m just sorry we don’t have more time to hang out due to erratic work schedules and other circumstances, but the people I DO have in my life are good as gold and you know who you are.
It’s disheartening when you look at it this way: I went from being a decently popular radio DJ overseas, to getting out of the Air Force and moving back to Oregon while having a girlfriend and nearly all my friends I grew up with within driving distance, to being here and trying to rebuild my life with the support of a faithful few people.
For a person used to being in the spotlight, and to a lesser extent having an entourage of some sort, flying solo friendship-wise and relationship-wise at the same time is a whole new concept and it’s one I’m not accustomed to, and definitely not taking very well to.
My church is full of great people, yet I’m the only person there who is older than 19 yet younger than 25. It’s a great thing to feel called to, and accepted in, a church to receive from the Lord and to serve in a wonderful capacity — yet it’s difficult to have no young unmarried males in the church other than one Chris Brewer. (Let’s not even mention young unmarried females ages 20-25.) We’re working on rebuilding the young adult group and I know it will be done, but at THIS MOMENT IN TIME it’s TOUGH.
Every other age group at our church has a good core group. Just not the young adults right now. Is there a lesson or some sort of parable in that? Some wise sage would tell me yes. Am I willing to learn that lesson or listen to that parable right now? Mmmmmm…not so sure.
God’s done a great job of providing my needs, don’t get me wrong. I just wish He would open a door for me to meet some more decent Christian friends my age who aren’t caught up in all the wrong and sick things this world has to offer.
9 Comments, Comment or Ping
Jason
Hm…. Been there, done that, staying in the Military and NOT going back. Don’t know what to tell you man, I put up with it for two years and I sure as all get out don’t plan on going to Missouri for a long time to come- excepting for maybe Sapper School in Ft. Wood. I’ll be praying for you man.
-Jas
Oct 21st, 2007
Christy
Wow Chris, don’t know what to tell ya.
We’ll be there in the spring, well I can’t say count on it because as you know and saw before plans change fast.
But even us coming for a visit wouldn’t put any of us in the category you are looking for, neither are single, Jimmy will be 26 and little Joel will be almost 2. So nope no 20-25 Single men or women when we come up either.
It will get better. The first 6months of a move are the hardest. I’m just making new friends here and we’ve been here almost 7months.
Oct 21st, 2007
Chris
Jason–
Yeah you got a raw deal and that sucks, but you DID have people in your age group though. Me, I don’t. Closest people are Misty and Omar three years my senior.
Christy–
I never thought of it that way — “the first six months of a move are the hardest.” Ain’t that the truth.
Would love to reconnect with you and Jimmy, here’s to hoping you guys make it up here in Springtime.
Oct 21st, 2007
Christy
I’m hoping we make it up there too. Jimmy is very sad that he missed out on fishing, we booked a room at the Bass Pro lodge just for the fishing (yep, he’s a freak of nature). So as long as no more random deployments come up, we will be making our way there next spring.
Oct 21st, 2007
Jason
Whoa whoa whoa, aren’t we a little testy tonight brother dearest? All I’m saying is that I didn’t click with that one friend like I have always had before. I always have had friends, but I always had that one or two special friends who were super close to me. There I didn’t have it, and it hurt bad.
Here in the military I am hailed as “different” because of my beliefs. I mean, these guys watch my every move, waiting for me to mess up and rub it in my face. But I have a couple of guys here who I actually get along with and hang out with outside of work. I thank God for that. I can tell these guys ANYTHING and they still accept me for who I am and what I believe in. I mean, we actually have conversations with meaning, not just the typical “Hello, how are you?” that I receive so much elsewhere.
And as for your situation, I really do understand. I hope that it gets better. But I simply stated in fewer words that the only fix for that problem in my case was to move. Since you are called there, you don’t have that option. So I really don’t know what to say besides the fact that I am praying for you.
-Jas
Oct 21st, 2007
Chris
Jason–
Sorry my last post came off as me being cross. I didn’t mean it thatway.
All I’m saying is that maybe I’m just frustrated that things are developing a little slower than I had hoped. Maybe things will change soon and I will look back and see what a foo’ i was.
Oct 21st, 2007
Jason
No, you are not a fool. It is true that it is going slow, that’s just a part of life man! Sometimes things get down. Lately I feel as though everyone in my platoon is against me. I feel like I have been “that guy” this week, and for no appearant reason. With your time in service I’m sure you understand…. Whew, some of these jerks are ETS’ing really quick though, and others are PCS’ing. Getting out or moving out, either way they’ll be gone! YAY!
-Jas
Oct 21st, 2007
Evin
Don’t worry Chris, it can only get better
Hang in there…when I moved here it took me around five or six months to come across the first person I really clicked with. I was only thirteen, but there was definitely no one really my age in the youth group either, and I remember how much that sucked.
Hang in there!
Oct 21st, 2007
Chris
Thanks for all the encouragement guys, you rock .
Oct 21st, 2007
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