Dear Bama,

I suppose this letter is selfishly more for me to feel like I've told you all that I feel. Yet I know that words could never capture the feelings I have bottled up within. My prayer is, that alone communicates a lot. Forgive my inability to tell you of my gratitude, for I am grateful.

Tuscaloosa will always have a special place in my heart. I first came to Ttown in October 2007 and my heart was instantly pricked. The awkwardness of the visit led into relationships when I moved here in January 2008. Tuscaloosa was my first home. The first stop among what may be a few or many, on my missionary journey. The University of Alabama stole my heart. It wasn't the place the stole my heart although I've come to adore this odd town. I joked from the beginning (and still do) that you can get anywhere in 5 minutes. I was early to everything because I was so used to a bigger town. Moments in the car waiting to walk in, even three years later, is something I'll certainly miss-never did get used to that! The eateries, places to shop, quad, campus, and character that make this place Tuscaloosa, I've come to adore. But thats not what I'm going to miss nor what I came to really love and cherish.

Its always been you. What stole my heart from the beginning and breaks it now that I'm leaving is the sweetness of the relationships that have been established with time. You welcomed me--this was after you gave me a hard time for being from the north. Joking, but seriously, but joking again!

In complete vulnerability, I've struggled in the south. Its a place of 'hospitality' yet also great hostility. If you don't look like a southerner you get the cold shoulder and are not offered hospitality, at least thats been my experience. Yet here, something was different. Never once did I feel the pressure to change who I was to become who your southern tradition has made you. I could be me and you could be you and together we could be us. Different, yet the same. Different by background, same under the banner of Jesus. So with a fragile spirit, thank you.

My time here has enriched me with much. Growth, memories, blessings, friendships, trials, and much more. None greater than walking alongside you with the gospel and mission for Jesus. Its been a unique privilege of mine to be on staff at Alabama, to lead this movement, and give myself to you. Knowing my shortcomings and failures, forgive me where I have done wrong and let you down. I hope in those moments, it has allowed you to see the majestic beauty of Jesus all the more and the weakness of man through me. I dream of the day that my King will say "well done good and faithful servant" Matthew 25:23 for my time at Bama. Thank you for inviting me in and letting me be a part of your life. You yourself are my 'memorial stones' Joshua 4, constantly reminding me of all that God has done. When I see your face I see faithfulness. I see provision and change. I see love. Your carved in my memory.

Just like you are carved in my memory, I hope I have impacted you too. I leave behind nothing but the utmost confidence that the gospel advances through you. I do so because 'you are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all' 2 Corinthians 3:2. The time we have spent together is not lost. Take our conversations, challenges, thoughts, ponderings, applications, doubts, and prayers and pass them on. 2 Timothy 2:2 is only significant if you find the next generation and give it all away. Let someone 'read' your letter and may you invest your life for the sake of the Kingdom, 'for the sake of His name.'

I charge you, be bold for the gospel. As my time closes here, names and faces flash to my mind of people I wish I had more time with. I wish I wasn't such a coward in sharing the gospel, worrying about if I would offend them. Maybe thats just the point. Maybe we should offend them with the gospel. Its the ONLY thing that matters. So sweet friends, press on with truth, lovingly. I pray this would be true of you. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" Romans 1:16 Be not ashamed, and be willing to be used to answer your own prayers. For this I know. A day is coming when "every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" Phil 2:10-11 Its not a possibility, its a future reality. Everyone will one day know that Jesus is Lord. He is King. My hope is that they would know that today, now, here on earth, where there is still time. So let us together press on with boldness. Wherever we are. It is worth it I'm sure.

With a heavy and thankful heart, I tell you how dear you are to me. I'm excited to see what's in store for you next. Believing that you will exceed me greatly, I anticipate incredible things and pray big prayers. God will do 'immeasureably more.' Eph 3:20 in and through you wherever you may go. This is not goodbye, for there are no goodbyes in this Kingdom. Its just farewell for now. Christ is King, Heaven is Home. Glory Be. Much love and many blessings.