We Long To See You

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Janurary 2020 feels like yesterday. It was the start of not only a wonderful Spring semester but a year to rival all others. Of course the year would have its struggles, trials, and tribulation but it would be a grand year for all of us.

Then...

March 2020 came and the year we imagined and hoped for shifted, in a way that we never could have imagined or seen. A year we were ready to receive, became something undesirable and unfulfilling. Our world, our reality, and our community shifted and the sturggles, trials, and tirbulation seemed to overwhlem us.

Our community was seperated March 12th 2020 The community we held tightly, now could only be mainted at distance, and could only exist in virtual and voice calls, emails, and text. The thing that motivated us, everyday was now only accessible with wifi and cell phone towers. All I can say is, We, staff, faculty, and administration deeply missed you, miss you, and will miss you all every day until we are able to see you face to face; together as one community like we have longed.

We are and continue to make every effort to see you.

It seemed as though all the efforts we took in July and August to return back to one another’s precessence was snuffed out “For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.”

And like Paul and Silas, we were only able to send a Timothy. What do I mean by that, we had to quickly shift and we (Trolls - student, admin, faculty and staff) were only able to receive the temporary fix of our deep longing.

1 Thessalonians 2:17-18a we were orphaned by being seperated from you… out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.  For we wanted to come to you

Now, we have been forced back into an unwanted distance and you must be sepearated from us prematurely, again

so remember this 1Thessalonians 1:2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.

I think I speak for all faculty, staff, administration, and the board. Yes, the board. Having us all together again, in physical community with one another is our greatest desire because without our Trolls, we are not Trinity.

1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 NIV

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

A bit of Troll-phraseing

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you, trolls?

Pray with us as we pray for you, hope with us as we hope for you to be near, be paitent with us, as we attempt to navigate these uncharted waters that is living with and among COVID-19; and finally, give thanks to God the Father for the faithfulness and kindness he has shown us.