The End of an Era
it’s 5:30am and i’m still awake… why you might ask?
well it might be because i’m maddd excited that i’m going back to The Gambia in less than 2 days, or it might be from the 5 slices of pizza that i ate less than 3 hours ago, or maybe it’s the fact that we just finished watching The Prestige (which is a CRAZY movie go watch it!) But no… i think i know the real reason why…
Tonite is my FINAL night here in Foxridge living here in 9800.
Over the past 2 years there been some great times, lot’s of fun, laughter, joy, tears, struggles, praise, prayers, love, and overall great memories.
Looking back i’m so grateful for the time i got to spend here in this apartment, and i’m just reminded at how it all happened that i ended up here.
Freshmen year, Enoch and i lived together in our dorm in Pritchard. we applied to be roommates again sophomore year but soon found out that we were actually denied on campus housing. Now for me this was kind of exciting because i had actually wanted to move off campus but my parents wouldnt allow it, but then I realized that all the guys i wanted to move in with had already figured out their housing and roommates situation. Enoch was also worried because he wasnt sure how his financial aid would work with it.
But we started looking for roomates and actually found out that one of our hallmmates that we were pretty close to was also looking for roommates for the upcoming Fall, so we decided we would get a 3 person apartment together. Then one day, he messaged me about something personal, letting us know about a certain lifestyle that he had, just saying that he knew that Enoch & i were both Christian so he wanted us to know before we decided for sure to live together. We talked about it for a while and had to pray about it, but in the end realized that it’d probably be best to not live with one another and in that sort of situation, so we decided to look for other roommates.. I know we might have missed out on some great times with our hallmmate, but i am thankful that we are able to keep in touch even to this day with him and others from that awesome hall in first floor of Pritchard. Glad to say that we are still friends today and thankful for that.
We started to ask around CCF to see if anyone was still looking for roommates, and we found out that Alex, Anthony, and Mike were actually looking for 2 others for Foxridge. Now, i didn’t really know Anthony or Alex, and Mike i only knew very little bit through mutual friends in nova, but thought it’d might be cool to live with them so went for it. we applied and we were given (without even requesting) apartment 9800 F. little did we know what was ahead for us in this home. Not only was it near 6 other CCF apartments, it was RIGHT next door to one in 9700. so even with that, it’s great how God gave us the opportunity to be able to spend at least a year next door so close to a bunch of our older brothers who really discipled and loved on us, which definitely helped alot in growing and doing life together.
These past 2 years have definitely not just been easy, but it’s been great and i’ve really learned so much through my 4 roommates. From making the music video, to gogi parties, watching movies, praying together, each of them brought something to my life God truly used them to speak to me so i just wanted to write a little bit to each of them…
Alex- thank you so much for being so patient with me. I know im not the easiest guy to live next to, but your patience and gentleness with me really showed me how to grace and really love on others. im really gon miss having you right across the wall and all those awkward stares as one of us get out of the shower, the yelling for a candy crush life without getting out of our chairs, and especially those few times we got to really get deep with one another, opening up, and just being there for eachother. its been sweet and im gon miss living with you. i cant wait to see where God takes you next. you’re so gifted and blessed with the tools to succeed and ill be praying for you. love you bro.
Mike- minkeeeeeeeee. mannn you have such a great heart and true child-like faith. just seeing how you stepped up this past couple of years and really became a leader for Him was so encouraging. youre really diligent when it comes to work and responsibility and i think that really influenced me to be more responsible. im so thankful that i got to not only live with you but to serve with you for that whole year, and it was great just having you as a brother to pray for me, and your encouragements were always so uplifting. thank you for everything and gon miss you next year but i know you gon do great in work and in missions this summer. we got to keep in touch and even though you wont be in blacksburg, know that ill be praying for you. Congratulations and love you man!
Anthony- oh man what is there to say.. i seriously dont think ive ever laughed as much till it hurts than when im with you. you seriously are one of the most loving and caring guys i know. i remember how beginning of last year when i had no car and stuck alot at home, you let me use yours when i wanted to go somewhere. seriously mad thankful for that. you have brought me so much joy over the past couple of years whether it be playing sports with you, eating, watching the same move over and over for 2 weeks straight, or just talking to you about life and God, you’re someone i can just count on. i know you keep joking saying “this is the end” & “see you never” but you know ill be over at your house next year hanging out, or we’ll go out and throw the football and eat (60 nuggets again??) together alot, so yeah man, but i will miss living with you alot. love you brother.
last but not least, my roommie,Enoch..
bro. wow. we’ve really been through alot together huh? it’s crazy how fast time flies. 3 years ago we just found out you got in and were so excited we filled out our housing application the hour you got your acceptance email. i remember how we visited tech our senior year and we started figuring out how we were gon set up the room months before we even knew where we were living, and then all the memories from freshmen year, from you watching out for me to late night videos, rapping, meeting new friends, and just hanging out. Enoch, i cant tell you enough how thankful i am for you and to God for placing you in my life. living with you has been such a blessing for me and God really used you to teach me so much. i know we haven’t been the closest of friends these past 2 years but one things for sure, it’s been great having you in them. we’ve had some great times bro and it’s hard to imagine not living with you anymore. i hope we can still grow closer even though we’ll be under different roofs next year, but know that i’ll always be your brother and a friend you can depend on. i love you bro. roomies for life.
i realize now that 9800 is more than just this apartment building. it’s not just the set of rooms that we call our own, or even neighborhood for that matter. What 9800 has come to represent is what these brothers have meant to me over our time together, and all the other friends from the other apartments here in Foxridge. What made Foxridge such an amazing place to live wasn’t the gym, or the pond, swimming pool, or even the great field… Foxridge was and always will be the people. the community. the family.
To all you guys living here next year, especially my brothers that taking over 9800. embrace that family. continue on this legacy and make it even better. take that next step and reach out to your neighbors and be missionaries to those that don’t know Him yet here, and exemplify Christ in all that you do. i pray that Foxridge would not only be a great and fun place to live together, but be a place where God is truly glorified and worshiped daily in. i can’t wait to see this place next year and im excited for you all and how God will work through you.
Even now as i finish this up at 6:15am i look and i see my freshmen (not freshmen anymore!) brothers all passed out in my room and it just reminds me of how great this years been being able to spend time with them. From the first time they slept over way back in September, all the disgusting amounts of food we consumed together over the year, the games/sports we played together, the prayers and conversations shared, to now here at the very end of the year spending one last night together as brothers in this room and looking forward to what’s to come. it’s crazy to see how fast these past 2 years and i cant help but get a little emotional…
God taught me so much over these past two years through my brothers & sisters here in Foxridge and in CCF. it was truly a time of my life that i will look back on and remember with a huge heart and cherish forever. Thank you guys. i love you all. looking forward to what God has in store! :)
Let’s Goooo.
-Alex