High School Class Reunion

This summer, my High School class is hosting a reunion.  It has been 15 years and our class has still not had a reunion.  Keri and I will not be able to make it for the event, but they did ask everyone to submit a summary of their past 15 years.  This is not an easy task to put 15 years into a few sentences for people of whom you only know their most immature self.  Then, add to the equation that a class reunion may be the first chance to "redeem" their enduring image of me, of which I am not the most proud.  For someone who thinks too much about these kinds of things, this is hard.  Therefore, I need your help.  Here is my first draft, let me know what you think.  If you have the time, please send an email or leave a comment.  Too long?  Too short?  Too practical?  Too ethereal?  Too christianese?  Too serious?  Thanks!

I am not who I was.  I look back at high school with some fond memories and a fair measure of shame.  My high school experience was better than that of 99% of the world.  I must be thankful for great people, good memories, and a decent education.  I know that puts me in the 1%.  But, I was not who I should have been and for that I am sorry, it makes grateful for forgiveness.  Not long into my freshmen year of college I realized that there was more to life than my experiences.  It was at this time that I became a believer in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.  This changed everything!  From this point on, my life took a new course.  Through ICC and on to the University of Illinois, my journey took me beyond what I had planned.  After graduation,  I found myself living in Indiana and teaching at a small school for at-risk high school students.  It was often with a fair measure of chagrin that I looked at my life behind a teacher's desk as I considered my years failing Ms. Stahl's math class or some ridiculous english class.  The comedy then turned to a belly laugh as I took my 3 years of experience as a teacher and moved into the principals office.  It was a great job and a great experience and I remain passionate about education.  It was about the time that I became the Director of Education of that school that I was swept off my feet by the love of my life.  We married in 2004 and soon welcomed our first son in 2005.  After our second son was born in 2007, we felt the call of God to serve as missionaries overseas.  This call has taken us to the deaf community on the island of Jamaica.  We work at a school for the deaf in rural Jamaica and have experienced the profound grace of God living in a different culture.  We have had two daughters born since being in Jamaica and we often can't believe we are now a family of 6.  Life has not been easy or perfect, but we know that its a journey and we are living it in joy, learning how to love more completely.  And, by the grace of God, the journey continues.......